Brook trout inspire a level of devotion that few fish can match. In this episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down once again with our good friend and legendary biologist, Rob Swainson to uncover why.

Rob draws on his decades of research to explain what makes brook trout so unique: their reliance on groundwater, their seasonal movements between shallow warming shorelines and deep cold refuges and their incredible ability to adapt to wildly different environments.

Rob tells us why brook trout are the crown jewels of cold water fisheries, offering anglers a deeper understanding of where they live, why they're vulnerable and how respecting their habitat is the key to their future.

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What if we told you that some fish don't actually "get old" — but get better with age? In this jaw-dropping episode of Doc Talks Fishing, Dr. Chris Therrien returns with three more astonishing fish facts that challenge everything we thought we knew about fish and fishing.

Chris fills us in on the unbelievable story of lake trout that show no genetic, physical, or reproductive decline as they age and actually improve over time. You'll learn also why some northern pike abandon freshwater and run to the ocean, feasting on marine prey to grow into true giants.

And just when you think it can't get any wilder, Dr. Therrien introduces us to the bowfin - the fish that outlasted the T-Rex, survived mass extinction, breathes air and still prowls our waters today. If you love science and fishing — or simply enjoy having your mind blown — you won't want to miss this episode.

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We welcome back Dr. Chris Therrien for a jaw-dropping conversation that will change how you look at fish. Did you know that male bluegills will disguise themselves as females to sneak past aggressive males and steal fertilizations? Or that most —maybe even all— of the world record Arctic char caught in the legendary Tree River are likely Dolly Varden trout? Using cutting-edge genetic analysis, traditional ecological knowledge and meticulous field research, scientists have rewritten what we thought we knew about these iconic fish.

But perhaps the most astonishing discovery is Mary Catherine— a tiny 4.6-pound, 25-inch lake trout from Lake Superior that's 62 years old. Yes, a fish old enough to have watched the Leafs' win their last Stanley Cup in 1967. Chris explains the fascinating science behind extreme longevity and why that "small" fish you just caught might actually be the oldest fish in the lake. Whether you're an angler, nature enthusiast or simply someone who loves learning mind-bending fish facts this episode's for you.

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Healthy fish populations start with healthy habitat. In this episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we talk with Robert Pye and Melissa Dakers from Watersheds Canada about why protecting and restoring fish habitat is the foundation of sustainable fisheries. We explore the threats these vital areas are facing and how anglers and shoreline owners can make a difference in their own backyards. Robert and Melissa explain what's at stake and how anglers can play a leading role in keeping our lakes and rivers thriving. This is one conversation that goes straight to the heart of what makes great fishing possible.

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Lake whitefish - the backbone of the Great Lakes fishery for centuries - are in trouble. Biologist Jason Smith joins us to explain why these iconic fish are disappearing, what's driving the collapse and the groundbreaking bold "Noah's Ark" project that could one day bring them back. It is a story of crisis, science and hope for one of the most important fish in North America.

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We've all seen fishing regulations — seasons, size limits, daily and possession limits— but how are they actually set? The numbers aren't just pulled out of thin air. They're grounded in decades of science and driven by massive amounts of data -collected through creel surveys, trap net sets and rigorous sampling programs.

On this episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we're joined by OMNR Regional Fish and Wildlife Specialist, Scott Smithers. Scott walks us through what these surveys look like in the field, the kinds of information they provide, and how all of it comes together to guide fishery management decisions. If you've ever wondered why a season opens when it does, or why you can keep two fish here but four fish there—this is the episode for you.

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Fifty years after JAWS terrified a generation, the fear of sharks still runs deep — but the truth about these ocean predators is far more fascinating than frightening.

In this episode of Doc Talks Fishing, Dr. David Shiffman, author of Why Sharks Matter, tells us why these ancient fish are critical to healthy oceans, how they shape entire ecosystems, what makes them biologically extraordinary, and why so many species are on the brink of extinction.

From great whites and hammerheads to Greenland sharks that live for centuries, David takes us inside the secret world of sharks —and reminds us that protecting apex predators, including muskies and northern pike, is key to keeping our fisheries thriving.

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Catch rates may look good on paper—but what if they're lying to us? Julie Charbonneau is a member of the Earth to Ocean Research Group, in the Department of Biological Sciences at Simon Frazer University and she joins us today to explain how high angler catch rates can hide serious population declines. Learn about the phenomenon of hyperstability, the dangers of relying on catch data, and what it all means for the future of British Columbia's iconic steelhead. Catching more fish doesn't always mean there are more fish to catch.

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What happens when the world's leading bass scientists gather to share their latest discoveries? The 2025 Black Bass Symposium brought together researchers, managers and anglers from across the globe — and the insights could change the future of bass fishing. In this episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down with renowned fisheries scientist Dr. Steven Cooke of Carleton University, who helped organize the symposium. From angler impacts to management strategies, we explore the biggest breakthroughs in bass science and what they mean for conserving - and catching - more and bigger bass in the years ahead.

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Last year we sat down with renowned smallmouth bass researcher Dr. David Philipp to discuss what he described as a once-in-a-lifetime discovery on Opinicon Lake in southeastern Ontario.

When COVID-19 restrictions limited angler access to the lake during the smallmouth spawning season, something remarkable happened. For the first time in decades, the fish were able to spawn undisturbed — and the result shocked the science community: record-setting year classes of bass.

In response, Dr. Philipp and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources launched an experimental bass sanctuary management project to protect spawning fish and allow their fry to seed the rest of the lake.

Now, one year later, the first results are in … and they’re just as groundbreaking.

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