The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-09-24, Page 13•I
District I ews
Ministry of Natural Resources
perseveres in battle to rind lake
trout back to the Great Lakes
There's a million stories in the freshwater
'fisheries of Ontario — and the battle to save
the lake trout of the Great Lakes from ex-
tinction against the venerable foes of over-
fishing and lamprey predation is one that
will make its mark in the province's wildlife
history.
It all began in 1829. The Welland Canal
was opened, circumventing Niagara Falls
and joining Lake Ontario with Lake Erie. It
proved an instant success with Canadian
commerical lake traffic as an alternative
shipping route to the long, arduous Erie
Canal.
Over time, the Welland Canal also opened
up the Great Lakes to a very undesirable
and alien guest the land locked sea lam-
prey. This parasitic creature was, until the
canal's construction, confined to the waters
below Niagara Falls.
It was actually almost a century before
the first male and female sea lamprey found
their way through the Welland Canal locks
and into suitable spawning streams. And it
was 1921 before the first land locked sea
lamprey distinguished from its ocean-going
cousins by its smaller size was discovered
in Lake Erie.
But less than 20 years later, the sea lam-
prey had established itself in Lakes Huron
and Michigan, where favorable habitat con-
ditions allowed it to proliferate to the point
where lamprey populations spilled over into
Lake Superior. •
These Great Lakes provided the sea lam-
prey with both a deep water habitat and
ideal spawning streams. More importantly,
they were replete with the lamprey's
favorite prey the lake trout onto which the
parasite would attach itself.
Lamprey destroyed thelake trout com-
mercial fishing industry in Lake Huron and
Lake Michigan, and almost destroyed the
entire lake trout populations m both lakes.
The battle to eradicate the lamprey took
on international proportions with the forma-
tion of the Great Lakes Fishery Commis-
sion. Immediately after its creation in 1956,
this Canadian -American commission devis-
ed and approved an electrical barrier
designed to stop lampreys on their way
upstream to spawn.
Unfortunately, while the "weir" was ef-
GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24,1986= -PAGE 13
prey, or "ammocoetes," leave the nest after "Some experts believe that diseases in the
about three weeks and drift downstream. hatchery were at fault. But others are more
When they reach stream banks composed convinced that the brook trout genes in
of sand, silt or mud, the ammocoetes bur- splake caused the fish to mature too quickly,
row their tails into what will be their homes causing an early death."
for the next 10 to 11 years. What followed was an intensive re -
During that time, ammocoetes live on examination of the program. Two years
minute plant and animal material. By their after shelving its splake restocking project,
eighth year, they usually develop the rasp- MNR was ready to try again with the Iake
ing tongue and sharp teeth which enable trout backcross, a hybrid that is about 75 per -
them to attach themselves to their prey. cent lake trout and 25 per cent brook trout
After growing to between 10 and 15 cen- selected to resolve the earlier problems.
timetres in length, the sea lamprey swims to Nearly one millidh of these fish have been
the lake draining the stream in which it was planted in Georgian Bay every year since
born. It returns to its birthplace one year - 1979, and the results of this project have
later to breed and die. been much more encouraging than the
In the early 1960's, "lampricide" was in- earlier experiments with the splake.
troduced, a chemical which was formulated - "For one thing, they are living longer,"
to selectively kill lamprey during their says Stan Munroe, MNR's Lake Huron
vulnerable annocoete period. fisheries coordinator.
Today, lampricide is carefully sprayed "We have caught backcross that are six or
upstream from known lamprey spawning seven years old and weigh over seven'
sites. It then drifts downstream and sinks in- kilograms." •
to the sandy stream banks where am- But the best indication that the backcross
mocoetes are most likely found.. experiment may be a success is the fact that
The lampricide is very effective - 90 per naturally reproduced .backcross fry have
cent of the creatures are eradicated in some been discovered near Owen Sound for the'
streams, says Dr. Doug Dodge, supervisor last two consecutive years.
of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Although only 14 of the backcross fry were
Resources' (MNR) environmental seen in 1986,.and only three in 1985, resear-
dynamics section. chers are cautiously optimistic.
