FISHERIES SECTION 

 Game Fish and Hatcheries 



It has been estimated that Ontario contains a minimum of 250,000 lakes or 

 individual bodies of water. Regardless of the exact number, it is obvious to anyone 

 that examines a map of Ontario that the province is blessed with almost countless 

 lakes, ponds and connecting streams. Many of these lakes contain fish and many 

 have not been fully explored, if at all. Some offer virgin fishing, others are 

 subjected to light or moderate angling pressure, and some readily accessible areas 

 are exposed to all the whims of a modern civilization, i.e., angling pressure, 

 disturbance, fluctuating water levels, obnoxious fish species, increased fertility, 

 pollution, and general environmental changes. This, then, is the paradox of 

 Ontario and is not fully understood by all anglers, and particularly those visiting 

 the province. 



The total number of anglers who fished in Ontario waters in 1965 is not 

 known, but it is estimated that more than two million people participated in the 

 sport. This estimate is based on the results from a previous household survey and 

 the apparent increase in the use of outdoor recreational facilities as well as a 

 substantial increase in the number of non-resident angling licences sold in 1965. 



When the non-resident three day angling licence was re-established on the 

 Ontario scene in 1963, a decrease in the sale of non-resident seasonal licences 

 occurred. This trend continued throughout 1964, and it was not until 1965 that 

 the adjustment period ended and the sale of non-resident seasonal licences began 

 a slow upward climb once again. To date, however, the 1962 level has not been 

 regained. 



It is interesting to note that the total revenue from the sale of angling licences 

 has continued to rise slowly and steadily in spite of minor adjustments in the 

 number of licences sold. The total revenue for 1965 showed an increase of 

 $151,315 or 5.6% greater than that of 1964. The three day non-resident licence 

 has become quite popular and sales have increased 76% since 1963. Interest in 

 the non-resident organized camp licence is also high and was expressed by a 55% 

 increase in sales over that realized in 1964. 



The sale of angling licences for the period 1962 to 1965 is summarized in 

 Table I. 



Various degrees of angling success, quality and competition may be experi- 

 enced in Ontario — but not all in the same place. Virgin fishing and easy access 

 to waters are seldom found together. Somewhere in the province, anglers can find 

 better than average fishing for most species if that is their desire — but they must 

 be prepared to work at it. Some anglers prefer solitude and like to be alone in the 

 mist of early morning on a small northern lake. The opportunities for this are 

 countless in Ontario — but not adjacent to a main highway. Many non-resident 

 anglers appreciate the "elbowroom" found on most Ontario waters — a condition 

 that is dependent upon a wide distribution of anglers, an abundance of water areas 

 and increasing access to such areas. This is a condition that should be cherished 

 and perpetuated wherever possible. Ontario has much to offer the angler, but full 

 appreciation of this fact is dependent upon experience, knowledge and under- 

 standing of the geographical problems involved. 



Due to the extreme length and breadth of Ontario and the related differences 

 in climate, geology, access and human pressures, there are corresponding differ- 

 ences in the intensity and nature of fish management practices employed by the 



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