[EXCERPT][有贴图] 50年前到 100 多年前的 SIMCOE 湖的一点儿渔业史

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THE FISHERIES of LAKE SIMCOE, 这本书 1970 出版, by 安省贵妇大学动物学教授 HUGH MacCRIMMON 和 Lake Simcoe Fisheries Management Unit 生物学家 ELMARS SKOBE (共 140 pages)

Lake Simcoe is the sixth largest of the inland lakes of Ontario and is located at an elevation of 720 feet above sea level. Geographically, it is situated at Latitude 44°N, Logitude 89°W. The water drains north and west through the Severn river system to Georgian Bay and the Great Lakes.

The lake has an area of 280 square miles but a rather short and generally exposed shoreline of only 133 miles, including that of the few islands.

The average depth of the lake has been calculated at 56 feet. The maximum recorded depth is 145 feet, with some 6 percent of the lake over 90 feet deep.

The main body of the lake is somewhat oval in shape with two long bays, Kempenfelt Bay on the west, and Cook Bay on the southest (哈! 那年头叫 Cook Bay, 不叫 Cooks Bay, 也不叫 Cook's Bay).

The only islands of any size are at the south, Fox and Snake Islands; at the north, Strawberry, Grape, and Whitney Islands; and on the east side of the lake the larger Thorah and Georgina Islands.

At the south end of Cook Bay lies the extensive Holland Marsh.

Lake Simcoe and about 35 tributary rivers and streams drain a watershed of about 1,200 square miles.

Lake Simcoe forms a part of the Trent Canal system which joins eastern Lake Ontario with Georgian Bay by linking the Kawartha Lakes system with Lake Couching and the Severn River.

In contrast, the outlet of Lake Simcoe through the Narrows at Atherley allows a free movement of boats or fish into or out of Lake Couchiching.

Although geologically the lake lies almost entirely in the Trenton formation, the underlying limestone has been completely covered by clays of glacial origin. The shoreline of the lake is about 55% stoney, 35% sandy, leaving the remaining 10% capable of supporting vegetation.

EARLY EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT

THE FRENCH PERIOD - On the 17th day of August, 1615, the Huron Indians led Champlain to Cahiagué near the north end of Lake Simcoe where he reported that his arrival was received with great delight and thankfulness y the savages. In his description of the vicinity he noted the "Narrows", known as Michekum (fence) by the Ojibways and Tarontaen by the Hurons, where "the great catch of fish is made by means of a great many stakes, which almost close the strait, leaving only little openings where they set their nets in which the fish are caught". The remains of this weir were apparently re-discovered by Wallace in 1891.

It would seem that this peculiar fishing device described by Champlain caused Lake Simcoe to become known to the early French as Lac aux Claies (lake of the stakes) and subsequently corrupted to Le Clie which remained its name for many years. It was originally known to the Hurons as Ouentaron (beautiful lake), by the Ojibways as Ashuniong, Sheniong, or Tepanignon and by the Algonquins as Wahweyagahmah (round lake). In Champlain's map of 1632, the lake is shown but given no name. On a map accompanying Sagard's letters of about 1624, Lake Simcoe was called Lake Toronto, and the Indians inhabitating its shores were called Toronotogueronons. This same nomenclature appears on Moll's large map of 1720. A map showing the Jesuit missions of 1649 designates this water as Lake Veritasni, a name not found elsewhere. A map by Sanson in 1656 still calls it by the Huron Oentaron, which that of Du Creux names it Lacus Ouentaronius.

THE ENGLISH PERIOD - In 1760, Major Rogers of the English visited Fort Toronto which had been evacuated previously by the French and recommended the establishment of a factory (trading-post) at that location, which became known as York and later as Toronto. Colonization of the land to the south of Lake Simcoe had begun in 1669-70 with the first recorded residence of a white man in the vicinity of Toronto. However, it was not until after the Constitution Act of 1791 and the moving of the capital of Upper Canada to Toronto in 1793 that colonization advanced appreciably towards the shores of Lake Simcoe. The first English-speaking traveller reported to have passed through the lake was Alexander Henry who was a captive of the Indians at Sault Ste. Marie and accompanied them to Niagara in 1764.

In 1791, major Holland made survey trips in the vicinity of Lake Simcoe. By 1793, when Simcoe, then the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, made a passage through the lake, settlers had reached the land lying around the old "Toronto Carrying-Place" and, by 1796, a cart-road extended from the harbour of York to the Pine Fort at the Holland Landing. The construction of a road, know through its whole length as Yonge Street in honour of a former minister of war, greatly assisted in the settlement around Lake Simcoe. Although this direct route from York to Holland Landing was improved during the war of 1812 for the transportation of military stores, it remained poor at certain seasons of the year until 1835.

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The water of Lake Simcoe is very clear and generally well oxygenated at all depths at all seasons of the year. The slight alkalinity of the water is caused in part by the limestone and marly clays in the watershed.

THE FRENCH PERIOD - On the 17th day of August 1615, the Huron Indians led Champlain to Cahiagué near the north end of Lake Simcoe where he reported that his arrival was received with great delight and thankfulness by the savages. In his description of the vicinity he noted the "Narrows", know as Michekum (fence) by the Ojibways and Tarontaen by the Hurons, where "The great catch of fish is made by means of a great many stakes, which almost close the strait, leaving only little openings where they set their nets in which the fish are caught".

THE ENGLISH PERIOD - In 1791, Major Holland made survey trips in the vicinity of Lake Simcoe. By 1793, when Simcoe, then the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, made a passage through the lake, settlers had reached the land lying around the old "Toroonto Carrying-Place" and by 1796, a cart-road extended from the harbour know through its whole length as Yonge Street in honour of a former minister of war, greatly assisted in the settlement around Lake Simcoe.

Considerable interest was developing towards Lake Simcoe by 1800 as attested by action to name or re-name a number of important landmarks. Lake Simcoe was named by Governor Simcoe in memory of hit father, Capt. Simcoe, R.N., who died on an expedition to Quebec in 1759.

Cook By was given the name of the great circumnavigator.

