Managing for Smallmouth Bass in a Changing Climate

Smallmouth Bass have been expanding northward through Ontario since 1970. This expansion has been facilitated by the warming of lakes and intentional introductions of these fish beyond their native range. In Ontario, there is also evidence of nesting earlier in the spring, positive associations between temperature and year-class strength, and increasing dominance of warmwater species in many lake fish communities. There are also negative interactions between introduced Smallmouth and native coldwater predatory species such as Lake Trout and Brook Trout, and native forage species such as minnows and daces. These shifting patterns, and the fact that Smallmouth is one of the most sought after recreational fish species, have prompted an adaptive approach to manage Smallmouth in Ontario. This presentation outlines the changing landscape of Smallmouth Bass ecology in Ontario and management actions (public awareness, field seasons, catch limits, and sanctuaries) used to address these changes.