Manitoba Coarse Fish and Gear Development Program

"1971 Manitoba Coarse Fish and Gear DFO - Library I MPO - Bibliotheque Development Program 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 09039239 I Exploratory Fishing Division

I Industrial Development Branch CI 1971 Manitoba Coarse Fish and Gear Development Program

Exploratory Fish ing Division Industrial Development Branch

Andrew Duthie Project Supervisor

Opinions expressed and conclusions reached by the author are not necessarily endorsed by the sponsors of this project. 45 Abstract

A program to increase the variety of fish available

from the Manitoba Lakes, and to assist fishermen forced out of

work by the mercury pollution in the area, was instituted in 1971.

Trawls, beach seines, pair seines, impounding gear and gill nets

were tried in Lake Winnipeg, Cedar Lakes, and the Trout lakes.

/ I RESUl'.'lE

On a entrepris en 1971 un programme visant

~ accroitre le nombre des esp~ces pechees dans les lacs

du Manitoba et ~ aider les pecheurs chasses de leur travail par la pollution mercurielle des eaux de la region. Des chaluts, des seines de pl3.ge, des seines trainees par deux bateaux, des trappes en filet et des verveux, ainsi que des filets maillants ont fait l'objet d'essais

dans le lac Winnipeg, Ie lac des C~dres et les lacs ~ truite. 1

SOUTHERN LAKES OF MANITOBA

52~ ______-h~~~ ______~~~~~~~ ____-r ____ ~_

C 10 • o .It:• U -.: ... 10 10 C oX., o- 10 en

500 ;------r------+------+----~ Winnipeg•

1020 30 40 50 MANITOBA I inch : 50 statute miles

North Dakota 980 Minnesota

A. Berens Island North B. Berens Island to Black Is. C. Black leland South f rontlaplece 2

Introduction

The Coarse Fish and Gear Development Program was implemented at the latter end of June on extremely short notice to fulfil two purposes. a. Utilization of experimental and traditional type fishing techniques to investigate the feasibility of increased coarse fish production. b. Give meaningful employment to as many fishermen as possible from Lake Winnipeg and Cedar Lake who were unemployed due to the mercury situation in that area. This Program was conducted from the end of June until the first week of November, 1971. A total of 90 fishermen from the Cedar Lake and Lake Winnipeg areas participated within the Program. Every feasible fishing technique was employed to its fullest extent where possible. The areas in which these experiments were conducted* are as follows: Lake Winnipeg, Cedar Lake and the Trout Lakes at Erickson and Gimli. A total of 172,700 pounds mainly coarse fish and 15,000 rainbow trout were produced. The fish were marketed by the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation through their agents at Easterville and Riverton. The following team actively participated in the field management of this Program: Mr. J. Rycroft, Mr. A. Duthie, Captain J. Thomson, Captain H. Misner, Captain A. Buchan, Mr. D. Toews, Mr. G. Cooper and Mr. A. Blakely. Co-operation and assistance were always readily available from the Central Region office, Department of the Environment and the Department of Mines, Resources and Environmental Management, Winnipeg, Manitoba. *see frontispiece 3

Coarse Fish and Gear Development Program Table of Contents

Section one: Lake Winnipeg 6 Project One Experimental Trawl Gear 7 Development Summary of Project with Catch Statistics Project Two Experimental Pair Seine 14 and Trawl Development Summary of Project with Catch Statistics Project Six Experimental Mechanized 25 Beach Seine Summary of Project with Catch Statistics

Proj ect Seven Experimental Impounding Gear 30 Development (Southern area) Summary of Project with Catch Statistics

Project Eight Experimental Impounding Gear 30 Development (Central area) Summary of Project with Catch Statistics Project Ni ne Support and Survey Vessel 34 Summary of Project with Catch Statistics 4

Section two: Cedar Lake 37

Project Three Chart and Survey 38 Summary of Project Project Four Experimental Impounding Gear 41 and Net Maintenance Summary of Project with Catch Statistics Project Fi ve Net Maintenance and Construction 41 Building Summary of Project Project Ten Experimental Pair Seine 44 and Trawl Summary of Project Project Eleven Experimental Gill Net 44 Summary of Project with Catch Statistics

Section three: Trout Lakes 46 Project Twelve Experimental Trout Seines 47 Summary of Project with Catch Statistics 5

Section four: Winter Projects 1971 - 1972 54 Contract One 55 a. Summary Contract Two 55 a. Summary Contract Three 55 a. Summary Contract Four 55 a. Summary Contract Fi ve 56 a. Summary Contract Six 56 a. Summary

Section five: Conclusions and Recommendations 58

Appendix: Scientific names of soecies mentioned. 60 6

Section One

Lake Winnipeg Projects

Objective: a. To explore the feasibility of utilizing the fishing methods and techniques outlined in this section; to ensure a more efficient and selective harvest of coarse fish from Lake Winnipeg.

b. To implement a gear maintenance and construction program involving seine and trawl type gear.

c. To involve as many fishermen as possible from Lake Winnipeg who are unemployed due to the current mercury situation. 7

Project One

Experimental Trawl Gear Development Summary: This project commenced in the middle of June, 1971 and Captain Henry Misner was appointed Project Specialist with direct responsibility for the above project. A survey was conducted within the main fishing communities on Lake Winnipeg to locate a suitable fishing vessel for the purpose of experimental traw·1 ing operati ons. The vessel which was considered to be most suitable was located at Warrens Landing and was subsequently chartered on her arrival at Hnausa. Description of fishing vessel M.S. "Husk": Reg. number: 5F15815 Length: 44 feet Beam: 12 feet Draft: 31 feet Engine: 2 - 70 h.p. David Browns 12 cylinders Operating speed: 10 - 11 miles per hour Built: 1966 Conversion and modification procedures commenced on the vessel at the end of June under the direction of the Program Engineer, Mr. A. Blakely, which included: a. The construction of a wheel house and cabiri at the fore end of the vessel. b. The two 70 h.p. David Brown engines were completely checked and serviced. c. The vessel was painted throughout and all necessary repairs completed. d. The A frames and gallows were constructed and installed. e. The trawl winch and towing blocks were installed. 8

