high survival and rapid growth rates. Assessment of their 

 natural reproduction potential will be delayed until the fall 

 of1971. 



Coho and chinook salmon were reared for Lake Ontario 

 at Wiarton and Chatsworth hatcheries. Experimental plant- 

 ings of coho in the western basin of Lake Ontario have 

 proven successful in spite of heavy predation by sea lam- 

 preys. Chinook returns will be delayed until their maturation 

 in the fall of 1973 and 1974. In the meantime, continued 

 plantings of coho are not only creating a new sports fishery 

 in the populous Toronto area, but are affording a means of 

 monitoring the effect of lamprey control measures em- 

 ployed on these waters during the summer of 1971. 



The use of two-year-old hatchery lake trout in the Mus- 

 koka lakes has been effective in enhancing a fishery which 

 appeared doomed through the indiscriminate use of the 

 pesticide DDT. Corrective measures have been taken to pre- 

 vent continued pollution of these waters, but the residual 

 influence of DDT has severely limited natural reproduction 

 by resident fish. 



Provincial Fishing Areas, which provide quality angling in 

 areas of high population density, were stocked with catch- 

 able-size trout from Normandale, Chatsworth and Codring- 

 ton hatcheries. 



A number of waters owned and operated by the Conser- 

 vation Authority Branch of the Department of Energy and 

 Resources Management were maintained in a like manner 

 with catchable-size brook and rainbow trout from Chats- 

 worth and Normandale. 



Studies of the characteristics of the Infectious Pancreatic 

 Necrosis virus at Pembroke, in co-operation with the 

 Veterinary College and the Department of Microbiology at 

 the University of Guelph, produced significant results as 

 well as a practical approach for eliminating the virus from 

 our hatchery. 



University and Government research agencies were pro- 

 vided with provincial hatchery fish for studies related 

 directly or indirectly to improving our knowledge of fish- 

 eries management. Included here are brook and rainbow 

 trout and minnow species used for bio-assays by the Sea 

 Lamprey Control Unit of the federal Department of Fisheries 

 and Forestry and by the Ontario Water Resources Commis- 

 sion in a mercury pollution study in the St. Clair River. 



Our commitment to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission 

 for the rehabilitation of Lake Superior (500,000 lake trout 

 yearlings annually), following sea lamprey control on these 

 waters, fell short by 25,000 because of inadequate spawn 

 available in the fall of 1969. 



The private hatchery operators of the province appear to 

 have become self sufficient in fall-spawning rainbow trout 

 eggs. Only 20,000 eyed eggs were requested for purchase 

 from the Department during the 1970-71 fiscal year. 



A Minister's Committee was created to study and correct 

 problems within the private hatchery industry. The intent is 

 to develop a sense of independence and strength in the 

 industry and within its organization, the Canadian Fish 

 Farmers' Association. 



During 1970, the two private hatchery licences (a — for 

 restocking purposes; and b — for human consumption pur- 

 poses) were grouped into a single licence for the propaga- 

 tion and sale of brook and rainbow trout and largemouth 

 and smallmouth bass. A new licence covering the operation 

 of a "fishing preserve" was initiated, and a licence to sell 

 trout (applicable to wholesale and retail trade) was reno- 

 vated. The new legislation was entitled Ontario Regulation 

 181/71 under The Game and Fish Act, 1961-62. 



77V2-pound coho, taken by commercial fisherman in 

 Georgian Hav nr.-ir Wa^aga Beach. Photo by T. Jenkins. 



26 



