Doc Talks Fishing Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#34 || Dr. Hal Schramm: Too Cool to Fool - Why Your Best Lure Isn't Working Anymore May 20, 2025

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Can fish learn to outsmart us? In this fascinating episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down with Dr. Hal Schramm-legendary bass biologist, pioneering researcher, and inductee into the National Fisheries Management Hall of Excellence— to explore the cutting-edge science of fish learning and conditioning. Hal shares eye-opening research showing that bass—and likely other species— can actually learn to avoid lures, boats and fishing pressure after being caught and released.

It's a provocative twist: thanks to slot limits, selective harvest, and catch-and-release, bass populations are booming in many lakes. But despite healthy numbers, many anglers are noticing tougher bites and lower catch rates. Are the fish still there-but now too smart to bite? Join us as Hal breaks down the science of fish behaviour, explains how and why fish get conditioned, and offers practical advice on how anglers can outthink these educated fish. If you've ever wondered why yesterday's hot bait suddenly stopped working—this episode is for you.

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#33 || Dr. Nigel Lester and Nick Baccante: Walleye Mysteries Solved - Your Questions, Expert Answers May 06, 2025

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Why did your go-to walleye lure stop working? Do big females "ghost" anglers after the spawn — and where do they go? Why are some lakes full of daytime biters and others go dead until dusk?

In this jam-packed episode of Doc Talks Fishing, renowned walleye scientists Dr. Nigel Lester and Nick Baccante return to answer your questions about walleye behaviour, movement, learning, vision, spawning and feeding. We even dive into deep science on saugeye reproduction, pelagic foraging and whether you're fishing too small for big walleyes.

If you love walleye and want to understand them on a whole new level, this is the episode for you. It's science you can use — to catch more and bigger fish.

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#32 || Paul Radomski: Author of "Walleye: A Beautiful Fish of the Dark" Apr 22, 2025

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What makes walleyes masters of low light, why do they seemingly vanish from some lakes but thrive in others, and what really drives their boom-and-bust cycles? In this eye-opening episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down with fisheries scientist Paul Radomski, author of Walleye: A Beautiful Fish of the Dark to dive deep into the fascinating science behind one of North America's most enigmatic gamefish. Discover why walleye are negatively phototactic, how their behavior shifts between lakes, and which

"old wives' tales" about them are true-or not.

Whether you're chasing trophies on a prairie basin or dialling in a bite on a Shield lake, this episode is packed with cutting-edge science and real-world strategies that will help you catch more —and bigger-walleyes. Tune in and let the science give you the edge.

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#31 || Nelson Bergh: The Science Behind Stocking Trout (And How to Outsmart Them) Apr 08, 2025

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Ever wonder what REALLY happens before trout hit your favorite lake? We went behind the scenes with Nelson Bergh, head of Saskatchewan's massive fish hatchery, to uncover the secrets of trout stocking-from hand-picked genetics to survival rates, wariness, and why some fish grow into giants while others vanish.

Learn how hatchery science can help you catch more (and bigger) trout by understanding where they're stocked, how they behave, and when they're easiest to fool. Whether you chase rainbows, browns, brookies, splake or tigers this episode is packed with next-level intel you won't hear anywhere else!

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#30 || Evan Versteeg: The Astonishing Brainpower of Lake Trout Mar 25, 2025

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Did you know that a lake trout's brain actually grows in the winter? That's right-when the water gets cold, these incredible fish devote more energy to their brains, enhancing their cognitive abilities for complex reasoning. This astonishing discovery challenges everything we thought we knew about fish behaviour!

In this mind-blowing episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down with fisheries scientist, Evan Versteeg, who discovered that lake trout brains *literally grow larger* in cold water when these cunning predators sharpen their cognitive abilities to outsmart prey and survive in frigid conditions. But when summer rolls around, their brains shrink as energy shifts to other survival needs. It's a stunning adaptation that reveals just how dynamic these fish truly are.