Kempenfelt Bay recalled the name of a navigator who went down on the Royal George "with twice four hundred men".

The Holland River, named after the Surveyor-General, was known earlier by the white man as Mississaga Creek from the Indian Miciaguean. At this early date, Georgina Island was called Graves Island, Thorah Island was named Canise Island after the Indian who held Governor Simcoe's son in his arms during the "firing" when York was named, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to change Snake Island to Darlington Island although it had been know by the former name since the time of the earliest traders. The Pine Fort at the Holland Landing was renamed Gwillimbury.

...

In the current year (1970), Lake Simcoe is experiencing an unprecedented pressure on its recreational resources. The peripheral human population continues to grow, not only in the larger communicties of Orillia and Barrie, but all around the lake where the density of permanent residents and allied commercial interests continues to increase. The proximity of the lake to the heavily populated urban region of southern Ontario, particularly the Oshawa, Toronto, Hamilton, and Kitchener areas, results in an extensive influx of transient boaters and anglers to magnify the existing pressure of cottagers and local residents on the resources of the lake. Many fisherman come, also, from the United States each year to participate in both the summer and winter fisheries...

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[The Lake Simcoe Fisheries Management Unit]

THE FISHERY - The Commercial Fishery: The early fishery of Lake Simcoe was essentially a commercial one. It has been established that the Indians who inhabited the shore of the lake were excellent fishermen and captured large quantities of fish which constituted an important item of food among their people. The fish were eaten fresh, or salted away for future consumption. After the arrival of the white man, there are numerous references to the trading of knifes, guns, ammunition, and a variety of other articles for the fish which the Indians caught.

The commercial fishery of Lake Simcoe has undergone many changes since the middle of the last century (1850's). Although at first there were no restrictions on the method of fishing or on the sale of fish, the trend in fisheries legislation passed in favour of a sport fishery. The result has been that the present commercial fishery is a very restricted one. Only coarse fish and minnows now may be taken for sale under a commercial seine-net or dip-net licence. Whitefish and fresh-water herring taken by angling may be sold without the authority of a licence. The extent to which the latter fishery is practised is more-or-less peculiar to Lake Simcoe among Ontario waters.

The first legislation which affected the commercial fishery of Lake Simcoe was an Act passed in 1840 concerning the inspection of fish.

Following the establishment of the Ontario Fisheries Act in 1885, a considerable number of fisheries regulations were passed in the years that followed. These regulations were generally aimed at the protection of the game fish through a control over methods of capture, closed seasons, and limits on the size and number of fish which might be taken.

The Sport Fishery: Lake Simcoe has an extensive sport fishery. As a result of this variety in the species of fish entering the fishery, angling is spread over the entire year. Fishing is at a minimum during a short period in the early spring and late autumn when the ice covering on the lake is unsafe, and during the month of October (October 6 - November 5) when angling for lake trout and whitefish is prohibited and closed seasons on most game fish are already in effect.

The sport fishery in the lake may be divided conveniently into two parts, namely, fishing through the ice in the winter, and fishing from boats and from the shore during the balance of the year.

The Winter Ice Fishery: The winter ice fishery of Lake Simcoe has continued to gain in popularity through the years.

During the period of early settlement around the lake shore, the settlers copied very closely the fishing habits of the Indians. The winter fishery was concerned largely with the spearing of lake trout and whitefish through the ice, an art at which the Indian had become very proficient. In this type of fishing, the fisherman first cut a hole through the ice, often over two feet in thickness, by means of an axe, saw, or ice-chisel. In early days he squatted near the one to two foot square opening in the ice and with poised spear awaited the appearance of a fish below the hole. Although often braving the wind and cold with nothing more than warm clothing and great personal fortitude, the fishermen frequently gained protection by draping animal robes over them. This tent-like arrangement also facilitated the observation of fish in the dark water by eliminating bothersome overhead light.

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[A typical Lake Simcoe Fishing hut]

An early recognition of the advantages of a fishing shelter soon resulted in the construction of wooden fish houses and it is from these that most of the fishing now is done. The houses are of very light construction in order that they may be hauled over the ice on small hand sleighs.

A count of the number of fishing huts on the Lake Simcoe ice was made at the time of greatest fishing activity each winter from 1949-50 to 1952-53 and clearly shows the present interest in the fishery. In 1949-50, there were slightly under 800 huts, in 1950-51 over 1,100 huts, and in 1951-52 about 1,300 huts. The number has increased gradually to a present total of 4,500 to 5,000 huts on the ice each winter. In 1970 there are 42 commercial fish hut operators with a capacity to handle about 1,700 anglers at a time. During favourable weather, few huts are unoccupied on Saturdays or Sundays and a large percentage of the fishermen are from outside points. For the balance of the week, resident or neighbouring fisheermen predominate although a number of urbanites are usually scattered over the lake, particularly on Wednesdays. The demand for fishing huts has been sufficiently great that a number of residents have developed a good business in their rental at moderate rates, seldom over $7.50 per day.

For the rental fee, all fishing tackle and bait is supplied and often transportation across the ice, if the hut is located at a distance from shore. The transporting vehicle is usually an auto mobile, snowmobile, or propeller-driven ice scoot.

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[Aircraft and Snowmobiles provide transportation for biologists and conservation officers to the various fishing grounds]

The Sturgeon - It is of historical interest that the annual commercial returns for Lake Simcoe record the sale of 136,500 pounds of lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, between 1881 and 1898. The annual catch diminished rapidly after 1894.

Although it is probably that a few sturgeon were present in the lake for several more years, no later reference to this species in Lake Simcoe can be found until the capture of a 42-inch fish on a whitefish lure during January of 1956 near Jackson's Point. This surgeon may have been one of a small residual population still in the lake but, more probably, one of three surgeon which escaped into the lake from a private pond during the heavy flood in 1954.

The failure of anyone to recall the presence of surgeon in Lake Simcoe during the past 50 years suggest that there was no significant population in the lake by the beginning of this present century.

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[Lake Simcoe whitefish]

The common Whitefish 对! 就是说您呢, SIMCOE 的大白鱼 -- The whitefish abundant in Lake Simcoe waters, had formed a valuable part of the commercial and sport fishery.

