Game Fish Studies 



Most of the game fish research during 1962 remained based at the Harkness 

 Laboratory at Lake Oj>eongo in Algonquin Park. In lake trout studies it was 

 demonstrated that the slow-growing plankton feeding populations, if transferred 

 to water where a diet of fish is available to them, the trout quickly change their 

 feeding habits and begin to grow very rapidly, even more rapidly than trout which 

 have been accustomed to a fish diet. 



BROOK TROUT 



In the brook trout research program which was started in 1961 the 

 first experimental plantings were made in specially selected lakes. These planting 

 experiments are designed to provide data which will form the basis for developing 

 a sound stocking rate formula for the various lake types which are routinely 

 planted by management. The plantings also test the relative success of stocking 

 brook trout, rainbows and splake in the same waters. The search for additional 

 lakes suitable for additional test plantings is continuing. 



SMALLMOUTH BASS 



Past studies of smallmouth bass have demonstrated that strong year classes 

 are produced in exceptionally warm summers. Such summers occurred in 1955 

 and in 1959. Creel census data collected during 1962 at Lake Opeongo, Parry 

 Sound and South Bay indicate that bass of the 1959 year class had grown to a 

 size vulnerable and attractive to the angler and contributed good numbers to the 

 creel. Good bass fishing, supported by this strong year class, is predicted for these 

 waters for the next two years. 



Four lakes were selected and surveyed in detail earlier in 1962 for experi- 

 mental plantings of bass fingerlings. Plantings of 5000 fingerlings were made in 

 each lake in August. It is hoped that this study will help to settle the question of 

 the usefulness of planting hatchery reared bass in waters where native populations 

 already exist. All planted bass were marked so that in three or four years' time, 

 when and if they form part of the angler's catch, they can be positively identified. 

 The scientist in charge left on educational leave for post-graduate studies in the 

 fall of 1961. His summer assistant, a graduate biologist, continued the work until 

 the fall of 1962 when he left for budgetary reasons. 



MISCELLANEOUS 



A planting of arctic char in Westward Lake made in 1956 was assessed 

 during 1962 and it was found that the species had reproduced successfully. The 

 grayling introduction at Found Lake, although initially successful, has now dis- 

 appeared, perhaps simply because of the short life span of this species. Further 

 experimental introductions of grayling in three distinct lake types are planned for 

 1963. 



Maple Headquarters 



SELECTIVE BREEDING 



The research on selective breeding in fish was continued at Maple and efforts 

 were again confined to the splake (the selective crossings of brook trout and lake 

 trout) . The objective of this work is to develop a new trout which will be able, by 

 reproducing at an early age, to maintain its population in the Great Lakes even if 



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