Don't miss this mind-blowing deep dive into the science behind one of North America's most iconic fish!

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#29 || Gianni Nevieri: Winter Walleye Smarts - Science Meets Ice Fishing Mar 11, 2025

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Lake Winnipeg’s legendary greenbacks are a different breed. Unlike their structure-hugging cousins in Shield-type lakes, these giants roam the vast, featureless expanse in search of pelagic baitfish. In our last episode, Dr. Paul Cooley revealed the science behind their winter habits, but now we’re taking it to the next level—putting that knowledge into action on the ice!

Enter Gianni Nevieri, better known as Gianni Balboa, a top winter walleye angler who has mastered this unique fishery. In this episode, we play back key moments from Dr. Cooley’s research and challenge Gianni to break it down into real-world ice fishing tactics. From pinpointing fish in a barren landscape to selecting the perfect rods, reels, lines and lures for giants, Gianni shares his hard-earned secrets for putting more monster walleye topside. Tune in and get ready to knock out the competition with Gianni Balboa’s winning combination of science and skill!

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#28 || Dr. Paul Cooley: Cracking the Code for Winter Walleye Success Feb 25, 2025

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Ever wondered what walleyes are really doing beneath the ice on relatively shallow, featureless, prairie-type lakes? Join us on this week’s episode of Doc Talks Fishing, as we unravel the mysteries of winter walleye behaviour with renowned fisheries biologist, Dr. Paul Cooley. Dr. Cooley shares groundbreaking insights from his cutting-edge research, revealing where walleyes go, how they feed, and why they behave the way they do during the coldest months of the year. From thermal preferences to movement patterns, this episode is a masterclass in the science behind winter walleye fishing on these unique seemingly featureless lakes.

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#27 || Scott Smithers: Unlock the Secrets to Catching More and Bigger Panfish with OMNR Biologist Feb 11, 2025

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Ever wondered what it takes to consistently reel in slab crappies, trophy bluegills, and vibrant pumpkinseeds? In this must-listen episode of Doc Talks Fishing, we sit down with Scott Smithers, a leading biologist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and a panfish management expert.

Scott dives deep into the fascinating world of panfish, revealing their hidden habits, preferred habitats, and the science behind growing bigger, healthier populations. Whether you're targeting crappies in the spring, bluegills in the summer, or pumpkinseeds in the fall, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you make every cast count.

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#26 || Liam, Gord and Dr. Chris Therrien: From Science to Success - Mastering Winter Lake Trout Jan 28, 2025

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Are you ready to catch more and bigger lake trout under the ice this winter? We're diving this week into Dr. Christian Therrien's groundbreaking research on lake trout habits and habitat. From their seasonal movements in the winter time to their feeding patterns, we unpack the science behind what makes these incredible fish tick. But we don't stop there—we take Chris' fascinating findings and translate them into practical, game-changing strategies you can use to outsmart lake trout and land more and bigger fish. Whether you're an experienced ice angler or just getting started, this episode is packed with tricks, tips and techniques to help you up your game. Tune in and take your winter lake trout fishing to the next level!

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#25 || Jeff Matity: Pike On Ice - Habitat, Prey and a Game-Changing Technique Jan 14, 2025

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We’re thrilled to welcome back Saskatchewan-based biologist Jeff Matity who has spent years studying northern pike. In this fascinating episode, Matity unpacks the winter habits of pike, revealing how these apex predators use a surprising variety of habitats —they’re not all in the weeds— under the ice. You’ll learn why pike are drawn to specific prey species like ciscoes and yellow perch and how their behaviour can mimic lake trout.

But that’s not all—Matity shares his groundbreaking techniques for catching trophy pike beneath the ice. Using jigs and ciscoe belly fillets, as well as circle hooks and dead-baits, he explains how to revolutionize your approach to ice fishing. If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of northern pike or land the fish of a lifetime this winter, you won’t want to miss this episode!

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