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PRINTER TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY 1897 1 S I I I L G L L C< w ;^5-?y(^ C0XTENT8 Introductory CorroHpoiideiice Preliminary iJomarks St. John River System St. Croix River System Passamaquoddy Bay and Vicinity Lake Memphremagog Lake Champlain St. Lawrence River Lake Ontario Lake Erie Detroit River, Lake and River St. Clair.... Lake Huron (Georgian Bay .,^ Lake Superior , Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake and River. Columbia River ""'•"rLTwX:::!":^ !":!:'":" "'""' '-"•""'''' ^^ '•'« Page v 1 3 8 19 23 1'4 30 32 45 89 91 111 117 127 133 134 n<«-Aj o II ii a a, g U P ti 8i o) ti oi tl CORRKSPOISTDElSrC'E KRI.ATIVE TO APPOINTMENT OF JOINT COMMISSION Mr. Fotttr to Mr. Herbert. Dbi'Abtment of State, Wabuinoton, Octobof 4, 1802. «ff--«r'.''~"'^'' liie result of our several recent confeiencoH on the Hubjoct of jjivintr effect to HO mud. of the understand in^^ ,oache• tl.o inl.abitam« mtN,nHl.v wiS'h'Slif;.'!.:'^^^^^ repleni ,..,B Buch eontiguoUK waters with tt,h ..va au.l the iiiianH i>j vMiii n MNli litu may lie theri-iii preserved hikI iiuieaHe'l. I deem it convenient thus to quote in full the text of the tentative understand, ing ot tlie general scope and direction of the inquiries to be jointly set on foot and agreemfnt" "^ "''"" ^"^ ^''"^ ^ *"""*'' ""'^ ™''" P'"*^''*« international Theseverallinesof inquiry having relation to the different asneels whether |?eneral or particular of the questions so presented fall, as far as this government w y.t .H„ ir"''. ^«^^® purv.ew of the operations conducted for a number of years Rol L!h • ,? '^ ^'"'^? Commission of Fish and Fisheries, which, in its investiga- lr«ltLw "K^f"T'''7P''^''*'''"''^'*« "»«^^^^« ""d making use of the extin- of fnfnimiSr'^" \"'' fmn 0 means appropriated bv Congress, has massed a stock Snn „n^ « • ''' f ^^""^ ""^ ^^^ '^"""'^ available for the purpose of investiga- tion and recommendation for which the joint commission Js proposed fo be organized. I am advised that the United States Fish Commission has within itself ine resources in men and means to conduct such further inqnirins in relation to the MA/,IXjg ASU FtSHSKiMS. commf •^' contracting ^rovernment. „.,..ll !.":^'^°" "/"^ ™««''"g- gation niiHsion StatoB and ofCanada a« may be convoni«nf ^.n . ^'^^ t^ommisbions of the United III. The contlacti^B^;;;,'":;.;;™"' """""""'heir nr,, meelin 1 whicli may be of record re^osnt ».,?■« 'tie«"b|ucl,of tl.oir invdi. "."»ofCa„„d.; and furlh",', to nbcoTr"'^ "",''';""»'' K'berio.ofre COKKHSroXDBXCK. vli I hnvo, etc., JUHN W. FOSTKR. Mr. Herbert to Mr. Foster. «,„ , . ^ , British TiEOAxiON, October «;, 1892 l^:::J!Z:^^^Z.;ZrS:^ ^'" ccnmunicatio,. to .ho KarloflioHebl^y I have the honour to be with the highent consitlemtion, sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, MICIIAKL II. IIKHBKRT. Hir Juhan Pauncefote to Mr. Foster. which Hi. li: [1514 H.j Kri'tlh;}f;i 1st. " I lie iii'i>vi>ii»i'..i. ..< .1. _.. I" one (iiii '""■'"K ""''jetts, namely'.. -• — ^ .^......wuna n,c,,r,,,i.jtprr;;;;i;,,'''j'"'" <.■• '•■■-«- "<....i. .■.„„„„„„„,. „„„„,„„„ "'''tr:vr?"r™;'''"''" """- °""--""-'.~«™ ,..„.,„„.„„.„.. ..,.,™,,,.,,ia';rK^^^^^^^^^^^ ...,■..„„„.,„„,„.„„ .„„H. ..,.„,„. ,„^,, ,,„,.,„ ,„.. ,„^ „„ .^,.,^„,,^,^_ ^ ,^ _^. ^^^ ^_^ ^^ ^^^^^ fi "(fflTI T •■ ■ I- r-' -" "I- miopced in c( North A ..r ; ;^ "t l^v'"^T"f ^*'^'''''« "^ "'« Unite T sVa ;; a IHo u ' ."•« "'''' '""' '''"'"• or.,,. ,|::rr;™ ;;;,;;» .......o,.,™u„« „,.,„„ „,„„ ,„„„„ „, ^„^, „^.,^,,^^ comnm,K,i,cr« by nx-aty Of concurrent legrslutiral the part COltHEsrONDENCE. ix All of whiol. i« iu«i)ectfullj 8iil.n.itte.l for Y<.ui' Kxcilk'ncy's approval. JOHX J. M((ii:K, C/ii'k o/Hii- /'riri/ Coiiiii!/. Mr. Herbert to Lord St y of Preston. [No. 89.] Washington, October 6, 18(12 ih« hnL'^'^f "" "l^'^^ reference to ray dispatch, No. 79, of th« 13th ultimo. I have ^if.in .K ^o '"^io^^ a copy of a note which I have received from Mr. Foster sub- muting the draft of an agreement which he suggests should be effected bv an exchange of notes in regard to the preservation of the fisheries in the waters con tiguous to the United States and Canada. h„«5,!":^°f^''!K!'^'"V'^r*^*y^ ago that he thought, for the reasons which he has repeated in this note, that a convention was unnecessary at the present moment an°d i';^'r43ru's." '" ''' '"■" '' "°^''"""^* '' '' ''''''''' ^-'^ '^ «'-P>- I have, etc., MICHAEL HERBERT. Mr. Foster to Sir Julian Pauncefote. Depabtment of State, Washington, December 6, 1892. RiU ■,!^,'~} f^^o the honour to aolfnowledge the receipt to-day of your note of the fh«drX'L' •^y ^h,ch you inform me that the Canadian Government has accepted CanifLlth«™Tr-/T«^. P'-«««''^"t'0" .of the fisheries in the waters contiguous to Canada and the United States, proposed in my note to Mr. Herbert, October 4 last Ihis reply consequently completes the agreement by exchange of notes as SK'the aJJe^eZr"'"'"'" '" '^" *'^ of October last, Ld fixes this day as the I have much pleasure in giving immediate effect to this agreement as far as till" f /''''?i ^ executive power, by informing you that the President has apponted as the representative expert of the United States for the purpose of the ?nS '• •''""' investigation, Mr. Richard Rathbun, of the United sfates Fish hnl,«lf^.°f^w^*\r" r'i' ^'^''''^ "* ""^ ^^^ "''™« of the expert to be appointed on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, in order that Mr. Rathbun may be instructed MA HINE AX/} FISHERIES. JOHN W. FOSTER. ^ J/r. /'o.rer to the Commissioner of I,sh and Fisheries. Depahtmenp of State, ^ SiH,-l have the honour to in,.ln=n f ^^^SHrNaTON, December 8, 1892. I have the honour to be, Sir, your Obedient servant, JOHN W. FOSTER. Mr. Rathbun to Mr. Gresham. UmTE. STATES CoMMtSSro. OK F.H AWO FxSHEKtES th ,?f --^eftrring to the agreement o?\trT''''k ^•^•' ^«««'»ber'22, 1894. eSr,ariSy''',r""'y' «"" »l»» »" ta "."^ f'S.''''' ^'^''^'^ P^'wion! t c c d a fi ii tl b ^OnnESI'OXDEXCE. x( plan of namdyT' "''''"''" ""''' '"'^''P'-e'^'^d by the representatives to include the following, The Athintic sea coast between Cape Haltoras and the mouth ni' tK« r- a. Lawrence, in respect to the maci^otleagTe,Vro'B'^i ^!!^' irfivrSr^^ I'l'- ""1 ^ an extension of time should be reouestV in,r„7tl.t ..^^u""i^ Wakeham, that 3efhftE"4?r;o„nhtf.h£«3'r £rf ■ t '='---".' extend the time for suVmitt ng the reS Jelat ST tTe ^1^^^'"'^'^ considered favourably by the Canadian GWe,rmen; ''" ''° withTXertrt'e'STke^l;"^^^^^^ "^'"^^^l! --P'^te the worlc date basid upon thLgrcen ent bu^fo tLvim^^^^ hree months subsequent to the ShT.^irat:,?^iLS£9'- 1 have the honour to be. very respectfully, your obedient servant RICHARD RATHBUN, ' Forwarded. Representative on the Part of the United States. HERBERT A. tlILL, Acting Commissioner. MARINE AND FISHERIES. Mr. Qresham to Sir Julian Pauncefote. Department op State, !,.„ ^„ Washington, December 31. 1894 I have the honour lo bo, with the highest consideration, Mr. Ambassador lour most obedwnt servant, W. Q. GRESHAM. 3fr, Gresham to Mr. Rathbun. Department of State, Q,„ T u . , . Washington, December 31, 1894. &IB — 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the '>2nd inafAn* you that the deporlraont^as oollod the ma S to the attiS' rflh^ r° v"l! ^ ""'' ^t^'' W. Q. GRESHAM. Richard Rathbun, Esq., Representative on the Part of the United States on the Joint Commission for the Preservation of Fisheries, etc. Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Gresham. C3,„ T u .u . Washington, February 22, 1895. (Received Mar. 4.) FRrl nf iT . T *^* ''''"°"'' tojnform you that 1 lost no time in referring to the CORHESPONDENCE. xiii June 1, 1896, and I am accoi-dingly authorized to carry the arrangement into effect by an exchange of notes as proposed in your note under reply. I have, etc., JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. Mr. Gresham to Sir Julim Pauncefote. ^'^ 44.] Department op State, Washington, March 2, 1895. oo ExoELLENcr,— I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your note of the 22nd ultimo, which only reached this department to-day, informing me that Her ^*''ffi% ^^®'"™®"^''*'^^P^^ ^^^ proposition contained in my note of December dl, lby4, tor an extension of time for the preliminary investigation of the fisheries in the waters contiguous to the United States and Canada until June 1 1896 In accordance with the concluding paragraph of that note, this action of Her MajestysCrovernment IS accepted as carrying the recent agreement into effect bv an exchange of notes. ■^ I have, etc., w. Q. GRESHAM. Mr. Adee to Mr. Rathbun. Department op State, Washington, April 12, 1895. Sib,— In connection with your letter of December 22, 1894, and the depart- ment's reply of the Slat of that month, I herewith transmit for your information a copy of a note from the British ambassador of February 22, 1895, assenting to the proposition of this department that the time for the completion of ihe work of the joint commission for the preservation of the fisheries in the waters contiguous to the United States and Canada be extended until June 1, 1896, by an exchange of notes. I am sir, your obedient servant, ALVEY A. ADEE, Acting Secretary. Mr. Rathbun to Mr. Olney. United States Commission op Fish and Fisheries. TTashington, D.C., April 6, 1896. Sir,— I have the honour to bring to your attention the inquiries which are being conducted in accordance with the provisions of the agreement of December 6 1892 between the United States and Great Britain for the preservation of the fisheries in the waters contiguous to Canada and the United States, and to request consideration of the question of extending the time in which that work shall be completed. The representatives on the part of the two governments had their first meeting in Washington on the 2nd day of March, 1893, and by the terms of the agreement xiv MARINE A XI) FISHERIES. they wore to Hiibmit their report within two vearn fi-nm «h..f Ha»„ * •. /• . irapos«ibie, hovvovor, oven .J complete tiro hCTnveXattfs^^^^ lh„T'^"""? the time wuh oxienciod by an cxel.!.ngo of «oto8. t^ho ft o? June Jsifi ih'r«eld' work W.18 practically tinished la«t mil, and during the pLt wTntor «« J «f fi rcproeentatives was engaged, in ho far" an hi« oth^er offlSa du .•orpormittod J.^ arranging and reviewing the notes taken prellminarv to 'h« «n!i^.„ ♦• ' ) preparation of tho report? P'eiiminary to .he final meeting and The Biitieh repreHontative, Dr. William Wakeham. arrived in WaHhin^lon fnr the latter purpoHo on the 1st of March inKf who., iu\. ■ -^ i" naHningion lor testimony ^?hi?»t the report of the commission be changed^o Sffi- Tim "'" ^"^""'^^'"^ Ihe lintish representative, Dr. William Walcfiham ' ia {„\n^^,.A -.i regard to this matter, and will so ndWso hiTgovlrnmon™' '""^ ''"'' "*' '" I have the honour to bo, very respectfully, your obedient servant, EICHARD RATHBUN, Representative on the part of the United States. Mr. Olney to Sir Julian Fauncefote Department op State, _, „ ^ . Washington, April 7, 1896. ExcELLENCT,--T?eferring to previous correspondence relative to measures for the preservation of the fisheries in the waters contiguous to the United Staes and Canada, and particularly to Mr. Gresbam's notes of the 3 Ist December isj! *nH March 2, 1895, and tho replies of your embassy thereto, did FeTuarV^ and March 2, 1895 I have the honour to inr ae for 'the consideration of Her Britannic Majesty's Government a copy of a letter, dated the 6th instant from fh« represenutive of the United States%n the join', commission on the 8u£ct5n question, under the agreement of December 6, 1892, suggesting an extension oVthe time for the investigat ons of tho commission 'from Junfl untif December 30 18% to enable the Commission to complete its work, which has been found to be more exte..mve than w;^s anticipated. ® I beg to say that this department fully approves of the suiro-flstion fn,. on extension of time made by M,^ Rath bun, an'd, ff agreeable to ;orgov^^^^^^^^ would be pleased to carry the proposed arrangement into effect by an Schanee of notes on the basis of the present agreement. j «" cA«.uunge oi I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Mr. Ambassador Your most obedient servant. ' RICHARD OLNEY. t 'ORHESl'OSDEXCB. Sir Julian Pamcefote to Mr. Olney. Q,» T 1 .1- I " ^^ASHINOTON, April U, 189G. .k ^.K • . . ^^"^ ''""''"'■ ^^ »^'l e tho 7th instant, HUgKOHting an extonHion of time fr.r thrinveSationB of n ' ^ ^ misHion appointed to inquire into the measures (o bo ttk«n S^f. the com- the iiBherlcs i„ the watoTa contiguous to trSil^d Sta\tand C X""'*""' ""' ^J^U^To^tu^t' ^" "■'"^' ^^"'- '^^^^'^■^«' '^ ^'^^ -^'- «^ Her Matty's principal 1 have tho honour to be, with the highest consideration, sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, JULIAN PAUNCRPoTE. Mr. Olney to Sir Julian Pamcefote. Department of State, !<'„ „r- Wasiiinoton, May 30 1896 time limited for the completion of thn r«nn..f «r *u^ • ■ / ^^^^"^'Jor, 1»!'6, of the s^sx-'tr ^" ''' u'i.urs^iterofTrrici IS3 St%=Tf s:u'er This consequently completes the agrd^ementin question b/anexchango of notes. I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Mr. Ambassador, Your moit obedient servant, RICHARD OLNEY. Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Olney. c,„ T 1 Washington, May 30, 1896. thatf^^ul^SSb^^^^^^^^^^^ Jjr-^;s^i^^ti;^^;^!;rs\ss^c=^ £^^s&rs:dX\.^.S^c^^ &r '"''.''' '''"■'" '" ^'^"'^^"'^ ^^"^■g"^"^ ^« Canada U 'the UnitSd I have ihe honour to be, with the highest consideration, sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE. IVi MARlXa AND FISHERIES. Mr. Olney to Mr. Hathbun. DlPABTMlNT OF StATE, »A>- • * . V^ASHiNOTow, June 1, 1896. commission to devise mea area ToT'^tt prl 5at^■of'th^A"'• '""".?u^ ^"^'"^ oontiguouB to the United States and th«nnL;' /^^® fisheries of the waters information a copy ofThe corresoonde- ^''°'^''' ' •"«'°''« f°' y«" eluded by an excEInge of notes 3an extension oflh^H^? ^"^ T" ^«°- the worlc of the commission from } "ne Uo Decembm 3 ?89f '^" '""P'^^'"" "^ I am, sir, your obedient servant, KICHARD OLNEY. Mr. Wakeham to Minister of Marine and Fisheries. «,„ T u ... L Ottawa, Canada, December 31. 