Page 127 Division of Research 



sand shoals fed by spring seepage. The lack of these facilities in many of the Park 

 lakes suggests the construction of artificial beds to encourage natural reproduction. 



Lake trout were found to prefer broken rubble shoals composed of rocks one 

 to three inches in diameter, exposed to the prevailing wind. In Lake Opeongo bullheads 

 were found preying on lake trout eggs to a considerable degree. Whitefish and suckers 

 were minor offenders. 



Investigation of Speckled Trout in Redrock Lake. Tagging studies in 

 1949 revealed a very limited population of speckled trout in this lake. About 70 per 

 cent of the fish of catchable size (over 10 inches) were taken by anglers during the 

 spring of 1949. The production of this lake appears to be only about one trout per 

 acre in every alternate year that the lake is open to fishing. Competition of yellow 

 perch and poor spawning facilities are possible causes for this low production. Before 

 perch reduction is tried the provision of artificial spawning beds is advocated. 



It has also been determined that few speckled trout live longer than six years 

 even in the lightly fished waters of Algonquin Park. Prolonged closure of speckled 

 trout waters to build up populations is, therefore, not advisable in most situations. 



Southern Research Station, ]Maple, Ontario. In 1948 the Department 

 with the co-operation of the University of Toronto established a laboratory for experi- 

 mental limnology at the Southern Research Station near Maple. The building was 

 completed in 1949 and its facilities first utilized in the fall of the year. Early work 

 dealing with the effects of o.xygen and temperature on fish was undertaken by a 

 graduate from the University of Toronto under the direction of Dr. Fry. 



It is expected that much of the biological and chemical material collected in 

 the field will, in future, be analysed at this laboratory in addition to the physiological 

 experiments already mentioned. 



Wildlife 



The Wildlife Section carried on several projects during the year under the 

 direction of C. D. Fowle. 



At the Wildlife Research Station and the Wilderness Area in Algonquin Park, 

 investigations of the role of birds and mammals in the forest environment were con- 

 tinued. Since the importance of birds and mammals with respect to the distribution 

 and destruction of seeds and as elements in the food of important fur-bearing predators 

 such as the fisher and marten, depends largely upon their numbers, much attention has 

 been given to methods of measuring populations. Since populations of small mammals 

 show major fluctuations from year to year, studies of reproduction and factors affecting 

 survival have been studied with a view to determining the causes of the sudden changes 

 in population. 



In an effort to assist Foresters who are interested in the direct seeding of logged 

 or burned area, methods of protecting tree seeds from destruction by small mammals 

 were under investigation. To date, no suitable method has been found, but several 

 promising leads are being followed. 



Studies of the ruffed grou.se. an important game bird, have yielded information 

 on the most suitable types of environment for the species, as well as information on 

 their movements and relationshi[)s to one another. 



Through the courtesy of the Indian Affairs Branch of the Department of 

 Citizenship and Immigration, the Department has obtained permission to stock an 



