ANNUAL REPORT, 1942-43 23 



The creel census is proving to be the most succes.sful means of determining the trends 

 in the abundance of game fish and although it does not give a complete record of the number 

 of fish taken it is a measure of both the total number taken and their availability or the 

 number taken per hour by anglers. Where the creel census is carried on continuously for the 

 same lakes and streams over a number of years it indicates the results of uncontrolled or 

 unlimited angling, angUng under controlled conditions as by alternate closure of lakes and 

 other remedial measures, such as stocking and introduction of forage fish which are being 

 applied as major experiments in fish culture. It is especially desirable to carry out the creel 

 census as a war time activity, as it gives a measure of the influence of the war on the number 

 of anglers, as well as information on the stocks of game fish which is a guide to post-war fish 

 culture needs. 



The following table gives a summary of the creel census records for lake trout and bass 

 from those lakes in Algonquin Park for which information is available. 



LAKE TROUT 



Year 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 



Number of lake trout recorded 1414 3855 3083 4681 1827 2452 1832 



Number of lakes for which 



anglers have reported 23 51 41 59 24 47 44 



SMALL-MOUTHED BLACK BASS 



Number of bass recorded 1202 1891 1694 1582 1640 1520 



Number of lakes for which 



anglers have reported 4 8 11 15 14 18 



Number of bass recorded 



from Lake Opeongo 688 '731 270 404 494 217 



During 1942 the creel census recorded the valuable information that numbers of white- 

 fish were taken by anglers from Lake Opeongo and brown trout from Brewer Lake. The value 

 of the creel census is in direct proportion to the co-operation received from anglers to whom 

 iUuch credit is due for their active participation without which this important measurement 

 01 fish culture work could not be carried out. 



It has been found that the whitefish, perch and suckers constitute the most important 

 lake trout food, particularly in Lake Opeongo. The small perch and perch fry are most 

 important from midsummer into the fall, and studies of the feeding and food supply of this 

 important forage fish have been continued. 



The speckled trout living in the streams feed upon the aquatic i;isects which are present 

 in great numbers and which irjclude such well known forms as blackflies, midges, mayflies, 

 caddis flies and stpneflies. There is a marked variation in the numbers from year to year 

 which is shown by the following table giving the total insect emergence from one square yard 

 of the same stream each year over a period of years. 



Total number of insects emerging 

 Year from one square yard of stream 



1937 13,385 



1938 15,077 



1939 10,836 



1940 13,504 



1941 11,343 



1942 16,553 