This work was delayed due to the fact that all the fishing gear and equipment necessary for the implementation of this type of project had to be ordered and shipped from the east coast. Several of the major pieces of equipment were delayed in transit from Prince Edward Island for a few weeks due to a train derailment in Ontario. During this period of delay twenty-two local fishermen received extensive training in the general construction and maintenance of experimental trawls and seines. Fishing operations commenced during the last week of August operating from Hnausa and the crew consisted of one skipper and three fishermen. The fishermen involved within this project operated on a rotating basis, i.e. two weeks at sea on experimental fishing operations; and two weeks on shore maintaining and constructing fishing gear and equipment. While at sea fishermen received an incentive premium or bonus in addition to their standard pay. Fishing operations were conducted in four phases as follows: Phase One: Conducted over a two week period operating in the southern area of Lake Winnipeg within a radius of 10 - 15 miles from Hnausa. Bottom trawl operations were carried out using a 320W Vinge trawl in depths of water averaging from 5 to 6 fathoms. Average tows of one hour produced up to 500 pounds of fish which consisted mainly of small tulibee. Phase Two: This phase of the operation was carried out over a three week period until the end of September using the 320W Vinge trawl. Trawling operations were extended to the central and northern areas of the lake in order to assess the full potential of this type of trawl. Trawling was conducted in the area off Georges Island, Sandy Island and McCreary Island but results from this operation were inconclusive due to adverse weather conditions. The last week was spent operating from Hnausa where comparison trials were conducted between the trawler using the 320W bottom trawl and the pair seine vessels using the Diamond midwater trawl. The midwater trawl caught more tulibee while the bottom trawl caught a greater variety of saugers and sunfish, etc. Hauls of up to 800 pounds of mixed species were produced for an average of one hour tows. 9

Phase Three: Most of the fish seen on the echo sounder were widely scattered and distributed mainly at midwater level from 2 - 4 fathoms from the bottom. Midwater trawling was conducted over this period until 'the third week of October, operating in conjunction with the bottom trawl. Better results were encountered using the midwater trawl off Elk Island, Black Island and Drunken Point but adverse weather conditions and engine trouble hampered fishing operations to a degree. Phase Four: During this final two week phase of the project the local skipper was left in complete charge of the vessel and continued fishing operations with satisfactory results. Trawl operations were conducted in the Loon Straits area using the 320W bottom trawl where mixed species were caught. Fishing operations had to be' curtalled rather abruptly due to ice forming on the Icelandic River at Riverton where the fishing vessel is based over the winter period. ------Project number and technique: one: Single vessel, diamond midwater trawl ILOCATION: Lake Winnipeg AVERAGE 1971 NO. TIME PER SPECIES (I N P 0 U N D S) WEEK OF HAUL IN AREA* BULL SUCKERf SUN PICKERlIL WHITE or or ENDING HAULS MINUTES HEAD MARIA TULIBEE PERCH PIKE FISH SAUGER MULLET YELLOWS FISH MISC. TOTAL

30/9 4 60 B.C. - -" 55 615 - 10 23'; - 180 8 - 1,103 I 15/10 2 60 C. - - - 100 ------100 I 23/10 3 60 C. I, - - - 200 ------200

I ! I ! I i I i I ; I , , i - - 55 915 - 10 235 - 180 8 - 1 403 , *Operational Area: Area Code: Area Limits: .... ! o ! Central B Extending from Berens Island to Black Island Southern C Extending from Black Island south l -- u,_ ------Project nwnber and technique: one: Single vessel, #320 western trawl ILOCATION: Lake Winnipeg

S P E C I E S (I N P 0 U N D S) AVERAGE 1971 NO. TIME PER SUCKERS PICKEREL. WEEK OF HAUL IN AREA*; BULL or MARIA TULIBEE PERCH PIKE SUN or SAUGER~ WHITE MISC. TOTAL ENDING HAULS MINUTES I HEAD MULLET FISH YELLOWS FISH 28/8 6 60 C - 25 40 1,500 - - 60 8 200 - 115 1,948

3/9 5 60 C I - 5 42 1,460 10 - 90 - 210 10 3 1,830 I 10/9 8 45 AB -- 66.5 427 - - - - 121 175 105 1,493 ,II i 17/9 4 60 A I - 210 125 25 70 100 530 ! - - - - -

24/9 9 60 C I 10 - 140 12,800 70 - 1145 - 1,025 9 33 5,232 I 30/9 4 60 B ! - - 40 110 15 - 135 - 95 - 100 495 I I i 7/10 1 120 C - - 25 50 25 - 350 - 150 - - 600

14/10 I 4 60 C I - - 65 20 80 - 460 - 430 - 60 1,115

22/10 i 4 45 B I 115 95 220 25 118 12 - - 107 3 - 695 I i 29/10 I 9 60 B ~ - 779 290 195 135 - - - ,040 5 - 2,444 i ! i ~ 125 904 1737 6712 478 12 2240 8 ~,448 202 516 16,382 i *Operationa1 Area: iI Area Code: Area Limits: I , Northern A Extending from Berens Island north I Central B Extending from Berens Island to Black Island ! -- Southern C Extending from Black Island south 12

Project One

Experimental Trawl Gear Operations

Trawler "Husk" fishing midway between Elk Island and Drunken Point, Lake Winnipeg. 13

