38 THE REPORT ON [ No. 27 



that depleted waters should he re-sto;ked with such fish as were indigenous to them, 

 and while a greater amount of success may he assured in that way than in attempts to 

 introduce other varieties, it has been found that the bass transplanted into Fairy Lake, 

 Muskoka, where bass were not indigenous, are increasing rapidly and accustoming them- 

 selves to their new surroundings. And so it is believed that the land-locked salmon, 

 that " king of game fishes," may be successfully transplanted into some of our waters. 

 It is said that it will stand a much higher temperature of water than ordinary brook 

 trout, and that its eggs and fry are quite hardy. It is one of the gamiest fish that 

 swims, having been known to rise out ot the water as many as twelve times after being 

 hooked. Its introduction into our lakes, where these are suitable, is most desirable, and 

 should receive every encouragement. 



Leasing of Lakes. 



There are hundreds of lakes of surpassing beauty and picturesqueness in the unsettled 

 portions of the Province still belonging to the Crown, the land in the immediate vicinity 

 of which is suited neither for agricultural purposes nor other settlement. Many of these 

 lakes are outside the great tourist belt, and it is respectfully suggested that they might 

 therefore be utilized as a source of revenue to the Province. The policy in Quebec and 

 New Brunswick respecting similar lakes is to lease, with certain public reservations, the 

 fishing rights therein to individuals and clubs. Not only has this been found to be an 

 important source of revenue to these Provinces, but it has attracted to them a class of 

 persons who spend money freely and who give employment to hundreds of guides and 

 boatmen, and the erection and care of cottages and club houses, and in many cases 

 hatcheries, have furnished employment to many others. While it is most desirable that 

 there shall be reserved for the public, lakes to which pleasure seekers may at all times 

 resort, and in which free fishing may be enjoyed, it is believed that there are a large 

 number of lakes in the sparsely settled portions of the Province which might be leased 

 without in any way interfering with the public's privileges, and to the very great advan- 

 tage, not only of the Province, but of the settlers in these newer districts. A few of the 

 benefits might be instanced : a ready market at good prices would be opened up for the 

 settlers' produce ; profitable employment would be obtainable by them as guides, boat- 

 men, caretakers, etc. ; a demand would be created for building material ; and artisans 

 would find work. Further, it is believed that such a policy would be the means of 

 introducing emigration into portions of our Province that would otherwise retain their 

 primitive condition for many years, and that a better agency for advertising our great 

 resources — comparatively speaking without expense — could scarcely be inaugurated. 



Legislation. 



It is most essential that our Fishery Laws should be well defined, and made as 

 stringent as possible without being obnoxious. To that end it is important that the law 

 should be further amended, revised and consolidated and published in convenient form 

 for distribution for the guidance and information of our overseers, magistrates and the 

 public generally. The Provincial administration finds that the Dominion regulations in 

 some respects are not calculated to secure the best preservation of our fishery property, 

 and may be driven to secure the preservation deemed necessary by limiting the period of 

 the rights and manner of fishing granted in various ways. This recourse will probably 

 become unnecessary, if the Provincial Government can induce the Honourable the Minis- 

 ter of Marine and Fisheries to revise and consolidate the Dominion regulations which 

 have been promulgated at various times and under circumstances differing trom those 

 which now exist, and is afforded an opportunity of proposing for incorporation in such 

 revision suggestions which this Government may favor. The absolute necessity for the 

 preparation of such a code for the information of Provincial authorities was expressed 

 in the report of the Deputy Minister of Marine and Fisheries for the year 1898, but, 

 so far as this Department is aware, no compilation has yet been prepared. 



It is most important, too, that an assimilation of the fishery laws and regulations 

 of the United States and Canada should, if possible, be obtained. 



