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Welcome to DOC TALKS FISHING, the podcast dedicated to exploring cutting-edge fisheries projects with renowned biologists from around the world. Join Liam Whetter and Gord Pyzer as they unravel the secrets that will help you reel in more and bigger walleye, bass, trout, salmon, muskies, pike and panfish.
Tune in every second week as we unveil breakthroughs in fisheries science that will elevate your fishing game to the next level. DOC TALKS FISHING is your gateway to success. Let's make every fishing trip an extraordinary adventure.
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Intro song: Cold World by Jackson Klippenstein
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0aUhZMbG1nz102PvP9HKdW?si=bkcx3z_SQqebvK1WazBwFA
48 Episodes
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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 river...
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. Send us a message
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 ...
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 Greenla...
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...
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 breakthro...
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...
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. Send us a message
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 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, an...
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...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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...
Why did your go-to walleye lure stop working? Do big females "ghost" anglers after the spawn — and where do they go? Why are some lakes full of daytime biters and others go dead until dusk? In this jam-packed episode of Doc Talks Fishing, renowned walleye scientists Dr. Nigel Lester and Nick Baccante return to answer your questions about walleye behaviour, movement, learning, vision, spawning and feeding. We even dive into deep science on saugeye reproduction, pelagic foraging and whether you...
What makes walleyes masters of low light, why do they seemingly vanish from some lakes but thrive in others, and what really drives their boom-and-bust cycles? In this eye-opening episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down with fisheries scientist Paul Radomski, author of Walleye: A Beautiful Fish of the Dark to dive deep into the fascinating science behind one of North America's most enigmatic gamefish. Discover why walleye are negatively phototactic, how their behavior shifts between lakes, ...
Ever wonder what REALLY happens before trout hit your favorite lake? We went behind the scenes with Nelson Bergh, head of Saskatchewan's massive fish hatchery, to uncover the secrets of trout stocking-from hand-picked genetics to survival rates, wariness, and why some fish grow into giants while others vanish. Learn how hatchery science can help you catch more (and bigger) trout by understanding where they're stocked, how they behave, and when they're easiest to fool. Whether you chase rainbo...
Did you know that a lake trout's brain actually grows in the winter? That's right-when the water gets cold, these incredible fish devote more energy to their brains, enhancing their cognitive abilities for complex reasoning. This astonishing discovery challenges everything we thought we knew about fish behaviour! In this mind-blowing episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down with fisheries scientist, Evan Versteeg, who discovered that lake trout brains *literally grow larger* in cold water wh...
Lake Winnipeg’s legendary greenbacks are a different breed. Unlike their structure-hugging cousins in Shield-type lakes, these giants roam the vast, featureless expanse in search of pelagic baitfish. In our last episode, Dr. Paul Cooley revealed the science behind their winter habits, but now we’re taking it to the next level—putting that knowledge into action on the ice! Enter Gianni Nevieri, better known as Gianni Balboa, a top winter walleye angler who has mastered this unique fishery. In ...
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