1896 .•elati;^;;\h^7reltvarn"of*th"S:rt"i:'wa;''' "^7-' °'^^« J°'"* ^^-^'-'O- United States, as provided b? the ioint T™«n.^'L?°"''«"/?"' *« ^"""d" «»d the United States'undSr di^of CeXr 6. ffi '^''''*° ^''''' ^"^"'° *°d **»« I have the honour to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. WAKEHAM, Representative on behalf of Great Britain. e 1. 1896. the neoessit7 n and Britinh >f the waters lone for your las been con> completion of DLNEY. il, 1896. commission ladu and the ain and the int, Britain. 4/« IIEI'OHT OK THE JOINT OOMMrsSION ouch ,i,ovon.ment,'i{„ -h'ch within^i'lirrnthTK tt'datTff ijif n^'"^" ."^^^ '^' ^'^^ ^^^^ "^ Washin-^ton their investigation and nrmil th rim ^e^o'^^hSeTr ^'^"" ^-"P'^'e as herein provided, within two years from the iL of .J ' '^ ^'''' ''''" governments And the undersiL'ned havin /h ', n !. , '^® "^'^'''''' ^"""^ meotin.r.'' governments, in «cco£t wTfh ' bov'e" ^^r^^mrt" S^^^ '^ their%espective i^.Sa^;:i;:'iote.^^Cit ^--^ -^^-^^ s ^[p^,rr^:K 2nd ~;is^:ft^.;!:;hr™=:^,!;;'t- ScS^^-- ^^^'-'"^- '^^ and conduct of the inquiries necessary to be mde Owin ? h '"^^P^^''^' '!'« ncope of the waters requiring examination, it wisTund imT.r ^V T,"'''^'"' *" '^'« ^^^^ent work within the limit of time specified a^dthZ^i'"''^'''"^'^ ^" complete the an exchange of notes betweenfhe two rvernm2rt''n '*^,?'-^»i"gly extended, by The following fisheries vvere consS tTbeToVl^^^^ ""^^ December, ml ment, namely: The mackerel fisherL>! of the^HvX !^ ^^' '?" '''T "^ ''>««^"eo. Lawrence, and the fisheries in general in thn hm,L' """"f* """^ ^''« ^^"'^ "» «t. Ma ItXH AXJ) FISHBHIMH. Columl,i. iMl.. .I.OHlatoof Wa.hi..Kto..i ^o'W^.v Hiv:.;'V;;:l/7(;:3i„'p;S n do l^ucu, contiguoiiH to BritiHl, Clurnl.iu ai.d tl.o ntuto of r.r M . 1 ^^""""f '"' l»''"y""« "^ Nc w Brunswick m>\ (he stalo of Maine • (..oat Lau,..Wc*e.n tho ..rovinco of Ontan. an.l tl.- iM.nlor tat , ,, ' W }.Hk to MirmoH<,»« i/i.l>i -e; IJmny Lake an.l Hivcr n.l L«k./nV , .. w ",^ bo.woo,. the prov...co. ot O, .uio an^l Manitoba an.l U.e .. t ' 5 Min ",1^";^ Coumba I.v..r, wb.ob c.m.,.m tho intornaiionul boun.lury lino fm n nt Ih Coliitniint into llio Ntato <" vv..-i.; i... i> i.. ..'.'"" ""'" "ruiHn Sound and Htrail of Jua Wanliinjrion. All of tbowato.H ttbovo named, except Kainy Lake and tho Columbia Kivor have been v.mted by tho two repreHentativoH .nnjointly, who havo (ar "ed on S dota>l... nwoHtiKat.onH reHpcd ng tho finhorien an.l (i.hery .VM.urreH o e, oh them as the tnno and means at .heir dinponal have permitle.]^ A.ld.tional i ( naS ban been .jUained through the obHorvatioim of .ovoral naluraliHlH ai.l liJurv" experlK wlw. have been .letaile.l from time to time to the H.u.ly o ' ', w ueS ami use ban been made ..I nucb rccor.lH bel.)nKinK' to the Depui tment .7 M.ri ,m?i .*i;S':nr:„;;:;!t »■"' "- "'"-' *"»•" '-»'■« •"•'■ .'-x!;!,/!;:™. is „, J'a ;;;;:'S;;,:r ,^::.:;^str.i:;„t:t ,;™S!;i :i:u:';;,sr '""'""- On account ..t tho diverHified characteriHticH of the wato.H invo.ti^ated. tho .oly c^ .he r p.oducts and tho ma^n.tu.le .,f the induHtrios to which the httoJ te,#ti nm -0 havo found it impossible to conHidor fully all the questionH wbi.-h 7 bn BU^oet pio«ont.. and have, the.etoro. been unable L many o^hch to ro^ h mo o than g..p..ral concluHioi.H, leaving the matter of dotaiU to bo settled by furtloi •?..(! more cumpleto inquinoH. Our observationn, moreover l:.ve clearly domonstraed the inoxpodiency of attempting to rogulato any of the finhories borein .liTci" ^d by a ngidcodoof onnctmontH.owngfo their constantly changing chLctor anTco„^ dit.onH and wo would thoroforo urge, in tho ovont .,f joint action by ho Jwo Sv- ornmonu that a ,.ormanent joint commi«8ion, to bo composed of competent oxpe.ts bo provided .,r which shall bo charge.:„.,o in some regions than is granted bf existing laws, but wherever a .,..;.. co tHo one ^i.o or the Dominion government objetoftrer'etf ""''"' ^""'~" '''"^"^ ^'"'^ ''^ ^''^ -ommendod", we see no We are convinced that no system of regulations can bo properly administered except by the registration or licensing of the fishermen, as a^ basis for res ctnl the charaeter and amount of apparatus employed in each locality, while, on the nHHurod to thom. i)roio( rion ot iiKJivniu/il rights ther«by the S l1;:;; '!^u::!l;;rzs:::i:::7:i::v: \ ""• ^^-^^"/""^ v^ ^^^ — "^ ..to th« torrito'ry ut' the ..thor TiT unZhtri '"^ extomiu.K tho.r o,,«,.ationH cnowlc.lKOwhic.hmov«iUroHprtii;rthe?S n^^^ 7"""' '^T ^^-^ ^"^Vovhot In fact, the heliof /« wido-nproi/tS wfo rovor T„ J * '"*"7">'i"« >vHtor «ro.-,H. each (...u.-ry ban jurindiclion !. .f; to 7^1^ o ll ^^'''"''V'^'"''^ •" ^^''■"»> leaving n ..c.tru' ureaor hiirh kou Ltwel owl mTu '"''"' '""" ''" •*'*'"•♦'". bou.Hlry line Jm not Hhown nor cu Htn , w tinn ?^ "'"'","' "'*' ''''""^ ''*'<«« the -rroatly to the advuntuKo of the fl"K n^torU i 1 ih'^^^ '' ^^""''' '^« uico w.ml.l he provonUMl in th/fiitu « hJ^.l . ^"' "•"«'"".« "'I ""'ch annoy. anpropriatoly h,I;ate.l o„ « nor i' chartn^ ZeVJin V""" «'•>'''"« r^'""""'' ""'' the tlHhortnon. "^" '* "vaHablo (or diHtribution among Humo havi,.g been continued during oa^h ocie.. the Hinoo the date of the a-Toomont As f h..- i •°"'/*a^»f^« which have ol»p»ed pro,,erc.onH,dorationtoiCEL,;f^;,',f'^"^^^ .mpossih o, however, to "rive we Lave been unable to i^.o^^ZZ^l^^^Ttu^^ ~'^ '" ''''' ''^"-^ -> ST. JOHN RIVER SYSTEM. THE KIVER SYSTEM DEFINED. Of the two Streams which unite to form thn "'" '''^^}^'\r'}^^ Aroostook. Falls, onlj a few miles below the for hea:/.^rn """J^'V" '" ^"'"«- ^t Grand makes an-^abrupt descent of abou^ts^xv fit ^J^^ '^' «'"'".' '^' '""'" ''''' of all lishoH, and practically divilTthoHv«r in, .^^' "" a barrier to the ascent characteriHtics in^pecrto « hery matters th^v Z /^ ^"^'"^ ?"''« ''''^^''^^^ and lower courses of the river. ^ matters, they may be designated as the upper International Interest s.—ln the lower St Tnhn R!^.... : . .• , relate chiefly to such anadromous tishes as unlr natu^ilTonH v""^'""*', '^'^''''' the tributary streams into the stato of Maine ?L?n„ conditions, would ascend the trout ani possibly other spedos aTso^'Zit jdnTproteTrion?' " ''" "P^"' '''''' {Important Fishes.) Anadromous species.— Tho main rivtiv hnlnw Cra^^ v n artificial barriers to the ascent of anXomousfishes of 11."^?'°' ?"" "'^^^'''^ °' salar), shad (Alosa sapidissima) aleS /p.I.w. ^ '°^ .*''*' ^'''™°" C-S^^'^o (:4c.>en.er ««„^), smelt fosme;^mnZZ\^\if'^^^^^ sturgeon 111 this region. The only snecies how«.-«r ^^uV^u' ''T''' ^■^'^'^<^'<^ uneatus) belong • MAlilNB AND FISHERIES. 0,„moclo u.na«n, KcnnebeCMi, and tho two ,afm„„ Ever. ' Na.hwaak, St. j1" SrafteS?iJ!'^. '°ar'c„°L£tVraT;r'rr ' •"'•"'■■■•-m"™ '-e n,i Jt„^wS'r;,!«f;Zerr?or,h?^,"i„teT? ''™'™' ^ Mains, between the Meda^nikeag L" ArortoTvinew ln^T\'""'V''J"",'' '■'' Eiter a few miles below Florence%illeNR •?».??„ ^' , '"""'"J' ""> ^'- •'"h" but to what extent it ha, beeTTnlpSiKo a'l^Sif ""'^ "*"*" '° ''^ •"'"■"". abav:iir/^?ii;-::r.!'rerr,i°L:,rGt„-'d°5.:,,f '";.°n"' '''' ™^^^ wbieh there .'re five principal o^l^S-^^lZt/ZZ^ToA^ I^T.t" oigoBt being a fall about 16 feet hieh Within thf 5™S« fi. ? "' ""' buleut, and in the three mile, below it' to the moMb f S„f! . """"■? '™ T"'' '""■■ have been observed a h;;^d^d '^n^iferurtho' v" "anVuTe' crotl-ed 'at" "''• T^*^^ along its course. The buildin.r of n Hnm o^r^L Vk ^ v"P^"'«« ^^ many places int4osi„g an obetructit to Li mo^'^n nt^l racl'S nf' ''"■'''"' '"■ ^''^'' in that locality, and shown them to be 3i ^,^1)^ m M h^. ^^1",' ^ conspicuous Reliable information resnectinL' the omn n?n ■ f f I . '" ^'^'^ been supposed. Aroostock River is not ofta So as the inLin. k Z;,- f '" "°?"f ^ ^'""^ ^^e and poachers, but many relat^vefy lar, o ca chef are ?eno. f H f*""'^.^^ «Portsmen Thj species was undoubtedly much mo'ro abundant n ZLZf T '""^ *^ *''"«• sent, as many, if not most, of the tr butlV^treamrcoJta 1^^^ ',' '' "' ^'''^ grounds are now closed by dams or cnSbered with e u e^ ThalTrl "^"""'■''^ Alewives. — Alewives formerly entered the, MAHi,.er,;i.„, t)- r » r,:r of»s s -5£S5Sii£ JOINT FISHERIES COMMISSION. ' regarded as a sport lish but the onlv hnnmln.-i'^n* • "\57^ system, is also occurrence are tfe lakes ^f thVst. FrancSv;?! ' '" ""^''^ ^' '"'^'""^^ "^' ''' OBSTRUCTIONS AND POLLUTIONS. RivefS\S;;Ttn3'L';^wrert'7hl"" '" V?f- "°"'^ ''' «^""- ^ '^'^ ^t. John building of a fishwir The^SZtion .f !V^'^"' ■''" f"*""/'^' ""^"'^^^ t« the on the fi.h, but p?eci^lTto wC fiv «r f ?. • • "' '^?'^ ""'' '*'"" ^'''■'"^"' influence impeded, while the Id- r drfft K?n« .v. '"^T 1^'"?^'' '^'^^''"'^^ uavigation is closed dams1)r the7oTluting inZ^nco of iwlfr' >"J'^'y/b''0»gh the building of agencies combined. P^eTfhe Sh^L Ri J!; [ ' p"e''">ly through both of those this valley, is disfiguiS ",. il H^nn^ k-^.u^'^vr^^ ""^ ^^^ ^^l^""" ^at«'-« in at Frederlcton, KB is cLnle olv ohS ''^•' k *^' ^"fh^^ak Bivor, terminating above its mouth and'is l^KLi^K "'.'11^";"' .^^^ f?'" ««--] mile! stream reeardless of tf,« vi^hl^Z^ i^ J. , " "^V^°°^ interests dominating every water , f„w .almon manL t"S ovj^t Z " ""'"}""''' '""T""'' """"« high the dam, and ouo a XrTd.-J^^J^™ k ^ ^""^ Mw-mills are located iuat bol Jw iliver.'"¥hno "th I .rnct haV: STn'lJa %'^" ^'^t "?^"^^ '^" ^^" -ain-Meduxnikeag high, it is stated to b" the as-'ttn?' '? mouth ,n New Brunswick, sufficiently natuml obstruct ons b t ^.ntaTns a lit « v "i" ^^' .T'^ ^"'""'^ '" ^''^^ ^''^-^ one being at HoultonMoimlTf^ JT •?" k''™'^^" *^^ '"'»'" «"'«a'n the lower provided^vith tisiw yf :i'thou/h tppl^^^^^ None of the.e dams are no assurance that the^latL, Sid be kent nn«n h.^ °^'^ ^^'. ''""^' ^"^ '^'™ '' stream has also five or six sTuv mill! „f^ ^ f r"]^ the salmon run. The main from potatoes. As LI c?t rformov^i 7''"' ^"'/""'' ^°'" *^" '"'^'^'"S °f «t'»-°h r«lo*,Ve!v -rr-P ,1 J ^ tormor are above moderate size, thoy pmduoe onlv i .Ji 6 MARINE AND FISHERIES. Moduxnikeaa Biver and oiilv n fL .».1; ■1?''^ °' ""'J' ""o '""nety on the two larg.,t ,o™, „„ ,„» Hvor, i. .„ fflcienUy eiroSilv"ro"b°:,.r/„ iJIjtcoiSl "^ fro.!lCrr.;StTrrl?,:'™:i„zrtLTri'?'"'"'°™^ has been greatly impaired by dams knS mllNn f ^^"'^'t'on as a salmon btieam which the conditions Avero^'found to be dpnlnrniri«""fr„'^"-''"'T'''"'" i^"""'^. ^^ an or many places with extensive banL of LwHuKt J,?' -^ "^r"", ''^'"^ encumbered in sometimes reaching 8ev3 feet above th'^^^.V^^^A^K'^f^ ""^ •''^'"S'« '"^^bish, channel may be thL filleTnL the lower nurt of tL .-^^'t *l^^^ '"^^ ^''^^^ ^^ ^^e the former salmon tributaries as in CaiEm, ll f'"' ^'S^er up and in some of almost completely blocked frLbinkt^tnkMTch of T.^^''\ '^-^ ■'^'""^' '« away by the spring freshets and distribute If ^^1^:. ^'^ material is carried making room fo? ne^ deposits the^o owfng sea S r^Fx tntT.Mh '• '^'?," ^''''' consumed by the steam mills the Hvp,. iJrtaV \u ^-^^^Pf 'O' ^he small amount the waste ot' this character as the most rrZ^ • ^' ^«»'"?" dumping ground for all being had for the public i,res\'Vrch*;rhTsl"^^^^^^ «^'^' ^ ^^-^^ are aTlt 'si^^r sS:^,?=i:s\rKr?rT '•^-'•= ^'^ --•"^- ous. The only 'dam across the Aroc^^JoolRTv u m""^ especially conspicu- eighlsof a mile above t^e brWe at So^^^^^ 1888, about tfiree- and furnishes power for an eleSo liV^h. i V"!^u'^^ that village with water the water leve? befow's a^t 14 fe^^^^^^^^^ Tho height of the dam above spring. Salmon have been sL to ump H but Tislu"lS"f '""''^ '«««>» the such attempts. Between 1889 and 189^ « f«m«l >« doubtful if many succeed in purpose, wis maintained atTre"lServa^^^^^^^ ^^'.I^ ""^"'^«^ '^'^^ tatter year an appropriate fishwC was Jon tructed and ? ■\'^' TZ""- ^" '^^ Littl^MadawE Sivt Sa'v 'betw;e./1^'"\^r« f , '^« ^^^^-^^ «iver, the mills and closed dam no jSbeinf tlken atThe fn"^''^'"'^ ^""^Z*" ^''^ *^«^«™l the waste products. Caribou stream lm« nf , ^I^^"* ^'^ '''/^"''^ ^''^ retention of and three closed dams w hi^a mUo of itTn.,^,' r^'n V"^^ ".'"^'^'' «"'^ «'>'"g'« miH^ name. This stream hal been eff^ctuailt 1,1 ^' "/ ^'f ?^ '" ^'^^ '"^^ ^^ the .amo channel is completely choked wm/rubLh On .'l P «'"""«^;./«r 50 years, and its of that name, aboutone and thVeeo liter ™H^^ thePresque Isle Eiver in the town dam dating back over 30 years anTana^o,?±fn?^^^•'^ mouth, there is a closed large projl'ortion of the chCinel OlherS nnH h" "^ '^'^■'"''' ^''^*'^' ^'''^^ *« ^ waters, but they were not vi itod and nnsi^l! f 'T ^''^ ''"P^''^^^ '» the upper obtained. ^ '''* ""'^ positive information respecting them was not pronW on'{l;7s'!:it'm.^^^^^^^^ ^"«te, especially which, except the aw d .st and blrk reSiL •/'T'^ ^''""^ "'^'"'^'''^ f'"^^°'-'''^«- a" «f there is sufficient water htLclannol who. f b"oyancy for a long period. If it accumulates about the miil! nl "| ' Lt ^^TS '\f''''''^'.'