This fish, apparently known to the Hurons as Assihendo, was prized by the Indians who probably captured large numbers in their weirs located at the Atherley Narrows which were described by Champlain in 1615. While references to the early fishery were infrequent, the Lake Simcoe whitefish soon became noted for its excellent quality, but small size.

An important development which was to affect greatly the future whitefish fishery occurred about 1900. Until that time, it was believed by most fishermen that whitefish could be taken only by gill netting and spearing. The regulations which made it unlawful to spear or net in the lake, therefore, caused concern and anguish to the whitefish fishermen. However these fishermen soon discovered that whitefish could be taken readily on baited hooks, if left lying on the lake bottom. The winter angling of whitefish appealed to many local people as good sport and it was practised extensively by the resident fishermen.

During the past 50 years, the whitefish fishery has not changed appreciably. The more import changes have been a discontinuance of legal spearing in 1941, a recent increase of interest in the whitefish by tourist fishermen, and a curtailment of autumn poaching during the past decade.

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[Fishermen walking to whitefish grounds]

The winter whitefish fishery became concentrated on certain whitefish grounds which were usually located as close to the various centres of population as possible. The grounds, commonly located in 20 to 40 feet of water, were marked by clusters of fishing huts from which the fishing was done by a peculiar method known as "bobbing for whitefish". The whitefish then as now, were widely distributed over the open lake and some moved southward into Cook Bay during the winter.

The practice of prebaiting is employed extensively in the winter fishery. A quantity of bait is scattered on the bottom immediately below the hole in the ice for several days in advance of fishing in order to attract whitefish to the grounds. Salted minnows are used commonly for prebaiting and often for baiting the hook.

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[Some types of illegal fishing aquipment seized by Conservation Officers on Lake SImcoe] 啊? 那年代, 一根线上禁止用四个钩?

A newer innovation to the winter fishery has been the practice of snagging, or gutting, with a device known as a "snagger". The "snaggers", a common type shown in the Figure on the right, vary considerably in detail but may be described as "instruments of rigid or semi-rigid material, with one or more unmovable or inflexible hooks, which may be manipulated in such a manner as to pierce and hook a fish in any part of the body other than the mouth". This method of fishing became popular in several parts of the lake, including Kempenfelt Bay, and reached its peak activity about 1952. This style of fishing requires very heavy and continuous prebaiting in order to lure the whitefish over the "snagger" that they may be hooked from beneath.

Although "snagging" had been regarded with disdain by many sportsmen for some years, it was not until 1952 that this practice was clearly defined in the Special Fisheries Regulations for Ontario as an unlawful means of fishing whitefish.

Many recreational fishermen catch up to 200 whitefish during the winter months while some catch many times this number. Resident anglers actually fishing commercially take individual catches of a ton or more of whitefish during the season which are sold to unsuccessful tourist fishermen, peddled from door to door, or disposed of through local stores which retail quantities of Lake Simcoe whitefish.

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[A sensitive "tip-up" used to hold line in fishing whitefish]

Angling for whitefish - Angling for whitefish by commercial and sport fishermen has become so widespread that there is considerable variety in fishing techniques although all methods are modifications of those developed by earlier resident fishermen.

The baiting of whitefish grounds usually precedes angling and attracts whitefish to the fishing area. Live minnows are preferred for baiting the hook although salted minnows are used most commonly. As the whitefish is primarily a bottom feeder, the baited hook is allowed to rest on the bottom.

A simple technique used by some fishermen is a match tied horizontally to the fishing line a short distance above the water. When the line is suspended from the fishing hut a movement of the match will indicate the interest of a fish in the bait. If it is a whitefish, the match will usually move slightly but a herring will cause the match to spin around.

Regulations: The use of gill-nets, seines, and other commercial nets was prohibited by law in the late 19th century although nightlines and spears were allowed for a time during the present century. Legal spearing under a special licence was discontinued finally in 1941.

The only restrictions on the angling of whitefish have been an autumn closed season established in 1889 and those general laws and regulations which control fishing with hook and line. Beginning in 1946 the closed season on whitefish and lake trout in Lake Simcoe has included the period from October 6th to November 5th. The present open season extends from 19 December to 5 October.

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[Conservation Officer checking whitefish and herring fishermen during routine enforcement and creel census detail]

Management - Lake Simcoe has continued to produce an abundance of whitefish. As there have been no length or creel limits during the history of the fishery and the whitefish was without protection during the spawning season from 1918 until recently, regulations for the conservation of this species would seem unnecessary. Although angling pressure continues to increase annually, it is improbable that even the most intensive angling can equal the extensive harvest of whitefish common in the earlier years when the fishery was subjected to combination of angling, spearing, nightlines, and netting.

The original closed season established in 1889, extending from November 1st to 30th, covered the spawning season for whitefish but the closed seasons imposed after 1918 were too short to protect the whitefish while on the spawning beds. In spite of a lack of evidence that the whitefish needed protection, recent legislation, as previously outlined, now prevents legal fishing during the entire whitefish spawning season. While there is no suggestion that angling could reduce the whitefish population to a near-critical level in Lake Simcoe, it is a remarkable biological feature of other waters that the size of the spawning population of whitefish has no noticeable effect on the resulting populations because of the high reproductive potential of the surviving fish. The past restocking programme would appear to be without merit at above-critical population levels.

The quality of the whitefish fishery of Lake Simcoe may be expected to fluctuate in future years but no amount of protection would be expected to prevent at least local depressions in the fishery.

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[Aerial view of whitefish and herring fishing grounds in winter]

The Freshwater Herring - The freshwater herring, or ciscoe, Leucichthys artedi, is present in large numbers in Lake Simcoe where the fishermen differentiate between two apparent colour phases which are known locally as "bluebacks" and "sand herring".

Commercial catches of freshwater herring have been low in comparison to those of lake trout and whitefish. These fish were taken by gill netting and consequently, when this activity was made illegal, the annual reported catch assumed an insignificant level, reaching a peak of only 3,900 pounds in 1919.

