18 DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES No. 9 (1942) 



pelts in their possession. The fines in these specific cases varied from $100.00 to 

 $3,630.00 according to the number of pelts involved in each violation. Not only were 

 these fines assessed but the beaver pelts found in their possession, and totalling 487, 

 were also confiscated and included in the sales of furs conducted by the Department, 

 the proceeds of which sales are also public funds. Beaver pelts included in the Depart- 

 mental sale conducted in the month of October, 1940, averaged approximately $20.00 per 

 pelt, so that in addition to their fines these offenders also forfeited to the Crown 

 some $9,740.00 derived from the sale of their pelts. Verily, the way of the transgressor 

 is hard! 



THE FISH CULTURE BRANCH 



During the year the Department operated twenty-seven hatcheries and rearing 

 stations. By means of these facilities the culture of fish was carried out in a satis- 

 factory and effective manner. 



Apart from maintenance, additional hatchery construction consisted of the com- 

 pletion of the Hill Lake Trout Rearing Station and the construction of a new battery 

 for whitefish, herring and pickerel at the Glenora hatchery. 



THE CULTURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF FISH 



The total distribution of fish of various sizes and ages exceeded that of any 

 previous year. Excellent progress was made in culturing and distributing small- 

 mouthed black bass, large-mouthed black bass, maskinonge, pickerel, speckled trout, 

 herring and whitefish. 



Speckled Trout: 



The following statistics indicate the progress being made in the culture and 

 distribution of yearling and older stages of this valuable native game fish. 



1936 563,351 



1937 1,183,223 



1938 • 2,087,990 



1939 2,982,874 



1940 3,285,264 



The production of yearling speckled trout in 1940 was 10 per cent higher than 

 that of the previous year. In addition, 611,000 fingerlings which could not be accom- 

 modated in the hatcheries or ponds were distributed. 



Brown Trout: 



In excess of one-quarter million yearlings and approximately 182,000 fingerlings 

 were distributed. Favourable reports of successful angling in the larger, lower reaches 

 of certain southern Ontario streams, where brown trout have been introduced, are 

 indicative of the success being achieved with this species. 



Rainbow Trout: 



(a) Steelhead trout — 



The small increase in the number of yearlings distributed was compensated 

 by the fingerling distribution, which was more than double that of the previous year. 

 Distribution was made in water areas in which this species has become established. 



