Hunting and fishing trends, Canada 2025. Canada’s hunting and fishing scene is shifting, mirroring bigger changes in outdoor recreation and wildlife management. In 2021, just 3% of Canadian households reported hunting close to home, down from 4% in 2019, while retail equipment sales topped $678 million in the second quarter of 2023.
These numbers say a lot about how Canadians interact with outdoor traditions. The trends can look wildly different depending on where you are.
Atlantic Canada leads hunting participation, with Newfoundland and Labrador showing 12% of households hunting close to home. Urban areas really lag behind rural communities.
Rural households outside major cities hunt at rates seven times higher than those in big metro areas. Canada’s hunting and fishing industry still matters to the economy, even as participation changes.
The country supports over 2,000 hunting and fishing camps. These places offer everything from guided trips to gear sales for locals and tourists alike.
Key Takeaways
- Hunting participation among Canadian households dropped from 4% to 3% between 2019 and 2021
- Atlantic provinces have the highest hunting rates; urban areas are much lower
- Hunting and fishing equipment sales hit $678 million in retail sales during 2023’s second quarter
Overview of Hunting and Fishing Trends Canada – hunting and fishing trends, Canada 2025.
Canada’s hunting and fishing sector covers recreational, commercial, and traditional activities. These take place across millions of hectares of forests, lakes, and rivers.
You’ll find licensed hunters and anglers, outfitters, equipment shops, and tourism services all fueling hundreds of millions in annual economic activity. The hunting and fishing industry in Canada blends recreation with commercial services and conservation work.
Individual hunters and anglers chase wildlife and fish across the country’s wild spaces. Over 2,000 hunting and fishing camps offer guided trips, places to stay, gear, and sometimes meals and transportation to the middle of nowhere.
Equipment retailers and manufacturers round out the sector. Canadians spent $678.6 million on hunting, fishing, and camping equipment in just the second quarter of 2023.
The latest Hunting and Fishing Trends Canada highlight the importance of conservation and sustainable practices in these activities.
Key Industry Components:
- Licensed recreational hunters and anglers
- Outfitters and guide services
- Equipment manufacturers and retailers
- Tourism operators and camps
- Conservation organizations
Trapping also plays a role, especially for Indigenous communities who rely on these practices for both income and cultural connection.
Historical Context and Evolution
Hunting and fishing run deep in Canadian history, starting with Indigenous peoples who developed sustainable traditions over thousands of years. European settlers picked up many of these techniques and added their own twists.
The 20th century brought in the modern regulatory framework. As wildlife populations took a hit from settlement and commercial use, governments stepped in with licenses, seasons, and quotas to keep things sustainable.
Historical Milestones:
- Indigenous traditional practices dating back millennia
- European colonial hunting and fishing methods
- Early 1900s: First conservation regulations
- Mid-1900s: Provincial licensing systems established
- Modern era: Science-based management approaches
The industry shifted from mostly subsistence to include big recreational and commercial elements. Tourism picked up as city folks started craving the outdoors.
Current State of the Sector
Participation rates really depend on where you look in Canada. In 2021, 3% of households reported hunting close to home, down from 4% in 2019.
Atlantic Canada leads the pack. Newfoundland and Labrador households show 12% participation, with New Brunswick at 9% and Nova Scotia at 5%.
Provincial Participation Rates (2021):
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 12%
- New Brunswick: 9%
- Nova Scotia: 5%
- Saskatchewan: 4%
- Quebec: 3%
Rural areas outpace cities by a long shot. Only 1% of households in major cities hunt close to home, but it’s 7% in rural spots.
The sector keeps showing strong economic activity. Equipment sales spike during the fall hunting season, with the third quarter usually blowing past other times of year.
Recent Trends in Hunting and Fishing – hunting and fishing trends, Canada 2025.
Hunting and fishing participation in Canada has slipped lately. Tech adoption and regional preferences keep shifting, though.
New regulations in 2025 focus on conservation and sustainability, changing how Canadians approach these activities.
Participation Rates and Demographics – hunting and fishing trends, Canada 2025.
Household hunting participation dropped from 4% in 2019 to 3% in 2021, according to Statistics Canada. This mirrors bigger demographic changes in outdoor recreation nationwide.
Regional participation varies a lot:
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 12% of households
- New Brunswick: 9% of households
- Nova Scotia: 5% of households
- Saskatchewan: 4% of households
- Quebec: 3% of households
Urban and rural participation show a huge gap. Only 1% of households in major metro areas hunt close to home, compared to 7% outside those cities.
Hunting participation has shifted with changing demographics, economic pressures, and evolving interests. Younger generations just aren’t as into traditional hunting, and rising equipment costs don’t help.
