24 THE REPORT UPON No. 36 



surveys on the Genesee River system. It may be possible ^hen to extend the 

 fishing range for trout in many waters in the Province of Ontario for the above 

 reasons. The Fish Culture Branch, however, will not introduce brown trout 

 into waters distinctly suited throughout their entire course for speckled trout, 

 and the introduction of brown trout to our waters will be strictly controlled. 

 The results of a number of plantings will have to be known before we shall be 

 in a position to make a pronouncement regarding a definite stocking policy. 



No extensive plants have been made with this species, but with the parent 

 stock on hand and the success of this year's collection of eggs, which was in 

 the neighbourhood of 900,000, more extensive plantings are assured. 



Changes in the Kenora Fish Hatchery this year may permit of the rearing 

 of brown trout fry to be distributed in suitable waters in the districts of Kenora 

 and Rainy River. This work, however, is in the experimental stage only since 

 in these districts trout streams are either non-existent or almost negligible. 



Maskinonge: 



The artificial propagation of maskinonge will be continued, and we expect 

 better success when more spawners and milters are obtainable simultaneously 

 on localized spawning grounds. So far only subsidiary or temporary hatcheries 

 have been operated in the Pigeon River at Omemee, and at the entrance to 

 Sturgeon Lake on the Scugog River. 



Small-mouthed Black Bass: 



Considering the extent of our holdings, it is not a difficult matter to rear 

 fry, providing we have optimum conditions as regards breeders and temperature, 

 but the successful rearing of bass fry to fingerlings or yearlings is we under- 

 stand a universal difficulty, so far as output is concerned. Bass cannot be 

 stripped of their eggs and milt in a manner similar to trout, pickerel, maskinonge, 

 etc.; the egg production is small, and the output is small in camparison with 

 the trout. 



For the rearing of bass, comparatively large pcnds containing the suitable 

 and abundant food staples for fingerlings are necessary, but the cost of con- 

 structing and maintaining these ponds is tremendous. Furthermore, the 

 difficulties encountered in securing favourable sites for such developments are 

 manifold. In view of these considerations, it is necessary to view the main- 

 tenance of this species from other angles: — 



1. Harvesting from Natural Waters: 



This year the method of harvesting fingerlings and yearlings from suitable 

 bass lakes was undertaken. The lakes tested out were: Four Mile Lake, County 

 of Victoria; Green Lake and Golden Lake, County of Renfrew; Potspoon Lake, 

 County of Frontenac; Trout Lake, District of Sudbury; Herridge Lake, District 

 of Nipissing. 



This primary step was taken in order to determine the practicability of 

 closing any or all of the above lakes for the purpose of obtaining supplies of 

 yearling bass for restocking purposes. Developments in this venture take 

 time and considerable field work in advance, in order to locate the most favourable 

 breeding areas, but on the whole this method of restocking appears feasible. 