Trawler IIHusk" cont'd 14

Project Two

Experimental Pair Seine and Trawl Development

Surrmary: Captain James Thomson was appointed Project Specialist with direct responsibility for the above Project which commenced at the end of June, 1971. In conjunction with Project one a survey was conducted within the main fishing communities on Lake Winnipeg to locate two suitable fishing vessels for the purpose of pair seine and trawl operations. Two suitable vessels, which at that time were involved in the 1971 whitefish fishery, were located at Warrens Landing and subsequently chartered. Description of vessels: Name of vessel: IIMargo-Ann ll

Length: 42 feet Beam: 12 feet Draft: 3~ feet Engine: One 120 h.p. - D.M. Caterpillar Cylinders: 4 Cycle: 4 Operating speed: 10 miles per hour Built: 1964

Name of vessel: IITod-hll Length: 44 feet Beam: 12 feet Draft: . 3i feet Engine: One 11 0 h.p. Ford Cyl i nders: 6 Cycle: 4 Operating speed: 10 miles per hour Bui It: 1962 15

Conversion and modification procedures commenced on both the vessels at Hnausa towards the end of June; this included: a. Construction and installation of masts, derricks, stays and other miscell aneous deck equipment. b. The engines were completely checked and serviced. c. The trawl winches and lead rollers were installed. d. The vessels were painted throughout and all necessary repairs completed. Similar circumstances occurred in this Project as in Project one causing a delay in commencing fishing operation~. Initial fishing operations were conducted during the first week of September with each crew complement consisting of one skipper and two fishermen. The fishermen who participated within this Project operated on a rotating work basis as in Project one. Pair Seine operations were conducted during the first week of September within a twelve mile radius of Hnausa. The type of gear utilized consisted of #6 Seine net and #320W Vinge trawl. The depth of water averaged from 51 to 6, fathoms and the bottom was fairly smooth consisting mainly of clay and mud. Results varied from 400 to 600 pounds per one hour haul, which consisted mainly of tulibees. Fishing operations over the next two week period were extended to the central and northern area of Lake Winnipeg in order to assess the full potential of the bottom type gear. A total of twelve one hour hauls were conducted in the area off Georges Island, Sandy Island and McBeth Point with extremely poor results. Adverse weather conditions over this period affected fishing operations to a degree but extremely muddy and cloudy water conditions prevailed through out the length of Lake Winnipeg. The pair seine technique can only be effective in clear water since the flsh are herded into the net by manila ropes towed along the bottom. Most of the fish which were recorded on the echo sounder were widely scattered, mainly at midwater level from two to four fathoms from the bottom. It was decided at this point to convert to midwater trawling, operating in the various areas of the lake where midwater recordings of fish justified a test. 16

Midwater trawl operations were conducted through out the month of October using the Diamond midwater trawl. The area of operation extended from Georges Island in the northern area to Elk Island in the south. Encouraging results were obtained from the area between Elk Island and Drunken Point where on the 23rd September approximately 5,000 pounds of mainly small tu1ibee were caught from a total of four one hour hauls. During the last two week period, the local skippers assumed responsibility for conducting fishing operations with satisfactory results. This project had to be curtailed rather abruptly due to early ice conditions. ------~ . Project number and techniq.ue: two: 2 vessel diamond midwater trawl I LOCATION: Lake Winnipeg SPECIES IN POUNDS AVERAGE 1971 NO. TIME PER I SUCKERS PICKEREf' WEEK OF HAUL IN BULL or SUN or WHITE ENDING HAVES MINUTES AREA* HEAD MULLET MARIA TULIBEE PERCH PIKE FISH YELLOWS SAUGER FISH MISC. TOTAL

24/9 7 60 C j - - - 6 550 18 - 385 105 318 - UO 7.526 I 30/9 7 60 BC --- 2,450 4 - 285 70 250 - 115 3,174

I 7/10 - - - I ------14/10 6 60 C 10 99 110 3,000 45 - 450 120 245 4 3 4,086

22/10 4 60 BC - - 234 1,285 12 - 22 33 230 - - 1,816

29/10 5 60 AB - 3 230 1,260 5 - 23 11 750 2 - 2,284

, I I I I I I ! i ! I I i I , i 10 I j 102 574 14,545 84 - 1,165 339 1,793 6 268 8,886 ; *Operationa1 Area: I Area Code: Area Limits: I , Northern A , Extending' from Berens Island north Central B Extending from Berens Island to Black Island . . .- Southern C Extending from Black Island south u,. --.____ • _____ ._.. ____ 1'0 ___• Project number and technique: two: 2 vessel, 11320 western trawl I LOCATION: Lake Winnipeg

AVERAGE 1971 NO. TIME PER SUCKERS PICKERE WEEK OF HAUL IN BULL or SUN or WHITE ENDING HAULS MINUTES AREA" HEAD MULLETS MARIA TULIBEE PERCH PIKE FISH YELLOWS SAUGER FISH MISC. TOTAL , 3/9 9 60 C - - 2 4,386 137 - 87 - 123 - 13 4,748 10/9 5 60 A - - 371 206 - - - - 184 33 - 794 I I I . 17/9 7 60 A - - ! 463 196 - - - - 160 20 - 839 24/9 ------

30/9 4 60 C - -- 425 16 - 45 37 65 - 55 643 7/10 ------I ------14/10 ------22/10 I ------

29/10 2 45 B - 10 10 - - - 4 - 15 - - 39 I I - ;, , 10 846 5,2l3 153 1 - - l36 37 547 53 68 7,06 *Operational Area: Area Code: Area Limits: I ..... : Northern A Extending from Berens Island north 00 ! Central B Extending from Berens Island to Black Island Southern C Extending from Black Island south -

6.. 19 Project Two

Experimental Midwater Pair Trawl Operations

Conducted on the 23rd September, 1971 from Hnausa at the southern end of Lake Winnipeg.

One of the pair trawlers departing from Hnausa to commence fishing operations. 20 1st Haul

Shooting the trawl two miles west from Elk Island.

