Chris Bunt of Biotactic Fish & Wildlife Research recently captured what appears to be a Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), an exotic African fish, in a fish ladder on the Grand River near Hidden Valley. It’s believed to be the first record of the species in Canada and raises the possibility the invasive fish could threaten native species. The fish has been sent to Fisheries and Oceans for testing to determine whether the 28 cm fish had been in the Grand for only a few weeks or much longer. Read more

The Minister of Natural Resources has responded to Ontario Chapter concerns regarding the potential for Asian Carp to invade the Great Lakes Basin via the Chicago Shipping Canal. Read more

At the 2010 Muskies Canada Board of Directors annual meeting, six individuals, including MNR senior fisheries biologist Steven Kerr, were inducted into the Hall of Fame. With the exception of Steve, all were prominent, long standing members of Muskies Canada. Muskies Canada Hall of Fame Award is the club’s most prestigious award bestowed to individual members who have outstanding dedication in: science, media and club development and promotion. These members receiving this award are nominated and voted in by their peers.

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The native range of this southern cousin of the Northern Pike is expanding into Ontario. On September 16, 2009, a MNR field crew identified a Chain Pickerel (Esox niger) captured during routine gill-netting operations in the Thousand Islands area of the upper St. Lawrence River. The fish was 58 cm long and weighed approximately 1.4 kg. This was the second documented occurrence of Chain Pickerel in this area in the last year and a half. A commercial fisherman turned in the first in April 2008. These two specimens represent possibly the first documented Chain Pickerel in the province. Read more