^\ T' ' "^'^^^^'^^ enormous quantities to the annoyance anrJ^Sim^:T&^SS:;!;^;r S^^ JOINT FISHERIES COMMISSION. n the lower. There is a much greater proportion of waste in shingle makintr than in the sawing of ordinary lumber, and the amount of rubbish derived from tliat source can scarcely be appreciated by any one not personally acquainted with the circum- stances. That it has a baneful effect upon the habits of the fishes in the river both when stranded and when floating in large quantities, there can be no doubt ' The shingle mills are situated chiefly above Fredericton, on the main river and nvinv of Its tributaries, both in Maine and in New Brunswick. ' ^ SALMON FISHING. Commercial fishing for salmon is carried on quite extensively in the lower part of the bt John Eiver and in the Bay of Fundy outside, weirs ami gill nets both set and drifting being used for that purpose. The season begins about June 1 and closes August 15. The number of weirs has been limited to 24, the privilciros nei taming thereto being controlled by the city of St. John. Drift nets arc employed in the harbour of St. John, and thence along the outer coast to Point Leproau and the Wolves. Prior to 1895 they wore not licensed and their number was iot restricted Jset nets are used to a limited extent, and some poaching with drift nets is also carried on in the tidal partof the river which extends to adistance of about six miles above Fredericton. .Testimony was presented to the effect that both the net and veir fishing is being prosecuted on a more extensive scale than is justified bv the present supply of salmon, but, while this is probably the case, we have not b^en able to entire y substantiate the fact. A limited amount of sport fishing is conducted on some of the tributary streams, but the opportunties are nowhere recognized as even fair except on the Tobique River. ufeui^cu as oven SUMMARY OP CONDITIONS. Mmes.— The fact is thoroughly well established that the stock of salmon entering the St John River system has been greatly depleted, the quantity ies™rt- ing to It annually being very much smaller now than it was originally. 'Thh species formerly ascended many of the tributary streams below Grand Falls for s awnin-^ purposes, conspicuous amongst these having been the Aroostook, Meduxnilaa- and ! L^ll" . '''"-'T^ ^'\''^ °^ '"^'''^ ^^°'«"SS '""■"'^'y i» ^he state of Maine It fs also undoubtedy a fact that this depletion has been brought about mainly thrash the agency of the lumber interests, the closing by dams of the majority of the spawning waters and their pollution and encumbrance by milling refuse, although other m nor 2T±T' \T Tr'^'^ *" '^° "'^'"^ °"^- The resulting condition! have affected been oveidone ^^''''^ commercial fishing, and the latter has probably „c,„- J""^? '" T^l reason to suppose, however, that if the natural conditions were again restored and a judicious system of protective measures instituted the supnlv of salmon would be much increased and might thereafter be maintained upo'^P a satisfactory basis Artificial propagation would aid materially in accomplfs n^ that result. While it could not be expected to establish a commercial fishery bv this nieans in the upper salmon waters, we anticipate that the advantage, for sport fishing would I e so greatly improved as to constitute a source of much profit both locally and to the state and province. We strongly advise that the necessary^'ens be taken to accomplish this result. ' c».or,eaiy sitps Rio- Pr„?!f ^?°i ^^""^^ international rivers alone, the Aroostook, Meduxnikeag and Sfhru ^ ! ^''fu' "^^'^ °''''"^;' "P ''"^' ^'"""^'^ "f their rubbish the salmon would probably en er them in greatly incensed numbers, but we are fimly convinced tha SmL . ^"^T^^y ^^^\ «.tream, and wo, therefore, urge that the entire river system be considered as a unit in lespect to this matter. . A large part of the milling refuse which nasHe« down the river is dei-ivcti frnm Its upper waters above Grand Falls, where thJ interests of the b ook^t^oit^ d i.nd the same measures of relief that may be accorded to the salmon. MAIilNE AND FISHEIilES. bene^t"?;,e"ai:wlvLf:^':il':L"rhrotlt tfn °' """"^ ''" '""^ ^'- J^*"" --'^ also commorcial value. ^''''' anadromous species, all of which are of ply ^1^^^-^:^:^lTa;:^:'^' om.,o,.M, n..r ^teame™ periodH of hiirh water SfLm«r« „.L i ^ ^"'**'* '*'*^*^"^ ^o Woodstock during t.'ibutaries.a'^SVonorrbernK^^^^^^ '''' '^'•^«^- «f the To we? Tho Aroostook, MediixnikL^and Bi^ & .„ t i T^""^ T ^*^"* ^''^^^ Grand Falls. facilitioH in this respect The nreseSooSr!/^ ^'^'T' *^^^""^^'' ««"'" *'«^. if a-J comparatively littli; bearing S Wir^iS nf n ^"™^ ""^ ^''^'■'"'" ^"^^e hJ although the cedar drift .rives somo mnnvE a ""^'^r^^ion in this river system, formation of bars and su'lTrnriST'^'T^"'' '^ «''''^ to aid in the i«g of logs, for which, biwter,?;S.r'e3;ri ^ su^gSted! "^^^""^^ ""^^ RECOMMENDATIONS. the tlrs^'yol^n K'r^sysfertt'Vofl^^^ '' international interest in cepah-^s:^^SsSSS?ir^^ and ci'mt s^r^^irLfs inTach causer !i"^ *^ governmental authority 3. That the practice of tT^roiin saw mi fw /i^^^"''^"'? fiances may warrant^ everywhere prohibited • and Hm7 Lvw" ^a'^te of any kind into the water be wher^e it mal be de nmeSta ^the m 'v'fme^tror"'"'""'"'^"^'" waste in stream^ fishes bo removed. As the sawiirsSd ^t^^ for many years, to dispose of iheir rnbhi.h J-fk . ^ ^^- '^^^^^ '^"^'o ^^^en able, it is not considered thAt this nrovLnn w . ^^''^''^ 'ecourse to the adjacent river 4. That it be prohuS Krow oTTo aMow to^nr '^^'^ '" ^^'^^'^ l""«-' of ^tfcs^S^r -'•^^' - o^^er l^i^^^e;;;^ u^r^ss^ iSt^ r^ntS^i;^ ^? ir!^ IL ^?^l --. -d be so restricted pawning gro ecom mended 8. It is recommended tl,;talTnatn7.rnf.'''/^ oi salmon by artificial propagation, salmon to important Cts fdaoted ?o bS'"'^"''"' '"'""'^ '"^P«^« th° Pa««age of mouthof the Aroostook Bi^S examined litETf:"/' '"? "^ '''^^ ^"" "^^^^he d.tions for the distribution of IhatspSs '"^f^renco to improving the con- ST. CROIX RIVER SYSTEM. DESCRIPTION OF THE RIVEE SYSTEM. Mai.j^td"tre';7;vi;;L';^JSeTBnLv^ ^he state of by ihe main St Croix Rive. n.iH ,• T^ , ' . ° ^«^«amaquoddy Bay is formed Monument Brook, at^Hs ourcS and the 5^^.^™"^ Tr.' ^"^^ '"^^toV including branch, draining iho Western Grrc? Lakes ^:^?.'"" f''t tt^'' '^^'^ '^^'^ ^««t terntory of M^ine,. joins the ttl «^.!Lam !^St Vm^^^^^ !'« wholly within the Ca.a„s anu St. Stephen down the St. Croix is a-lid;? riv'etrw^th tHv^^gTl-ise^Z JOINT FISHERIES COMMISSIOX. 9 S oi^'fiVTciiScf ofr^^^^ r f oM and picturesque, A« fa. torluouB, navigation boin/eroo.^.irl nfffl u f^"'^ ?L ''*' «'^"""<^' ''^ narrow and from Calais), where is locatXSoi.T tl ^'^^ "'l^''^ ^'^^ ^^«^'^^'« " ("bout 4* miles Ther... is relaUvd^deop wa?er at a^d Sor'Th^^'r'^? ^"'' ^T*-''^ ''^ '••''•^'" ''-n^>l'« Bay the river ass-^umos^m^ o the chart orTstS'o^"''^;'' ""i" h.^\nu\n^^ at Oak approachinir close to both shore" '''''*' ''^'«'^'«^'^-^ of a hord, deep water ponerally Stephen and continuing up stream throuh ,?nn ♦ '"^1 connecting Calais with St. of about If miles, wit'h an olemioS'^;"^^^^^^^^^^ duced excellent water power whVh kL i i ''' -T'^*'"^ conditions have pro- Salmon Falls, about liret'h7ght^,t'';"f '"" l'/'"""'^ for saw-mill purposes. ThencetoVanceboro.at refootof th-'Kl/p'^^ the upper end of this a'scent. of still waters, rips and .apfds with seve^^ low fT.""'.. ^'''''''' '^'^''^ '' '' succession called Spracrue's F-ills 1(4^51 ^°^^"* 'ow falls, the most important of which height of .S^et ii^liib Id o ?a1rant'o?n?f i ''*". •'''^«^' '^^ « ''>^^"' from Vanceboro to the Calais St Stcnl on K.H ■ ^"^r- ^^ '«"^^'> «f t^o river that distance being about 3^0 Ltfe ™"^^' ''« ^«^*'^' ^o^cont in connecting thorouihfaros thrio -il lenlthnf ^ h'^'««»'l North Lake, with their 42 miles. "They are navigable i,m?t^osn^ 'r^'" ';*>'/^«"r' ^"""t" ^eing about «i^o. Small steamers or sS m lau "chesTro no^ »''T^ ^"'''k ''•^ ^°"^« "^ "^«^^''"»« Monument Stream empties into North L-L "^'^" '^"" '^ "" '"S^* ^^^'^^t' b-unS^d itat\"?^. ^Ve^iot ?r'j:;\fi„itrt^'?''-^^ '■" "'^r^^^'- ^° ^« ^^^ -t Lakes, of which it is the outlet cove a ^o^ ? ^n"""'""- The Western Grand composing it being, as a rule mtVcZlU^r "^f /'■"'*• ^^« individual lakes e™.„„ .He Grind Lakes, l"'(Vra*v1^i.f„i l^^C^Z^^/'ri!!.:'"'''"- St. cSSi™;S"SSaC?„fil': r?" «?"«,"»»"■ "■» lower p„. of .he and vicinity. '=on»W"«'l separately, under .he lieadingof Passaniajuoddy Bay tSIPOHTANT FIS.1ES. yielded a large annual catch tho fisV. Kn- ?T' ""'^ d»"nfi « number of years it Falls, in the ?pperpartTcalais and St^^^^^^^ ' u'^^ "' ""'' below Salmon up the rapids. It Jas then rh« n,,.^^ I' '^'®Pb°"' «« they were making their way ri«ort to^his favored spo at retolr'"'^^'"'' 't ^be neighbouring^^ountry to supplies for their ownle and some'^Zl.tTh-' '^"^ ^be purpose of obtaining fishery was carried on principally by m^^ of din nol T, "'.", '"^'^"^ '"• Thi been preserved to show the quatftirv Totllfv'^r.nf, L ""^ '"'^''^ "" ''""'"■^^ bave recently secured from persons trenK;fnl J .f"^^^ 'r any year, statements occa.i„„.„y „,..,„ „, „aC^'.".VSo5,t"d e'rr; Ll'S'lnt:*:' ll.t iu), 10 MARINE AX I) FISHERIES. of time by the uso of dip nets only. Large quantities wore speared by the Indians' and Kill nets and traps were early introduced for thoir capture in the tidal nart of the river, ' Until 1825 the salmon are said to have had a ftoo pasHaL'e-way to their snawn- ing grounds, but in that year the first closed dam was built, at the head of tide which romained unprovided with a fish way for many years. Although a few salmon wore able to work over it at high water, it nctod virtually as a check upon their raovomonts, and in connection with pollutions and the extensive fishing then beinc carried on was the means of diminishing their numbers at a rapid rate. In 18.50 it was estimated that tho catch for the entire river did not exceed 2u0, and durinj; the next 15 years the quantity taken annually romained very small, amounting in some seasons to only about 100. In 1866 and 18(57 an increase was reported. Since then the catch has fluctuated from year to year, but no complete statistics of tho same have been obtniMable. Tho run is still so small, however, as to bear no comparison with Its conditioa in the early part of the century. None of the lower dams has been without a hshwuy since 1869, however, and tho failure of the stock to replenish more rapidly must bo charged against the excessively polluted and encumbered con- dition of the river duo mainly to tho saw-mills. The legitimate market fishery for salmon during recent years has been limited to ft few trap nets located on the Maine side between The Lodge and Rod Beach and a lew gill nets used chiefly in tho upper part of tidal water at Calais and St. H opheii. loaching is also carried on more or lohs extensively above tho Caiais-St btephon bridge by means of nets, and in the pools about tho dams, by ditforont metliods. Very little fishing was ever done above Salmon Falls, nor do the fish seem to be sought for at pi-esent in any of the upper waters. The St. Croix River receives a number of tributary streams which are said to be suited to tho spawning habits of tho salmon, and to some of these tho fish are known to have resorted formerly. Those streams all enter the main river above tho oaiais-bt. btephen set of dams, the lower two being tho Mngurrewock, on tho Maine side, in the upper part of Calais, and the Moannes, on the New Brunswick side opposite Baring, Me. The entire distribution of ^he spawning grounds of this species, however, has novor been accurately determined. Salmon have been seen in the past as far up as Vanceboro' on the east branch, and in tho upper part of Grand l^ake Stream, on the west branch, but only a very few examples have been authori- tatively identified from those places. To what extent they may have entered the lakes at the head of both branches is unknown, but it is probable that tho bulk of the ..pawning was accomplished in lower tributaries. 5Artr§, Its abundance is said to have fluctuated from lime to time out auring the past few years a more marked increase has been reported from the Indians' idal part of heir spiivvn- hond of tide, i few salmon i upon tiieir ; then being In 1850 it i during the ing in Home Since then of the same comparison 3r dams has to replenish nbored con- leen limited Beach, and Inis and St. 0 Calais-St. by ditforent le fish seem are said to the fish are r above the 1 the Maine swicit side, ids of this een seen in rt of Grand m authori- mtered the he bulk of instruction lis in large e hiivo not nt hiptory, practically loir virtual sition that iver above* mill refuse hold them ion or ale- s. ibit which part of its 1 immense main river troduotion in greatly le tu time, rted from JOINT FlSHBlilES COMMISSION. ' jj general observation It i,. «,v^h.i "^^ , " *l'"town, that fact has escaped system has therebj Cn p;evenft and h v h^v . .^;r-M ^"'' qian^'^'eB are taken and probably also rsomo oZr placei' °'''" " ^'^'" ^'''"""^ ^'^ Brunswick, g^mo^Seitlu^TiZTi^^^^^^ '^' ««« «'»'"'"". the important solar sebTgo)Zt^ land-locked salmon [salmo are much betfer siiuK them than nflt^ ! ^pawning purposes Some of the lakes western lakes. We TeHnable to ohSin ° , IT'T'''' 1" ^'^^ """^'''•" than in the Eastern Grand Lak^sbevond tl « ..n i^ 'nformation respecting them in the time very abundanttheSXu e g7 eTaU? dTsS ed'^Vwf of't\^ ""^-"^ ""? rtX!i,irtriat;^at\iTxr^^ carri^'^^n'ii^t^'iltn^S^^^ «^ "-'^^t fi.hing is to be so taken being pLrSc^J^Ow^^^ ""'^'"u' ^^ T''^ '^^ P'''"°'P^' «P««'«^ ^"^^ shipped through Vancebo.^' to d&.nf^ perch, suckers and whitefisb, which are meth'^^d of fisl^ g has boen perSed^^^ Ma.ne and to Boston. While this the Maine side, but the stat^ l^w f« In J, P""'^^'^'^ 7«ters, it is prohibited on employed raainirf not entLrinth^l •^\'^«"«tant y evaded. The nets are i'^'J by that Sod c5.'ld not Vxii .lontical, there is less local complaint w th respect to this source of annoyance than would otherwise be the case.' Many vessels, especial rthela^lr ones and those not acquainted with the region, receive their cargoes '^ The Ledge whore there is gooa anchorage, while others proceed to the wharfs above whS lhT„'f"r •?''''''"'^'^ "t high water, as they ijecome stranded o^the soft hot !m S ^il f ''^«/«««'l««- , The Eastport-Calais steamer, drawing 5J feet at the tira^ ™f onlT; !'^?,"'r"^ 'r ^^harfs,an upper one near the bSdge. which s the rfS "^".^f"'"^ ''^,'V''"S place for freight, and a second one noarly^l4 m i e further down. Between thirty and forty years ago, it is stated on good auIho!-i ty a stoimer of the same draught had no difficulty in making the upper wharf at a Umorexcent I'Son'hT'r'^P?"