Angling for freshwater herring has been practised for many years. However, there are no references to indicate whether or not the early settlers learned to fish for herring from the Ojibway Indians.

The winter herring fishery attracts the greatest number of local and tourist fishermen who customarily fish through the ice from fishing huts located along a sand or gravel shore in from 18 inches to 15 feet of water, or near creek and river mouths. The greatest interest in the winter herring fishery occurs near shore at times when ice conditions on the open lake are unsafe, or heavy snow and extreme weather conditions deter most fishermen from a long walk on the ice to the whitefish and lake trout grounds.

A remarkable event in the freshwater herring fishery occurs for about a ten-day period at the end of June or early July when these herring rise to the surface and feed on tthe swarms of mayflies, Ephemeridae, when emerge at that time.

The lake herring is a principal food of the lake trout of Lake Simcoe. It is eaten also by the pike, pickerel, perch and most warm-water sport fishes when their distributions overlap that of the herring. The herring fishery is of considerable recreational value and the lake herring is regarded as an excellent food species by many people.

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[A typical lake trout taken during the winter fishery]

THE LAKE TROUT - 对! 就是说您丫挺的大 LAKER 呢!

Lake SImcoe has been famed for its lake trout fishery since early visitors and settlers to the lake related the peculiar methods by which the Ojibway Indians captured quantities of excellent lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, or "salmon-trout" as they were usually known. The Huron Indians called them Ahouyoche.

Between 1868 and 1940, the commercial sale of 1,700,000 pounds of lake trout was reported from Lake Simcoe waters.

During the 1900-1910 decade, drastic restrictions were imposed on the capture of lake trout. All fishing methods, other than angling for personal use which was, by then, considered excellent sport, were forbidden.

After 1940, the lake trout assumed its present status in Lake Simcoe -- that of a pure game fish which gave a recreational fishery extending over all four seasons of the year, excepting the month of October.

It is of interest that small numbers of lake trout are taken by anglers who cast from wharfs and the shore during early spring and late autumn. For example, over 30 lake trout wer etaken by this method in Kempenfelt Bay during the spring of 1950. Evidences of the success of summer fishermen are numerous. For example, one weekend fisherman captured an average of 44 lake trout each year during the three-year period 1950-52.

The lake trout winter fishery is carried out largely from clusters of offshore fishing huts located over deep water, particularly off Jackson's Point, Brechin, and Hawkestone. In some years it is possible to drive automobiles to these fishing grounds butt modern snowmobiles have overcome the long walks forced on fishermen by deep snow in earlier years. A few trout are taken occasionally in the shallow Cook Bay area each winter.

The lake trout approach the shoal areas of the lake in early October when the surface water becomes cooler and congregate along the gravvel or stony shores of the islands and mainland. These fish move nocturnally along the shoals usually in less than 20 feet of water until the advent of the spawning period.

Following spawning in mid-October, the lake trout become widely distributed through the lake where they remain dispersed at various depths from the surface to over 75 feet of water and may occupy shallower areas of the lake, such as Cook Bay, where warm water temperatures would prevent their presence during the summer months. After the formation of ice, the trout continue to roam about the lake and are captured infrequently by anglers on whitefish, herring, perch and pike grounds.

After the ice covering leaves the lake in late March or early April, the lake trout remain widely distributed in the lake where they are taken most frequently by anglers trolling in up to about 40 feet of water.

During the summer months, the distribution of the trout becomes limited to the deeper cooler water below the thermocline at depths of 70 to 100 feet or more. Many competent fisherman consider lake trout fishing to be at its best during July, August, and early September when the lake trout are concentrated in the deep basins of the lake. The cooling of the upper layers of water in late September or early October again allows the mass movement of the lake trout into shallower water.

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[A mixed catch of lake trout and other species]

Angling (of Lake Trout) 钓 LAKER - The lake trout are taken more-or-less exclusively by trolling from slow-moving boats except during the winter season when the lake is covered by ice. The most effective baits are those of the spinner or wobbler type which are trolled behind the boat on metal lines which cause the baits to drop to the lake bottom where a high proportion of the trout are taken at various depths, depending on the time of the year. In the spring and autumn, lake trout are taken occasionally by fishermen casting spoons or plugs from shore or still-fishing with live minnows.

During the winter, ice fishermen fish through the ice with live minnows or, traditionally, with hooked decoys. A few lake trout are taken each year on whitefish and herring lures.

Management (of Lake Trout) - The Lake trout population of Lake Simcoe requires limited but definite management. The excellent habitat conditions coupled with an abundance of natural food have produced fast-growing and well-conditioned trout which are available to the competent angler.

The present daily creel limit of 2 lake trout per day, representing a weight of fish adequate for the normal requirements of most fishermen, has been a matter for discussion among sportsmen.

A length limit on lake trout in Lake Simcoe is unnecessary and, at any rate, only larger trout are taken commonly on the selective trout baits.

Lake Simcoe has been stocked with fry, fingerling and yearling lake trout for many years without proven benefit to the fishery.

The annual production of lake trout in Lake Simcoe should be harvested and it would appear that the average yearly catch, estimated at 25,000 to 50,000 pounds, may be exceeded without threat to the future welfare of the fishery. There is no suggestion that this lake trout population can be overfished by legalized angling without unprecedented changes in environmental conditions.

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[The white sucker, the most common species of sucker in Lake SImcoe]

The White Sucker - The white sucker, Catostomus commersonnii, is the common sucker of Lake Simcoe. Less common is the longnose sucker which has a similar life history but inhabits deeper parts of the lake during the summer months.

Early settlers showed no interest in the sucker as a food or sport fish as shown by its description as a "worthless prize full of bones, and very watery" which appeared in Forest Scenes of 1838.

The sport fishery is insignificant and limited to the spring months when the suckers are in the rivers and creeks. Quantities of suckers are taken by fishermen using small dip nets, but the spearing of suckers had been curtailed by legislation outlawing the possession of spears in the vicinity of Lake Simcoe for the protection of certain sport fishes.

The suckers are prolific but unexploited fish in Lake Simcoe water. Every encouragement should be given to commercial and sport fishermen to harvest the population.