But no adverse effects have ever been . To find these fry, which are only two cen-
sprayingsrag an the fish, plants or animals in the timetres long, in the immensity of Georgian
area.
"Stronger lampricides as well as improv- Bay, is a significant discovery,"Munroe
ed distribution methods have sinpe been says.
developed to say ahead of lamprey After nearly 25 years of study, experimen-
reproduction," Dodge says. "Barrier dams tation, and false starts, actual proof now ex -
have also been devised to prevent the ists that a man-made hybrid of lake trout
upstream migration of adult lamprey so can reproduce in the wild.
that theycannot spawn." Index fishing will be undertaken by
The introduction of lampricide coincided Ministry staff during future summers. The
with MNR's first trout restocking efforts, presence or absence of MNR fin markings,
Research toward a Great Lakes restock- used to identify hatchery stuck; will
distinguish naturally spawned fish from
ing plan had demonstrated that a hybrid those stocked by the ministry. (For index
trout would mature faster and spawn earlier fishing, staff sample all fish -age classest by
than pure lake trout, thereby giving the fish usingvariable mesh sizes of gill nets.)
population a chance to hold its own against
lamprey predation. After 10 years of study, Despite the efforts to both restock the
the splake was inroduced to the Great Great Lakes with a lake trout hybrid and to
Lakes. control the sea lamprey. population, the pro -
Eight hundred thousand of these half lake blem still won't easily be solved.
trout half brook trout were stocked in Recent evidence indicates that the lam-
fective at killing lamprey, it was just as ef- Georgian Bay every year for eight years. prey population is actually increasing
fective at killing fish, such as walleye and Then, in 1977; unsatisfactory results an St. Marys River.
rainbow trout and even animals, such as adverse public opinion brought the splake Lamprey breeding conditions are so ideal
beaver and moose. This clearly inap- program; to a halt. • that completely eradicating the creature
propriate answer to the lamprey problem Criticisms of the program ranged from from this river would be a very expensive
was also very expensive and hard to the splake's alleged inability to reproduce proposition, according to Dodge.
maintain. - • naturally to its apparent lack of popularity Solutions don'tycom, . silt' in. the world o
Th g ley°s°unus atilife-cycle-proded° among anglers to condemnations for spen- fisheries research. Th lake trout saga is
to be the basis for a new, more workable ding tax money on a project which was case in point. But perservering souls like
solution to.the dilemma. ' perceived as ineffective: those involved in bringing back the lake
A spawning female lamprey can lay up to "Opinions are divided as to why the trout will ensure that the'search continue
200,000 eggs in its sand and gravel streamb- splake experiment did not succeed," says for new and innovative approaches to
' ed nest. Only 10 per cent , usually survive, John Byrne, supervisor of MNR's fish rebuilding and stabilizing depleted fish
ere oun am- sec ion. ulations in our waterways.
ALEXAN DER
& CMAPMAN
REALTY LIMITED
524-317
�QPEN MOUSE
THURS., SEPT. 25, 1986
AT 89 BRITANNIA RD. W,
3:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Your host will be abn Alexander
Come and view this charming 2 storey home.
Close to schools and downtown. 3 bedrooms
and attractive woodwork throughout.
We have two business opportunities for sale
in the Goderich area. Enquiries in person only.
We have a number of Choice Lots for sale in
the west end. Call Bert or John for details.
a
s
due to. natural predation. hese young 1 culturet' pop
524-2667 WiLLE/A$ 524-2667
REAL ESTATE' INC.
TENDER LOVING CARtis evident when
you view this 4 bedroom, 12 year old 2
storey brick. It possesses the quality of
construction and uniqueness in design
which sets it apart from the others. Call
Bruce, 524-7762.
P.
fr
s!
STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! REDUCED One
of the best values available. Warmth and
charm defies description. Radiant heating
with new efficiency gas. Get all the par-
ticulars, call Les at 524-8451.
COUNTRY LIVING with the comforts of
town. Just minutes from Goderich or Clin-
ton on paved road. Elegant 4 bedroom
home. Good bank barn presently houses
vealers. 110 acres of prime land. Farm it
or rent the land. Call Gordon 482-3307.
