Fisheries Research

The Ministry of Natural Resources' fisheries managers depend on science to provide the information and knowledge required to manage Ontario's fisheries.  Research helps ensure the province's fisheries are managed on a sound biological basis consistent with the conditions found in Ontario. When you purchase an Outdoors Card or fishing licence tag you are supporting MNR fisheries research.

Fisheries research and science is developed by the ministry's Aquatic Research and Development Section, fisheries assessment units, both inland and Great Lakes, and the Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem Research, as well as by universities, non-government organizations and others.

Scientific research supported by the Aquatic Research and Development Section includes applied research on:

• fish population ecology, productivity and management 
• fish life histories and sustainable harvests
• impacts of invasive species and climate change
• impacts of land use (e.g., urbanization, forestry)
• impacts of cormorants on fisheries
• watersheds and fish habitats
• genetics and biodiversity of Ontario fish
• fish nutrition and waste management
• species introductions and stocking; and,
• conservation and indicators of resource abundance and health of fish.