One lift, approx. 600 pounds of fish, consisting mainly of small tulibee. Cont'd 21

The fish landed on the deck of the trawler.

Boxing and icing the fish. 2nd Haul 22

One lift being taken aboard at approx. It miles north west from Elk Island.

Approx. 600 lbs of fish landed on deck which consisted mainly of small tulibee with a few saugers and sunfish. 3rd Haul 23

Hauling in the net two miles east from Drunken Point on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg.

First lift being taken aboard consisting of approx. 1,200 lbs mainly small tulibee. Cont'd 24

Second lift being taken aboard, approx. 1,000 lbs of mainly small tulibee.

Note: The fourth and final tow of the day was conducted 2! miles east from Drunken Point and 1,700 lbs of small tulibee were caught. A total of 5,000 lbs of mainly small tulibee were caught for a total of four - one hour tows. 25

Project Six

Experimental Mechanized Beach Seine

Summary: A large beach seine and mechanized steel barge was purchased from Port Rowan on Lake Erie for the purpose of catching the schools of carp which frequent the shallows during the summer period at certain areas on Lake Winnipeg. This equipment has been fished successfully on Lake Erie with catches ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 pounds of carp for one haul. Early in September the equipment arrived at Riverton on Lake Winnipeg where the two sections of the barge were assembled. The barge is constructed of steel measuring 32 feet long and 15 feet wide. Two large jacks (spuds) are suspended at the ends of the barge and are utilized to anchor the barge while the net is being winched aboard. The net is hauled aboard round two large revolving rollers by two winches which are located at one end of the barge. A twenty h.p. outboard motor easily propels the barge through the water making it completey mobile. The barge can operate and maneuver in shallow water since it requires only a six inch draft. The beach seine is constructed as follows: Length: 450 yards Wings: 75 mesh deep, 4 inch mesh Centre: 150 mesh deep, 3 inch mesh. An initial survey was conducted to locate suitable areas to conduct carp fishing operations. Gill test nets were used and an aerial survey was completed covering the following areas: Washow Bay, west of Hecla Island, Willow Creek and Netley Marsh area. It was decided to conduct operations initially from the Icelandic River area and Mr. Harvey Ferres from Port Rowan was appointed as an advisor to instruct the local fishermen in the proper use of the equipment. 26

Fishing operations commenced on the 15th September and were conducted until the end of October in the Icelandic River area between Sandy Bar and the Hecla Island causewa.Y. It was unfortunate that this equipment was not available during the summer months. By the-time this operation was put into effect the carp had moved to the deeper water because of the cooler water temperatures in the shallows at that time of the year. However, a total of 23,543 pounds of fish were caught from 34 hauls mainly because certain areas were regularly baited with corn which subsequently attracted the fish in from the deeper water. Adverse weather conditions affected fishing operations to a large extent. A total of five Riverton fishermen and three boats were involved in this Project. ------_..... _---- Project number and technique: six: Mechanized beach seine 1LOCATION: Lake Winnipeg SPECIES IN POUNDS AVERAGE 1971 NO. TIME PEN ~UCKER WEEK OF HAUL IN BULL or SUN WHITE ENDING HAULS MINUTES AREA* CARP HEAD MULLET MARIA ULIBEE PERCH PIKE FISH SAUGER FISH MISC. TOTAL

17/9 3 75 C 975 210 245 -- 73 1,035 100 - - - 2,638

24/9 7 70 C 855 545 510 30 - 27 350 30 - - 13 2,360

1.10 6 90 C I 6,650 2,275 170 - - - 615 - - - - 9,710

6/10 5 50 C 975 410 110 - - - 165 - - - - 1,660 16/10 4 50 C - 990 645 - - - 330 - - - - 1,965

23/10 4 55 C - 1,185 720 -- - 280 - - - - 2,185

29/10 5 60 C 740 1,530 420 - - - 335 - - - - 3,025

I 1 ! I I I

! i I I , i ! , I I 10,195 7,145 2,820 30 - 100 3,110 130 - - 13 23 543 ; *Operationa1 Area: Area Code: Area Linl1 ts : I ! N Southern ..... 1 : C The Sandy Bar ;area within a radi4s of 15 miles from Riverton. I , ; I - , '. I j 0',. 28 Project Six

Mechanized Beach Seine Operations

Beach seine barge at Port Rowan on Lake Erie prior to being transported to Lake Winnipeg.

Beach seine in operation near the mouth of the Icelandic River on Lake Winnipeg. 29 Cont'd

Beach seine in the process of being hauled in.

Beach seine barge in operation. 30

Project Seven

Experimental Impounding Gear Development (Southern Area)

Summary: A total of two seven-foot and six ten-foot trap nets were rented and operated along the shoreline within the Gimli area for a six week period until the 5th November. These trap nets produced a total of 24,730 pounds of fish from 36 lifts. Towards the latter part of October fishing operations were limited due to unfavourable weather conditions. A total of four fishermen participated in this Project using two, twenty foot wooden boats. Great difficulty was experienced in retrieving the trap nets when early ice conditions abruptly curtailed operations.

