The Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Recreational Fishing in Northern Ontario

Book excerpt: Based on angling diary responses, the predictive models are developed capable of assessing how various climate change scenarios may affect recreational fishing. The models are capable of assessing changes to both the availability of fishing alternatives and the attractiveness of these alternatives based on the amount, timing, and location of fishing trips by these resident northern Ontario anglers. Model utility is illustrated through a scenario whereby lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is extirpated from waters around Thunder Bay. Model results have some important implications for estimating the impacts climate change on recreational fishing.