Popular Species and Regions
Atlantic Canada leads in hunting rates, making it crucial for wildlife management. Moose hunting still draws crowds in northern provinces, though climate issues are starting to bite.
Low water levels in the southern Northwest Territories are drying up traditional First Nation hunting and fishing grounds. Some families now travel thousands of kilometers for a single moose hunting trip.
Popular hunting destinations:
- Northern Ontario for moose and deer
- Alberta foothills for elk and bighorn sheep
- British Columbia mountains for big game
- Prairie provinces for waterfowl and upland birds
Over 2,000 hunting and fishing camps operate across Canada as of June 2023. These spots offer guides, gear, and places to stay for hunters and anglers on the move.
Emerging Methods and Technologies
Modern hunting and fishing now lean on advanced tech for better success and safety. GPS units, trail cameras, and fish finders are pretty standard for serious enthusiasts.
Technology trends:
- Smart optics: Rangefinding scopes and binoculars
- Mobile apps: Weather tracking and species ID
- Advanced materials: Lightweight, weatherproof gear
- Electronic calls: Digital game calling systems
Canadians spent $678.6 million on hunting, fishing and camping equipment in Q2 2023. That covers everything from firearms and ammo to accessories and high-tech clothing.
Conservation tech is moving fast, too. Electronic licensing and harvest reporting apps help agencies track populations and keep things sustainable across the country.
Social media is changing the game. Hunters swap tips, share locations, and review gear online, speeding up how quickly new methods and gadgets spread through the community.
Regional Highlights: Ontario and Beyond
Canada’s hunting and fishing scene looks totally different depending on the province. Ontario leads in economic impact, but Atlantic provinces have the highest participation per household.
Ontario’s Role in Fishing and Hunting – hunting and fishing trends, Canada 2025.
Ontario is the economic heavyweight for outdoor recreation. Fishing, hunting, trapping, and sport-shooting pumped $4.7 billion into Ontario’s GDP in 2019 and supported nearly 37,000 jobs.
The province saw big growth during the pandemic. Ontario’s 2020 resident fishing licence sales jumped 12.5% from 2019, hitting 509,377.
This lines up with what happened in many US states, where licence sales shot up by as much as 50%. Ontario’s geography—with its thousands of lakes and endless forests—makes it a magnet for both locals and tourists.
Key Provinces for Outdoor Activities
Atlantic Canada leads in hunting participation. Over 1 in 10 households (12%) in Newfoundland and Labrador hunted close to home in 2021.
New Brunswick followed with 9% and Nova Scotia at 5%. Western provinces show different patterns—Saskatchewan hit 4% and Quebec 3%.
Rural areas always outpace cities. Only 1% of city households reported hunting close to home, compared to 7% outside urban centers.
Regional Economic Impact
Canada’s got a pretty solid infrastructure for hunting and fishing tourism. More than 2,000 hunting and fishing camps operated across the country as of June 2023.
These places aren’t just cabins in the woods. They offer outpost camps, housekeeping cabins, meals, guides, and even transportation to those hard-to-reach spots.
Spending habits really show how important this industry is. Canadians shelled out $678.6 million on hunting, fishing, and camping equipment in the second quarter of 2023.
Sales spike during certain seasons. The third quarter tends to see the biggest numbers—$835.3 million in Q3 2022 for the same category.
Key Economic Indicators:
- Ontario: $4.7 billion GDP contribution
- National equipment sales: $678.6 million (Q2 2023)
- Hunting and fishing camps: 2,000+ facilities
- Ontario jobs supported: 36,900 positions
Economic Impact and Industry Data – hunting and fishing trends, Canada 2025.
Hunting and fishing activities bring billions into Canada’s economy—direct spending, jobs, tax revenue, you name it. Back in 2018, Canadians spent $18.9 billion on fishing, hunting, trapping, and sport shooting, which set off a whole chain reaction throughout the economy.
Contribution to Canadian GDP
The hunting and fishing sector makes a noticeable mark on Canada’s GDP. These activities brought in $13.2 billion for Canada’s GDP in 2018.
Fishing leads the way here. With 3 million anglers across Canada, fishing activities contributed $7 billion in GDP.
Hunting comes in second. Canada’s 1.3 million hunters generated $4.1 billion in GDP through things like buying gear, travel, and services.
Sport shooting has picked up steam lately. About 1.4 million Canadians shoot for sport, adding $1.8 billion to GDP.
Trapping still matters, both culturally and economically. Canada’s 45,000 trappers added $91 million in GDP.
Employment and Labor Trends
These industries keep a lot of Canadians working. In 2018, hunting and fishing supported 107,000 jobs nationwide.
