of the fish in some vjaters which was resulting in a lowering of the overall 

 growth rate and production of the species in a number of areas » Therefore, 

 to alleviate the problem of harvesting undersize fish and to realize some 

 of the potential production of the species, the size limit on pickerel was 

 revoked. 



The extension of the open season for the taking of rainbow trout 

 was introduced to facilitate a more liberal harvest of this species. The 

 rainbow trout (steelhead) commonly migrate from the lake habitat to suitable 

 tributary streams in the fall, winter and early spring, prior to spawning 

 in April or May. The species is commonly taken by the angler during the 

 fall migration. The extended open season therefore provides for a more 

 liberal harvest of this prized game fish species, which is seldom taken at 

 other times. 



FIELD MANAGEMENT PROJECTS 

 Lake and Stream Surveys 



Basic information on the physical, chemical and biological con- 

 dition of waters is a prerequisite to any sound management programme. For 

 this reason, much of the field work undertaken by the Department continues 

 to be directed to this and related phases of study. 

 Marking and Census Studies 



An important adjunct to any lake and stream survey is the marking 

 and tagging of fish, and the creel census study. Both of these studies are 

 frequently included with the survey operations and provide valuable data 

 on the composition, distribution and abundance of the fish populations which 

 are of paramount importance in the management of a fishery. 



Excellent progress in this work is reported from a number of 

 districts, particularly in Central and North Western Ontario, 

 Bass Harvesting 



Bass harvesting operations were undertaken on fifteen lakes in the 

 forest districts of Tweed, Quinte, Pembroke, Parry Sound, Swastika and 

 Cochrane , 



The operations were conducted on lakes which, on examination, 



were found to be supporting an over-population of bass, \Vhen a bass popu- 

 lation becomes out of balance with the carrying capacity of the waters 



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