Doc Talks Fishing Podcast

Most anglers think that the wind simply pushes baitfish around the lake. But what if the fish aren’t just drifting with the current? What if they actually know where the food is going to be? In this fascinating episode of Doc Talks Fishing, Dr. Derrick (Dak) de Kerckhove reveals his groundbreaking research from Algonquin Park’s legendary Lake Opeongo that shows how sustained winds create underwater conveyor belts that concentrate plankton, attract ciscoes and ultimately draw hungry lake trou...

For decades, we've cast muskies as shadows lurking in the weeds. Ambush predators waiting to pounce on our baits. But what if everything we thought we knew about these apex fish is only half the story? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Sean Landsman pulls back the curtain on a hidden world where giant fish roam the open water, suspending over deep basins, hunting in ways that challenge what we thought was gospel. Drawing on cutting-edge telemetry and firsthand observations, Sean reveals how th...

In this episode of Doc Talks Fishing, master brook trout angler, Mark Stiffel joins us to explain how he turns cutting-edge trout biology into success on the water. Building on the fascinating science shared by Nipigon biologist Rob Swainson in our previous episode, Mark reveals how he finds big specks throughout the seasons - from cold-water upwellings and shallow spring flats to the subtle structural clues most anglers overlook. If you've ever wondered how to translate fish behaviour into m...

Most of us grew up thinking about goldfish as harmless pets — the kind we kept in a bowl in our bedrooms as kids. In this episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down with Dr. Melanie Massey from the University of Toronto, whose research reveals an astonishing truth: goldfish are one of the most destructive invasive fish species on the planet, firmly established in the Great Lakes and spreading rapidly across the continent. Melanie takes us into the biology and behavior that make goldfish such f...

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 ru...

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 river...

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 ...

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 alway...

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...

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-openi...

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 f...

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 gam...

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 t...