Project Eight

Experimental Impounding Gear Development (Central Area)

Summary: Eight A. Trap Nets A total of six ten-foot trap nets were operated for a period of four weeks at Frog Bay in the central area of Lake Winnipeg. Over this period twenty-five trap nets were lifted producing a total of 13,335 pounds of fish. Three fishermen and two, twenty-foot wooden boats \A/ere involved in this operation. Similar difficulties as occurred in Project seven were encountered with regards to unfavourable weather conditions and retrieval of nets. Eight B. Hoop Nets Eight hoop nets were operated for a period of three weeks in Frog Bay in conjunction with the trap nets which were utilized above. The hoop nets were lifted a total of sixty-one times and produced 2,478 pounds of fish. Two fishermen and one boat were involved in this operation. It was observed that while the hoop nets were a much easier piece of equipment to handle they did not produce as effectively as the trap nets in this particular area. ------~-.... ----~. Project number and technique: seven: impounding gear ILOCATION: Lake Winnipeg SPECIES IN POUNDS NO. OF 1971 TRAP SUCKER PICKERE~ WEEK NETS BULL or SUN or WHITE ENDING LIFfED AREA* CARP HEAD HULLET MARIA PERCH PIKE FISH YELLOW~ SAlIr.F.R lH<:U iMTC:;C TOTAL 2/10 1 C - - 40 70 - 40 - 85 - 10 - 245

9/10 5 C - 420 770 1,855 -. - 50 . 245 20 45 - 3,405 I 16/10 7 _. C - 565 485 2 025 - - 235 70 - - 3.380 23/10 11 C - 860 750 5,400 - 370 - 720 135 25 - 8,260 I 30/10 7 C - - 225 4,150 I - 25 - 275 40 70 - 4,785

6/11 5 C - - 40 ..h.,150 - 25 - 340 50 'in - 4 . "-~'i

! I j I , ,i , I , ! - 1,845 2,310 17,650 - 460 50 1,900 315 I i 200 - 24,730 i *Operationa1 Area: Area Code: Area Limits: I : Southern C The Gimli area within a radius of 3 miles f];om Gimli I I I .. I I ! -_._----.------Project number and technique: eight (a) impounding gear trap nets I LOCATION: Lake Winnipeg SPECIES IN POUNDS NO. 1971 OF SUCKERS PICKEREL. WEEK NETS BULL or SUN or WHITE ENDING LIITED AREA'" HEAD MULLET ?-IARIA TULIBEE PERCH PIKE FISH YELLOWS SAUGER FISH MISC. TOTAL

16/10 2 B - 100 910 - - - - 10 70 - 30 1 120 . 23/10 7 B - 340 4,090 - - 55 - - 65 - - 4,550 I , I 30/10 10 B - 460 I 3,945 - - 70 - 45 85 - - 4,605

5/11 6 B - 500 2,350 - - 145 - - 65 ; - - 3 060

I I T i j I

I I I r I r ; 1,400 11,295 270 55 285 ; I - - - - - 30 3,335 *Operationa1 Area: Area Code: Area Limit: W I N : Central B Frog Bay - I -- --_ .... _-._------... _-_ .. Project number and technique: eight (b) Impounding gear hoop nets 1LOCATION: Lake Winnipeg SPECIES IN POUNDS NO. 1971 OF SUCKER( PICKEREL WEEK NETS BULL or SUN or WHITE ENDING LIITED AREA* HEAD MULLET MARIA TULIBEE PERCH PIKE FISH YELLOWS SAUGER FISH MISC. TOTAL , 22/10 20 B - 18 770 ------788

29/10 32 B 8 24 860 - , ------892 I 5/11 · 9 B - 18 I 780 ------798

, T j i I I r I 8 60 2,410 ------2 478 *Operationa1 Area: Area Code: Area Limits: I , Central B Fro!!: Bay - i I . .. 34

Project Nine

Support and Survey Vessel

Summary: A support and survey vessel was chartered until the end of October to operate in conjunction with Projects one and two. Description of vessel: Supervisor: J. Jacobson Vessel Reg. number: 5F2l032 Length: 45 feet Beam: 12 feet Draft: 4 feet Engine: One 86 h.p. Grey Marine Operating Speed: 10 miles per hour Built: 1%6 Test and survey operations were conducted covering the entire area of Lake Winnipeg, the objective being to locate schools of fish, relay the information to the trawlers and pair seiners, and to act as a support and transport vessel as required. A total of eight test gill nets were utilized over a three month period and a total of 11,638 pounds of fish were caught. The mesh sizes used were as follows: 2 - 21 inch, 2-3 inch, 2-3 3/4 inch, 1-41 inch and 1-5 inch. The nets were lifted a total of 144 times and were set at any depth depending on the distribution of fish recorded on the echo sounder. A 15 foot try trawl net was operated for a Deriod of two months within a radius of 15 miies from Hnausa, and a total of 3,690 lbs of fish was produced from 49 - 30 minute hauls. The information and recorded data obtained from this Project proved to be invaluable to Projects one and two. ----_._------_._-- Project number and technique: nine (a) support vessel test g11l nets l LOCATION: Lake Winnipeg SPECIES Ik: ~1rPUNDS

NO. OF SUCKER~ PICKEREjL 1971 NETS SIZE OF BULL or SUN or WHITE PERIOD LIFfED HESH AREA* I HEAD MULLET HARIA TULIBEE PERCH PIKE FISH YELLOWS SAUGER FISH HISC. TOTAL I 20~8- 7/10 36 2~" A,B,C 15 . 26 1 1,008 564 14 45 632 1 887 7 2 4 2Ql 20/8- I 22/10 32 3 " A,B,C, 17 24 32 464 98 30 109 585 2,149 11 10 3, 530

13/8 - ' I 29/10 I 32 3 3/4" A,B,C 9 83 298 190 40 32 177 2RI) RQ1 71 17 ?101 20/8 - 22/10 24 4lt;" A,B,C 5' 51 - 29 62 6 3 294 256 448 I 73 13 1,2401 20/8- 10/9 20 5" A,B,C, 2 40 4 21 2 - 81 - 122 89 5 366

! ! j

; i I ,i ! , 48 224 364 1,745 710 79 906 1,762 5,499 253 48 : ! 1l,6.31 ; *Operationa1 Area: Area Code: Area Limits: W I tTl , Northern A The support vessel completed