^^'^'"^^' P'-^'^^"^ ''^^'•^ '« »»'y about 3 feeTof watSJ abreast o( that whar at ordinary low tide, and for many years the lower wharf has been utilised lor landing passengers when'the tide servos badly. Some fifteen years now V.'J^'^T'^ "'"' '^^ '^^P^^ «^ ^^''' •" f"-""^ «f ^his wha f was aboutT2^feS o7t do 3'':f.P"«f "g«i- «toaraer often grounds there even an hour or more before St John to lose IhoTr r'.il":'?""' 'T' ^'''- ''^™'^«^ Pa^Bengers bound for Boston or oi. jonn to lose their railroad connections in consequence. Iho testimony of the older residents of Calais and St. Stephen respectins the S .^irtlTe'wirfl^w " P'^^^^/^t^ their experience, in th? depth o'fwalfr off coulf be deduced frLn ■'"''^ '"^ ""i" '^ ^^"^'^'^"g that no satisfactory conclusions couia be deduced from their several statements in that regard. Our inouiries therefore, were extended to include a detailed hydrographic survey of thisSait of menUnveiul'tio;^" "1^"" '^'''^ ^^"^ comparison' witf tlfe results of earlier govern, ment investigations in the same region, as described below. OBSTRUCTIONS AND POLLUTIONS. «„ffl/'".f''!.?*u'''"''f*'T~^''"« ""^ *^® f'^1'8 a"d rapids on the St. Croix River were anS on SlsSos tr"^'' 'v If^'^?^."'"-' -"ditfon, to prevent the aslt of tl anadromous fishes Salmon Palls did impede their passage to a certain extent thereby causing them to congregate in considerable aLndfnce in the piSls below n mherl h 1 ?h ""^ '^"'* k,"^ ^'^'''"'''' convenient opportunities to decKte theiT numbers, but they were able to surmount this swift water and to reach their snawn S^iT^n ' "^^'^ ^P''"S"^'f *''"^ "'^d ^'•^"'1 F'^l'^. higher up the river arfaTso" ;Sercr5rth'ru7p:^tirs."^ ''''-'' ''- saImSn.the^only species Va?l: to coS^WvS''nL^' '^-^'^K f ^•'^V^^ter is a series of four dams, designed town „?^ /iT power lying between the upper part of Calais, Maine and Mill- town and the upper part of St. Stephen, New ferunswick. These dams named n i)am Third nZ '""Tf^'l/'T ^'^'r^' ^'^ designated as Union Dam Cotton mS iMm, rhird Dam, and Fourth Dam. The first and the last two were constructPd early m this century, Union Dam in 1825. Cotton Mill Dam was erected in ^?81 c^lre&"^ors""'rtin8S9r^^^ compieieiy covers. Until 1869 Union Dam remained w thout a fishwav and durino ^/hentti'lrraltTlr- '^rT ^" '^^^ ascent of "u^Lrom'Z at tSes ofTel-y high t"de '' ' ^''' *"''^' '^'"" """^ ''''' '' ^« " ''"'''"' '^''^' afToct navi- I of relief in lout by tho jiils neur at fienil filling bo Lodge, a ionce to the tho exports from which I, therefoi'e, 8 source of tho larger Pho Ledge, tovo, which lOft bolwHO tho time of lich is the ilos further , a stoamor moH except Jt of water wharf has fteen years lut 12 feet; lore before Boston or ecting tho f water off onclusions inquiries, lis part of er govern. liver were ent of the in extent, ools below nate their Bir spawn- r, are also es that re- , designed and Alill- named in atton Mill instructed d in 1881, it almost nd during adromouH ed extent • JOI.\T FISUERIUS COMMISSION. , ^ latter is'SS SgfiroTthSliM wl;i;'u 'f'"'^^ ^'"^^ '''' '"" "^ ^«^'^»- »>»^ '^- of the drain throuS wHU-h L wnH^Snm .t °'m^'''''"^ ''«'"^^ the outlet exte„X'Sho« „S"u,',' :i:z, Zm'LT"-;'""?,,''"''!' ""•"" "'"« "»"■•■ ™« .«e„ay,, however, „rrnS':t\e:rj':uMr"^„f;rSr entire y mnas-^abio for tiuh f.nm .k: ""i" 'ogH ana we lound the upper one ' No other dam. a're ;„l'',,t"d u" "JEC ofeSrSch"' A/r"- ::^;^'i:ZhX°„":ter:e^E^ up through the Easto. n Grind T^P«f^ " ■^''''' T'^-*^-'"" ^'^'^ «P''"^'^'- Following heads of Grand Lake s roam where UlLv^^^^ ? 1""'"S '^"" ^1*^ ^' gates at th? gate, used also by a ^-^-^^i ^n^il^'J^^r^^ ^^ dams were shut down at the time of oui- vinif m,) ; i • T ^ °^^^ "* ^^^^^ had been closed for a Jong tS Al vlForesTo r^f.'"^' f'oni appoaran(.es, they character are small drivintr dams in m«nv J.h ? '*" ''S'^ obstructionn of this lakes. uuvin^ aams in many of the streams flowing into tho several is at the hfln; of fVl vv ""*""?^« nsnway now in poor condition. The no3 acrors^?e"am'o,ru?;mat's "croi^R'^^'^'^^'r^'^ °^ '^^ '^^'"^ ""^'^•"fe' ««tirely the land-locked salmon and trmu bu^o wh„ „w . ^^-^'^ spawning movements of has been impossible^ aTcerUih; ' ' '''''"* '^"* ""'^^ ^^'^^'^ ^^l^^" P'«ce it the most convenient means of di^S f it The r^^ w '"^^^>' T^'^'' "^ 'i'' !,i, 14 MARINE AND FISHERIES. Union, Third, unci Fourth damH, from about two-thirds of a milo to one and two- S Tfir ''^T 'he «"laiH-St Stophon Bridge. Other milln arc Hituatod at BaS about three and one-hulf miles farther up the river. """"nng, The part of tiie river oontainin-,' Union, Third", and Fourth dams is much con- So on! r' ■'^"'"^^'^"'''^'^' n'^'^'r^ continuously swif, water thTough^utneaH; the ent re distance Conse.,uontly a iar«o proporlion of the saw-miil rett>o onteS ^u r\-,"r , '"I *^':,''''f «'"^'* '^" ^''3' d-roetiy into the .idul part of the river wTe"e much of ,t talis to the bottom, the remainder being carried 'eaward and soon dis.i nl„n i^V^"'■'"'" r""^*^ ""'"'"I" "'' l""';^'"*'^. edgings, slabs, and other pieces of wood planer shavings, shingle saw-dust. bark, &c. Formerly all of such Waste that could not be utilized was dumped into the river. I„ 1871 i law was passed by the s'at^ ofMaine which prohibited this practice, but no altonlion seems to have been paid to.t until about 1883. At that lime the mill owners on both sides of therh^- united, in Iheir own interest, to partly remedy the matter by withholding all kinds of waste except sawHiust, as the floating wood set adrift at one dam caused mo.'e or less annoyance to the mills on the next dam below. The reason assigned fo not a^ 0 retaining the saw-dust was that the mills wore not suitably con.lnK.ted to pe° ^. M K • ^?""' *'i^"'"'■* •:°'"'^ P'"'^*'''^ '"^ "«"'• ^ho level of the water that no device could be interposed to catch and hold it. At present, therefore, it is intended that only the saw-dust shall on^.er the river from the mills', the coarser kinds of" re se tit^loSi^olXr''^^""' °'"" '''' ''"'' ""^^"^'^ '' relatively small qtr «o..-^'r'^'^*''!® of the most obnoxious features in all rivers, where lumberinr>n,i u,, .. „ * i l . extending below the level of the 'inun/butTe newage w /icFi^fe"^ conta>n« the usual quantity of chomical matter, bothYn 'o 'u o n3 „ u^^^^^^^^^^^ conipoH.ng the wa«te ,n all manufactories of thin .hnraeter. A t o gh aS tT^ d.rteront chemicals employed in connection with the dyeing and b Sinf, nn.rll? together w.ih a ntatement of the quantity of each expended durinL^HtatiP^^^^^^^^ was furnished us, we ha.l no moans of det^rnnt.ing theCrntScter^^ of the mixtures when discharged from the vj-ts. "'""""^ ^^a' "Ctei or strength A supply of pure water is said to enter the drain continuouslv frnm «k» • ubov-e the dam, filling it to a depth of about 6 incL and 3./^. ol' ^i*; and to dilute its impurities. Sewage from one source or another romses into fh dram at practically all times when the mill is in onerition but thl n J,l? . • ^^ greater sometimes than at others. Moreover a lailu? nl'of ,K ""* '^ •"""'*' be distinguished for a considerable distance below the outlet oahedainWh«nr nver is high, especially in the spring, the volume of water dicharKd over Ihe dim becomes so great that the influence of the scwajro must be imner,. .nf ihiJ I , f • the months when the sal..ion are working urs^rearthe waE p^^^^^ but during and m..y become very low in the latter ptrt^ot^^^'l'^'^Tir^ES "on at the time of our visit, in the early palt of August. 181)3 tondilion The sewage does not, directly at least, etTect the entrance to iKo i«„ i * the opposite side of the river, but the passage of wa^er throuS, thfif J . ""^ be cut off tor a considerable period during each yearas exZ2 above Th """^ below the cotton mill, however, has bee? and ^still' remains ho n Uurd c^uLr"' place for the salmon before attempting to ascend theTarnowLSnedtTS-';^ dam, and It seems to us that no better position could be selected foXfi« J ^n- tSn tnc one u now occupies. "•^•-> ^^naS Joi:fT FisnmtiEs commissiox. are l'>"o Stream, above I'ri.woton ^'^>' "l^"^^' Van.el.oro', and an<.ther o„ (iraml Lake ■kin. are i.nn.er.ed in ordor t ohwo U, ,, ' , ' V^^ lime iiqiu.r in which tho rcultin^ (ro.a tho Hcrapiof^fel^I^r ''?;;:'' "° .'""•• "'« ""^In'-A's u.ul hair l-Hhin«; ""d the wato^Ht.! in wuH^S l'qM..r; the tan bark after removal from the tan vatn W"«"'ng Ibo Hkins after «ciai,ing and after their to dispoKO practically of all lefuso tliiou.rl, \h^Zl?v ,,V '^^''^ Hi ver .system the mo«l convenient means of e St 1 "if ,„'nov r T^^^^^ "' "'u ''fT'' *''''^""". «« in the case of the Haw-millH, wa. maniL oJ ii tw i. . ™'u" V' ^'^''^ practice. a« sediment upon the bottom am by hi .cU.a no! , 1'^' f-^,'''" d°P'>^ition of nu.ch effect was produced by the dumr^n.' of thl .?vl.^ / °*. ^'',° ""'*"'•' '^*^« ^"••'""r of which Jero disposed of in^i X a u ,^1^^„^^^^^^^^ '"" ^'"''^' «""''">""8 quantities the crrent it has Vonnd lod^in-' phccs the o 111^ ^'^T,'!"*^'"- ^'""ied down by places, extonnive banks have Uum been f. me Th^^ ""'T' ^'''f^' '" "*•"»« under the same conditions, and /etSm hn?r innh ^f '","«« have also stranded tributed materially it is said tmv^^^^i • '''''^.'^°' ^ con- land-locked salmo^'aid brS t u Saf^.T7 ""x '^"^ T'^' '''''''' l'''''« of the form, have only a transitory infli the extent of w.Vh'- 'fT^ ^^'"- '" "'I"'''" frequeijcy as well as the alonut of thii!- di^cSge "^ '' '" ^" '"^"""''^^ ^'>' ^''o remediS'ThU^'k.Cim's^rhairarn ^II''' ^'-^^''"^ »"'-' »>«- although occasional 'infracti^^^s of th ru L . ^ ^ d""^^l V^T '."^« ''-' -"^er. as fuel and the fleshings, to some extent, a^ LtilC It i nl 1 '•" "T ."^'''^^'^ discharge of lun liquor has mainly boon stooned bl^nl" J , ° "^ "'"'°^ ^''^^ '^e after each using. The sewa, « nfTr ,T '^ ' ^ 'oturned again to the leaches liquor from the' soaking vrt?:n\rraerTred'in'"''"''^^'' P'-'"^'P''"y "f the relatively small percentage of ^homicalB u d of ani^ I «"«°°.««'^« washings. The liquids, taken in conneclfen wS> Z smal numbT 'i I'^P'^^^'f contained in these neries. makes it improbable U a thrs^urcr^f noiSon "'''' P"'^'''"" '^^ *''« *'"'- present time, but it is deemed advisable Z! aU Mn r /"'^ |"}PO''tant at the neries should be rendered entirely rnocuosfSibleS ^»"- lion or precipitation. ""i^i-uous, 11 possible, by some system of filtra- irrem^dlairre'^ards t'h'e t^^^ark'tTra't" ^Z'^r "t^>'J"K '^« P^^' -^ i^ as well as by tht other kinds of tunnorv ^^f^^ h^"* 7 V^oAn^^A by this substance. Western Grand Lake stream and J he stmm an^f i5r\'?P'''.^"^ "^^^''^ >" ^he the abundance of the land-locked salmon more Danicu aril ^''""^ ^""'"'^ ^'■*>'' ^h«'-« tTe^m^'S ''' ''-' ^--^-"^o^^SdC^i^irnotqt^^^^^^^ speci^sTn';ke'^'S;t;TySbo'r:.ir^^^ ™-ements of these salmon has disappeared """' ""^^ '"'* '« '"I^^" ^^ere, the land-lcked lid— 2 18 MARINE AND USHERIES. In case the sea Bulmou had spawning grounds in either of the lake systems as seems probable to some extent, that species must also have felt the influence Shis polluting agency. "«ui.«3 ui mm SUMMARY OP CONDITIONS. as follows?- "' "^ ""'■ '"'^""■''' ''" "'' ^'- ^'^'^ ^^^' ^^'*«'" '"^y ^'^ Bummarized The salmon, shad and alewivcs formerly ascended the St. Croix River in verv large numbers and had important spawning grounds above the limits of tide wS at Calais and bt. Stephen. The abundance of each of those specien, however has decreased so greatly, beg.nn.ng in the early part of the century, that of the salmon and alew.ves, only ^maan^:ml ru»s have taken place for many years whe the shad has become virtually ex.c.m.nated. The agencies chiefly concerned ircau.nff this decrease have been tho dams, the waste from saw-mills and other sou"cr and over hshing, the most of which have been remedied in pari but not near vt^thp extent required for the replenishment or even for the ra^pid incllase of fiu'Jp^'^f It seems probable that the original spawning grounds of the shad and alewives have been more or lesspermently injured by deposits of bark and saw-mill refuse an5 that the condition of the salmon streams has been impaired in manv way" Se salmon IS much the most important of these anadromous fishes and Ihe o-u- most deserving of attention, but whatever measures are taken in its intorasf «.;il ,?1 benefit ,he others. While the alewives have compa".tivelv 1 tie Zi LT va lu' in this region their importance us an article of food for several of tho salt waer species makes their preservation on a large scale exceedingly desirable The land-locked salmon and brook trout, important and at one time common game hshes, the former restricted to some of the lakes an. connecting stSamTa the head of both branch rivers, tho latter having a wide-spread distributirTn Tnv« both greatly decreased. This is supposed to havt been dueT^he combi ed'inS anSVveiS^EinJ. " ' """'"' " """^'"" ^"""^ '" '^' "PP°^ P"'^ ^^.^^^ ^^^^em, nf .^^i^f'^'^l'''' pike. White perch suckers, and whitefish is carried on in some of the Eastern Grand Lakes, in which, owing to their small size and sli<.ht dS the stock IS said to have b.en much reduced and to be in danger of becoming 3, ,,«' ticaly exhausted. Hook and line fishing for the same spel^les excWe^ot^ the' whitefish,,s followed on the lower of the Western Grand Lakes and this method should also be adapted to the eastern chain. ' memoa The St. Croix River system presents exceptional advantages for the develonmont ot an important sport tishery, which, under judicious raanagfment, could not ?a7to secure much greaer local benefits than any market fishery wh ch these waters might be expected to support We are, therefore, of the opinion that the ™e river system, as regards its fishes, should be considered primarily from that stand pomt. This would involve the limitation of salmon fishing and of fish.W fo, "l species in the fresh waters to hook and line methods, the enlctment of othef proner regulations, the improvement of tho condition of the waters, and the increase offhe m-^ro important species by artificial means. "m^rease oi ine We find that navigation in the upper part of tidal waters has been impeded during a long term of years through the deposition of refuse materials com nTfiom J,^^f^-™;'«.f"d^hjletho conditions have been somewhat improved as a whZ by the withholding of the courser kinds of refuse since about 1883, adequate TeHef cannot be secured until the practice of allowing any waste of this character to pass into the water has been entirely stopped. '"la^-i-ei lo pass RECOMMENDATIONS. In conformity with the statements and suggestions made above, the following remedial measures are recommended:— ' io"owing 1, That (ho disposal, through tho medium of water, of all kinds of saw-mill refuse be prohibited throughout the entire river system. Saw-dust is the only S JOINT FISHERIES COMMISSION. of such refuse now understood to be disnosfid nf in ♦!,• on land can undoubtedly be provided Tit cornn^.r«/-' ?"'