ANNUAL REPORT, 1944-45 27 



operation of members of the staff of the Ontario Fisheries Research Laboratory. 

 The plan followed was based upon the experience of the Fisheries Research Board 

 on the Petitcodiac River, N B., and involved distributing the fish along the streams 

 of the system in numbers related to estimated holding capacity for yearlings. A 

 total of 54,890 yards were planted. Neither the large, lowest waters nor for the most 

 part the small uppermost waters were included, but the distribution covered a large 

 part of the two main branches of the system and their tributary streams. 



Hand-seinings (one man) made by myself in July, August and September, 

 and by Dr. Huntsman in October, by which time the fish were from 5.7 cm. (2.2 in.) 

 long in the coldest water to 11 cm. (4.3 in.) in the better waters, showed that some 

 salmon survived in all the tributaries and in the upper parts of the two main 

 streams, but in only two places were they found elsewhere. Most were in cool clear 

 waters with constant, moderate flow, which were apt to be noted for trout. Some 

 correlation is seen between disappearance of salmon (from the main stream) and 

 heavy floods with very much sediment, which alter the stream bed, forcing the 

 fish to shift their locations, and reducing the available food supply. Also salmon 

 survival seems correlated with few minnows and rainbow darters. The salmon were 

 found as a rule in from 6 to 12 inches of water, at somewhat intermediate temper- 

 atures, over clean, coarse gravel, or in relation to such cover as stones, boulders, 

 etc. and in partial shade rather than dense woods or open to full sky. By mid-Oc- 

 tober, from none to nearly a third of the number planted were found in various 

 parts of the streams examined, but the proportion of those present that would be 

 caught in the seining was unknown." (D. M. Britton). 



Whitefish: 



The distribution of whitefish was 30 per cent less than that of the preceding 

 year. 



The collection of whitefish eggs in the fall of 1943 was 23 per cent less than 

 the collection in 1942. This decrease was noticeable on all the spawning areas where 

 collections were made. Likewise the distribution of whitefish in 1944 was 30 per 

 cent less than that of 1943. 



Herring: 



The total collection of herring spawn and the percentage fertility of the 

 eggs taken varies considerably from year to year. It is probable, although there is 

 no documented evidence that can be cited as proof, that in both cases weather con- 

 ditions may be largely responsible. 



The collection made in the fall of 1943 was somewhat smaller than that 

 of 1942, and the loss due to infertility was very much higher. Consequently, the 

 distribution in 1944 was considerably less than that of 1943. 



Yellow Pickerel: 



The number of yellow pickerel eyed eggs and fry planted this year was 

 substantially the same as last year, namely, a 2.8 per cent increase in 1944 over that 

 of 1943. 



Small-mouth Black Bass: 



The number of small-mouth black bass fry planted was greatly in excess 

 of that of the preceding year, namely a 300 per cent increase. The production of 



