It’s a bold claim: free maps of more than 90,000 Canadian waterbodies. But one

Angling info: A sample page from The Angler's Atlas of Alberta's Pigeon Lake

that’s sure to interest avid anglers. Having operated as a regional Web site for years covering B.C. and Alberta, The Angler’s Atlas has recently expanded its reach across the country. Now anglers from coast to coast to coast can download National Topographic System topo maps of tens of thousands of Canadian lakes and rivers, as well as contribute their own content, such as photos, comments and map markers. In theory, each waterbody in the country could have its own angling home page, complete with maps denoting hot spots, boat launches and warnings. Of course, that’s where you come in. While you can search lakes on Angler’s Atlas for free either by name of geographical location, to download and upload content you must be a member. But once anglers see the kind of data that already exists for B.C. and Alberta, they’ll undoubtedly see the possibilities for easily exchanging angling info throughout the rest of the county. In fact, earlier this year, the Web site won the Technology in Tourism Award from Tourism B.C., for its map marker technology, the tool that lets users add map content to the site. The tool can also be downloaded for use in GPS units or on Google Earth. Says Angler’s Atlas publisher Sean Simmons of this recent expansion:

“This is our first step onto the national fishing stage, but we have a long way to go. There are over a million lakes in this country and we’re just starting to touch the surface.”

Surf over and check it out. Chances are there’s a map for that lake you’ve been dying to try out. And you just might be able to help share the angling wealth, too, in this interesting and potentially useful endeavour.

Despite a cooler and wetter than normal summer, at least here in southern Ontario, there continue to be regular reports of the impact of global climate change on game species in Canada’s Far North. For instance, just last week debate was raging in the N.W.T.’s over hunting quotas for caribou herds whose populations are rapidly declining (click here for the cbc.ca story). I stumbled across a couple of compelling stories on the topic today I thought others might be interested in reading.

First there’s the story headlined: “Is the musk ox the next dodo?” on the globeandmail.com from last Saturday’s paper. It included this frightening quote from Marcel Cardillo of Imperial College’s department of biological sciences:

“We need to keep an eye on species before they start declining to extinction. What we think is safe now may soon go through a rapid decline. We shouldn’t be too confident about the species around us.”

And today on thestar.com from The Toronto Star, there’s a story titled “Arctic’s ‘canary in a coal mine’” about research into the effects of climate change on plankton, those tiny organisms at the bottom of the food chain that many fish species rely on. While the story reports that scientists haven’t yet seen any Arctic plankton species go extinct, researchers are watching closely for the presence of Pacific Ocean plankton in the Far North. Says John Nelson, a Department of Fisheries and Oceans scientist:

“If a Pacific species was established in the Arctic, this would really be news. But we have not detected this yet. What could happen in this scenario is that, if the invader out-competes the native species, this could lead to fundamental changes in ecosystem function.”

And no doubt to fundamental changes in how we hunt and fish.

Take it to the bank: Canadian's are winning big on Bountyfishing.com

Word is starting to circulate of the relatively big money being made by a couple of Canadian anglers from Bountyfishing.com, which bills itself as “home of the world’s largest fishing tournament.” Manitoba’s Aaron Wiebe and Ontario’s Greg Amiel (both of whom have been featured in *Outdoor Canada magazine this year for other feats) have amassed $27,250 and $20,685, respectively, in the two-and-a-half years the web-based tourney has run. And there are 16 other Canuck anglers among Bountyfishing.com’s top-50 money winners’ list. The even better news? You can get in on the action, and money, too.

Register for free as a member of Bountyfishing.com, then you can entry the weekly tournaments for just $7 a day or $19 for the week. The competition basically works like this: fish caught anywhere in North America are judged on length not weight. Anglers must upload two photos of a catch to BF; one with the fish on a flat surface with a tape measure and a code number from BF, and another of the angler with the fish. If your fish is the longest entered in a given species category for the week, you win.

The prize money and species categories vary from week to week. For instance, during July 6 to 12 only largemouth and smallmouth categories are open with prizes from $500 to $100 for first through fifth in each. Other weeks, more species categories are open, including categories for walleye, panfish, musky/pike, salmon, trout, catfish/carp and striped bass. And your entry fee allows you to enter one fish into each category.

Bountyfishing uses a exclusive advanced digital forensics software based on counterfeit image detection used by top law enforcement agencies to verify the legitimacy of the size of each fish. Participants are also required to abide by all provincial laws and regulations, and all fish must be caught alive in a legal and sporting manner, by proper angling methods.

Of course, there’s a little more to the rules then I’ve summarized in terms of camera settings and tournament timing, so be sure to check out the site, which clearly explains everything. And if you want to possibly make some cash on the side while pursuing your passion like Aaron Weibe and Greg Amile, you might want to check out Bountyfishing.com—especially when it holds a free tournament the week of July 20 to 26.