Introduction

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.

1.1 Managing Canada's recreational fisheries

The policy framework for recreational fisheries takes into account their important socio-economic contribution not only to the fishing communities and tourism industries but to Canadians in general.  In addition, this framework also focuses in emphasizing partnership, citizen-engagement and community stewardship and in promoting public awareness about conservation and the sustainable use of fishery resources.

The governance structure for managing Canada's recreational fisheries is one that has evolved over time.  It is a complex combination of federal, provincial and territorial legislative and management responsibilities. Text Box 1.1 provides a summary of the different management responsibilities for recreational fisheries in Canada.

The implementation of recreational fishery management programs at the provincial and territorial level are as equally complex.  These programs and strategies do reflect, however, the diversity of requirements across various jurisdictions, the need to engage all stakeholders and the importance of achieving a balance between promotion of recreational fishing as a leisure activity and conservation of the resource.

Statistical monitoring of recreational fishing activities is an important input to fishery management.  Information collected through the Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada has been used to support policy analysis and the development of fishery management plans for the past thirty years.

1.2 Survey Highlights

In 2005, Canadians spent an average of one hour per day pursuing various sports and active leisure.^{Footnote 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.