°?"> ''"'^ ^^« retention been done in other pla4 P'^^'^^a tor at comparatively slight expense, as has water-bettLf treSaTstXhei SgtatcTCl T""'' f ''% ^^ ^" «^«> deposition of saw-mill refuse beVemom Th??,^ „ ^^^'®' """^ resulting from the especially of navigation, but tCri^no doubt thnfTfi"l^ ' • '•«'l^««ted in the interest thereby. We do not co'nside l^owever that such a 1 "'' T.°l'^ ^''-^ ^' ''«"«fi'«d the practice of allowing said refuse tre;caDe into ,hr,l^^ '^?-1 "^ be justifiable while ascent of the river. ^ salmon m that vicinity during their fortheS;L\Vo;r„%'aV^^^^^ *'- t'^ams adjacent to them deleterious to fishes. All in^ids fm ' tl ^ '^"''' ^':.^^^^'' '""^"^^^ ^^^ich may be harmful ingredients, should ^SeTbe^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ '« hides, containing Uy 5. That all fishways und^as'towat thrri^t^h^^^^^ '" T?' '^^ ''''^"'' good repair and be modified, wl5^Brenecrsarvfn/£„ ^'^f^^?^®^"! ^ams be placed in that, subsequently-, they be raaintai wMn^; "'^^.''?'^ ^''^^^^ eflSciency; and kept clear of drii{\nutJria s tSc c^tt ucfioT^f S"''''"."' ""'^, '''''' «PP>-oaches =rrni;^';:----'^<=^^^^ jnore^f?hr;"t:roprafa^^ -cie to .eep one or tion with the driving of logs ^* actually required in connec- removed so far as possible oosiruciions and existing impurities be and .the approaches to fishways, or by anyCa^ St;VS;;^^^^^ classi^rfifbhr/L'TVesS 'SrofTetT ^^^^'^bl-l^ed with respect to all methods and exfent of fishing, clsTseasoHS &?""' '''' ''™^ ^^^'""S ^°'«'--«e to and the esSiSme^tr] :nSrcrerJfift'a£!:*'"^"r.^ ''''' P^""""^ «ge-ies, .apply of both salmon and Cdrke^sa Imofb/aS^^^^ incrfase'of the' through the co-operation of the two governments. '"'"'"'' ""^ attempted PASSAMAQUODDY BAY AND VICINITY. DESCRIPTION OF THE WATERS. Passa'lSaV'SdtSy:r:iel^l^;^^^ --iderin connection with Quoddy iead,^in Line. "trP^t'Cl In^New Brurwi'f ^"'/"f '"'"^ ^««' Manan to the vicinity of Robbinston MainftThLK^ Jirunswick, and from Grand numerous headlands and bH-rwhnpr^f^''**'"^^^^ inegularand broken ^^ifh and small, offoring-many f^cr.itTes': The^ ra:?u7io?of ittJa '''r'^' ^'''^ '-^« of the reg..^ The rise and fall of the tideVaS^omlst ?eT:a^tlltlTs MARIXE AND FISHERIES. ?or h« mi. i^f fl"l'-'*'' ^distribution. These conditions are especially favourable for the method of fishing with brush weir« which has been found mobt efficient n catching the small hernng with which the region teems. The district is dSrished as being the centre of the sardine cunning Tndustry. Upon the \la ne S h.?! Soiu J'''' '' r"l"ri; !>'°P'^^'"^' ^'^^"^ handsf whT tui"Tt a Z ct '"f SreSltnt;;.'^''''-'^'- ^°^^^ Canadian side there is in tllistegiof FISHES AND FISHERIES. The principal fishes of the Passamaquoddy region are as follows :- ,p ^^Y'^'S iG^^fea harengus), hake {Phycis tenuis and Phycis chu$s) Doiiook (Pollachius virens), haddock (Melmogrammisaeglifinus), cod (GaduscalSas ? sm«It (Osmerus morda.c), and lobsters (Bomarus americanus). cauarias,) smelt .i' ,,^^ri"^— '^^•' ^'"'V'^S i« by far the most important species, and the nrosneritv ol the fashing communities depends almost entirely on its abundanpn ^Tifr r^ fis erman tinds it the mostread'ily procured and set';ceablebau!nd moreover tSe' abundance of the species which he seeks is largely regulated W it«Ti^l J ' lino fashery for pollock, haddock and cod, the prosneritv of th« fisMnl ? •.• Atlantic coast of North America its southern, limit aDnears to Z t thf ;• •• ?. I Block Island, although small bodies are occasion" ysXi?rtlr8<^:thwhrtfth'f north It IS known to extend well up the Labrador coast ' ^ ^"^ *^^ nn.^ 1 R "^'^.°^!]®'" P^**^^^. '""y ^^ '"*"*° important for the catch of adults Passima quoddy Bay stands pre-eminent in respect to the abundance of younrherrinrroh as are usea in the production of sardines. Formerly these heiS frrfi ^'.^5 inches long, were in demand for the manufacture of oil but it wa«^;?t T fl,l^ perfection of the canning process in 1878 that thSi reat vi iirthr , L • '' *^^ recogi^zed They remaTn^in the vicinity of PassamaquodSy Bay troroho"^ The year, but during the cooler and rougher months thev do nor nnnr^n?w^^ u closely as to be taken in the weirs if, any considerabi q°u aTtity^^ "^ '*" '^' '^''' '"^ much apprehension has at various times existed amnnrr fialir>i.«,«r. a a i concerning the effect of the sardine industry upon tS^suMv^ofhSrirhl'''^^ dieted that the continued capture of such enorLus ouaSfes of^^m^^^^^^ nT P''*" exhaust the supply. Our observations leruTtrbSie W thTse annt u^ ™"'* are not so far warranted Taking into consideration therti ^pVstalSSSyTeS before described, more herring were taken in 1894 and 1895 thaii ever Shvp^m!^ especially the case with sardine herring, many more beinrcaZht t^^^^^^ utilized by the canneries, notwithstanding the flct^hiuhe pfck wfs inpJeceSS ted' In consequence of this, many of the weirs were rarelv fishld ni.il;, ? ♦ ^ ^- ' an abundance of herring, ike young of oZ- fiX^ But ks"'! ^^Iv^rSff gzea?qlnTtt."' "' -^-^-'^y '^^^^ -'th the herring in the we'i'^i liTvS inJ.irt.t:::^y:^Fl7lltZ£ ^^^ ^^^ ^"^^'^ was kept up by an per weir:- An ■..^J^r:P^^L XrS^=4.- ^Jf^Sj ' favourable t efficient in istinguished shore there product of this region !S), pollock rias,) smelt prosperity The line 'reovor, the reeence or ar, the cod, dependent ecuting his of sardines, i of vastly wo reasons tion of the 'mmunities J condition stituted an >. On the vicinity of hile to the , Passa ma- Ting, such am 6 to 10 until the nning was ghout the le shore so nd dealers being pre- ) fish must rehensiona idy region 3; this was n could be Bcedented. jontaining i, pollock, It never in t up by an age catch be totally JOIXT FISHERIES COMMISSIOX. at of weirs. In 187i»d 880 1^0 ^onuf^^^ ^^o number the use to which tl/e horHnVvvL nut "7n^ 8^^ '""' ^^ ^H" i'-'-««P«^-tivo of 1895thoavern.rowas no less tlXvi ^hf^^^^*^^^^^^^ ^"^^ '''^'^•' "'*>''«•» port and Lubec state that he vo unAi. -inc; T^'" Tk'- ^^""'"^ "'^^''^"^ ^'""^ i'^««t- herring. " ""^ "^^^'^ ^•'' »''»"'" concerning the supply of young it stni'"gre^^ij,^;sr'?:!\^r;Ver '7:r''''''%i '^^^^ •^ -- ^^ -y- ^^^t industry are at L. bee and Grand Zmn, h,?f ' T'T- ^''^ ^'^''^''^^ ^'^ ^^^ «'n«l«''« ^as no great diminution in their tion of th^r absence s, fee 1889^^^^^^^ "'' '' untenable. The only explana- hake, haddock, pollock and ".Sd" '''°^"' '" ""' '"''' '""^"'"' "'to'ii* for iTS wlltrtToi^rhSM, '1° ?'"r-"'r, °' C^'-P"''"" - > eastward. 82 MARINE AND FISHERIES. until the end of Septetnbe?' There is no dLtlnS' "A" •""".* '^th August and lasting taken with the had'dock. It appZs toTotora^tStt tt's^t^ ^^^ ''"^^ At pfSo^e'^.t.VStr'traToi^-l' cS^^^^^^ ^ ^ ^-^ "-ted. fishing is done under the ice. The fishery t ulsY'fSL n/'^'P"'"' 'T^ ^""^ "«* Brunswick, but the output of the entJre^Ig^^n t'inSsTderable"'"' '''"" '" ""''' to that time, lobsters had been Sipped from thK^Ln'^' . /?'.T"^ >'^"«' P"^'' on only in the spring, and was conCl fn ??,„ I u^'^ ' ''"* ^^® fishery was carried the failure of tie wf^er hZing fiJorv mantlZ Th'"' "?."" *''" f'^^'^^' ^^'^^ employment, turned their attenticntn ?hn^.!^T ^V^",'^'"^ themselves without thai traps could be fishe7p?oS y in deep ^T-"Jl ttl'' ^^"^ ^"'^^ ^°""^ a greatly increased vigour Althouih th? ^flh' ? !\^ ^^^^^^ ^«« P"«hed with statistics for CharlotteTounty N B^shows nra^tio^lf ''^•'"" P"'"' ^»^ ^''^^" '° ^he is no doubt that the traps are fishoTr.wl „P f'^''^ no increase since 1890, there lobstermen did nofgo ffft^'^n homet e„^4j;^^^^ of the year. Fomerly all .^.!ong the coast, fishermen lea^nf^thoiff! '1 ^^''''^' ^""^ "°^ ^raps are set manifested there. As a rLuIt of Z extend n^7/th7 "' 'T "^ "u^""'''^ ^^^^ '« between 1890 and 1894 while its vaLTnl^li. ^^'^?'■T'*''® ^"^^'^ ^=^« doubled gives the canh and valu^ for the nIw BrZlf i"'''' ^.''t'^'''''^- ^'^^ Allowing table Point Lepreuu, for the fi've year! endTnfwTth 1894?"'^' ^'^'^^^" ^'"'^"'^ ^^"""" '^-^ Year, 18!H). ISill. 1H02. I«!t3. 1894 1 Fresh. Tons. Canned. Lbs. Ii57 553 748 044 1,324 3i,05^^^ and with the until that fishery i's ovi SeTnes Vire nnt^n V,? f '^ "^""■"j •'' ^^'^^ ^'« "«^ ^^^''^^ *» of gathering in fhe herringtaken in!he wol^"' '' ""^ "^^^"^ ^"^^^ ^-- *^« P"''I-- RECOMMENDATIONS. spawning grounds off Machian -^""pieu loi a pait ot the herring Hns for 111: :a3:i°V'r„,"St'r°° "" °'"""' •'™''""«"'' "'° ""« "f h»- LAKE MEM PHEEM AGOG. the ■^S7n&^^f:x.^-^l::^^^^ ^"'"^?^ "^'-^'^ ""^ -»^j^ ^^.oss partly in the s ate of vIrSt It^ is e nnr/"^ '", '^"^ P'"'^"'"'^ °^Q"«bec and places, and about 30 mi les/nlenaVhJn.^^^^^ >n shape, qmte narrow in most Its outlet irth« Sf Pro,«" ?>^ ' '■'l""'^^**^ ^^'^^ 's 'n Canadian territory 24 MARIXE AND FISHERIES. Kinni'^?'""' 'J«Jj«^-— '^lany nn^lors are attached to the reL'ion by the abundance of black bH8« (iMicropterns dolomien) and lake trout ^Cmtivomer S»2ct/s/0 md tho Xof thoTio. "' " "''""' "'" '»'^«.themajority'bein^.ontheCanudf«n awJ^rSfuffi^^-rV'^ '"•'*' V*""' ""*^ whitefish ((7or6(,om/s labradoricm) have ijoin HptciCHarobaid to boca plui-ed moio or less in comnanv on these .r,n.in,ls a'vty Zn ;o"iT '^'"^"'^ '^^ "^^ "' "«^^ '''■ ''^ ^^'^•^^^ '^^ '^'-«' u'nTl'iirfo; «,..— '^"'"°"r'' '®^ occahionally foi- the lake trout, and tiollin- for the simo 8pec.e« .« carried on during the spring, «ummo>- and faii-c ieflv "a the Lt^^m inlheBummor.amlat the surface in the spring and fall. Se hater mettdTf fish.ngis oliowod extonmveiy by about fifteen porlon« who Huppiythe locaHemand le tv moTn T^ "hp "'^'*^ ^^ '^''''^^' '^' >°« '" winter\?.TeptL of 25 to 100 feet by means of handiines, and aro Hpeared to a slight extent in the fill Tbi« & Tn Gul- Ji '.."uit '" '' T?'"'" '-^'J''^ ^''^'"'^ ^•>^' ^^«""^^- House aidLorS's island, in Canadian waterij. The entire catch is said to bo disposed of locallv Seining ,s now permitted only in the waters of Vermont. ^'«P«««^ «' locally. h««» S"''"''Tk''^^ ^''?'"'"1"'^^''°"*--'^h« interests of this lake can undoubtedly best bo served by fostering the game fishes, and, in our opinion, this should 1 e done of nur-^'! .1 prohibiting all net fishing. The lake hai boco,;ie an angling res^^^^^ ^^^,!^^i^^t-ss;^:::^^ «..ryLpe„d^.; il;-s;iii r„„ T;'° "«e of spears, which are employed on the spawning grounds is also to he regarded as detrimental and should l)e stopped fttounus, is also to be It 18 furthor recommended that the black bass and lake trout be protected hv close seasons extending from 1st November to 15th June in tho^ase of tl e fome^ species, and from tst September to 1st January in the case of the latter. LAKE CHAMPLAIN. Description of the Lake.— Lake Champlain is divided mainly between the sfites of Vermont and Now York, but it extends a short distance into the nrov-inri of Quebec. Its outlet, the Richelieu River, beginning just Zth of the inZironal Sly^n'Sadr '^"'"^ "^"^''^^^^ ''^^ tho^sV LuwreL^^Rll^^irroTt tnin f"'''r?^'"'"''' ,-^"''''"f*-~'"*®''"^t'«"^l interests are chiefly concerned with cer- S l^n i •''°' ^"^- 'i'*''"'"'' prevailing in the north-eastern arm of the lake Irmin Sndfhatfhf S?Zi«n V ^^'"V"'' '"^-"'"«^ ^^^« "^'"'y ^^«'ri«ted. w'e do™ "t ^:^:^:^S^:!Z.n;r:i.;:'ZT''''' circumstances, presents any .uestionB Character and Extent of Fisheries.-Fvom a fishery standpoint the nrincinal interests of the ake are in the direction of eport fishing Jr anglig, which m w SS stitutes one of its chief attractions as well as an impo.tant sourcf 'of loe 1 revenue The opportunities for commercial fishing have always been very limited and a? th^ present time it has few. if any, fishermen who can be regarded Js nSessionn! Xtl who engage in this business L profit being mostly fLrrsre'irn'g along th^^^ Their operations have, at the most, been restrict«d to short slasonf -^lid VhS yearly catch has been inconsiderable. reasons, .md their JOIXT I'lSHK/UE.i COMMISSIOX. lundance of ) ; and the There are e Canadian >'icus) have 'wever, lias low waters N^ovembor, ipor -water. 0 ijiounds, SB it bo for r the same the bottom metliod of il demand. 25 to 100 fall. This md Loid's 3f locally, idoubtedly Id be done ing resort urly main- ! influx of so small a also to bo tected by he formev he states :ovince of (rnational 38 almost with cer- >, terrain- t'^e do not questions principal now con- revenue, id at the lal, those e shores, nd their 25 r^^'?'■ ^<> Jear. breeding places, the north-eastern arm an, 3v con fn -f """^ '""''* ^''''"' '"""3^ important spawninir "-rounds „k"' ' "PP^'^?"'^'^ contains its most e.xtonsivo and of '-MisMsqu.^i Bay a^uVi^" he lower nroTt7t';-h?'^^ ''''' '" '^^ open w^u's being teMissisq^.oi PJiver, wh.'rtlTti^h'Lc nd 'a'^E^S:;;''' P'"''"''^'^' ""^ -Inere is more or less v.-mitinn in tu . «• v, , ° ^wanton. spawning movement, dtpL'lSuTo^eatnirc^nditbf""^^^^^ and ending of the eaid to begin to work north in February thrm^^n V. '\ ^ho wall-eyed pike are iti March and the early nartof Anri^ ann',.?„ • J"" P*""* Hog Island taking place the middle and last ofYnH The return n.T'"^ ?r^.T''' terminating between the tirst of May and is generally compledblto^ttt^^ fT ^^^^""^ "^^^^ heaviest part continues during only about uLtT\ ^'''^ ^'^^^'^ of that month ; the fi.squoi River occurs in Arrifind S of 8hLn7„H^ J^^ movement up the Mis- largo^catches are made thL by hiok anS lirie ' ^"' '" ''""' years'relatively seems t^'^Sn maSni;!