1914 GAME AND FISHERIES. li 



GAME AND FISHERY INSPECTORS. 



Toronto, Nov., 1913. 

 E. TiNSLEY^ Esq., 



Superintendent, Game and Fisheries. 



Sir, — I have the honor to submit my report for 1913. 



Reports from the commercial fishermen indicate that the season has been an 

 average one and not any improvement on former years. There is no doubt that 

 the extremely warm weather during the Fall months caused the usual run of white 

 fish and lake trout to be later than in some former years. It was, however, not 

 necessary to extend the open season in order to procure spawn for the hatcheries, 

 they having secured a fair supply before the 1st of November. 



The storm that caused a great loss of life and the destruction of so many boats 

 on the lakes also resulted in a great deal of damage to the fishermen on Lake Erie, 

 and no doubt the catch of white fish on this lake will show a decrease, as a large 

 number of the pound nets in the west end of the lake were completely destroyed, this 

 happening before the Fall run of fish came on. 



The catch of herring not being over I cannot say what effect this storm may 

 have on it, but we hope it may not have any serious result, the herring being 

 mostly caught in gill nets, and these nets being more easily replaced than pound 

 nets would enable the fishermen to more quickly recover from any loss they 

 may have suffered. 



From the summer resorts come reports of a fairly good season, most of the 

 anglers being satisfied with their catches, nearly all the complaints being about tho 

 insufficient protection afforded the game fish. From the trout streams of Lake 

 Superior come reports of excellent fishing. 



The German brown trout planted last spring are apparently doing well in 

 most places. These fish appear to be particularly fitted for streams where the 

 water has become too warm for brook trout. I had the pleasure of visiting Lake 

 Nipigon during the summer. This is a beautiful lake, and with the C. N. R. 

 touching the south end and G. T. P. the north will in a short time become well 

 known. It contains numerous islands and bays, abounds with fish of nearly all the 

 species found in our great lakes, and will in time become one of our greatest 

 summer pleasure resorts. This lake is sixty miles long and thirty-five wide, and 

 with the numerous bays and islands must have a shore line of about a thousand 

 miles. I heard the islands estimated on the way from three hundred to three 

 thousand, no one appearing to know just how many there are. The future of Lake 

 Nipigon from a fishing point of view, if properly preserved, will be a great one. 



Returns from the hunters of large game not being complete it is impossible 

 to know how this year compares with last. No doubt the fires of last summer will 

 have changed the feeding grounds, and we may expect to hear of a scarcity of game 

 from some places where it has been plentiful in past years; this should be made 

 up by the greater number in other parts. 



Allow me to make a few recommendations most of these have been mentioned 

 in former reports but will stand repetition. 



A Resident Trapper's License. — A great many trappers are asking for this, they 

 wish to protect the animals and at the same time improve their own business. 



A Resident Angling Permit. — This is not being asked for, but we should 

 have it. 



