ANNUAL REPORT, 1940-41 19 



(b) Kamloops trout — 



The Kamloops trout is the common trout of the interior of British Columbia, 

 occurring throughout the Fraser river drainage above Hell's Gate canyon and through- 

 out most of the basin of the Columbia river in British Columbia. Unlike its close 

 relative, the rainbow trout, it does not descend to the sea. Considerable differences 

 exist in the characteristics of the species from different habitats, as to colouration, 

 size, markings, etc., and even in large lakes confusing differences occur among 

 individuals of the same species. 



Generally speaking, they mature and spawn in their fourth year, although under 

 certain conditions they might not spawn until their fifth year. Spawning takes place 

 in creeks from April to June. It is stated that some of them spawn on the beaches 

 of lakes at the mouths of streams tributary to the lakes. In some cases, Kamloops 

 trout spend their whole lives in streams. 



Only a limited amount of authentic information is available on the feeding 

 habits of Kamloops trout. It is reasonable to expect that insects form the bulk of 

 the food of specimens under sixteen inches at all seasons, but the staple food of the 

 larger specimens is probably fish. The kokanee, a diminutive salmon, occurs in very 

 large numbers in most lakes where the Kamloops trout reaches any considerable 

 size, and is preyed upon by the latter. 



The Kamloops trout is an excellent game fish, and is taken on the fly and by 

 trolling. When caught it makes a terrific fight for freedom, combining a series of mad 

 rushes and violent leaps with violent shaking of the head. It fights like the steelhead 

 trout and requires considerable skill to land. The best fly fishing is obtained in 

 streams and small lakes and at the mouths of streams flowing into larger rivers and 

 lakes. The usual weight of the fish taken is from three to four pounds, although they 

 grow to a much larger size; there are records up to thirty-five pounds. 



Small consignments of eyed Kamloops trout eggs were imported from Kamloops, 

 B.C., each summer from 1934 to 1937, inclusive. The largest losses were experienced 

 immediately after arrival, particularly in hatchery waters in which a rapid upward 

 surge in temperature occurred. The original importation to the Pembroke Trout 

 Rearing Station was experimental but it is evident from later observations that Kam- 

 loops trout eggs hatch normally and without serious loss in spring water of approx- 

 imately constant temperature, for example, at the Sault Ste. Marie and Chatsworth 

 Trout Rearing Stations. 



Normandale ponds were used for rearing parent fish, since it was expected that 

 the location and climatic conditions would be congenial for the species. In 1938 the 

 Kamloops breeders at Normandale spawned for the first time, and limited numbers 

 of eggs were collected at that time and during subsequent spawning seasons. Special 

 mention is made of this fact since it was an accomplishment not previously recorded 

 in eastern North America. It was reported on good authority that this experiment 

 was made in a pond in the east prior to 1938 but was not successful. 



Previous annual reports contain information on the distribution of Kamloops 

 trout in Ontario. Successful angling has been reported from Echo lake, in the district 

 of Muskoka, and Bloom lake, in the district of Nipissing. 



On account of its excellent game qualities and the fact that it becomes established 

 in an environment similar to that inhabited by our eastern or native brook trout, 

 and since, unlike its close relative the rainbow, it is non-migratory, controlled dis- 

 tribution in Ontario was recommended. Twenty-six thousand five hundred yearlings 



