Small fish, taken in sampling a body of water, are difficult 

 to identify, but the determination of the number of different 

 species is most important. A co-operative program has been 

 arranged with the Royal Ontario Museum whereby ROW 

 experts assist our crews in the identification of difficult spe- 

 cies, in return, the Museum collection receives a large num- 

 ber of fish from all parts of the Province. A total of 48 species 

 were identified during the year. 



The experimental stream survey program was continued 

 with a crew surveying major streams in Lake Huron and 

 Lindsay Forest Districts. The surveys were based on new 

 techniques developed the previous year. A stream survey 

 manual is being written to serve as a guide for the crews of 

 a larger stream survey program planned for the future. 



The determination of the age of fish, taken in sampling, is 

 an important management tool, but accurate ageing requires 

 a high degree of training. Expert scale readers in Toronto, 

 Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay are training other staff 

 members to do this work. 



During the past year, the initial work was completed on 

 the production of lake survey maps for public distribution. 

 Many formats were studied by a wide selection of head 

 office and field personnel, and the most desirable features 

 were combined in a map that provides the information 

 requested by the public in the best way. Sample maps were 

 printed in the approved format. 



INDIAN RESOURCE 

 DEVELOPMENT 



The policy of the Department in the major portion of 

 northern Ontario favours local residents, mainly Indian 

 bands, in the development of renewable, natural resources. 

 The following projects were carried out during the past 

 fiscal year under the Federal-Provincial Resource Develop- 

 ment Agreement. 



Indian Delegates. Indians attended district meetings and 

 took an active part in the planning of projects for their 

 Reserves under the Agreement. 



Fur. Trappers and their families from James Bay were assisted 

 in establishing themselves on vacant traplines in central 

 Ontario. 



Lake Surveys. Intensive and short-term surveys were made 

 of lakes to assess their potential for commercial and sports 

 fishing. 



Commercial Fish Management. Commercial fishermen were 

 instructed in the netting, cleaning and packing of fish in a 

 project expected to improve substantially the quality of the 

 product and its marketability. Advice was also given on 

 camp sanitation, care of equipment and bookkeeping meth- 

 ods. The use of trap nets of a special type was demonstrated 

 to Indian fishermen on Lake of the Woods. 



Tourism. Indian bands have been assisted in setting up and 

 operating a tourist industry. Goose camps are in operation 

 on Hudson and James Bays and also at Fort Severn, Winisk, 

 Attawapiskat, Kapiskau River, Fort Albany and Tidewater. In 

 total, the camps grossed $112,500 in the fall of 1970. 



hiide Collection. Moose and deer hides were collected from 

 hunters throughout the province, and 2,500 hides were dis- 

 tributed at tanning costs to Indian bands for handicraft work 

 or personal use. The hunter received a compass as a gift for 

 his donation. 



Timber Management. Much of the Department's tree plant- 

 ing on Crown lands in the north is done by Indian groups. 

 At the same time, to assist Indians in managing reserve 

 forests, the Department provides technical advice that in- 

 cludes advice on reforestation, logging techniques and 

 lumber production. 



Fish limit check by conservation officers at Pigeon River 

 border crossing point, May, 7970. Photo by C. Van Cemer- 

 den. 



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