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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Salmon and trout face a deadly threat that has nothing to do with overfishing or predators-it comes from our roads. In this week's episode of Doc Talks Fishing, British Columbia Fisheries Foundation biologist Haley Tomlin reveals how a hidden chemical called 6PPD-quinone is washing off our roads and into rivers-threatening the fish. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation.

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Walleye populations across the Midwest are in trouble and Dr. Greg Sass warns they may be nearing an ecological tipping point. As head of Wisconsin's Escanaba Lake Research Station, Greg is one of North America's leading experts on freshwater fish populations. In this week's Doc Talks Fishing, he reveals why many walleye fisheries aren't bouncing back, and what must change before it's too late. If you care about the future of walleye fishing, you can't afford to miss this urgent and eye-opening conversation.

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In Part One, our good friend, pro angler Dave Chong, unpacked how fish— especially bass-are getting smarter, adapting to pressure, and avoiding our best lures. Now in Part Two, Dave reveals more advanced tactics that he uses to overcome the growing challenge of "conditioned fish," including overlooked triggers and his favourite presentations that don't wave red flags.

Whether you're a weekend warrior or a tournament pro, you'll walk away from this episode with new tools, sharper instincts, and a much better understanding of how fish behavior is changing—and how to adapt. If you liked Part One, you'll love what Dave shares in Part Two. The fish are evolving... are you?

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In this week's episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we dig into the cutting-edge science of fish learning and conditioning with top tournament bass pro Dave Chong. Building on the jaw dropping research shared by Dr. Hal Schramm, who revealed that bass can learn to avoid lures, boats, and angling pressure Chonger takes us into the weeds on how he adapts to beat these now-savvy fish.

Dave doesn't just talk tactics—he breaks down exactly how he adjusts his approach to stay one step ahead of pressured fish. If you've ever felt like your go-to lure suddenly stopped working, or wondered why fish

"disappear" on heavily pressured lakes, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down with fisheries scientist Emily Yeung to uncover the incredible story of the Atlantic whitefish—a "living fossil" on the brink of extinction. These elusive fish have survived millions of years of evolution, yet today, they cling to existence in just a handful of Nova Scotian lakes. Emily breaks down why this species is so unique, what catastrophic threats have pushed them to the edge, and why their survival matters-not just for ecosystems, but for anglers and conservationists alike. Could hatcheries and captive breeding be their last hope? Tune in to find out.

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