Central B detailed echo sounding and test net I -- Southern C surv~ys covering the entire area of Lake Winnipeg. u,. -_._------.---..... Project number and technique: nine (b) Support vessel 15' trawl test net I LOCATION: Lake Winnipeg SPECIES IN POUNDS AVERAGE 1971 NO. TIME PER SUCKER~ PICKERElL WEEK OF HAUL IN BULL or SUN or WHITE ENDING HAULS MINUTES AREA* HEAD MULLET: MARIA TULIBEE PERCH PIKE FISH YELLOWS SAUGER FISH MISC. TOTAL

30/7 34 30 C 1 -- 1,163 44 - - 9 26 - 1,185 2,428

6/8 8 30 C 2 - - 19 13 7 - - 4 - 575 620

I 20/8 5 30 C - - I - 25 14 - - 1 1 - 125 166

26/8 2 30 C - -- 1 22 - - - 3 - 450 476

I I

! 1 i ; i

I 3 -. - 1,208 93 7 - 10 34 - 2,335 3,69C

*Operationa1 Area: Area Code: Area Limi ts: . to.> en Southern C Within a 30 mile radius from Hnausa.

I -- 1 u,. 37

Section Two

Cedar Lake Projects

Objecti ve: a. To chart and survey Cedar Lake to assess potential fishing areas for experimental-type fishing techniques.

b. To explore the feasibility of utilizing the fishing methods and techniques outlined in this section; to ensure a more efficient and selective harvest of coarse fish from Cedar Lake.

c. The construction of a buil di ng whi ch wi 11 be utilized for the general maintenance, construction and storage of experimental fishing gear and equipment.

d. To involve as many fishermen as possible from Cedar Lake who are unemployed due to the current mercury situation. 38

Project Three

Chart and Survey - Cedar Lake

Summary: Mr. Don Toews was appointed Project Specialist with direct responsibility for the above Project which commenced at the end of June, 1971. A Chart and Survey Technician and nine fishermen from Easterville were also employed at this particular time. Eight twenty-foot wooden yawls were chartered and were overhauled and repaired prior to sounding operations commencing. Transit towers were erected at various sites on the lake and the necessary echo sounding equipment was installed on the boats. The actual sounding program did not proceed until the first week in August because a great deal of preliminary work had to be conducted. The fishermen received extensive instruction in the use of the various instruments and were then divided into two crews, each of whi ch contained fi ve meni. Each crew consisted of one supervisor, an outboard motor operator, an echo sounder operator and two men ashore to operate the radios and transits. The boats were powered by 20 h.p. Mercury outboard motors and these proved to be adequate to maintain a suitable speed for soundi ng purposes. Adverse weather conditions hampered the progress of the charting operations to a large degree. On the Cedar Lake area the weather is usually very stormy during late summer and fall, while spring and early summer is comparatively calm. The accompanying map shows the locations of the transit stations that were built and the portions of the lake which were charted. The Project Specialist has recommended that, should this program be continued in the future, an early spring start would be highly recommended in order to avoid delays caused by adverse weather. 39

The main objective of this particular Project was to chart and survey Cedar Lake to assess potential fishing areas for experimental type fishing techniques. It was subsequently decided to terminate this program in the early part of October and concentrate on extensive fishing operations utilizing the information and recorded data obtained from the Charting operation. Fishing operations were conducted as follows: a. 2 boats: using experimental towed type gear (Pair Seine, Pair Bottom Trawl and Pair Midwater Trawl). b. 2 boats: using impounding type gear. c. 4 boats: using gill nets, concentrating in hard bottom areas for Mullet. Miles 10 5 0 10 30 8MMMM. I • 41

Project Four Experimental Impounding Gear and Net Maintenance

Summary: An extensive impounding gear fishing operation was conducted over a two month period until the middle of October throughout the entire area of Cedar Lake. A total of four trap nets and eight hoop nets were utilized and 112 lifts completed. Results were extremely poor with a total of only 4,604 pounds of fish landed. However, approximately 18,000 pounds of pickerel, pike and whitefish were released alive due to the fact that they could not be landed because of the mercury situation. Adverse weather conditions, and also the fact that the entire lake is surrounded by a flooded shoreline with clumps of dead trees extending out into the lake, hampered operations to a large degree. Large concentrations of mullet exist in Cedar Lake and it was generally felt that an extensive trap net fishery operated in the early spring when the mullet are migrating to their spawning grounds would be extremely productive. A total of 25 Easterville fishermen participated in this Project and received extensive training in the maintenance, general construction and operation of trap and hoop nets.

Project Five

Net Maintenance and Construction Building Summary: It was considered necessary to construct a building at Easterville because of the total lack of facilities for storage, construction and overall maintenance of fishing gear and equipment. The building was completed on the 30th July, taking a total of six week in the overall construction. The building was used extensively over a three month period employing approximately 25 fishermen. The fishermen involved received extensive training in the general construction, maintenance, handling and storage of both experimental and traditional fishing gear and equipment. A caretaker has been employed to maintain the building over the winter period and the value of a building of this nature would be evident should any future fishery development type projects be implemented. .-.---- ~ --.------.--.-- Project number and technique: four: impoundinR Rear I LOCATION: Cedar Lake SPECIES IN pomms · - 1971 NO. OF NO. OF NO. SUCKER PICKEIU WEEK NETS JI BULL or or WHITE TRAP HOOP i ENDING LIFTED NETS NETS i CARP HEAD MULLET MARIA TULIBE PERf:H PIKE YELLOW~ SAUGER FISH MISC. -TOTAL i 20/8 5 0 5 I - - 37 -- 8 , 27 31 1 - - 104 27/8 23 5 18 - - 136 12 - 29 136 142 11 -- 466 I 3/9 17 3 14 - - 59 5 2 19 67 127 10 2 - 291 I 10/9 18 4 14 49 8 6 7 98 114 1 7 290 I - - -

