THE COMMERCIAL FISHERY 



During 1965, 52,489,270 pounds of fish, worth $6,403,788.67 to the primary 

 producers, were taken from the waters of the Province. The increase of 20.6% in 

 catch over 1964 production resulted mainly from increased yellow perch landings. 

 The comparable increase in value of 22.4% was due to generally higher prices for 

 other species and an increase in Lake Erie white bass production, as much as the 

 near record perch landings. 



Average price per pound received by fishermen for the Province as a whole 

 increased one-fifth of a cent to 12.2^. Average price paid to the primary producer 

 for yellow perch in Lake Erie dropped 5.5^, and in other areas 3.3^. For the 

 Province generally, fish prices rose; lake trout, gold eyes, walleye, sturgeon and 

 caviar showing increases of five cents a pound or more. All areas showed gains in 

 price except Lake Ontario when Greater Lake Huron is considered as one unit. 



K Two-thirds of the landings and one-half of the value from the commercial 

 shery were reported from Lake Erie, where catch and value increased nearly 40% 

 ver 1964. Yellow perch contributed the bulk of the increase, but smelt and white 

 ass continued to be prominent in the catch. These three species comprised 93% 

 uf both yield and value. Most of the smelt continued to be taken in trawls. Wall- 

 eye production dropped to less than one per cent of the catch. 



Landings reported from over two hundred northern inland waters increased 

 17.5% in value but dropped slightly in quantity. Walleye and whitefish from these 

 waters comprised two-thirds of the production of these species in the Province. 

 The 5V2 million pounds of select species, including pike and sturgeon, brought 

 over 90% of the value of fish sold, average 21^ per pound for the area. Com- 

 paratively, little change occurred in production of these prices from the previous 

 year. 



The fishery in Lake Ontario showed increases in total landings and value of 

 31% and 24% respectively. Increases of 116% and 74% were noted in the two 

 predominant species, white and yellow perch, and 58% in smelt. Small decreases 

 occurred in whitefish, eels and walleye. 



Table IV 



SUMMARY OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF FISH 



FOR RESTOCKING PURPOSES FROM 



PRIVATE COMMERCIAL HATCHERIES 



Species 



1965 



Number of 

 Plantings 



Number of 

 Fish 



Age Class 



Brook trout 



Rainbow trout 



Largemouth bass 



92 

 60 

 33 



2 

 56 

 54 

 41 



1 

 4 

 2 



264,025 Fry/Fingerlings 



34,526 Yearlings 



13,876 Adults 



15,000 Eggs 



41,745 Fry/Fingerlings 



7,323 Yearlings 



6,114 Adults 



1,000 Fingerlings 



291 Yearlings 



64 Adults 



97 