THE CATFISH

Representatives of the catfish family in Lake Simcoe include the brown bullhead, Ameiuirus nubulosus, the yellow bullhead, Ameiuirus natalis, and the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Of these, the brown bullhead is the common species.

Bond (1838) noted that he speared "a hideous-looking fish, with a large head... He was what the Canadians call a catfish.... He was, of course, not eatable." This observation made in 1815 would seem to express the sentiments of the early settlers for there is no record of any interest in the catfish family until 1891 when 4,950 pounds were reported in the commercial fishery.

Anglish for catfish has gained none of the popularity which the sport fishes of Lake Simcoe enjoy although there is considerable local recreational fishing for bullheads in several of the rivers where anglers may fish from bridges, river banks, or small boats during the spring and summer months.

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[A basket of salted lake shiners used as bait by a whitefish fisherman]

The Minnows - There are a great number of minnows in Lake SImcoe although few species are represented. The largest of the minnows is the carp. The lake emerald shiner exceeds all other minnows in abundance and in importance as a forage fish and bait minnows.

The lake emerald shiner is the most common minnow in Lake Simcoe and serves as an important item of food of most sport fishes at some season of the year. Its abundance is particularly evident during the spring and autumn months when large numbers of lake shiners congregate in large schools along the lake shore and in the river mouths and tremendous quantities are taken for bait by anglers and commercial fishermen from around docks, boathouses, bridges, and small bays.

The bulk of the autumn harvest of lake shiners is preserved in salt for the winter ice fishery where they are used primarily for the prebaiting and baiting of whitefish and herring.

Lake shiners are observed frequently while feeding in schools near the surface of the water. Their food appears to be primarily terrestrial and aquatic insects although no detailed study of their feeding habits has been undertaken.

Minnows may be taken by a small dip net, not over 3 feet square or in diameter, without a licence. A special $1.00 licence allows fishermen to take minnows for personal use as bait with a seine with dimensions not greater than 30 feet by 6 feet, or a dip net not over 6 feet square or in diameter.

The minnow population of Lake Simcoe contributes substantially to the excellent quality of most of the sport fishes of the lake either as direct items of food or as a link in the food chain and must be recognized as an important factor in fish production.

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[Lake Simcoe fisherman taking smelt with a dip net]

The Smelt - The smelt, Osmerus mordax, although previously well established in the Great Lakes and known to be present in Cameron and Sturgeon Lakes on the Trent canal systems, did nott appear in Lake Simcoe until 1962.

The origin of the stock is unknown but is likely the result of the accidental, or perhaps intentional, introduction to the lake by fishermen. As the marine railway on the Trent canal prevents the upriver movement of fish from Georgian Bay, the only other possibility is the natural movement of fish from Cameron Lake through the Trent canal system from the east.

The first smelt recorded for Lake Simcoe was taken by an angler fishing for whitefish in Kempenfelt Bay off Shanty Bay on 22 January, 1962.

The first observations on spawning runs were recorded in the Salvation Army Creek near Jackson's Point in April, 1965. The fish were in sufficient abundance to provide good catches to fishermen using seines and dip nets in the creek and along adjacent beaches.

There are no regulations governing the harvest of smelt other than those pertaining to the Provincial licensing system. A resident angling licence is required by all males of age 19 or older. Holders of this licence may use a dip net of specified dimensions during March, April, and May without a special licence. Other males of age 19 or older require a dip net licence to take smelt by that means. A licence is required by anyone wishing to use a seine for taking smelt. Both resident and nonresident fishermen should consult the Fisheries Regulations for specific details.

In addition to the increasing availability of smelt in Lake Simcoe to net fishermen during the spring months, the species has become generally available for angling at all seasons of the year and particularly so on summer and winter angling grounds for whitefish. Live lake shiners have proven to be an excellent bait and, during January 1970, three smelt at a time were being taken regularly on the spreader hooks used by many Lake Simcoe fishermen for whitefish and lake herring. Fish of 8 to 12 inches in total length comprise most catches.

The smelt has been an unplanned introduction to Lake Simcoe waters and there is strong evidence that it has become self-sustaining at a substantial population level. While the species is already providing a significant sport fishery, the short and long term effect of the species on native sport fishes, particularly the lake trout, lake herring, and whitefish, is not known; nor is any valid prediction possible on the population level at which the species will ultimately become stabilized in the lake.

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[Conservation Officers hold three maskinonge, weighing from 38 to 42 pounds, seized from poachers on the spawning beds of the Holland Marsh]

The Maskinongé (or Muskellunge in English) 大妈 - During the 19th century, maskinonge, Esox maskinongy, were abundant in certain parts of Lake Simcoe, particularly in Cook Bay and to a lesser degree near the weedy river mouths and bays on the east and north shores. There was a good maskinonge fishery in the area of the Atherley narrows and in Lake Couchiching to the north.

The first annual commercial fishing returns in 1868 listed 25,000 pounds of maskinonge taken from Lake Simcoe waters.

The maskinonge was abundant in Lake Simcoe around 1900 for local fisheres officers noted that maskinonge were most plentiful on the spawning beds and that poaching in the Holland Marsh was difficult to control.

The rather rapid dwindling of the maskinonge population in the Cook Bay area after 1930 coincided with the appearance of the pike. One competent local fisherman who watched the decline of the maskinonge and the sudden rise in the numbers of pike stated in reminiscence that "no matter how much spearing was done in the Holland Marsh, there was no noticeable decrease in the maskinonge until the pike became numerous."

Angling: The maskinonge has faded from the sport fishery of the lake although senior resident fishermen can recall the time when maskinonge were abundant and offered remarkably fine fishing. It is doubtful if any anglers now consider it worthwhile to fish for maskinonge in Lake Simcoe.

The total annual captures of an estimated dozen or less fish are made usually while trolling or casting for pike or other warm water species.

A closed season had been placed on the maskinonge as early as 1889. In 1900 a daily limit of four (4) maskinonge of 18 inches in length was imposed. The present limit is two maskinonge not less than 28 inches in total length.

