Hatcheries (Private) 



The increased interest in the stocking of private waters for both aesthetic 

 and angling appeal has reflected itself in the development of a small but growing 

 industry in Ontario. The production of fish by private hatcheries has also captured 

 the imagination of many entrepreneurs intent on the production of trout for human 

 consumption. Most operators have entered the business in a small way. However, 

 some have developed their facilities in a very progressive and professional manner. 

 The principal deterrents to a more rapid expansion of the business are the limited 

 number of suitable water supplies available, market development, and a lack of 

 knowledge of fish culture techniques. It is hoped that the local production of trout 

 may be increased in the future and that the industry may be developed to compete 

 favourably with imported trout. 



Ontario regulates this industry by licencing operators to sell fish for human 

 consumption and for restocking purposes. In 1965, 30 private fish hatcheries 

 were licenced to sell fish for restocking, and 27 to sell for human consumption. 



The distribution of fish raised by private hatcheries for restocking purposes 

 in 1965 is summarized in Table IV, page 97. 



Fish Management Units 



LAKE ST. LAWRENCE 



Fisheries work consisted of the carrying out of a summer creel census, water 

 quality tests at selected limnological stations on the lake, and the preparation of a 

 report summarizing the work conducted during the period 1961-1965. 



The summer creel census is carried out for fourteen days every other two 

 weeks over a 69-day period ending at Labour Day each year. Census trips are 

 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the area covered is Nairn Island east to 

 Cornwall or west to Iroquois. The area and time of day censused are rotated 

 according to a schedule to ensure adequate sampling distribution. 



KAWARTHA LAKES 



During 1965, the three year programme on Sturgeon and Pigeon Lakes was 

 completed. The purpose of the study was to obtain basic biological information 

 on the fish populations of these lakes in order to establish sound management 

 plans. Six and eight foot submarine trap nets were used in the capture of fish 

 which were subsequently released. All game fish captured were marked with a 

 fin clip and those greater than arbitrary minimum lengths (walleye — 12" and 

 bass — 10") were tagged prior to release. A sample of scales was taken from 

 each fish for the purpose of age determination. Weights were recorded for a 

 sample and total lengths of all game fish were taken. 



A stratified creel census was also conducted on Sturgeon Lake during the 

 summer of 1965. From this statistical data it was possible to estimate total fishing 

 pressure and total harvest as follows: 



Number of fishermen 72,435 



Number of man hours 248,078 



Number of walleye harvested 47,899 



Number of largemouth bass harvested 947 



Number of smallmouth bass harvested 3,280 



Number of maskinonge harvested 533 



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