^ ^^j^^t^^^i^j'/J: ^1 JH °^. ^^r"'"^' '^' ^^ u week or two into May. By the laws of hnf h rl?H i'^.r'^P'''' ^"^ ^^ continue son for the species now begiifs on Cr 1 H The -if '^ ''f .y«''mont, the close sea- pcen?;eSX'us':;VrafseS"^S 'etplS '^ ^^^V^^^"^' ^^"^^^ ^^ las beet permitted by Canada between Mir,.r ^ T ?' "?[ ^"'^'^ "^*" '" ^^e spring in Vermont waters was proh bUedTom ^t \o^^^^ ^^^l]^' .^'^ T'^^'S neUinf reguationbeforareferridtowarenaoL makiJ!! ^^'^^' ^^en the contingent certain conditions, between March 20 and An i Fin h ''."I- '•^•'"" ^"^ '"^*'»««' ""^er waters north of a line connecting Z^l^A^!'^ Ton^Pofnf SV^lJ: MAJtINE AXD FISHERIES. HO employed dunnu: the spring of 1893, were prohibited during 1894 and 1895 hv un-angoment with Cunudu, and wore again peLitted during tl.o «pTini of 1896 when Canada once more licensed her fislierman, on the asnumption tfa the naS of the Vermont aw granting unresfictod seining in the fall, iirtualy cancened tbe agreement prevounly reached between the state and the Dominion The number of seme licenses granted by Vermont in the snrin.r of 18<)^l^..«. 99 i " u Zl::V' '''': ''•■"^^'•>' "PP"-"' -'- -uld ToroVn'ei hiror'h^d'a Iri^ n th« pyT'"* '"1"'"^ A';'""^ ^'^'•*" ^he limits prescribed, WnrrocoSed Jrnl 10 ? v-'^^rr"^"^''"' «<^»«-i«q»oi I^'iy. the number of seine; emp^Vcrhas been from 10 to lo The main part of the spring seining is done before theiJe breaks un It begins on the Hog Island shore, is tike.rup, subsequently, in Mi sisouoi Bav an'^l' ™triofTr '^" ^J^''^^ '^'''- ^" f^^'"^^ times ^whennet^Shi^^'r unrestricted the use of seines was continued more or loss durin- June but as ihl hsh did not collect together so abundantly as earlier in the season" smul'ler catches ■%1!!t„H ^^"?«!r^. ""V^'^ summe/heat was detrimental rtheirp icservatiSn f«,.f nl^f tf "'^f'^. P'^u"'** '^^ principal object of the spring seining a^nd the mnhi feature of the catch at that season. The other species taken with it are no^cT w" lty;dTilf'''ter?;w M ''^ P"'^'^ «°V"» "«^^ ^^ abundance aft' tt wail eyea pike. Very few black bass are captured in this connection The total amount of the spring catch is relatively very small. ^"-ineciion. ihe total .No satisfactory evidence has been obtained resoc •.tintr the abundance of thn wall-eyed pike at the present time as compared with the p S. T wSics of he Canadian catch are not indicative of a decrease. The market fisherman on h« thlTo"? tr' "'■«.??«'*'-« that no fulling off has taken pTJe and tS maioHtV of SunSa L'''''sorof"tEr;?r' ?•" "•^^•^'^'e ^r ^'^^^ ' periodical fluSio? "n aounaance. home of the latter, however, are confident that a general decrease has been manifested, although its extent has Lot been great. ^ aecrease has Fall fishery -The main object of the fall fishery has been the whit^ lllnwl «had-wa.ter (C.m/ort«s labradortcus,) which, in iti spawning movements follows essentially the same course as the wall-eyed pike, entei^r MissTsauoTBav a ong the eastern shore and returning from it along the wes 0"^! shorp^ Tf h/a IZZT' fhe'-efore to essentially the same character^of fishlry pan dnatcd in by the same class of individuals. The run of the shad-waiter may botfin rSv as th« bodf'P''™ •''■ ""'^ ''"""""« ^h^°"Sh October and Z.^5r le s o^iovem! bei Its exact spawning time is not known, but it probably occurs main v in Tn^ r^H'^A-f ''°"!.^ rf ^'^ commencing to so^e exteSt in October W fow wa,l' ZTA ^"'•'"g.'^o^t of the year the whitefish seems to resorfo the d^^^^^^^^ ffntioll ^ ^v "'^'? "^ ^'V"g '« ««"'«d on and where it escapes observaUon dnT^iil^hlH^reZ^:^^^^^^^^ ^'^ distribution an'd habits Scept auiing ine shoit breeding season when it comes uto shallow water for the tinmnL notSdusifdv^h/thr "'tr"''. '^^^"' it%Bpawninggrounirrllcated3n,^^ not exclusively, in the north-eastern arm of the lakfl Tho fiaK o.... o„;^ + ^' tetefl L,'^'" """^ '"^""' '""''■ " '^'ff^ f™"" "> New York, but 8ome.reTlLd 4 and 18f)3 by ling of 1896, It tho passage cancelled the Tho number 2, and in the had a written J recognitod. lyod haw been ice breaks up. luoi Bay, and tishin« "p.!,,,- ^..™„os or the Soioo catch „. .^h^c„„a.na„ W„tc« of MW^uoi B„, ft™ 1S84. 1S85. . lS8(i. . 1887. . 1888. . 188!). 18!»0. . 18!)!.. 1892. . 18!»3. . 30,i)(;o I7,,7r)0 0,250 38,238 3,(;!l4 2,741 2,!I03 No statistics of the seine catf h V,-o fk« a^u except incomplete ones for he fSl of^U Lcf sn^roff J^'^T^l "'« ^^'^"^^^^^^^ he total value of the catch of both whSsh anTm^. ^i ^'^''- ^° ^he former season in the latter the quantity of waU ey^d Dike t£n J, ' n^u"' '?""'*'« ^«« «6.478 ; about 488 barrels, valued at 85,175 ^"'■'■°''' ''"'^ "^ ^"" ^^^ beingSS^fyTb^^^^^^ of the game fishes, but not sively for the wall-eyed pike a™d also conTi^^K the anglers, the latter fish exten- their legitimate province^ They do re ?o t boT^^i^^^ '^""^''^^ ^'*'^'" pike reserved exclusively for spJrrmrnoL but H--?"'" "^ wall-eyed for the yellow peroh. The conditions fms'nm.t « k- '''""" P'^tection necessary northern half of the lake. Sere areVnumK of 'n^,*''"® '""^'^ **>« ^^^^ i" ^l^e camps for sportsmen, and every effort is hJ^lt T" J^"°^'' '•°«^''t« »»d fishing increase this class of tourist fruvel ^ ^ ^^ ^''^ ^^^'^ ""^ Vermont to it harp^act^tirdiXT^are'd'^''' '"" "'°"^^''"' «*«- ^-° - I^ake Champlain, but beenfrpt'^/dtlKht^^^^^^ ^^^ /^^-t methods that has a later date than any other kind of net l^iLl Z f ^^^ °" egitimately down to been used in all parti of the lake generaflv JoJ'th^ tT «JP'«'"^'^- Seines have end for whitefish; and at the extromrson h nHn^- ^"'HT«d Pike, at the northern 28 MAIIIXE AND FISHEHIES. fyko notH I,„vvovor are still sometimos Hot surieptitiouHly. altbouirh thi« i.ractioo >« doprccatoa as much hy tho Boincrs as bv the Hport tlMhernuMi Th« , h!^1 i f % ap,,a:.atUH could undoubtedly bo omployil in n^ phu.:!"" Jh ,o , i 'o" y'^l^i vaiiotios of tiBh witlKuit dotrimont to (bo Hnortin.' inloiOHt- h IT^^^llLulxx Canada intbo liicheliou iiiv.r, and at the ^L:^:r .Z":^:^^^^:^ ^:\^'^t^ 12.) «uch not. woro ,n une botwoon St. John'H and tho head of the rive" The non season iH limited to tho period from Uctol.or to Anril and Ihn p f,.h n/. ,.i , , P^" of bullhead, Kun''"'"" P'-o- somethin,. to their income. Tho ca " Z J, c . ,Z J. . ^^ ' '^"r 'V"""** '" ' "''' entire aband.mment of tho Hnhery wo |d wo Jl ?J .^^ "'"' "'O far, however, an the practice is, >t iZriouHothU "'■'?'''' '''^'" ^'^'''^'''P- ■^•> Hoemn to be ,lo valid 'roa.on why uid no? t "'«"';'"«••"«'« ^>f the laki there the fact that tho bonoHts der3 tU Xl ,1. 1 o^po^inUy in view of which HharcH in itn advantUKen "'°""""" "'^' ''"'"""'lod by one of the countries ^^^^^^S:^.:^^:^:;:^^^^!!:^^ P-'-'oaHy the omy is while they are npproachi,./a..d ari o thi^Hna^^^ "" '*? ""'"'nl*^' l"-'^^'^"blo .catt^r^^n thereif^er an^ the whiteH^rp^r to'^e^il^t^edS^^ t tli: the bJ!:^£;'lr ;f:;:;';?;;!::;^^':;t°fs^ -'«- conti,uo.. to tnent of a/y such, unless It mtj b h^ S ,1 s ol f^hVl?'' the employ- poper roHtrictions. could undoubtedly be HsCd witl m t detSen o* 11^'"'' ''"■^'' intero8t«, and po««ibly to their advantage thrS fL imT ^ '''° Hportin- coarse vanetiee havin.r predaceous halifs Th„ • f^inoval ot «ome of tho catches a.s the pound netsC^rap nets and mlv tlTJ '^"k"^' '""'f" ''' «^^«"«'^« destructive of these me;ho.ls. Her.lso ore.^ {'rte "; ^° '"^.'V'''°'^ ''« ^^o least sight when employed, a. d it'is Sq e„Tirvery diffleuU H h'^h"-^ "'.r'^n''" Sturgeon, eels, cattish and a few other species miJhtaUoiJ, , '^''"\ '"°««lb'- parts of the lake by means of set linos wltSo^t p;^'udictto WX Z^t"" '"""' are ^^^l^^^^J^^^ ^^1. Champlain 2. That the U8o of seines be permitted from Februarvl to Mnrnh 31 • i • for the capture of wall-eyed pike and other assooiutrH.^^^T i .^,^ ^^' >n«'"sive, tionsas to localities and number of nfit«nr.?i.T P®u^ but under such limita- the decrease of the speciesTamed Should &!- '''"'' "'"P'y Provide against •ibis fishery is proving harmfTtothf wall X.H n-J''l"''^ ^'^"^' ''^ ^^^ ^"''^ that supply, its'^aboirshmen^t is "TommonJeJ '^'^ ^'^' ^^ materially reducing tho captu;e?fthtfir anVSr tsSS^spetTtln?^ "TV'. ^^ ^^^^^^'^ ^^ ^^« localities and number of nets empbyed ^ '*'''''''' restrictions as to the iin?:ir i;rm\al:e"^,e:rtLti;iTnVhr?.t fhet^t^"^^'.'^* ^^^ ™-^ «^ wings. 2 incnes m the bunt and 3 inches in the speoioi and the catch by S^ai J&ifedTo i^'ir^'^, '"'' ""r."* f"'' ""is taken in not., and all b«M meosnri, ° Im Zn 11) ?noL.^ dailyi and that all baes immediately returned alive to the Mter ""« '"'"" l*^ '"K'"-' >» . to LmtSrofljh" yr' "''" "' ""'■ ""•'•"• '^ ""hihited ,V„,n April .,heJ; n'ofs'pScU^Srnc^ ^'hiih InT ^.^t'e ^Si^l "^ *'~ °' °*" 80 MAHINE AND FISHEIIIES. RIVEU ST. LAVVKKNCK BETWKKN TIIH STATE OF NKVV YORK AND THE PROVINCK OK ONTARIO. Description oi the waters.-Vov a diHt«nco of HlandH of varying extent. Thin portion of hc^r^er L eom"? timoH oallod the Lake of the Thousand IslandH. At tho foot of tho TlM,uH„nd si nds 1.0 r.vor narrowH rapully, the current, which in the upper half among tl"oi"la.d ha' been moderate runH more swiftly, and a Bhort di«tancV bolow Ogdeniburg rviL.Ui n s intoi ruptod l,y a Horum of rupidn which j.rovontH tho upward paNHago ni v^lZ J he wa or varies greatly m depth, being as a rule doopost in the lUg, still strltcTieH «n.l shallow where tho current i« rapid; the bottom ii either covered wh Horned or m hard and rocky, shouls and roofb abounding ovorywhere. International Tnterests.~.Bat little commorcial fishing is carried on within the lim. s under discussion; in fact, on the United States side, in the wate.^of^ ho st ito of Now York, this branch of fishing is entirely prohibited, whiirin Canad,/ ts amount has been small, only a few fyke nets being permitted. A fow sot li.fo for sturgeon have boon tacitly allowed from both shores, but the number hnsXavs boon small and they have not been regularly fished. InternatS ir'te^ost Tre there ore, confined entirely to the protection and development of sport fishini hJ facilities for which are unusually great. Tho region of the Thousand Is S'f!.r- nishes one of ho most important summer resorts for the people of both counti^es and thoro can bo no doubt that tho sporting interests aro hero of vastly more con e- quence than the amount of commorcial fishing which could possibly be carried on It 18 estimated that between four and five million dollars aro here invested in hotel"' summer residences, coitagos, camping grounds and parks, all of which are freJueiUed by tourists and sportsmen largely interested in the spoA fishing. Mo>^ 3'" is spent every year by people who come for sport than the river could ever ^^3 to yield by commercial fashing. Not only are hotel keepers. transportaUrcoiloH pudes, oarsmen and boat and canoe builde.^ benefitted by he proience cf he immense number of people who regularly visit the region b^-ween Juno and Sentera! t'hTng'lUy ptr/e! ''^ '°'' ^"" "" '""'"'^^'^ "'^"^ '^^^"^ --"^^^ for almosreCy- h„ /J«^f«— The principal fishes found in this part of the St. Lawren .e are black Of these, the only ones of value to sportsmen are tho black hasp, wall-eyed nike r^^lT^f I ""li ^"^'' P'^'f- ^1 '^l-^T' «^"'-S««". ««'«. channel crt and Hnlare caught, while the principal catch of the fvko nols is bullheads perch sunfish suckers and grass pike and to some extent black bass and wall-evod Dike esneoiallv If these nets are fished in April, May and June. ^ ^ ' ®^P*''"»"y Character and extent of fishing.-A^ before stated commercial fishing is pro- hibited under the regulations of the state of New York, and though a smanamoC of set-l.ne fishing for sturgeon has been allowed at Cape Vincent and off OgdenXri this fishery was not considered to interfere with the purely sporting interests Tlfe' sturgeon set-lines vary in length, the average being 'below mo feet the hooks are baited with chubs, perch or alewives, or oven pieces of liver or beef onlv d«aH hnj^ being used. On the Canadian side a few simTlar set-lines! baUod and fifhe^fn the same way, have been employed, while prior to the summer'of IsJs a small amoint of commercial fishing with fyke nets bad been licensed. These nets wSe Lneia^fv fished from October to Mav: thev ware ««♦. in the «-,'i^° of--" ■ -^ u r ^ marshy coves, either on the maii..and or on some of the lai^'er ' isllnTs ." They ORK AND JOINT FlSHEItlLS COMMISStOlT. « w Now Y„rk, under which < omZrc hS^ ''"'"'"" ^r"."'" "'"' ^''^' »*<"'« "«' 'lianHi.looriherivo.sh«twoorS'Hlm. u^^ |»nhil,itod „n the (•„,.„. employed are those l< u,wn rtro n^u i h m ''"""• '■" "f^'"'^ ^''*'''"^'. ^''" "'^tl'-"lH Imif. and Hurface fly H.hinir TJ?o ^Lr I ' "" "I' "^'""«w. "-'hI Mnu^ wilh live ove.. some favountl boS, or' t^^^on.r.Ml.X; ;l7' "'"^■'' '^ ^"^''- -'"'-• h.reSrS^St-T;^l:^'*^!r:;;';;;^ -ount or .onune..cia. fUhin, huH below yet tho condition ,,ahe,,,,^IvHiotinlHHL/i"^^ ^''''"'^''' "'"^ '" ""^' ''iver passed, and it is doubtful whotC beUor i hini^S^I^^^ '" '"" .' "' '? "V' ^'•'"^^''"'•o nur- rare und ln.Mdy prized H.h. the nrUiiJna^^^ for un almost unlimited number of rodn OvVh?." ? h ""> '^''"'•« «'«^'. o^P<"-ially ^'rounds, the numerous channels ri L , , *= , . ^'"'""^ *'''^*'^"' of the (ishini ..pportunitioHfo.. ,uiet Hshin/c^rt e'll^^owK be e.'JuU ?:,"'"""' ''*' '"'"''''^ ^^« ha« ^rS^SSe^^dl^to'rlh^^^^^ tweon Canada and the ntato of New Voi and h« n -L T'"'", ""''°'' ^"''^"^"io''- bol ronsider it unnecesHary to hi i.^t anv I „ "*'f"f^"''y 'egmlation provided for we to. We are, howove./of hi^oSon^ u ^'^'" f '""' *''"" ^''"^'^ "''•"»''>' '"? oeJ made with fyke nets HHheSuT.HL winter rnhr"""' f ^•""'"-■<=i"' "^hin^ »br such epecicH as bullheads mMcb V,ol?„.- u'\''''^^''' °'' """''*''>' P'"cos «uch nets viere allowed they shoffi not 1 o set b^S i ^' ;^'- '""J'' '^^ "" *'"••">• i'' bo removed from the water by Hist March K.«. i i ' ^^^T^"''"' ""'^ ^^'''.V ►^''"""d localities, there could be lo S of hefr tkin "S ""if ""''^ ?.'