In case you’ve been wondering why your fishing trips have been less successful lately, it might not be your fishing prowess that’s to blame. The decrease in fish stocking at local fishing grounds could be the reason.
Nova Scotia’s fish stocking program involves taking fish, primarily brook and rainbow trout, from three provincial hatcheries, nurturing them for a year or two, and then releasing them into lakes to support native populations and boost recreational fishing tourism.
Due to last year’s drought, changes have been made. Stephen Thibodeau, a manager at the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, revealed that the program has halted stocking rainbow trout and will have fewer brook trout available for stocking this spring.
Thibodeau explained that water conservation measures during the drought led to the reduction of operational ponds, affecting their ability to hold fish for extended periods. Consequently, fish had to be released earlier than usual, resulting in a decrease in the number of brook trout available for spring stocking – around 60% less than in typical years.
The hatcheries usually follow a one-year cycle, starting a new batch of fry each spring, growing them into yearlings, and releasing them a year later, sometimes after two years. However, the 2026 cohort has been impacted by the early release of fish in 2025 due to the drought.
Mike Christmas, a passionate angler and owner of Mike’s Rigs N’ Jigs, expressed concerns that the reduced fish supply may discourage novice anglers from fishing. Christmas, who operates his business overlooking Albro Lake, noted that the lake’s popularity among beginner anglers may diminish without the usual amount of stocked trout.
Looking ahead, Thibodeau reassured that the effects of the drought should only affect this year’s fish stock, with a return to normalcy expected by 2027. He mentioned ongoing discussions within his division on adapting better to more severe and frequent weather events like the 2025 drought.
Despite the challenges, Christmas emphasized that fishing remains a rewarding outdoor activity regardless of the catch size. Anglers like Victor Lewicki remain optimistic, continuing to enjoy fishing in Albro Lake with hopes of landing a good catch, despite the reduced fish stocking.
As for the limited available brook trout inventory, the program’s website indicates that it will prioritize the Learn to Fish and Trout Derby Programs before using the remaining stock for spring stocking throughout May and June.
