The outfitted sport fishing sector in the Northwest Territories (NWT),
including fishing lodges and outfitters that primarily market to fishers,
appears to be experiencing a market contraction. This observation is based on
anecdotal evidence from outfitters and has not been formally confirmed. Because
this sector is a significant part of the NWT’s tourism industry, a critical
assessment of the outfitted sport fishing industry is required to understand
trends and issues.

To address the demand side of the sport fishing sector,
the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is conducting a detailed survey of the
recreational fishing industry in Canada this year. The nationally coordinated
study, which occurs every five years, provides data on a wide variety of topics
of interest to fisheries managers at the various levels of government. The
results of the survey provide the most authoritative and up-to-date information
on fishing activity, and provide detailed information on the economic
dimensions of the recreational fisheries in all regions of the country.