17/9 12 5 7 i 19 - 90 69 17 28 206 1,132 2 92 - 1,655 I I 24/9 17 6 11 8 - 210 50 I 42 3 132 308 - 68 - 821 , 2/10 11 5 6 -- 135 160 - 2 - 155 17 65 - 534 13/10 ! 9 3 6 : - - 55 50 55 8 105 60 - 110 - 443 ! ; I i: i

i ! 27 - - 771 354 122 104 771 2,069 42 344 - 4,604 I i ; Note: Approximately 18,000 pounds of pickerel, pike and whitefish I , , were released from the trap and hoop nets due to the mercury situation. -.

u,. Project Five 43

Net Maintenance and Gear Construction Building Partially Completed

Construction of the wharf at Easterville which was built in conjunction with the net maintenance building. 44

Project Ten

Experimental Pair Seine and Trawl Development

Summary: Fishing operations were conducted at Cedar Lake over a three week period during the months of September and October. The following techniques were employed: i) Pair Seine; ii) Pair Bottom Trawl; iii) Pair Midwater trawl. Three 20- foot wooden boats were utilized for these experiments, two for towing purposes and one as a pilot vessel. Echo sounders were installed on each boat and the following range of out board motors was used: 20 h.p.; 40 h.p.; and 50 h.p. Negative results were encountered due to the following conditions: a. The boats were too small for the type of gear available (18 foot wooden skiffs). b. Extremely cloudy and muddy water (consequently the fish would not lead into the net). c. Operations were hampered due to floating debris and trees, etc. (resulting from the flooding of Cedar Lake when the Hydro dam was built at Grand Rapids). d. The fish markings were widely distributed throughout the entire area of the lake and the only concentrations were on the hard bottom or among the trees.

Project Eleven

Experimental Gill Net Development

Summary: An extensive gill net operation was conducted over a three week period at Cedar Lake. A total of 43 - 41 inch mesh gill nets were fished from four 20 foot wooden vessels. Fishing operations were carried out within a six mile radius of Easterville with the gill nets set down on hard bottom where heavy markings had been recorded during previous soundings trials. The nets were lifted a total of twelve times producing 26,320 pounds of fish. A processing crew consisting of seven men were employed ashore dressing, packing and icing the fish for market. __0 __"'_.- ______• __ • • _._ .. __"_ •• Project number and technique: eleven: gill nets ILOCATION: Cedar Lake SPECIES IN POUNDS

1971 NO. :-l0. OF SIZE SUCKER PICKERE .lEEK OF NETS PER OF BULL or SUN or WHITE ENDING HAULS HAUL MESH I HEAD MULLET MARIA TULIBEE PERCH PIKE FISH YELLOWS SAUGER FISH MISC. TOTAL , I I 9/10 5 43 4~" - 6,410 - 180 - 810 - 1 980 - 90 - 9 470 j 16/10 i 3 43 ~" - 5,220 - 720 - 1,350 - 1,350 - - - 8,640 I

23/10 4 43 4~" - 3,920 - 990 - 1,680 - 1,530 - 90 - 8,210 J i I !

! I i I , , ! I i ,i , - 15,550 - 1,890 - 3,840 - 4,860 - 180 26,320 : I -

Note: 43 - ~" mesh--.&i11 nets were used with this o~eration. I - l -.

6,. 46

Section Three

Trout Lakes Projects

Objective: a. To explore the feasibility of . utilizing seine type fishing gear; to ensure a more efficient and complete harvest of rainbow trout from the prairie trout lakes. 47 Project Twelve

Experimental Trout Seines A. Erickson area Summary: An initial survey was conducted in the Erickson area to locate suitable trout lakes in which to conduct experimental trout seine operations. Captain Thomson designed and constructed an experimental trout pair seine and beach seine for the ourpose of harvesting rainbow trout from the Manitoba trout lakes. Initial operations were conducted at the Fisheries Research Board research lake #4 beside Erickson where a total of 16,500 fingerlings were stocked in the spring of the year. Fishing operations were conducted over a five day period durin~ late October using the pair seine, which was towed by 2 - 18 foot wooden boats powered by 2 - 20 h.p. outboard motors. A total of 19 - 20 minute hauls were completed which produced 7,655 trout (3,302 pounds). The most significant point regarding this particular experiment was the fact that all the fish were landed live in first class quality condition. A series of initial experiments were conducted on one of the trout research lakes usinq the beach seine. Negative results were encountered due to the fact that the net was not properly balanced. Subsequent modifications to the foot rope counteracted this situation. Two drum ends were designed and constructed at Erickson for the purpose of hauling in the beach seine. The drum ends were installed on the rear hubs of a truck after the rear end of the truck was elevated from the ground. This particular technique proved to be extremely effective for hauling in the gear. This operation was conducted in conjunction with the Conservation Extension Branch of the Manitoba Department of Mines, Resources and Environmental Management and the Freshwater Institute of the Fisheries Research Board. 48

B. Giml i area Summary: At the request of a local trout farmer a two day experiment was conducted in two small trout oonds which were located eight miles north west from Gimli. A total of 30,000 fingerlings were stocked in these lakes in the early spring. The pair seine technique was utilized in one pond and a total of 4,000 trout was produced from 8 - 10 minute hauls. The experimental beach seine which was operated in the other pond produced 3,000 trout from 3 - 35 minute hauls. Fishing operations were abruptly halted due to heavy snow conditions and ice forming on the lakes. Project number and technique: l2A: Experimental Trout Seines - Erickson

Date Loca.tion Technique ' Avera~e time No. of No. of Hauls ber hau in min. .Trout Pounds I

20/10/71 Lake 114, Erickson 2 boat pair seine 1 30 142 61 ... 21/10/71 ...... ". .. 3 30 I 2,070 837 ...... 25/10/71 " " " 3 20 1,579 668 .. .. 26/10/71 ...... 9 20 3,381 1,514 ...... 27/10/71 " 3 20 483 222

TOTALS 19 7,655 3,302

Project number and technique: l2B: Experimental Trout Seines - Gimli Average time No. of Date Location TechniClue No. of Hauls per haul in min. Trout -.- - Commercial Lake fl8, 3/11/71 north west of Gimli pair seine 3 10 466

4/11/71 " " " 5 10 3 642

TOTALS 8 4,088 Commercial Lake fl8 3/11/71 north west of Gimli beach seine 1 35 277

4/11/71 " " .. 2 35 2,510

TOTALS 3 2,787 1-- 50 Project Twelve Experimental Trout Fishing Operations (Photographs courtesy of: Manitoba Dept. of Mines, Resources and Environmental Management)

Setting the pair seine at the trout research lake #4.