^°"«°"' '" «"''«ble A set-line fishery might also be alwed for ' ,^u"^'v'""''-''^^^ P"^" '^'' maHkinonge. channel cat, as the removal o some of thPHo^ m "t'"'"'"""- «ols, ling and the sporting interests ''^ '"^^ '^*^"''' certainly be of benefit to was eniV;""''"""^^™"'^™"'^^'^'''-- Canada and the state of Now York it betw!.:;^Lxr£'(5^'i?i:;:.pr'?;;r ir ;'";t^^^ ^^ ^'^^ «'• ^—^e Kingston, in the province of O^^ta.ornd secon. Ii7 f ^"^k^"'''^'' '"^ '^' ^'^^ «'' walireyed ;!kT tgVts^fk: ^i;e'Lm"tt"tt*5" ^'T r'*^^" ^^-^ ^^-^ "-'-nonge. June, inclusive, in e?ch yiar. ^ ^''^ ^" ^"^ «^ J«"»"'-y to the 9th day of fixedYtwo\veVl2')tclittTh?nu'l^'''/^*^^ '•^'^*^" »'>'«««'' -d, per diem, bo 4. That all undVrsi Id aL imm„Tur:^ '"^ ^'^ Y""}- ^« ''"'■''' '« two 2)° that no bass under ten (10) .tSrirgJS^'takt "'"^ *^ ^''^ "'^^«'' ^^^^ c^ltS^nctrwIth^Tl^'liratS^^^^^^ a fu^-ther limit of ufHuK- o/r^is pe ^Varit'™^^^^^^^^ by each rod per diem, anS tion is ample for the present ^ ' ""^ ^® *"°^®'l ^^at the protec- furtheV7ugg7s?\tnr:trd"Srt"il arrangement, and would from the iSwer limit above meXned h«tw«inK ^ '"^'^^^^ *^« ^t. Lawrence cott, to the point whore the riveTceases to Je^ °^ pgdensburg and Pres- tries,atthe'crossi«gafthelineof45olnb^^ '^^tween the twocoun- Jh<> MARINE AND FISHERIES. liAKE ONTARIO. DESCRIPTION OP THE LAKE. Laico Ontario the smalleRt and most easterly of the great lakes, is bounded ob tiie Bou h and ea.t by the state of New York, and on the west and no h by the pro v.nce of Ontario It has a length of 185 miles, an avorago width of 40 mUe and a total area of 7 339 square miles, inoludin-c the Bay of Quintd, with an area of 14? miles. The lake isfree from islands or shoals oveMts eluire extent, ^cept at Jhe north-eastern end near where it discharges into the St. Lawrence RivT The water deopens more rapid y from the south than from the north shore, the -"reatest depth, 123 fathoms, occuring about 12 miles oil' the former in the easteni par" of the lake along the south shore the lO-fathom lino lies only a little more thaS one mile oflf the land, and the 50.fathom lino about 5 miles on an average ; on the northToro the same curves are reached at aboutdoublo those distances. The bottom overmost «L. .' ''^'^^^«"'^'f f T'^' f^y «"d hard sand, with rocks in many places near the shores; but nor h of a line drawn from Stony Point, in New York,'ti South Bay u Ontario, the water shallows, and among the islands in this section the boS i^ rough and hard, and there are numerous reefs and shoals oociora is The south coast has only two or three small harbours, but between Osweeo and Cape Vincent at the eastern end, the shore is broken by 'a number of baT affL- ,ng ample shelter forvessels and boats, and from these most of the fishing Is 'c"rred on The Ontario shore is more broken, and toward the north east the long narrow and deep inlet, known as the Bay of Quintd, extends inland almost pamlfel ?o thi lake front for about 35 miles, being separated from it by the peninsula of Prince Edward county. Alost of the fishing on the Canadian shore is carried cm from the Bay of Quintd, and between Toronto and Niagara at the western end '" "°™ ^^^ MARKET FISHES. Eleven species of food fishes arc enumerated in the statistics for the United States waters of Lake Ontario, the relative importance of which in each of tK« SKinf t'able :- "' ''''' "^ ''''''''''' '' *'^ ^^^ '' the caTct is'shoTn by Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Catfish Herring and long-jaws Sturgeon Wall-eyed pike and grass pike. . Black bass Whitefish ' Eels Trout . . i^iZr"^ '""^"^"''' I Wall-eyed „ike and gra.. pike. Wall-eyed pike and grass pike. . Sturgeon. l^erch CattiHh rslncK bass Eels Suckers Su'liers •"in'^-Av .'•'.';.:.::: whitfish. Whitehsh Black bass. i''o»'^ Trout. •Herring 52,111 lbs., long-jaws 112,887 lbs. fj.„f f^^f V*'®,^''''''^''^*"'' P^''^^ "^^^^ included with the miscellaneous fishes and that.ndefinite class stood at the head of the list. In 1890 and 1893 the two specTes mentioned were separ/itolv enumerntfirt inrl in tKr^^a --.>- .u .^"^ """ ajj^-i-ies fell to near the bottom o?rheseHes' ^' •^"'" '^' miscellaneous fish JOINT FISHEIUES COMMISSION. 33 I,S80. 18H3. 1S!)(). 1«!»5. i^"'"*'' Whit A liont Trout Wall-,.ved pike .Mcra^spikV. te'l '^ Black bass iStm'Keon. . i Kels pike. • [Herriii),' . iNVhitetish . . «- «-»> i- StatefirortrLla^rhrrtTS - •^" P«-t-f the united. tie.. On the Car.adian^ideft upprrs 'L mo«? 1"^ fT^^ T'^ ^'^^"^'^ ^'«"°- whore it occurs only in the fall ^^ """^^ abundant in the B:iy of Quints, lake Jo tho':[hl'TnoVS;Sttu^ ZlT.r ^' ''•^. '^'^ ^'•^^ «- -'« ^^ the around the ends of the lal^ The ^hftefi roomra'IIhoT'^'T "' ''"^'' « -"^vement dunns the warm and cold seasons ? ho yLrtryJtie lo Xl ?'''"^ ""^ ^""' "^"^ Most of the vvhitofish are o.iu«ht in JnLtTlhtu ^^u '^''•^P^'" "'»'^^'' 20 fathoms. In the springand faU thoya i douhtTi 1 t .^''*' ?'^f • '" ^'^P^'^** «< 1^ '» water, and at those Lmm they arrSalned in ««!,« "k^ th.smeans in «hoalor Chaumontand Throe-miio Bays appearto 0^1,40^1 !?« 'T'>^.'-«^>''- »««'!. although Formerly they were caught in se E^ f theT^sn^ 7' '""-"''t' '«'"'"''' ^"•«""'J^- been no fishery for them at that place t r.^ottyZl '" •^""'' ^"' '^''"^ ^"« Decofc:S7SipTrrJe"if"Zb'rSrd '^^^^ ';; ^°^°''«" -^^ -^-^^^ into They spawn inSi.er'^nt partes ^"i^^^^^^::::^^ is thftTe";-i-tin;;:;t^^^^^ 7riTiiii^'''r?r «" ^'^'^^ o-^-- testimony of the fishermen, began eiTin t¥e historv of H « fi \''' "''^^''^i^K to the back as lar as I860. On the United StaSsHidflfjlLfK^ ^^^f^^^^ ««"'« ^»ting it which we have statistics were as follows :- '''^''''' '" ^^^ ^«^«^«' ye«rs for 1885 r^»'«. 1890 "" 90,711 1893 ".■.■ --== I48J71 llrf— 3 '*t>'.7<>7 m 84 AJARIXE AXD FISHERIES. yea Jninco'S-i *"*"'' ^^'' '^" "**'^'' "'^ ''^' ^'"^^'«" «'^« «^ ^"t«"'"'« «f ^vo 1870. Ll)H. 1875 621,400 IS:::::::::.::.:;;-.:: s'»r io(,K 40o3;)(l ^^'^^ 126,650 Prior to 1870 the catch appears to have boon somewliat lar-er. A consideration of the cumploto returns bewtoen ]8(J8 and 1895 shows that there has beonrnumlfor of periods of good Hshinn: interspersed with periods of a doircased cTtch hut he general tcn,h,„oy has been downwards and the catch in 1805 was thesmallest eie? recorded Taking the lake as a whole, there has been a vast decrease i" ho abnn dance 01 iho whitetish during the time covered by the statistics a.rthe f-Ii,t off had already manifested itself when the lirst inquiries were made'. ^ LAKE HERRING OR CISCO. (Argyrosomus artedi.) Status.~Thm is one of the most abundant fishes of U.o lake but its exact status cannot be determined because the bloater whitefish or 'Mong aw '- Ls gLS v been associated with it in the statistical returns. In 1893, the o.Ily yearln which n was separately enumerated in the United States catch, 52,111 JuS valS nt ciii'ldZt'iSljfw. ^"*^«C--^-" -^^ - distinction is nlade\"etween1h;^ Distribution and movements.— Tho cisco is found in all parts of the lake but occurs in shallow water or near shore only during the spawnin.^ ?ime in f h^VnU During the rest of the year they remain i^ the deeper wat^ Vf^r a we have VtlVsh rv r' "h"' '■ "« •"«^«'?«"t of the speciU up and doSn the Take The fishery for he cisco is carried on chiefly during- ihe spawnintr season in November. The principal catch is made in gill 'nets, wlS'ich areTer"n gran's of sx to ten note each, in depths of a few feet to 75 feet, bit generally less &40 feet At the eastern end of the lake trap nets are set for this sjecies in thTfk 1 ind se nes are also used for thom in the same locality and at the same season Cfng the spring a few are caught in the seines incidently to the fishery for other species 5paM>n?n^^-The spawning time is in November, chiefly during the last half of 5?h r/r in.?'/^ '"^ l^'*"''."-^ 'i.'^'"^ '" ^''obev butismostg^nera uLutthe 6th to the 10th of November by which time the fish are said to be rino .u The spawning grounds are in relatively shallow water near shore and on th« ?h«l\ T? ^otiomca\M"&r:ger.vock" is'said to bo the kind usual y sJocSd by the fash. The grounds, so far as they are definitely known are on the sou h Hn nf Point Peninsula, about Grenodier and Stony Islands, and in Chrumont Bav Thr«f mile Bay and Bay of Quintd, but principally at the Postern ondTthe fak^. ^^nn-"^^""""^ m"'^^®'"'' ^*' ^??'' *" important reduction in the abundance of this species and likewise a notable decrease in the avei.ngo size of those taken h !h L lake. Owing to the fact that tho statistics on tho United States side un I Z^ and on the Canadian side invariably, include the bloater with the heS ft -rnJ; possible to consider the matter from a statistical standpoint. "«^""to. '^ is not LONQ-JAW OR BLOATER. {Argyroson.us prognathus.) Status.— Th\8 recently described species of whitefish is onn nf ihr. m^o* • tant food fishes of Lake Ontario. The catch in 18^? amounted to mS?- nn'"T' valued at $2,977 which places it third in importanVrof So ca,ch of thuT w' This species is known to the fishermen under several difTorflnt n«mL .?» ^^ \: "bloater" and "blonf are tho ones most oLrTlT^l t''::CLZ'Zn,T^^, rvjils of five 400 400 900 100 550 Dneidcration a number of ch, but the mallewt over in the abun- e falling otf jxact status 8 goiiorally ir ill which 8, vnhied at •otween the e lake, but in the fall, as we have lake. ■ season in ungs of six lan 40 feet, and seines during the iccies. ast half of about the and on the ■elected by uth si lo of ay, Thiee- ike. ce of this con in this I lecentlj', g, it is not ost impor- '7 pounds, that yea I', of which ind of the JOIXT FISHEIUES COMMISSIOX. 35 fcerto^^Salut^i^elfafwtld^'^ti^^^^^^^^^^^ are occasionally used there, and in the earlier statist carrepoTrbothf^^^^^^ the cisco, Cisco or herring. ' 1'°"'*"' ^^^^"^ confounded under the name of seems to be confined to the -reator de tl s Tt n^ ''"^""'Y, ^^^tor, however, but the New York shore, but s t"aS by hem onlv n 7"t? "r' S' ««hermen along most of the deep water is closer to tL stuTh sEoT-e than'jLe'nlth V' 'V'''' '^ 18 much more frequently obtained by the TJn L I «!f„r„ a u "'''''■®' ^^'' **P°°ie8 Ca^adian. i)uring the wLter they ^^J^l^ZZ ttX"st^X^f I^^: we ^^^^''^^.1'":^'.^^^^ over 20 inches, the largest this. The larger ones obsef ved weith^d Ss than ^f^^^^^^^^^ ''. '""'^''^''-^Yy ^''^ ^^'^^ as much as 5 and G pounds have been . epS ^ ^ "' "^"^ "^'^'"Ple^ weighing Spawning.-Thevo is cons-derable difference of opinion amonrr ih. fi u to the spawning habits of the species. Examples taken 7'r\?lloo'^^'"°." ^' immature roe, except one fish ii which the e^ were fulyrine^^Th^)''"'"^ So J^ir"""" ""''"" ^" ^''' ""' '"'' «^ '- 't'fZ-thJted/eTf j'u^ chan^Zb^5^r/;r':^?^:ij^«»^"i„-JJi"g be s^d respecting the been a decrease. ^ ® ^"""^'^^ ^P'"'0" >8 that there has not LAKE TROUT (Cristivomer namaycush). Of .88o«„a ,88Mfth .^ srarsi.'"rs:w\rf„s:jarp:sLitt:rh? ■Distribution and movements — The di^trihufinn ^f ^u ^ . , " " Lake Ontario is much less general than it wLinT/niL^ trout along the shores of taken in many places whorf thej" were firSy a^^^^^^^ " At?h'^ """ "^^.'-^^^'^ far as the fishery is concerned, they are practicably co" fined to f h A//"'""* ^I"^^' '<^ eastern parts of the lake, most of tie catcl on th« TTn ;„f «. . ® T^f"^^ ""'^ "0''*^- Jefforson County, while a Canada almost the IntiS n ,. ^/- ^®' ''^'. ^«'"S "^^e in Edward County%hich lies borwellrBarof Qu ntr^fd h^^aT^'S *«° ^'"^« earned on principally in the fall in the shoLr paX of the laki b,^; ^ ?''^°''^ '^ also caught incidentally in the spring There is no fiVh„t • ' il ' * ^'^'^ *'"0"t »»•« V-ited state, wa'Je™ duHag the yeaTfo 'Sh rrtn™ Ze mSo: -!f'*'' '° 1880 I'^^s- 1885 569,700 1890 ' "" 20,510 1893 41,010 lld~3J 6,204 < II 36 MAJtlNE A XI) FISHERIES. looe".® n"t convinced that the large decrease in the catch between 1880 and 1885 was due entirely to decrease in the abundance of the rish ; although we have no dehnite information to that effect, it tnay have been caused in some degree by a change in the activity of the fishery, induced b/ a reduction in the trout supply In Canadian waters the statistics show a more gradual decrease, which in our opinion measures more accurately the rate of decrease in the species. The catch there at intervals of iive years beginning ,«ith 1870 is given in the following table :~ E G21,40U S ^'^^''^^^ ]li2 405,350 ^**'"* 126,650 WALL-EYED PIKE (Stizostedion vitreum). Status.— ThiB species is variously known in Lake Ontario as wall-eyed pike yellow pike, blue pike, dor^, &c. Many fishermen regard the blue pike or black pike as a species quite distinct from the yellow pike, a belief apparently not borne out by any structural differences. ,000^°*.^^^°!^®'^^*'*'®^'*'^'''^®**'® ^^''''■^y*^^ P''^o ranked first in importance iu 1893 and fourth m 1885 and 1890, although in both of those years the catch was larger than in 1893, when it amounted to 216,'745 pounds, valued at $8 317 These hgures, however, include the saugor and the grass pike but, after eliminating those species, It IS probable that the value of the wall-eyed pike alone would exceed that of any other species. On the Canadian shore, in 1895, it ranked third, with a catch of 245,750 pounds nearly the largest ever made on that side of the lake. In 1890 and 1885 it stood sixtfl and in 1880 fourth by size of catch. Distribution and movements.