The population of maskinonge in Lake Simcoe has continued to decline in spite of the protection given to it by fisheries regulations establishing extensive closed seasons and drastic restrictions on creel limits and legal lengths.

Present limits on the size and numbers of maskinonge which may be taken by angling are of little value particularly in view of the absence of a significant sport fishery.

Plantings of over 1/2 million maskinonge fry and fingerlings have been made in Lake Simcoe waters since 1936. There has been no indication that these plantings have been of value in maintaining the present low population level although it is certain that they have neither improved angling success nor increased noticeably the numbers of maskinonge. In spite of the exceedingly low population of maskinonge, there would appear to be sufficient parent fish to multiply their numbers by natural reproduction under suitable environment conditions. However, all available maskinonge fry and advanced fingerlings should be planted in the Holland Marsh area as long as there is any possibility that restocking may help sustain thie maskinonge fishery.

The decline of the maskinonge population during the past 40 years is coincident with three (3) remarkable changes in the fauna and habitat of the Cook Bay and Holland Marsh area where it formerly thrived.

First, there came the introduction of the carp which subsequently took complete possession of the weedy areas and destroyed much of the rooted aquatic vegetation which was the preferred habitat of the maskinonge.

Secondly, the tremendous increase in the numbers of pike has paralleled a corresponding decrease in the maskinonge population.

Thirdly, the original spawning areas of the maskinonge in the Holland Marsh have been restricted by the dyking and draining of marshland for agricultural purposes.

[xiaolu]

[Angler with pike take from Cook Bay of Lake Simcoe]

The Northern Pike - The early history of the pike, Esox Incius, in Lake Simcoe waters forms a confusing picture. While early statistical records reported a commercial catch of 382,400 pounds of pike during the 19th century, the qualified statements of many senior residents around the lake are in agreement that no pike were observed in Lake Simcoe until long after the turn of the century.

The greater part of the pike population of Lake Simcoe has become established in the Cook Bay area where, in contrast to most parts of the lake, this fish has gained favour among the anglers.

In early spring, often before the ice has left the lake, great numbers of pike move into the shallows of the Holland Marsh while elsewhere smaller numbers of pike approach the limited local spawning areas. By early May, spawning has been completed and the pike have left the breeding grounds. They become distributed through the lower Holland River, Cook Bay, and the other smaller bays and river mouths of the lake where many of the fish spend the balance of the year. Other pike appear in the Talbot, Pefferlaw and other rivers.

The winter distribution of the pike appears to be similar to that of the summer, although the fishery is more-or-less confined to Cook Bay where some pike are taken by anglers and others are observed swimming beneath the ice.

Angling: Serious interest in the pike as a sport fish is limited more-or-less to Cook Bay and the Holland and Jersey Rivers where it has replaced the maskinonge in the sport fishery.

The common methods of summer pike fishing include angling with live minnows from anchored boats or casting, spinning, and trolling with spoons, wobblers and plugs along the weed beds. Winter fishing is done from the many private and rental fishing huts located on the ice where the anglers fish with live minnows for bait.

Angling is the only legal way of fishing for pike in Lake Simcoe waters and fish taken by that means may not be sold. No size limit has been placed on the pike.

Fortunately, the pike population is now regarded favourably in the Cook Bay area where it has filled the need for a large sport fish caused by the decline of the maskinonge population and a low harvest of largemouth bass.

Although the possession limit of 6 pike appears unnecessary to prevent over-exploitation by legal angling, it allows an ample creel for fishermen. Few fishermen are able to take their daily limit of pike with any degree of frequency and fewer anglers have use for more than 6 smaller pike, or one or two fish of perhaps 5 to 10 pounds.

As biological conditions favour the reproduction and growth of the pike in Cook Bay and in its other scattered habitats of the lake, further protection of the pike is unnecessary although, of course, general regulations applying to the fishery (such as illegal spearing, snagging and snaring) are enforced.

A length limit on pike which has been advocated by fishermen for some Ontario waters is not considered necessary or desirable in Lake Simcoe and would be expected to result possibly in a lower overall annual harvest of pike with no significant increase in the percentage of larger fish among the pike population.

The important pike fishery of Cook Bay is dependent on Natural reproduction in the Holland Marsh and it is essential that adequate spawning areas be available.

[xiaolu]

[Perch fishermen gathered on a Government wharf]

The Yellow Perch 婆吃 - The yellow perch, Perca flavescens, is a common fish of Lake Simcoe which has made a valuable contribution to the sport fishery although it has been of only moderate importance in the commercial fishery of the lake.

The sport perch fishery of Lake Simcoe was noted first in the literature by Bond (1838) who related that he captured a perch by spearing on August 21, 1815. The Canadian Hand Book and Tourists' Guide of 1866 reported that perch could be fished in the Gilford area of Lake Simcoe but suggested that few fishermen would be interested. However, the present century has seen the sport fishery develop into one of considerable interest during all four seasons of the year, particularly during the spring months when spawning runs of perch are reason for great activity among anglers. At other times of the year, the perch fishery is of less importance than that of certain of the other fishes of the lake but continues to grow in popularity each year.

In April and May, local and tourist fishermen congregate at the larger rivers on the east and north sore of the lake where it is difficult to find space to fish on the bridges or along the river banks. Boats are used in the rivers and river mouths by those fishermen fortunate enough to obtain them. Around the lake, the Government wharfs and many private docks are populated with fishermen employing many types of fishing tackle from a willow gad to the latest spinning gear.

For example, on April 19th, 1953, there were 110 fishermen on the Government dock at Jackson's Point and 28 boats of anglers just off shore.

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[A group of perch fishermen anchored in the Pefferlaw River during the spawning run]

As there is no limit on the catch of Lake Simcoe perch, fishermen frequently take home a bushel or more of this choice fish. The remarkable interest in the spring perch fishery may be attributed in part to "spring fever" which drives fishermen to the nearest fishing grounds at the first opportunity.

The summer and autumn perch fisheries are of minor importance as most of the serious anglers prefer to pursue the smallmouth bass, lake trout, or another of the larger species of fish which are in season.