The two pair seine boats towing the gear. Cont'd 51

The two pair seine boats proceeding down the lake towing the seine.

The two boats closing together. Cont'd 52

The boats coming together to close the seine.

The pair seine landed on the shore with approx. 800 live trout in Al quality condition, produced from one, twenty minute haul. Cont'd 53

The rainbow trout prior to being boxed and iced.

The nigger head drum which was specially designed, constructed and installed on the rear hubs of the truck for the purpose of hauling in the beach seine. 54

Section Four

Winter Projects 1971 - 1972

Objective: a. To overhaul and maintain fishing gear and equipment which has been utilized within the 1971 Coarse Fish and Gear Devel opment Program.

b. To involve a certain number of fishermen who are unemployed due to the current mercury situation. 55

Winter Projects 1971 - 1972 Contract One

Summary: General overhaul and repair of ten hoop nets which have been utilized within the Impounding Gear Projects 4 and 8. This work to be completed by March 31, 1972 with two fishermen participating.

Contract Two

Summary: To carry out the general repair and maintenance of the fifteen hundred foot Carp Beach Seine and also to completely renew the headrope (float line), footrope (lead line) and bridles with pre-stretched tery1ene rope. This work to be completed by March 31,1972 with two fishermen participating.

Contract Three

Summary: One fishermen employed as caretaker with direct responsibility for the overall maintenance and general upkeep of the Gear Construction and Net Maintenance Building at Eastervi11e. This building was constructed as part of the Program and utilized within Projects 3, 4, 10 and 11. The contract period extends from November 1, 1971 to May 30, 1972.

Contract Four

Summary: Complete overhaul and repair of motorized winches on the barge which was used within the Experimental Mechanized 56

Beach Seine Project on Lake Winnipeg. This contract to be completed by March 31, 1972 with one fisherman participating.

Contract Five

Summary: Complete overhaul and repair of six 20 h.p. Mercury outboard motors which were utilized within Projects 3, 4, 10, 11 and 12. This contract to be completed by one fishermen by March 31, 1972.

Contract Six

Summary: Contract Supervisor with direct responsibility for the supervision of Winter Projects one to five within the Coarse Fish and Gear Development Program. He is to inform the Program Supervisor on a monthly basis regarding developments involving Contracts one to five. This contract extends from November 15, 1971 until May 30, 1972. 57

Section Five

Conc1usions and Recommendations 58

Conclusions

Certain conclusions have been drawn from the results of th~ 1971 Coarse Fish and Gear Development Program which was conducted in the southern Manitoba lakes: a. Pair seining operations are not effective in Lake Winnipeg due to the cloudy and muddy water conditions which prevented the fish from leading into the net. b. Bottom trawling operations for coarse fish production was not economically feasible due to the fact that most of the fish recorded on the echo sounder were widely scattered and distributed mainly at midwater level. c. Impounding gear, midwater trawls and mechanized beach seines can be effectively utilized for coarse fish harvesting, but only on a seasonal basis for specific species of fish e.g.: Mullet early spring Carp mid-summer Tu1ibee summer and fall Maria late fall d. Cedar Lake is not suitable for seine or trawl type operations because of the floating debris and dead trees which have resulted from the flooding of Cedar Lake when the hydro dam was built at Grand Rapids. e. The full potential of the fishing techniques which were utilized within this Program should not be evaluated on the basis of this years production for the following reasons: The final decision to commence this program was not known until the middle of June at which time the planning and implementation phases of the program had to be completed on extremely short notice and consequently fishing operations did not commence until the first week of August. Considerable time was lost in procuring, transporting and installing fishing gear and equipment and also in the training of local fishermen in the various fishing techniques involved. 59

Recommendations

1. An extensive impounding gear (Trap and Hoop nets) program to be carried out during the early spring for mullet when they make their spawning run into the streams and rivers, to be conducted in the following lakes: Lake Winnipeg, Cedar Lake, Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipegosis. 2. An extensive mechanized beach seine program operati ng 1arge beach sei-nes from motori zed steel barges and tractors with winches installed. This method can be extremely effective for harvesting carp when they migrate to the beaches and marshes in the summer to spawn. This type of operation can be conducted in Lake Winnipeg, Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipegosis. 3. Single vessel midwater trawl operations to exploit the large stocks of small tulibee in Lake Winnipeg, Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipegosis. These operations to be conducted throughout the summer and fall. 4. Large quantities of maria are available in certain well defined areas in Lake Winnipeg and an extensive trap net fishery is recommended for this particular lake during the late fall and winter period. 5. An extension of the experimental trout harvesting program into the large commercial trout lakes in Manitoba utilizing seine type gear to ensure a more efficient and complete havest of rainbow trout. 6. Completion of the Chart and _Survey Project at Cedar Lake. 60

Appendix

Bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus

Suckers or mullets MugiUdae spp. Maria Lota maculosa Tulibee Leucichthys tullibee Perch Perca jZavescens

Pike Escot lucius syn. estor Sunfish Orthagoriscus mola Pi ckerel Stizostedion vitreum

Sauger Stizostedion syn. Whitefish Coregonus clupeifor.mis Carp Cyprinus syn. Carpi us carpio