If you’re not getting any bites while fishing, it may not be due to your fishing abilities but rather due to a decrease in stocked fish at your local fishing location.
The Nova Scotia stocking program involves taking fish, mostly brook and rainbow trout, from three provincial hatcheries, nurturing them for one to two years, and then releasing them into lakes. This process benefits native fish populations and boosts tourism through recreational fishing.
Last year’s drought had significant impacts. Stephen Thibodeau, a manager at the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, explained that the program is ceasing the stocking of rainbow trout entirely, and there will be fewer brook trout available for stocking this spring.
Thibodeau mentioned that due to the need to conserve water during the drought, the program had to reduce the number of operational ponds. This led to an early release of fish into lakes as they had limited capacity to retain them.
About 130,000 brook trout are available for spring stocking, which is approximately 60% lower than in normal years.
The usual cycle at the hatcheries spans a year, with a new batch of fry started each spring and released as yearlings a year later. In some cases, the fish are grown for up to two years.
Due to the early release of fish in 2025 because of the drought, the 2026 cohort has been reduced.
Mike Christmas, an enthusiastic angler and owner of Mike’s Rigs N’ Jigs, expressed concerns that the decreased fish supply may discourage new anglers.
Christmas operates his business from his Dartmouth home overlooking Albro Lake, a popular fishing spot that receives annual spring stocking. The spot is known for attracting beginner anglers due to its accessibility and reputation for providing easy catches. However, the reduced fish stocking may change this dynamic.
“The most frustrating thing while fishing is not spotting any fish,” Christmas remarked.
Impacts of Future Droughts
Thibodeau mentioned that the effects of the drought should only affect this year’s fish supply, with expectations of returning to normal by 2027.
He reassured that the current lakes housing trout and other popular fish species for anglers can handle fishing pressure even without stocked trout.
He also indicated that his department is exploring better strategies to adapt to more severe and frequent weather events, such as the 2025 drought.
“In my 24 years working with inland fisheries, that was the most severe drought I’ve encountered,” Thibodeau stated.
Enjoying Fishing Despite Challenges
Christmas highlighted that fishing remains a wonderful outdoor activity regardless of the catch’s size or type.
Victor Lewicki and his companion were at Al