The winter fishery is not extensive when compared to that of the lake trout and whitefish but occurs at a number of locations around the lake shore. Perch are taken occasionally on herring grounds while angling for freshwater herring with natural or artificial lures.

Angling: The perch fishery extends over all four seasons of the year but reaches its peak during the spring spawning period when scores of fishermen line the private docks, public wharfs, bridges, and river banks while other anglers cluster in anchored boats over various spawning shoals.

There is no length limit, no creel limit and no closed season on perch in Lake Simcoe waters. Although a limit of 25 perch per day was placed on perch in 1940, it was discontinued after 1952.

[xiaolu]

[A winter catch of yellow perch from Lake Simcoe]

The perch is one of the more important of Lake Simcoe fishes and contributes substantially to the fishery both as a sport fish and as an important food of the smallmouth bass, lake trout, and other larger fishes of the lake. It provides fine recreation and excellent food for a multitude of fishermen and the minimum equipment required for successful angling bars no anglers from enjoying the sport.

The present policy of liberalized angling allows a considerable harvest of yellow perch when concentrated on the spawning grounds, although, at other times of the year, it does not appear to increase significantly the overall catch of perch above that of the period when a daily limit of 25 perch was in effect. While it is desirable to harvest the older perch from among the population and intensive angling is good management at present population levels, it is unfortunate that each spring a few greedy fishermen jeopardize the position of liberalized angling by arousing just criticism for taking ridiculous quantities of perch beyond all limits of personal use.

The interest in the perch fishery has continued to increase each year until the present harvest by angling is believed to exceed the annual combined harvest of perch by the sport and commercial fisheries of earlier years.

[xiaolu]

[Pickerel fishing in the Talbot River]

The Yellow Pickerel 屁股 - The yellow pickerel or walleye, Stizostedion vitreum, is native to the waters of Lake Simcoe and the other parts of the Severn River system.

Between the years 1868 and 1920, some 252,000 pounds of pickerel were reported in the commercial returns of Lake Simcoe.

While these commercial fishing returns attest to the presence of pickerel during the 19th century, they give no indication of the distribution or abundance of this species within the lake.

In the present century, considerable numbers of pickerel were taken in the seines of the carp fishermen in the Cook Bay and Holland River area. Also, local residents speared quantities of pickerel in the creeks and ditches of the Holland Marsh in the spring months. Fewer fish were taken by these methods around the Atherley Narrows. However, in spite of this population of pickerel, surprisingly low numbers of pickerel were taken by angling in Lake Simcoe waters except in local areas, particularly the Atherley Narrows where a few captures were reported between 1904 and 1916 at the spawning season.

The status of the pickerel in Lake Simcoe would seem to have remained relatively unchanged in the years which followed. A considerable population of this fish existed in the lake, but few were taken by angling. Undoubtedly, greater quantities were taken during the closed season by illegal methods, particularly spearing and snaring, when the pickerel were readily exploited in spawning areas.

Following the opening of the season on May 15th, numerous pickerel are taken by angling. Although most of pickerel move back into the lake, some pickerel stay in the River and offer mediocre fishing through the summer months. Autumn freshets cause more pickerel to move into the river when the quality of the fishing improves. In the other rivers and streams of Lake Simcoe, pickerel are captured only rarely. While pickerel are still uncommon in the Pefferlaw River, local people are of the belief that the numbers seem to have increased slightly during the past 12 years, some 20-30 pickerel being taken annually.

In the open lake, pickerel are taken occasionally around Thorah and Georgina Islands, in frequently in Cook Bay, and seldom elsewhere. In spite of the extensive open-water fishery for other species in Lake Simcoe, the pickerel population has remained more-or-less untouched. Evidence of the sizeable numbers of pickerel resident in the lake may be illustrated by the catches of two trap nets set on the north shore of the lake from October 7th to 23rd, 1953, for the purpose of obtaining lake trout spawn. These nets, located on late trout spawning shoals, captured 1368 pickerel which averaged six to seven pounds in weight.

Between 1921 and 1955, a total of 15,600,000 pickerel eyed-eggs and fry were planted in Lake Simcoe.

[xiaolu]

[Biological studies and spawntaking operations with yellow pickerel in the Talbot River]

The yellow pickerel (walleye) begin to leave the deep water of the lake usually before the ice has left either the lake or the lower parts of the rivers. It is peculiar that significant spring runs of pickerel occur in only two of Lake Simcoe's rivers, the Talbot River and the Holland River.

The first appearance, in the Talbot River, of pickerel occurs in late March when their ascent is stimulated by freshets.

The actual spawning in the Talbot River may be interrupted or ended prematurely by the operation of the control dam. As soon as logs are placed in the dam and the water flow is drastically reduced, the pickerel leave the riffle areas and are carried downstream into the series of pools below, or into the lower river.

The spring run of pickerel in the Holland River takes place at about the same time as that in the Talbot River.

After leaving the rivers, the pickerel appear to disperse rapidly to various shoal areas of the lake.

During late August and September, the pickerel apprear to migrate into deep water where they are rarely taken by fishermen.

Through the winter months, numerous pickerel concentrate in a deep hole in Cook Bay where they have appeared for many years in the commercial carp seines when drawn under the ice.

At the north end of the lake, a population of pickerel seems to concentrate each year in the deep water off the Talbot River mouth from where they move readily into the river at the onset of early spring freshets and, to a much lesser extent, late autumn freshets.

Angling: The greatest angling pressure occurs in the Talbot River at the opening of the fishing season in mid-May when numerous adult pickerel are usually still in the rivers. However, this fishery dwindles rapidly in the weeks that follow. Pickerel fishing is of poor quality in the Talbot River at other times of the year.

It is only in recent years that anglers have begun to exploit the Lake Simcoe pickerel to any extent in the open lake.

Management: Present creel limits on the angling of pickerel in Lake SImcoe are not a biological requirement as long as the population of this fish remains more-or-less unexploited. The abolishment of legal lengths in 1955 has been a desirable step in management. While the creel limit of 6 pickerel per day is inconsistent with the need for a greater utilization of the fish production, this quota is seldom reached by legal angling and does not lower significantly the catches of pickerel.

