I 



ANNUAL REPORT, 1936-37 17 



THE FISH CULTURE BRANCH 



For the purpose of assisting in the maintenance of the fish supply, the De- 

 partment has launched a vigorous and progressive fish cultural programme. The 

 value and importance of such action is obvious. 



Ontario's game-fishing interests are vitally important, and the maintenance 

 of these interests by protecting the normal fish population and by replenishing this 

 population by fish cultural means, wherever necessary, is becoming of practical 

 concern to increasing thousands of our citizens. The healthful and recreational 

 advantages of game-fishing are of extraordinary importance coupled as they are 

 with the direct and indirect financial benefits of the tourist trade, which penetrates 

 almost every branch of industry, thus increasing employment. 



The necessity of supplementing the work of nature in maintaining the important 

 commercial fisheries of the Great Lakes and internationally connecting waters is, 

 also, of vital importance. The interest shown by the commercial fishermen them- 

 selves is increasingly evident. By means of their able assistance and the efficient 

 work of the Department's spawn-taking crews, the egg collection is becoming more 

 and more successful each year. 



This applies equally well to the actual planting or distribution of game-fish 

 and commercial varieties. Methods of planting are based on the information 

 available regarding the life-history of the species propagated. Although our 

 hatchery officers are responsible for this distribution, the assistance rendered in 

 various ways by commercial fishermen, angling fraternities, and individuals in- 

 terested in the replenishment of our waters is considerable. 



HATCHERIES AND REARING STATIONS 



During the year a new trout rearing station was constructed in the District 

 of Nipissing, approximately twenty miles north-east of North Bay, off the new 

 Timiskaming highway. This station comprises a hatchery, which will take care of 

 trout from the egg stage to the advanced fry stage. Five raceways are provided 

 for taking care of fingerlings and two large ponds for fingerlings and yearlings. 

 This rearing station will be a most valuable and important asset to this district 

 from the standpoint of more adequate replenishment of suitable waters. Long 

 haulage will be avoided and the fish will be planted in the same watershed and 

 in waters of similar composition to that in which they are reared. 



Two additional ponds 50 feet wide by 300 feet long were added to the series 

 at the Chatsworth Trout Rearing Station. This expansion will give a greater 

 opportunity to increase production of sizable trout before they are distributed. 



Three small ponds, located on the grounds of the Reforesti^^ Station at Mid- 

 hurst, were renovated and new and more satisfactory outlet dams were constructed. 

 These ponds are used for wintering trout. 



SPECKLED TROUT: 



This year the Department adopted a policy of rearing large numbers of trout 

 to yearling and older stage before distribution to natural and suitable waters. The 

 results of this plan were eminently satisfactory and more than 563,000 yearlings 

 and older trout were planted, whereas in the preceding year approximately 35,400 

 were planted. 



In addition to this, 1,053,000 fingerlings were distributed. The entire abandon- 

 ment of future fry and fingerling distribution is contemplated with the exception 

 of surplus numbers which it might not be possible to accommodate in our nurseries. 



