Fishing in Canada

With over two million lakes and rivers that flow into five major ocean drainage basins, Canada is well-known for its recreational fisheries. Fishing has historically been one of the country’s popular leisure activities for both Canadians and visitors alike. Every year, anglers from all around the world come to visit and participate in sport fishing activities across Canada.

The important socio-economic contributions of recreational fishing are felt in all of Canada’s provinces and territories, articularly in some of the more remote areas of the country. Recreational fishing is popular with Canadians and tourists, and an estimated 3.2 million people participate in this leisure activity each year, generating approximately $7.5 billion for various local economies. Canadians also enjoy the social benefits of recreational fishing. Recreational fisheries management promotes public awareness and community stewardship for the conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources.

Recreational Fishing Regulations:

Managing Canada's recreational fisheries is a shared responsibility between federal, provincial and territorial governments. While roles vary between different provinces and territories, generally:

• The federal government is responsible for all marine species with the exception of anadromous and catadromous species in inland waters in some regions; and
• provincial and territorial governments are responsible for freshwater species, with the exception of salmon in British Columbia.

A 2005 survey showed that Canadians spent an average of one hour per day pursuing various sports and active leisure.1 Recreational fishing was certainly one of these activities, particularly among the older generation. However, recreational fishing participation rates have been on a downward trend in most provinces and territories.

Resident anglers continued to make up the majority of the active angler population in Canada, particularly in Ontario and Quebec. Most Canadian non-resident and foreign anglers travelled to either Ontario or British Columbia (tidal waters) for their recreational fishing activities.

The population of active adult anglers continued to age. More than half of Canadian anglers, for example, were in the 45-64 age group whereas only 26% of the general Canadian population fell within the same age range. The average number of days fished per angler remained relatively unchanged at 13 days since 1995. Canadian non-resident and foreign anglers made over 2 million trips within Canada in 2005.

Overall, walleye was the most predominant species caught in 2005, surpassing trout for the first time since the conduct of the first survey. Brook trout, however, continued to be a dominant species caught by resident anglers, particularly in the eastern provinces and Quebec. The Territories had significant catches of lake trout, arctic grayling and northern pike.

Anglers contributed a total of $7.5 billion to various local economies in Canadian provinces and territories in 2005. Of this amount, $5 billion were in the form of investments and major purchases of durable goods related to recreational fishing activities. The remaining $2.5 billion covered direct recreational fishing expenditures during fishing trips, such as transportation, food, lodging, fishing services, and fishing supplies.

source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada - www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca