22 



DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISHERIES 



No. 10 



■** «t jj- ■ 



*^t-,4r^i,«^k«% 





Interior of an Ontario Government Commercial Fish Hatchery 



Six hundred and eighty-eight yearling and adult small-mouthed black bass 

 were harvested from the waters of Bass lake, Thunder Bay district, and 

 were distributed to lakes on St. Ignace Island, after a biological survey of 

 these waters was concluded and reported upon. 



There is a tremendous call for more and more black bass for our inland 

 waters and probably the reason for this is that this species has a greater 

 appeal to the non-resident fishermen than any other. Our rearing ponds 

 and hatcheries are doing good work, but considering the vast extent of 

 Ontario's bass waters and the enormous fishing population, both resident 

 and non-resident, we can never hope to produce an adequate number of this 

 species by pond culture to supply the ever increasing demand. Imposition 

 of safe closed seasons to protect the bass during their spawning seasons in 

 all parts of the Province, sane creel limits, prohibition of bass fishing in 

 suitable sections of lakes to be known as reserved or sanctuary areas, the 

 control of noxious species and pollution are of vital importance in main- 

 taining good bass fishing and in making large water areas self-sustaining. 

 It is true that the maintenance of bass in heavily fished and smaller water 

 areas can be assisted to a large extent by pond cultural and planting 

 methods of a practical nature. 



Gratifying reports regarding the results apparent from the distribution 

 of hatchery products have been received and continue to accumulate, and a 

 growing interest in this work is everywhere apparent. Individuals, local 

 organizations, boards of trade, angling and protective associations and 

 service clubs have assisted in many ways, and particularly regarding provi- 

 sion for transportation of fish in local areas. 