The closure of Lake Simcoe wateres to the angling of pickerel from January 1st to May 8th is not required to ensure adequate natural reproduction at the present low level of utilization. However, the closed season is of value to conservation officers in the control of spearing and other methods of poaching in the Talbot River and possibly the Holland River where the pickerel are considerably more vulnerable to illegal fishing than to legitimate angling.


THE RAINBOW TROUT

The rainbow or steelhead trout, Salmo gairdnerii, was first introduced into Lake Simcoe waters in 1918 with the planting of 140,000 fry and fingerlings on the west side of the lake. Since that time, nearly 1,500,000 fry-fingerlings and 37,0000 yearling trout have been stocked in Lake Simcoe and its better tributary creeks along the west shore. As a result of these plantings, rainbow trout have become established. Although they have continued to increase noticeably in numbers, the rainbow trout have been of comparatively little value to the sport fishery.

The rainbow trout of Lake Simcoe are harvested only lightly by anglers. Adult fish have often left the streams by the opening of the trout season and, consequently, those trout taken there by angling are the young trout up to about 8 inches in length. They are taken on worms, spinners, and trout flies most commonly.

Except for a very small autumn fishery around Kempenfelt Bay and Big Bay Point where a few rainbow trout are taken by spinning or ccsting from shore for docks with wobblers, spinners, or small plugs, most of the trout are taken accidentally during the summer while reeling in lake trout lures in the open lake or while angling for herring, whitefish, or perch with live minnows in shallow water at other seasons of the year.

REGULATIONS - Following the initial introduction of rainbow trout to Lake Simcoe in 1918, there was an annual closed season from September 15th to June 30th which covered amply the time during which the adult trout concentrate in the streams. The legal daily limit at that time was 6 fish with a fork length of 7 inches. In 1926, the closed season was shortened to June 1st instead of June 30th and the limit was lowered to 5 fish per day. In 1935, it was changed to include the period from September 16th to May 31st, and in 1946 the latter date was advanced to April 17th. From 1947 until the present time, the closed season has extended from September 16th to April 24th. Legislation of 1954 changed the method of measuring rainbow trout from fork to total length while retaining the 7-inch limit and reduced the legal catch fro a two-day to a one-day catch of 5 fish.

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[Angler, fishing for bass below Pefferlaw River dam]

The Smallmouth Bass 小嘴儿 and The Largemouth Bass 大嘴儿 - The smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu, is one of the more important Lake Simcoe fishes.

Although now highly prized as a game fish by the angler, it was at one time taken by commercial methods and sold legally on the fish markets.

Early references suggest that the native Indians pursued the smallmouth bass in Lake Simcoe. The lake Simcoe sport fishermen did not come to recognize the possibilities of the smallmouth bass fishery until late in the 19th century.

Angling: While the greater number of smallmouth basss are taken by angling from anchored boats with live minnows, crawfish, frogs, worms and other live baits, numerous fish are captured on artificial lures by casting and trolling. The fishery is concentrated around the shoals and reefs of the lake although some bass are taken in the rivers early in the season. The rather extensive areas of suitable bass habitat around Fox, Snake, Georgina, Thorah, and the smaller islands make these popular fishing grounds.

The present creel limit of six (6) smallmouth bass per day per angler, based on the assumption that this control assures a fair distribution of the bass harvest among anglers, allows fishermen an adequate daily catch for home consumption.

The closed season on smallmouth bass (1 December to 26 June) covers adequately the spawning period in most years although some male bass may be taken while guarding the young-of-the-year after the opening of the fishing season.

The largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, has been of very minor importance in the Lake Simcoe fishery. Relatively small numbers of largemouth bass are taken by conventional angling with worms, live minnows, and artificial lures but the fishery offers a minor contribution to the Lake Simcoe sport fishery at the present time.

The largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are grouped together under The Ontario Fisheries Regulations as "black bass".

The population of largemouth bass at the Cook Bay end of Lake Simcoe is greater than is indicated by the low angling success.

Management: The present creel limit of six (6) smallmouth bass per day per angler, based on the assumption that this control assures a fair distribution of the bass harvest among anglers, allows fishermen an adequate daily catch for home consumption. The closed season on smallmouth bass (1 December to 26 June) covers adequately the spawning period in most years although some male bass may be taken while guarding the young-of-the-year after the opening of the fishing season.

Fish sanctuaries were established in the Beaverton, Pefferlaw, and Sutton Rivers in 1950s, and should include the Talbot River also. The closure of these areas to all fishing between May 15th and June 30th has been of considerable assistance to conservation officers in curtailing poaching while the bass are concentrated on the shoal areas.

[xiaolu]

[Returning anglers with a mixed catch of burbot and other species]

The Sunfish 三费事 - The smallmouth and largemouth bass are the only large representatives of the sunfish family present in Lake Simcoe. The smaller members of this family which are familar to most fishermen are the pumpkinseed, Lepomis, gibbosus, and the rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris.

Like all members of the sunfish family, the pumpinseed and rock bass are warm water fishes which spawn in early summer and build nests in the running waters of the rivers or on the shoals of the lake. The abundance of young sunfish are excellent forage for other fishes and are themselves heavy predators on young fish, aquatic insects, and other invertebrate life. Although these fish, particularly the rock bass, may grow to some 10 inches in length, their value as pan fish is not recognized by most bass fishermen who usually regard them as a nuisance.

The young fish grow 2 - 3 inches the first year and by maturity in the third year are upward of 5 inches in length. The rock bass grow more rapidly, reaching lengths of 7 - 9 inches and weights up to a half-pound by the 4th and 5th year, although larger fish are not uncommon.

The sunfish are captured easily on simple tackle when baited with a worm or almost any substance. Consequently, they provide good recreational fishing to children and novice anglers and a ready source of food tot those who regard them as excellent pan fish. some fishermen derive considerable sport from the fishing of sunfish with light fly tackle and spinning gear.

In view of the large population of these smaller members of the sunfish family in Lake Simcoe and the excellence of their flesh as food, fishermen should increase greatly the harvest of these species.