7k#
WHEN ONLY THE BEST WILL DO -
Ridgewood Park setting, eleganceat a
glance, 4 bedrooms, family room with
Fieldstone fireplace! If you wait, you'll
miss it! CaII Bruce today! 524-7762.
YOUNG MARRIED - Get started right.
Close to schools and central, low
maintenance. Only $43,900. See it with
Murray, 524-2569.
SOARING PRICES GOT YOU DOWN?
Look at this - better tha)'i.new, 3 bedroom
room with wood
raised ranch", family r o
stove, a really charming home in a good
neighborhood, Townsend St., Clinton. On-
ly $54900. Chili Bord 4823507
4h
DUNGANNON - neat 4 bedroom on large
lot, Iow taxes. ASKING ONLY $29,000.
Chock it out, call Noma at 529-7152.
LOTS AND LOTS of Tots for sale in Port
Albert, Dungannon and area. Singles or
Multiples, call for particulars.
EXTRA CLEAN MOBILE reduced for
quick sale. Sundeck, large lot, and 840
sq. ft. of living space. REDUCED! $15,900.
THINKING OF STARTING your own
business? We have -an ideal property,
main street Dungannon waiting for your
inspection, $29,000. Call Noma for par-
ticulars 529.7152.
"OUR PLEDGE TO YOU
FRIENDLY SERVICE
PROFESSIONALISM
INTEGRITY
SUNCOAST MALL
397 Bayfield Road
Goderich
Bert Alexander John Alexander B.A.
Res.: 5247836 Res.:
524-7836
ANNOUNCEMENT
We are pleased fo announce that S.A. (Ab-
by) Champ has completed the Real Estate
Course and has joined the Wm. D..Arm-
strong Real Estate as sales reirresentative
in Bayfield and the surrounding area.
Abby, a former student of G.D.C,I. is a
University graduate. She has resided in
Bayfield for the past five years. Always ac-
tive in public affairs, she is recommended -
for your real estate needs,
Abby. Churn
SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR
WM, D. ARMSTRONG REAL ESTATE
565-5235
OPEN HOUSE
286 Regent St., Goderich
50 ACRES: Colborne Twp., 44 workable, 6
acres young apple orchard.
100 ACRES: Hobby and bush farm, on paved
road, E. Wawanosh Twp., 15 workable, general
.road,
barn, large steel shed, house newly
renovated, all in immaculate condition.
69 ACRES: PRICE REDUCED, Hwy. No. 8,
secluded raised bungalow, insulated born, 25
acres workable, several ponds, hardwood
bush. Ideal hobby or recreation property.
LUCKNC4::--13 unit modern apartment
building. Showing good return.
ESTABLISHED CAMPGROUND: 90 acres, with
1 mile frontage on Maitland River. Spacious
living quarters.
125 ACRES: Near Blyth, stately brick home,
60 acres workable, 22 hardwood bush.
3 ACRES: 8th Line Goderich Twp., 3 or 4
bdrm., brick home, combination furnace.
100 ACRES: E. Wawanosh, 60 workaiple,
modern 1 floor brick home.
AUBURN: 150 acres, 100 workable, good brick
home with comb. furnace. Priced to sell.
LONDESBORO: 1 floor brick rancher, finish-
ed basement, inground pool, large lot.
4 ACRES: 2 floor brick home in good condi-
tion, 3 miles from Blyth.
100 ACRES: Highway farm, all fenced, good
set of general purpose buildings. Priced very
reasonable.
AUBURN: 2 bedroom.,starier,home under.:,
'25,000.00.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY: Blyth, 3,000 sq. ft,
. plus apartment above. Owner will consider
leasing. •
15 ACRES: 5 miles from Clinton, 1'/a. floor
frame home, farrowing barn for 35 sows. Pro- ,
perty well fenced.
Sat., Sept. 27th 2-4 p.m.