Jobs show up in three main ways:
- Direct employment: 66,000 jobs in retail, restaurants, hotels, and guide services
- Indirect employment: 24,000 jobs in supply chain businesses
- Induced employment: 17,000 jobs from broader economic spending
Fishing activities keep the most people employed. Fishing supported 58,000 jobs and generated $3.5 billion in labor income.
Hunting employment is also a big deal, especially in rural spots. Hunting supported 33,300 jobs and $2 billion in labor income.
Business Establishments and Revenue
Hunting and fishing support a diverse mix of businesses. You see everything from specialty retail shops to hotels and gear manufacturers.
Statistics Canada tracks the industry’s GDP every month. This helps spot seasonal shifts and long-term changes in business performance.
Government revenue from these activities is pretty significant. The sector generated $6.1 billion in tax revenues in 2018—including federal, provincial, and municipal taxes from equipment sales, licenses, and business operations.
Retail and service businesses feel the impact right away. Gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and outdoor stores see more business from hunters and anglers.
Supply chain businesses get a boost too—think equipment manufacturing, transportation, and wholesale distribution. They’re the backbone of this whole economy.
Sustainability and Resource Management – hunting and fishing trends, Canada 2025.
Canada takes sustainability pretty seriously when it comes to hunting and fishing. Strict regulations, science-based conservation, and partnerships with Indigenous communities all play a role. The goal? Keeping fish and wildlife populations healthy while supporting the economy and culture.
Regulations and Conservation Strategies
Every province and territory has regulations to protect fish and wildlife. Federal and provincial agencies set quotas, seasons, and licensing rules together.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada uses science to set catch limits for both commercial and recreational fishing. These rules protect species like Atlantic cod, Pacific salmon, and various shellfish.
Key regulatory measures include:
- Daily catch limits for recreational anglers
- Commercial fishing quotas based on stock assessments
- Seasonal closures during spawning periods
- Gear restrictions to reduce bycatch
Climate change throws new challenges into the mix. Canada’s climate is warming at twice the global rate, so agencies have to rethink their strategies.
Rising ocean temperatures change where fish live and how many survive. Climate-driven changes impact species survival and life cycles, so management needs to stay flexible.
Sustainable Fishing and Hunting Practices
Canada mixes science, innovation, and Indigenous knowledge to shape sustainable fishing practices. Technology helps lower the environmental impact while keeping the industry productive.
Smart fishing gear and eco-friendly boats make it easier to monitor catches and avoid bycatch. Fishers can target specific species more accurately now.
Sustainable practices include:
- Selective fishing gear that reduces bycatch
- Habitat restoration projects
- Stock enhancement programs
- Marine protected areas
Hunters help conservation by paying licensing fees and supporting habitat protection programs. That money funds wildlife research and habitat management across the country.
Sustainable hunting means keeping wildlife populations healthy. Bag limits and hunting seasons let species reproduce and maintain steady numbers.
Role of Indigenous Communities
Indigenous communities are essential to resource management in Canada. Traditional hunting and fishing practices help conserve biodiversity and keep ecosystems healthy.
Indigenous knowledge shapes seasonal hunting and fishing—it’s kept communities going for thousands of years and now guides modern conservation, too.
The federal government takes Indigenous knowledge into account for fisheries management. Co-management means Indigenous communities have a direct say in protecting resources.
Inuit hunting techniques show sustainable wildlife management in action. Conservationists study these methods to help keep the Arctic ecosystem balanced.
Climate change is shifting traditional practices as weather patterns change. Indigenous communities keep adapting, but they stick to sustainable ways of hunting and fishing.
Key Issues and Future Outlook – hunting and fishing trends, Canada 2025
Canada’s hunting and fishing industries are feeling the squeeze from environmental pressures and changing consumer tastes. Climate change and evolving market preferences are shaking things up for outdoor recreation.
Environmental Challenges
Overfishing and bycatch are serious problems in Canada’s coastal waters. These issues threaten marine biodiversity and the industry’s future.
Climate change messes with the patterns hunters and fishers rely on. Indigenous communities especially notice as climate change disrupts seasonal cycles they’ve followed for generations.
Warmer water changes fish migration and breeding. Anglers have to adjust where and when they go after certain species.
Loss of wildlife habitat cuts down on hunting opportunities. Cities and industry keep shrinking the spaces where game animals can live.
Changing Consumer Preferences
Young Canadians see hunting and fishing differently than older folks. A lot of them prefer catch-and-release fishing instead of keeping their catch.
Some trends gaining traction:
- Sustainable fishing practices
- Eco-friendly hunting methods
- Using technology for outdoor adventures
- Sharing experiences on social media
People want outdoor activities that connect them with nature—without hurting wildlife. This means more demand for guided trips and educational programs.
