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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This week on Doc Talks Fishing, we crawl into the fascinating-and alarming-world of crayfish with renowned biologist Dr. Premek Hamr.

From native species quietly working behind the scenes to the aggressive takeover by rusty crayfish, "Dr. Crayfish" pulls back the curtain on one of the most under-appreciated but ecologically powerful players in our lakes and rivers. What makes rusty crayfish such effective invaders? How do they displace native species-and what does it mean for our favorite gamefish?

Whether you're an angler, biologist, or just curious about the wild lives happening beneath the surface, this episode delivers science you can use.

Learn how these armoured intruders reshape underwater habitats, alter food webs, and impact fish populations. It's a freshwater battle you don't want to miss.

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If you love chasing crappies, bluegills and pumpkinseeds—this is the panfish masterclass you’ve been waiting for. In this episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we hand the mic to Pete Garnier—known far and beyond as the Panfish Professor—to show us how he turns science into success.

Pete doesn’t just fish—he studies his quarry like a true tactician. From breaking down key panfish behaviours to revealing his go-to seasonal locations, he bridges the gap between lab and lake. You’ll hear exactly how he uses Scott Smithers’ research to dial in the best bite windows, choose his favourite rod-reel combos, and deploy deadly lure presentations that put slabs in the boat. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a die-hard panfish purist, this episode is packed with the kind of real-world tips, tackle insights and science-backed strategies that will up your game instantly.

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Can fish learn to outsmart us? In this fascinating episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down with Dr. Hal Schramm-legendary bass biologist, pioneering researcher, and inductee into the National Fisheries Management Hall of Excellence— to explore the cutting-edge science of fish learning and conditioning. Hal shares eye-opening research showing that bass—and likely other species— can actually learn to avoid lures, boats and fishing pressure after being caught and released.

It's a provocative twist: thanks to slot limits, selective harvest, and catch-and-release, bass populations are booming in many lakes. But despite healthy numbers, many anglers are noticing tougher bites and lower catch rates. Are the fish still there-but now too smart to bite? Join us as Hal breaks down the science of fish behaviour, explains how and why fish get conditioned, and offers practical advice on how anglers can outthink these educated fish. If you've ever wondered why yesterday's hot bait suddenly stopped working—this episode is for you.

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