Freshwater Fisheries in Western Canada: Multiple Challenges Lead to Opportunities and Successes

Fisheries in western Canada are always changing, both due to the growth (and decline) and diversification of the angling community and through dynamically fluctuating natural and introduced fish populations. Some fisheries have been severely depressed due to overcrowding, while others have become world class fisheries. Overall, despite a great number of natural fishing opportunities, there are an equal number of challenges that have had to be overcome: low productivity lakes; low species diversity; aquatic invasive species; increasing urbanization; creation of hydroelectric reservoirs; etc. This has led to a great need to better understand the natural and social systems in which we operate, leading to a wide variety of research opportunities. Generally, this research has greatly shaped the way fisheries are managed and created opportunities in otherwise depressing situations. We will broadly discuss some of these challenges, and opportunities from across western Canada and discuss ongoing and impending issues that will reshape our fisheries well into the future.