The link between conservation and hunting matters more now to folks who want their hobbies to help the environment, not harm it.
Predictions for the Next Decade
Government projections through 2027 show mixed outcomes for Canadian fish and seafood across different species groups.
Some fish populations might bounce back, while others keep sliding downward. It’s a mixed bag, honestly.
The agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector grew 0.2% annually between 2015-2020, reaching $66.9 billion in revenue.
This modest growth really hints at the challenges the industry faces.
Expected changes by 2035:
- Stricter fishing quotas in Atlantic provinces
- Enhanced monitoring technology for compliance
- Growth in Indigenous-led hunting and fishing tourism
- Integration of virtual reality in hunter education
Over 2,000 hunting and fishing camps operate across Canada. They offer guided trips, gear rentals, and plenty of local know-how.
This network of camps will probably adapt to whatever customers want next. Change seems inevitable here.
Technology’s going to shake up how Canadians hunt and fish.
Apps will dish out real-time info on fish locations and hunting conditions—it’s almost like cheating, but not quite.
Frequently Asked Questions – hunting and fishing trends, Canada 2025
Hunters and anglers across Canada face shifting regulations, evolving conservation policies, and wildlife patterns that don’t always play by the old rules.
Climate change and new gear trends are shaking up outdoor traditions in every province, from British Columbia to Newfoundland.
What are the current regulations for hunting in Canada’s major provinces?
Each province sets its own hunting rules and seasons.
British Columbia keeps detailed hunting regulations, and hunters have to follow federal firearms laws too.
Hunters need a valid license for their province. Most places want you to pass a hunter safety course before handing over that license.
Bag limits change depending on species and region. Some spots have extra restrictions for migratory birds under federal law.
Weapon rules aren’t the same everywhere. Some provinces are cool with crossbows, while others have stricter firearm requirements.
How have recent conservation efforts impacted fishing seasons in Canada?
Conservation measures now shape fishing industry policies everywhere.
Government policies emphasize sustainability and responsible resource management in Canadian waters.
Many fishing seasons are shorter now to help spawning populations recover. Some top fishing spots have smaller daily limits, too.
Catch and release rules cover more species than before. Certain fish have to go back in the water right away.
New marine protected areas block fishing in sensitive habitats. These zones give fish stocks a fighting chance after years of overfishing.
What trends are emerging in gear and equipment for outdoor sporting activities in Canada?
Canadians spent $678.6 million on hunting, fishing and camping equipment in the second quarter of 2023.
That covers firearms, ammo, accessories, and all the right clothes.
Electronic fish finders and GPS gadgets are pretty much standard now. Anglers rely on them to track down fish faster.
Hunters like lightweight camping gear these days. New materials make it a lot easier to haul stuff deep into the bush.
Cold weather gear has gotten way better. Modern fabrics actually keep you warm and dry—even in those brutal Canadian winters.
What are the popular species for game and sport fishing in different Canadian regions this year?
Atlantic Canada is a hotspot for deer hunting and Atlantic salmon fishing. The Maritimes have healthy numbers for both.
Ontario and Quebec offer moose, deer, and black bear hunts. You can also fish for walleye and northern pike there.
Western provinces feature elk, mule deer, and mountain sheep. British Columbia and Alberta both have trout and salmon that anglers rave about.
Northern territories draw hunters looking for caribou and arctic char. If you want something wild and remote, that’s the place to go.
How is climate change affecting hunting and fishing locations and seasons across Canada?
Warmer temperatures are messing with wildlife migration patterns. Some species show up earlier or later than they used to.
Ice fishing seasons are shorter and less predictable now. Lakes freeze later and thaw out sooner than they did even a decade ago.
Fish are heading for deeper, cooler waters. Anglers have to adjust where and how they fish.
Some hunting grounds are getting harder to reach thanks to weather changes. Flooding and weird temperature swings can throw off the whole season.
What are the essential permits and licenses needed for hunting and fishing in Canada?
If you want to hunt in Canada, you’ll need a valid provincial hunting license. Each province has its own rules and requirements, so you’ll have to check the details for wherever you plan to go.
You’ll also need firearm permits, thanks to federal law. That usually means taking safety courses and passing background checks before you get the green light.
Fishing? You can’t skip the license for that either—most waters require one. Some provinces make it easier by offering combo hunting and fishing licenses, which is pretty handy.
Certain species call for special permits. If you’re interested in migratory bird hunting, you’ll need extra federal stamps or permits on top of everything else.
Out-of-province hunters usually pay higher fees. And if you’re a non-resident, you’ll often need a guide for specific hunts.