Owners anxious to sell. Take advantage
of this family home. Many extras,
RITA ALLEN 524-8480
W.J. HUGHES
REALTY LIMITED
30 Kingston St. Goderich
524-7373 524-8100
53 West St., Goderich, Ont. 524-7316
FARMS - RESIDENTIAL - VACATION - COMMERCIAL - RURAL
• •
SCHOOLS
West End 3 Level split, close to schools an of er
recreational facilities. Excellent family home
with finished rec room on lower level. Patio
doors off dining room to large deck overlook-
ing beautifully landscaped back yard. This 3
bedroom home con be yours for less than
'80,000.
CLOSE TO SQUARE
234 BAYFIELD RD., AT BLAKE ST.. PH 524.2111
Country •& Style
DEFINITELY! Liveable? You bet! "Like
new" this 3 bedroom family home on 3 plus
acres has features you'd expect to pay much
more for. Just look - large 2 car garage,
fieldstone fireplace, main floor den, wood
burning stove, 2 baths...the list .goes on.
Asking $94,000.00. Call Gary 524-2111.
New
NO! Better, than new; this 1 year old
bungalow will appeal to .the most discern-
ing buyer. R-2000 home with air to air ex-
changer, 3 bedrooms, main floor laundry,
Hanover kitchen tit/built-in oven and range.
Call today for a private showing.
Solid Investment
This well maintained 2 bedroom bungalow
features hardwood floors throughout,. large
workshop in basement, and fireplace in living
room. Well insulated. Priced to sell.
OVERLOOKING MAITLAND
Fully furnished well kept mobile on the
Maitland River. Nicely landscaped lot with fruit
trees. Features an insulated storage shed with
workshop.
STARTER HOME
Take a look at this 4 bedroom, 1'/2 storey home.
It features a Targe living room and country style
kitchen. This home is in a good location and
can be yours for Tess than '55,000.
COUNTRY SUBDIVISION
Presently being renovated to 4 bedroom home.
If you are looking for a large home with two
car garage, this md'y be lust what you're leak-
ing for, Features stone fireplace, central vac,
top of the line Hanover cabinets, dnd much
more. Call for details.
LARGE FAMILY HOME PRICED
IN THE 40'S
5 bbdroom 1'/s storey home. Nice neigh-
bourhood, Square., Wainscotting
close Toth q
throughout flying room & kitchen. New gas
furnace in 1986. House recently insulated.
ORIGINAL LOG HOME
Beautiful Fag home featured on 1 acre with river
running through property. Excellent retreat or
retirement property. Call for more details today.
411.1111910.264,
VACANT LOTS
Large country lots available in Port Albert.
Priced to sell. Coll today for details.
Excellent corner building lot in the town of
Goderich. Call toddy. •
34 acres bush with 'rt. a River running
through proper 'gl}ruilding site. an
main math at tt
h t)Ot3.
b�
$ ,
Large vacant lot in Homestead Heights Sub'
division. Swimming access on wide and sandy
beach areo close by..
SAM REPRESENTATIVes
JOHN 'i'tlUNN WAYNFE SCOTT
Marr 524+21310 , Poo 324-0100
eta AA* x
Jim BISSET f$AVE WiLlt`1P1SON
rtes: 524.'2431 324.6685
Apartment helps pay the mortgage or
straight investment. Each unit services
separately, One is 4 bedrooms and the other
has one bedroom. Excellent location. Call
Dominic today.
Why Pay Dent?
This cozy bungalow with 2 bedrooms is
situated on a quiet street. With large liv-
ing room, covered patio and good size yard.
Asking only 829,500.
Country Location
Yl9...4Jh M.E.6.M'S'ic3'LfkM.
But just minutes from town. 11/2 storey
home on 5 acres'in Goderich Twp. Sunken
living room & family room. Check out the
reduced price.
Dominic Bradley 482-7841
Gary Rupert u,F.,.� - 524-8777
•Paul. Zurbrig .....,..,.... 524-2036
Wayne Wigelsworth 482-3091
Bill McGregor ... • 482.7539
Marie Hughey `x.......,,,,,,482.7508
ct'
Karen Sto ..,,....... 482-9716
Ruth %1'el ali` :,, f:� .
236.4712 .
We know the signs
of a good
neighbourhood