Ninth Annual Report 



OF THE 



Department of Game and Fisheries] of 



Ontario 



To the Honourable Mr. F. G. Macdiarmid, 



* Minister of Public Works. 



SiK, — I have the honour to submit the Ninth Annual Keport of the Depart- 

 ment of Game and Fisheries, which is for the fiscal year ending October 31st, 1915. 



Examination of Inland Waters. 



Mr. J. B. Fielding's services were secured with a view to examining inland' 

 waters and to map out a scheme of fish propagation. He has gone into the matter 

 thoroughly and the Department has gained much valuable information from his 

 report. One of the most important steps taken in this direction was the construc- 

 tion of a hatchery at Normandale. 



Fisheries. 



The Department of the Naval Service of the Federal Government, upon whom 

 the administration of the laws and regulations are conferred, consulted with this 

 Department with regard to amendments to the fishery regulations of the Province 

 of Ontario, the result being the passing of new regulations, which, it is thought, 

 will be a decided improvement upon those before existing. The wishes of this 

 Department with regard to these new regulations were given every consideration 

 by the officials at Ottawa, and the cordial manner in which their suggestions were 

 received was much appreciated. 



"A change in the issuing of licenses for tug fishing in Lake Erie was inaugurated 

 allowing tugs from any port on Lake Erie, in the Province of Ontario, to fish the 

 entire lake under certain restrictions; formerly they were confined to a particular 

 area, the result being that despite the most careful vigilance, violations would con- 

 stantly take place. The gill net fishermen have expressed in no uncertain terms 

 their gratification, and have promised that the conditions of their licenses will be 

 faithfully observed, the sincerity of which the Department has every reason to 

 believe. 



The successful hatching of bass fry, and, for the first time this year, speckled 

 trout fry, for restocking purposes, was most encouraging, and great praise is due 

 to Mr. J. T. Edwards, Superintendent of the Mount Pleasant Hatchery, whose 

 devotion and energy have made this a credit to the Province. The economy he has 

 always practised, both in the construction and maintenance, has resulted in a 

 minimum of expenditure. 



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