Doc Talks Fishing Podcast

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: ...

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 ...

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 tournam...

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 ex...

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 t...

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 ...

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 brid...

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 ...

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...

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 ar...

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 ...

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 dis...

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 wi...

Ever wondered what walleyes are really doing beneath the ice on relatively shallow, featureless, prairie-type lakes? Join us on this week’s episode of Doc Talks Fishing, as we unravel the mysteries of winter walleye behaviour with renowned fisheries biologist, Dr. Paul Cooley.  Dr. Cooley shares groundbreaking insights from his cutting-edge research, revealing where walleyes go, how they feed, and why they behave the way they do du...

Ever wondered what it takes to consistently reel in slab crappies, trophy bluegills, and vibrant pumpkinseeds? In this must-listen episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down with Scott Smithers, a leading biologist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and a panfish management expert.

Scott dives deep into the fascinating world of panfish, revealing their hidden habits, preferred habitats, and the science behind growing bigg...

Are you ready to catch more and bigger lake trout under the ice this winter? We're diving this week into Dr. Christian Therrien's groundbreaking research on lake trout habits and habitat. From their seasonal movements in the winter time to their feeding patterns, we unpack the science behind what makes these incredible fish tick. But we don't stop there—we take Chris' fascinating findings and translate them into...

We’re thrilled to welcome back Saskatchewan-based biologist Jeff Matity who has spent years studying northern pike. In this fascinating episode, Matity unpacks the winter habits of pike, revealing how these apex predators use a surprising variety of habitats —they’re not all in the weeds— under the ice. You’ll learn why pike are drawn to specific prey species like ciscoes and yellow perch and how their behaviour can mimic lake trou...

Dive into the intricate world of British Columbia's salmon with our latest episode featuring Jamieson Atkinson, Program Manager at the Aquatic Research and Restoration Centre, British Columbia Conservation Foundation. Jamieson shares cutting-edge research into the "survival bottlenecks" that are keeping salmon stocks dangerously low. Learn how PIT tags and micro-fishing are helping scientists track juvenile salmon an...