ANNUAL REPORT, 1939-40 21 



(b) Kamloops trout 



An increased distribution of fingerlings of this valuable game fish, amounting 

 to 306.6 per cent, was obtained. The plan suggested in the previous annual report 

 of the Department, namely, to plant yearlings of this variety is being developed 

 satisfactorily and may be realized next year. 



Lake Trout: 



There was a decrease of 10 per cent in the distribution of the sum total of eyed 

 eggs and fry; and a decrease of 5.8 per cent in the distribution of fingerlings. 



Rough and stormy weather on the Great Lakes in the fall of 1938 was respon- 

 sible to a great extent for this reduction. The Department relies entirely on the 

 collection of lake trout spawn by the commercial fishermen, assisted by the Depart- 

 ment's hatchery officers and spawntaking crews. 



Whitefish : 



There was an increase of approximately 0.9 per cent in the distribution of 

 whitefish fry as compared with that of the previous year. 



Herring: 



The distribution of herring fry was reduced by 22.5 per cent. Fluctuations in the 

 number of herring fry available from year to year may be correlated with the size of 

 the run and weather conditions. 



Yellow Pickerel: 



There was an increased distribution of fry amounting to approximately 20.6 per 

 cent over that of the previous year. 



Following the usual practice approximately two million eyed eggs were handled 

 by the Sparrow lake hatchery, the fry being distributed in suitable places in Sparrow 

 lake. 



Eyed pickerel eggs were exchanged with the State of Pennsylvania for eyed 

 brown trout eggs. 



Small-mouthed Black Bass: 



Exceptionally good progress was made in the culture of small-mouthed black 

 bass. The percentage increases of fry and fingerlings were 72.4 and 33.3 per cent, 

 respectively. 



As a rtsult of bass harvesting operations, approximately the same number of 

 yearlings and adults were distributed as in the previous year. The harvesting operations 

 were carried out on Fox Lake, Kenora district; Bass lake. Rainy River district; and 

 Little Gull Lake, Haliburton county. 



A number of large-mouthed black bass fingerlings were harvested from Wiltse 

 Creek, Leeds county, and Stony lake, Peterborough county. 



Yellow Perch: 



The distribution of perch fry showed an increase of 22.3 per cent over that 

 of the previous year, due to a good run of this desirable commercial species in the 

 vicinity of their natural spawning grounds at the west end of Lake Erie. 



The perch eggs were collected in the vicinity of Kingsville under supervision 

 of our hatchery officers, and cultured to the fry stage in the Kingsville hatchery. In 

 view of the commercial value of the perch, this work is of considerable importance. 



