LICENCES 



Revenue from the sale of angling licences increased by a 

 resounding 73 per cent as a result of significant changes in 

 the licensing fee structure. A slight reduction (444) in the 

 number of non-resident seasonal licences sold was more 

 than compensated for by the higher licence fees and a sub- 

 stantial increase (9.8 per cent) in the sale of non-resident 

 three-day licences. 



The fiscal year 1969-70 was the first full year in which the 

 new resident angling licence was in effect. The number of 

 licences sold was 603,670. 



In comparison, the sale of domestic or sport fishing li- 

 cences is of minor importance. Some highlights, however, 

 are worthy of mention. The sale of non-resident smelt li- 

 cences and domestic dip-net licences increased 25 and 30 

 per cent respectively, and all licences in this group showed 

 marked increases in sales. 



EXTENSION 



In 1968, a formal program to guide and assist in the develop- 

 ment of fisheries resources on private lands was started with 

 the appointment of one Head Office biologist and two field 

 extension biologists. In 1969, an additional field position, 

 in Lake Erie Forest District, was established. 



While advice and services may be directed to private 

 landowners for the creation and management of ponds 

 or for stream improvement, the program is very concerned 

 with public benefits. The obtaining of public access through 

 purchase, easements, agreements and better landowner- 



Lifting a pound net on Georgian Bay. Photo by F. P. Maker. 



angler relations, and the preservation of habitat, particularly 

 water quality, migration routes and spawning areas, are 

 prime concerns. Field staff are currently developing im- 

 provement techniques on Crown lands and preparing plans 

 for private land projects. 



PROVINCIAL FISHING AREAS 



Ten pond areas near urban centres were operated on an 

 intensive basis to provide public fishing for trout. The Hill 

 Lake Hatchery in Swastika District and the George Challies 

 area in Kemptville District were added to the list in 1969. 



The Challies area was stocked with 1,947 rainbow and 

 500 brook trout for the first time in 1969. Returns of tagged 

 fish indicate 69 per cent of the fish were harvested by the 

 spring of 1970. Estimates for May and June alone indicate 

 1,335 angler visits, totalling 5,920 hours. 



Estimates for the Cornwall Recreation Area, covering 

 January through September, indicate 5,814 angler visits, 

 totalling 16,813 hours, with 5,691 trout caught. 



Mount Pleasant Provincial Fishing Area again recorded 

 the highest estimates with 28,120 angler visits, totalling 

 65,222 hours, with 22,500 trout caught. 



WATER QUALITY STUDIES 



In 1969, the Department, in co-operation with the Ontario 

 Water Resources Commission, expanded its efforts to detect 

 and reduce water pollution in the province. To provide the 

 direction for the program and to maintain liaison with other 

 government agencies in the pollution control field, a Water 

 Quality Control position was created in Head Office. 



The 1968 pesticide monitoring program was directed to 

 the Muskoka Lakes, Lake Simcoe and Bay of Quinte, which 

 had warranted further investigation to provide baseline data 

 on the levels of pesticides in various fish species because of 

 widespread use of DDT in these areas over the years, and 

 where recent legislature has almost entirely prohibited its 

 use for black-fly and mosquito control. 



Also, in 1969, the Department, in co-operation with the 

 Ontario Water Resources Commission and the University of 

 Toronto, undertook a limited program of fish sampling and 

 analysis to determine background levels of mercury and to 

 consider the possibility of mercury pollution in Ontario 

 water systems. 



In recent years, the Department has become increasingly 

 concerned about the possible effects to fisheries from heated 

 water discharges at several large thermal Generating Stations 

 being constructed on the Great Lakes. To consider the var- 

 ious possible effects of these heated discharges, a joint 

 study, involving Ontario Hydro, Steel Company of Canada, 



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