1900 ] FISHERIES DEPARTMENT. 17 



The Ouananiche. 



Steps were taken to obtain from the Province of Quebec a supply of this fish 

 for introduction into our waters, but so far have not been followed by very grati- 

 fying results. Most of the waters in which the Ouananiche is to be found, or at least 

 from which it can conveniently be obtained, are under lease, and the lessees look 

 upon the fish as " the apple of their eye." Many of our lakes, it is thought, 

 would be suitable for the successful reception of this valuable species, which is so 

 popular, not only in Quebec, but in some of the eastern States. In fact in the 

 State of Maine it has quite supplanted the black bass as the popular angling fish. 

 What is proposed is, that in the first instance a few should be planted in con- 

 genial waters, from which, after they become established, future supplies may be 

 obtained for stocking other lakes, and our efforts to obtain them will not be 

 relinquished. 



Steel-head Salmon. 



Failure to obtain the Ouananiche led to enquiries being made with respect 

 to the steel-head salmon, which is finding its way across Lake Superior into our 

 waters in increasing numbers, and has been caught in the nets of pound net fish- 

 ermen during the last year or two. It is said to rise to the fly as readily as does 

 the Ouananiche or brook trout, to be, very prolific, hardy, and, like the Ouananiche, 

 to thrive in a temperature of water much higher than is required for brook trout. 

 A specimen was sent to the undersigned by one of the Rossport fishermen. It is 

 certainly a Handsome fish, and of superb flavor. The indications are that fully as 

 good results would be secured in its domestication as in that of the Ouananiche, 

 and if it can be obtained in sufficient numbers a deposit in some of our lakes 

 will be tried. 



FlSHWAYS. 



A large number of letters, petitions, etc., have been received during the year 

 from different parts of the Province pointing out the necessity for the erection of 

 fishways. This being one of the subjects coming under the jurisdiction of the 

 Dominion Government, these applications have been referred to that Govern- 

 ment. Where the Minister has deemed it proper, as the law provides, that fish- 

 ways should be erected, directions have been given accordingly, and a number 

 have been erected. The fundamental principle regarding the erection of fishways 

 is, that no one should be allowed to erect an obstruction in a stream or river which 

 would impair and ultimately destroy the proprietary rights of persons living 

 above the obstruction on the same river. In many places this is no doubt a 

 serious cause of complaint, and the matter is one dt-serving most careful consider- 

 ation wherever such obstruction exists. But, while in the majority of cases, 

 means for the free migration of fish should be afforded, there may be reasons why 

 such facilities should not be rendered ; but this is not always understood. For 

 instance, the waters below a dam may contain undesirable fish from which those 

 above are perfectly free, and in the face of such a condition no one would call for 

 or desire the erection of a fish way. 



Overflowed Lands. 



Representations have been received during the year that there is great 

 destruction of young fish by the raising of waters in the spring, both from arti- 

 ficial and natural causes. Into these waters the breeding fish find their way and 

 deposit their eggs. As the waters recede the parent fish return to the deeper 

 water, but the eggs hatch out in millions in the pools along the shore, and as the 

 waters dry up the young fish invariably perish. In the marshes bordering on 



2 F. 



