In case you didn’t get any bites while fishing, it might not be due to your fishing prowess, but rather the reduced fish stocking at your favorite local fishing spot.
The Nova Scotia stocking initiative 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 benefit native populations and entice tourists through recreational fishing.
Due to last year’s drought, the program has undergone changes. Stephen Thibodeau, a manager at the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, mentioned that rainbow trout are not being stocked at all, and there will be a decrease in available brook trout for this spring’s stocking.
Thibodeau explained that due to the need to conserve water during the drought, they had to reduce the number of operational ponds at the hatcheries that rely on local water sources. This led to an earlier-than-usual fish stocking to cope with the reduced water capacity.
The team currently has approximately 130,000 brook trout ready for spring stocking, a 60% decrease compared to normal years. The hatcheries usually operate on an annual cycle, starting a new batch of fry each spring and releasing them as yearlings a year later, sometimes extending to two years. However, the 2026 cohort has been impacted by the early fish releases in 2025 due to the drought.
Mike Christmas, a passionate angler and owner of Mike’s Rigs N’ Jigs, expressed concerns that the diminished fish stock may discourage beginner anglers. Christmas operates his business overlooking Albro Lake, a popular fishing spot known for its annual spring stocking, which attracts novice anglers due to its accessibility and high catch rates.
Although Thibodeau mentioned that the drought’s effects should be limited to this year’s stock, he assured that the lakes housing trout and other sought-after species for anglers can withstand fishing pressure even without stocked trout. Plans are being discussed within the division to better adapt to frequent severe weather events like the 2025 drought.
While Christmas emphasized the joy of fishing regardless of the catch size, Victor Lewicki, undeterred by the reduced fish stocking, remained optimistic about catching trout and bass at Albro Lake. The available brook trout inventory will be prioritized for the Learn to Fish and Trout Derby Programs before being used for spring stocking in May and June.