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 monitoring is developed by the ministry's Aquatic Research and Development Section, fisheries assessment units, Great Lakes Management Units, and the Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem Research, as well as by universities, non-government organizations and other agencies.

MNR’s Aquatic Research and Development Section conducts applied research focused on the aquatic ecology and biodiversity conservation of Ontario’s Great Lakes, inland lakes, and streams and rivers. Research scientists and section staff provide new peer reviewed knowledge, supply expert advice, and develop models, methods and new technologies to improve our understanding about aquatic species, food webs and ecosystems. Research in the area of aquatic ecology answers questions about the relationship of organisms with each other and with their changing environment.

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

• fish population ecology, productivity and management 
• fish life histories (e.g., growth, maturity, yield) and sustainable harvests
• impacts of land use (e.g., urbanization, forestry), invasive species and climate change
• genetic and biodiversity conservation of Ontario fish and other aquatic species
• habitat and other requirements of aquatic species at risk
• fish nutrition, bioenergetics modeling, and waste management
• species introductions and stocking
• sampling methods and indicators of resource abundance and health of fish.
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