DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

64
Supply Fond or Main Reservoir.
The main dam which governs the supply of water for running thti whole hatchery
is in good order; some slight repairs were made upon it this summer at a very
small expense, and it now appears durable and permanent for years to come. The
raceway leading from the pond to the hatcbeiy, was also strengthened by raising
and widening the bank alongside. In fact, everything connected with the running
of the hatchery is in a better state of repairs than at any previous season.
Gollecting Eggs Fall of 1888.
The work of collecting eggs last fall was not as successful as in the previona
year.
The following table will show the number of ova taken at Pigeon Island in Lake
Ontario, and at Wiarton on the Georgian Bay, 1887-.88:
1887.
Pigeon Island, Lake Ontario . 1,500,000
Wiarton, Georgian Bay . 7,550,009
Total 9050,0(10
1888.
Pigeon Island, Lake Ontario... .... . 750,000
Wiarton, Georgian Bay ... 5,050,000
Total 5,800000
This faIling off in 1888 is partially owing to the rough weather experienced
while collecting eggs at Pigeon Island, which did not permit of lifting the nets as
often in 18z8 as in 187. This was also more particularly felt with the Wiarton
operations in Colpoy's Bay, where the larger supplies of eggs are obtained.
In former years, trap net fishing was not allowed in Colpoy's Bay, but an expert
in the working of pound nets was employed by the Department to catch salmon
tront during the close season for supplying the Government hatcheries with eggs.
Salmon trout come into the bay in search of spawning grounds previous to the 1st
November, and the nets if set at this time will take large numbers, which if found to
be unripe for spawning can be kept in the pounds till they freely shed their eggs.
In this way previous to this year, a considerable supply of ova was easily got in the
early part of November, but this year, Capt. Allan obtained a license from the De.
partment to fish trap-nets in Colpoy's Bay during the open season from May to
iovember, consequently the fish coming upon the breeding reefs in the bay up to
the 1st Noveinber, would be largely taken in the nets, and be disposed of by him in
ihe market, In this way, the quantity of eggs obtained from these early spawning
fish, in former years, was lost for fish cultural purposes this year.
A satisfactory proof of the decrease in the run of fish at Wiarton in 1888 as
against 1887, from the cause explained above, will be readly seen by examining the
"Daily Statements" for the past two years, which shows that in 1887, 2,940 females
were spawned, and in 1888 only 1,690; a decrease in 188 of 1,250 females. This
'was wholly due to the different agreement made with Capt. Allan this year No reection,
however, can be cast upon him, as he had a perfect right to all the fish
.entering his nets in the open season, by virtue of his license.
I herewith append a statement showing the daily work of collecting salmon
trout eggs at Wiarton on the Georgian Bay, fall of 1888.