The Practical Fishing website published an article that summarizes the data from experiments completed in Canada and Australia. The data suggests (according to the scientists) that faster growing and more aggressive fish are caught more quickly than slower growing, less aggressive fish. The article states,

The authors attribute the higher harvest of the fast-growing individuals to their more active and bolder behaviour, which renders them more vulnerable to capture; as a result, they speculate that the evolution of slower-growing, shyer fish may be an attribute of all commercially harvested fish populations (given that growth rate and behavioural attributes are heritable traits in fishes).” – Entire Article Here

Some things to keep in mind about the experiment. It was done using gill nets on lakes that were stocked with Rainbow Trout. This was done to simulate commercial fishing practices – the major thrust of this experiment.

Why does this matter?

With respect to commercial fishing it could indicate that commercially harvested fish numbers could become more greatly composed of slower growing fish. If the data pans out it could help commercial fishery managers compensate their quota numbers.

With respect to ‘us guys’ with fishing poles and fly rods, the experiment never simulated this kind of fishing pressure. If you practice catch and release, the data would be difficult to compare unless there was a high mortality rate in catch and release programs. However, the data could show that faster growing fish COULD target our lures and flies more.

Just in case – eat what you need and put back the rest.

A DISCLAIMER TO THE SCIENTISTS – If you need to go back to those lakes, give me a call. We could simulate sport fishing pressure this time!