Episode 209: Catching the SMALLEST Fish on Purpose?

Thank you to today's sponsors!- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!Is “micro fishing” the next big thing in angling?In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we sit down with Dr. Steven Cook from Carleton University to explore one of the most unusual fishing trends we’ve ever discussed: anglers targeting the smallest fish in the ecosystem on purpose.We dive into: • What actually defines a “game fish” • Why species like bowfin and carp deserve more respect • The strange rise of micro fishing and species collecting • How tournament anglers really make decisions on the ice • What invasive carp do in winter • And whether pike should ever be considered invasivePlus, we break down a fascinating study on how anglers make decisions during competition — and why even experienced fishermen can be swayed by dock talk.If you love fishing science, fisheries management, conservation talk, and the occasional bizarre twist in the angling world, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.Subscribe for more conversations about fishing, conservation, freshwater science, and the stories behind the sport.