— llhe wall-eyed pike is distributed throughout Lake Ontario, but is apparently most abundant in those parts near the St. Lawrence Kiver and Niagara Eivor, and in the Bay of Quints. In the vicinity of the Niagara Eiver i; appears that the so-called blue pike is the common form and the only one of which the statistics take cognizance, two-thirds of the United States catch of that variety being there recorded. At the eastern end of the lake near the St Lawrence Kiver, practically all of the walleyed pike, ranked as such in the statis- tics of 1893, were caught, and in addition about one-fourth of the total catch of blue pike was obtained in the same region. Between Jefferson County on the eai^t and Niagam County on the west few wall-eyed pike are caught. The great majority of the blue pike are taken in gill nets, while all noted as "wall eyes" were secured in pounds and traps. The fish come into shoal water in the spring for the purpose of spawning and remain there until late in October, when they pass into the deeper parts of the lake. The most important grounds for the trap net fisheiy for wall-eyed pike on the United States shore are in Chaumont and Three-mile Bays and among the islands at the eastern end of the lake. Some fish are also caught there in gill nets but this fishery is more important in Niagara County, where the "blue pike"' abounds. ^ Spawning.— Vevj little accurate information could be obtained as to the spawn- ing habits. From the best gained it appears that the fish come out into shoal water along the shore and about the islands early in the spring for spawning purposes Extensive spawning grounds are said to exist in Chaumont and Three-mile Bays' The state hatchery at Clayton has been obtaining its wall-eyed pike e^^gs from there, but the supply has never been as ^reat as desired. It is pretty certain that good spawning grounds occur around noady all the islands at the east end of the eon 1880 and ugh we have degree by a trout supply, n our opinion atch there at !e:~ ,400 ,400 ,900 ,100 ,350 650 ll-eyed pike, ike or black tly not borne iportance ia le catch was ,317. These nating thof>e exceed that ,750 pounds, [885 it stood aghout Lake it. Lawrence the Niagara he only one tes catch of near the St. n the etatis- atch of blue the eai^t and eat majority ^ere secured awning and )art8 of the yed pike on among the in gill nets, blue pike" I the spawn- shoal water ig purposes. )-mile Bays. etrgs from certain that end of the JOINT FlSHEh'IES COVJUISSIOX. ^ ^ '^^ckmZZ':^^^^^^^^^^^ iB no spawning beds in pollution of the'water'w t^milKLfe^vi^rttrfor' ^""'""^' °" "^^'^""^ '' "'^ spawnS bT A^wfZv L'Ltl '"^ '"'^'^ r.V^ ^''° ««''«^'"«" «« to the time of it is doubtfuff m^; 0 S an oc;Sni!!r.'"'^^?^'^ ''''''' '^' '""'"^ P«''"«'J- ^"deed There is a belief arongravThZen^ "^'A''' "''^' ^''' '^•^""''• than the wall-eyed pnfe and Ihat thZ ^^-'-^ piko spawns late. July are all blue-i.ike HnLr«r t. ; ^^ spawning in Juno or oven as late as the species spawns in ApS' ^^ ^'' '' '' P'"""^' '''^'»'" '^^^ ^''^ ^'"'k of amin2"';;:''f; :il'St ^ineT Se"'o?"som ^lc'-"f^^'"^ ^^^^^^ ^^^'"P'^^ «^- whitefish. trout or laTeT^ inrwoTe ifnZ ff sSai'K^"^ «"^^^- ^^« ^>-"-^ creas?dTrawMe'*TnTS'4f^^ the so-called yellow pike has de- boliove'that tlTe-'blu prko'-fs^ntlsTii^^^^^ '^"^ ^''°^- those in Chaumort 5.nH T^.^. increasing. Some of the fishermen, part cuiarly occuiTeS, that the ;desEwoTcu.I^^^^^^^^^ '\f •^"^^' ^'""^ "^'^'^'^^ '^'^-^ been ovekshed, bu^ThTt o 0X0 u^^^ Z'^"""' ^T ^'"'^"l^ '"^^ ^^'-' 1893 but us Uii 1s^^ o\'ruo oV.T 0^^"^ ^"^™"'-? '''''^''' '" '^'^ ^^an in 1885 or STURGEON (Ay'penser rubicundus). sturgeon aro'carht on both s des of ^tlTl^' I" ''"^ near the Niagara Eivor. The andtet-iine., Imt ovvinVto the amfunt oM^?i{,'^^^^ of giU.nets, pounds, seines even approximate informatircoTernin" the S,tt„t"^h' '^^P?''?^'" '^ ^^^"''^ the most important. conceining the matter. The gill nets, however, aro fither as to ime or ilace The"bu?k o?"ir"^'' 'Pi"°" among tL fishermen that the usual spawning time is in June ""'• ^'''''''''^ '''""' '« '"<^'°«^« the *:/ 38 MARINE AND FISHERIES. Decrease.— The Sturgeon appears to have decreased greatly since 1880, the fol- lowing tabloshowing the catch t^or several years since then in United States wkters :-- 1880. LU 18g5 a-15,283 iQon 386,974 iRo" 490,000 ^^^•^ 125,293 rA^nlMnrfv^P'^f^'^ •'"'* ^^"^ jncrea^o noted in 1890 was due to the more active fishery resulting from the increased demand which grew up subsequent to 1885 ^ On the Canadian side of the lake the catch is smaller, but the statistics likewise show a great decrease, as exhibited in the following table of the annual catch - 1885. LIw. 1890 ^^''^^^ 895 -il'^^O 39,290 ALEWIFE. of it?iiUm7uctio??''Pnn?1 "''' ^^ I'" indigenous to Lake Ontario, and the manner ot Its intioduction IS not known, but it now seems to be quite tirmlv established SrexSiuTSSSin-r'""' /> '^'^^ "o market value%ilthouyir is us d'o some extent as bait and fertilizer, and is supposed to furnish a iar»-o part of the food L'£.^s nd to"somo';7'';'^-^'^'.P''" 'T' ?^^"^ «P^«'-- '' '« -"i '".'pawn a g tne bdoies and to some extent in the creeks during the spriiiir. This snecies has at Set. iZTl^T^'T "" '^''"'■"' ""' '^' romSrkabli ino'.lalUy wh cl ar uaSy ^hTl .^^ti, ^°'^ ^"■'^'^ quantities of the dead fish become stranded a.on the poflutVLflhf w\tnTr^l"r'.-'^ '''I inhabitants, and the fishermen believe tC the ff r diptirir/tre'vhi't^sfh.^' ^'^ '^"-"^ '^ '''- ^^-^^^ '^^^ '^' •"-"• ^« ^° FISHING .METHODS. sho.et'uZAovi'rhl'''^"" 'r Lake Ontario with the earlitf settlement of its shoies, It has never been carried on with the same energy or with unvtbine like the same anaount of apparatus as in the other great lakes. The appliances novf use netJ'^Ulnr^r '"''' ''"^\^^^" «»ployocl, are seines, pouild^er'nrnetsfy CO nets, gill nets of various meshes, set-lines and spears. f "ei», lyiio Sratr^SsePrntohZ. ' 'f,««"^°/»^.« general use, however, until about (50 yeais ago, and seem to have been fished only n the sprinir and fall Thcv wove^ fi..Mf zt?x ':^&zz'°z7, "■' "^ "-"V "' i^" "'■"■■"• "^"° the -.d'wo d uo mostly waii-oyed pike. As the spring advanced whitefish would hn tnho,x in ncieasing quantities up to about theend of May or beginning of June when al fi S seemed to move off shore and operations would end. The fi hing was entiS v aban doned during the summer mon'ths, as the whitefish, tL on y^spci es S^^ "rf nof re'llarlst/:;"'"'^ ^ ^'i^" ^ 1"'"^" "'^'^ ^^« -'"-• Thcei'ly "ttlS^ olSmrVnl i, fishermen, and no doubt their time was mostly taken up with their Ser methods orfi«^- ^P^''"'"'"^-,, There was no inducement to them to adopt any TuZZti^ ?• ''""^ *^V to f«"o^ the fish into deep water, as they were Jlwavs he s r?n;o™fS"'TVe'''? •" ""'^ ""^ ^'^''^ ''^''^ ^^' ^^^ '^"^' ''"^hoT: citheTL CeX? dui"n/h« ZT'^r ''"'" '"°''° brought into use about the end of oepiemoer, during the early full more trout would be caught and as the se-i'.on 1880, the fol- 68 waters : — w. 283 974 [)00 293 eiivo fishery ). ;ic8 likewise catch : — roo 500 i90 yOAVr FISHEIIIES COMMISSION. some diBtanco westward. Though mo^t of the Hei.SH "1""'^ peninsula, and fov above defined, the name methods Verefoiowerwhefevo;^^^^^^^^^^ '•««'«"« and the fish were known to approach the shoro S«fni„ ? "^^ ^T^«« occurred prepared beforehand by removinr^S oLtacIoa^nd oh^- ^.•'"'"'i' ''"'' "'^"^^^ ^^ t>e a8 to allow the seine to I)e hauled rmoothlj^ obstructions from the botton., so ^^'^to^^t:r::^t^^^^^ to meo, smce which Nev. York, which a!lofv"ocomt^^^ f ^'- ^tate of Chaumont Bay, have practically put an end to U eiJ u o n ? n l'° 'k ""^ "^'i«''^ '" Canada they are no longer licensed Thov m,l h L I , '"'^ '^"'■^' "'^ilo in the enforcement of any recndatiZ t'ainKMh .r^' „^"^*^''«'"' ^'1"^" '"to disuse before not found inshore in s^lfflrnfrunjfn ^^ ' rv:;''^^,^' ':^l!Z %'''' T''^ 'i:r™;::r"«;r!:^.r:!£.!!A^'i^-^-^ --"J» the bunt, and a , to 5.inch the manner established t is used to of the food pawn along cies has at- h ai lUally id iii^on the ve that the nuch to do ment of its ng like the 5w in use, nets, fyke sod for th® il about 60 ' were first Jtch would taken in len all fish irely aban- articularly 'ly settlers with their adopt any HO always ! either in the end of the season the latter ithods and hered, the 0 Vincent 7,000 barrels in a season Thmv.' •u-n'';? A ^''^^"^'J ^vith from 5,000 to being taken at Vsing le h^ur£^:'\::Z^l^^ ?'''' '"^ '"'''"^ ^^^^'^^ Bp.u.g seining in AprU up to abou^^^eZ S;^^*'^:fo:;JS;rr:^^^;!;^- fishing population clevd^J^i ^ reSv^i '''^''''' ^^'"' ""'''' P'-'^-^'y regards th'e whitefish was^lleh.Xtwe^ ^870 m^K ^t- r^^'""'''' '^ has been a gradual and 8teadvf..in„\!rt- • ^u ^^' *'"'^'® ^^'^'^'' t'me there trout and whitefish ^ ' ''"^ ^^ '" "^^ ''""'''''' ^^ ^"" "«"ing used for both inch'iSlSr^i'iSir^fS^;;;?^^ a strong coarse net of .Vom 9 to U- trout, and a small-m^eshed ne o^ fXm ^ oThu.hl'f \' '"'^"' ^^ ''^'''^'^^' «"J Canadian statistics do not discHminaTn fwl II ^''- ^^'''''"^ ''"^^ ''''^'=0. As the to show the exact quantkiei c'f eX „ use T?. In' ''''T%¥''^''' '' ''« in^Po-ible not decreased. " "'"• ^''® "'"^'^''t of herring gill netting has trout!''SdSnj;;!^^';:£-:;ri.a:rrf:^'^'^^^ ^"^-r'T ^"^ -'^"««^'^ -^' every morning. ^ They were fi'SininmH^f f'"l':5n'"i.'' "^° "^^^^s were lifted fish became scarce fromWMojm.l ^^ ""u ^*^^ ^'^''t "^ ^^ter. As the and were left oiu^ir wiueS'h -u d uZ "'n '' ^^ "'V' "^^"' ^«^ '" ''°«P«'- -« 'er and are seldom or nefe^etiXorethllTog'i '''?'' ^'?V^^" ^ are rarely found, the bloater o.-Tnt l" 1 • ! ' "' •^^^?"^' ^^''^ '^''P^^ ^hese fishes is to fish in It., hoaler w?tcr nfeCl f^d %h ''? -Wi'"' f'''"'^- '^^' P'-^^ct'ce deeper water dunng jLly ;„i £.'"?» ' ' '"''''^ ""^ ^''^'^^ remaining fishi,!?;ir^^;:iH:;r^.jy!I^S'"l''?^--' -tH some^years after this n^ethod in fishingforwhitofishand t out Imd becrmere erarVrr '''"" l'"'^ '"^^'^''^ «^' 'Ct in from 30 to 100 feet The n^fs .?r^ J, °\ ''*'r''".^' they are usually ^nes, as it is claimed by he fishermen tlnMhf I '''■'' "''" '". '''° ^'^'^'^ '"^^hed isually opens towards^tlf^n ..'«!" ''i"^^^^'\^'•'•'"g«^^''^ 'iife"'0'-- The season set ones usually opens towards"'theen"d"o7sontemh.>r', ,,'?"'"?• '''''"' ^^"'"'■- T''« reason November, as the fish move gradual hiZreliX'"'' '^'''''^^' October and ^" «ome localities .^It^^^LS^^^jr^-St S ^tS^^ 40 MARIXE AX ft FISffElflES. practic-o boin;< u, i / o old nets for this purpose, as thov nro ant to -ot am.KO.1 ,n roleasin, the fi«h. Whenever smJill h zed V'm n" ts "ro H°hc?l over h. 00 r U ;%bv"" 1^': E' .? " /"■"•"' J'"^-." ^-Imany ^nMH^peeie': m,. ' torn and over hard ablv 1)« ri^l.n.i Tk„,. . I ^ ■ '^ '" 'o^"l'<«e8 where IheHP nets cou d profit- V'O^M l„ have thi. inolho,! intrSod agaim ° ''""'°''"' ''"""■'' "' mo«t favourable fbrthe!r li^e «'«°^^'^'''-«. ^« ^h° conditions are there much the domes^tic use ami laSJuant^tii we e Hll .d'in t'.T^' ^"' k "/ ^^'"'^ u"''^*'^'*'^ ^«'- aid of a iackliirht M-uiv mJ , LI ? ^ 1 '"^ '^"^'' ^''"'^•>' "^ "'^'^t with the wasgrea v^ ti^neonSrc^^^ 'T^'^'^ ^'"' ^"0^. and there then? for food and t?!; ^n^arUxle.afor Srer'. "'' ""' ^'"" '"""'-"•""' "'«« ^P^^^*^^ EXTENT AND CAUStS OP DECREASE. JOINT FISHEIUES COMMISSIOX. was mac e ontiroly fb/ whitofishtho trout 1 "■ W- ''"if'' '"L""- '''" «'"''«'' ^^h-^^-'V bo.ng taken only incidontallv As the vvh . H "V"'"''"^^'"'^ ''"^^ and Htur^rooJ ■^'an to fail, liowovor, oU)or .IVtriJ-l ■■....I.I . branchoH of tho fishery L'lew tin As tlm r.n,','„~fZ"" """"", '" '""' ""wovor, other .ncrousod, u purely fiHhin;rcomm»nitvwLd«^?' T"°'^ "''""'* ^''" P»i>' lotion hoo, of the best fishin,,. fe-ourT/ A^ fi ' all th"o I'sl^' 'T'^-'^^^^, '" ^''« ""'y'-'-o.." local consumption were .salted. As the dtm n I fo fi . "''.^ '" '""''^'^ ^*^'' immediate spnngandfall.andalsothofacilities LT.i" in ^«'> "^9t'^-r «oa«on8 than the g.ll not fishin- came to bo rosor od to Thi?h ^ "k*^ dehvorin^r thorn incroasod, nets rapidly increaned, untill.y 800 "n oxte ,si vf rS''" J\'^' "'"^ *''*' "«° "^ «"ch men was beinfr carried on. A I roa. Iv i d^m i m, ; • '\'""*' ^'''°'"^ ^'-^' '•"'^'»''*'' ^-^I'or- troutcoming in shore in the sSV.^n "^^r/"/''" ^"""^i^y o^' whitofish and fisher^' xvas declining ' "^ ""'' *''" ^ad been perceived, and the seine tl>o I.U;rof- ToS: Sornt/:;;''^;:,7m-;nV'werr' T''"^/ •^"^ ^^ ^'- --^-•" «" and were mo.o economical and convenient ' ""'*'''°™'' ^ho same purpo.se «shed^;;r^ii^^;.,r^^i"-^^;;;-l-|^ records, but have al.ays boon have not, decreased, and they hav^ha Zhi ? i ^ '''"'■'° ^^'^ ^'''^«" <" ^''^m prac Ucal extinction of the whiteSand trout ^ '"""^'' '^ ^^" ^'^*> ^^^ "'-"ost decreaf^ln^Kti: ^^t^ l!;!!^;;^ ^iSr^i, '"^1 *" -'^^' - «"^ «" '^--n. with^i^if^;;;;:^- 't^::^1:^1:,:;; ^!;Sh^"^7 - «>-"- ^« ^hoso met pared with thb total area of the I , -o w •* i L""^"'' "^"'^ ^''^^^ "ccur is small cora- 40 fathoms ar.d they a e 70^0^ • tisl^d fo.'^i "'i' "".V"^" ''^""'^ '" "^^'^ '>, ^n e.^htiy deeper water, but «fre Je l^^nJ ly ft-^hed for .t" f'V^u '^'""^ ''"'•^^'^ '"to the whitefish. In Lake Superio, wo found ttn /* '"il^o'it the extreme depth of "bout 60 fathoms, boyond which nr^fiTJ^ ^' ? .'''^tr^mo l.mit of the trout to bo L.ko Ontario, th^ bloater re latfTho ^^^ "^t ?!?. ^""^^ ''''''"'' ^'^''^ '"'^«"- I" prosecuted from the south si ore out i.,tr. h! fi^ %^'onn"''P '^"'^'" ''"^hery, which is « .ore there is no distinct fishery ^."rtlsttci.s'f^o ^'h '"/'^ '"-"■ ^'' ^''O no,,b at the deep water limit of the tfou T o'S k "^'V^/'"'' '""*' '•''^°" ''" "ets set iiay c^- Quintd, is 7,194 square milos while hi I?! . . '' ^"'''''■"' '•"^'"'^'"'^' ^ho -^and herrin, are limited tSn^ otirSur::eIl^tS iSllfS Slil curvf LiS;;'?jj:Lr;^;o;: iraif Svr:^^:?;,^ ^^''^'"'-' '*"" ^'^^ ^^-^^^-^om area on which whitefish, horrin.^ "n ?S ^' . t ?° f^,""'-^' *^^« ^^ «'-^' '^ileH, the ;« naturally very small. The to's'imonl nfH ^ > ""^ ^^''*'" '" United States waters indicate that no' very extensive fisC^ wn'' '"^erv owed as well as the statistics that the whitefish ai^d trout S,veou? eSt ?)'n h""''"'' T "'""^ '^'^' nho-e, and average distance of the 50.fathom Ih e f W;ho?« J ^ "'"■'''''■" "''^" «^' ^'^'^ l«k« "^e a correspondingly hiiger fi>hinru-oa T h / ^ ^'^i'^f as great, thereby affording, has been more^ox'tenslVe. JdlT,J,tZon' ^"^ '^'° ^' *^"^ ^^^ ^'^'-'V ''"'^t :i^c^3^ JS r &" t^'^ 4I-- ^^-^ '"'^ '"''^ '''"^ fishery has always b en made „nd onthiH T\r. '"i^' «" ^^'"'^^ a considerable on to-day, the pWncipal ^pecSs^t^ ^S:^'UJ;;.I^S,S^i;;i.$^"^i^^«^"^ '-'-' 48 MA RISE AX/) FISHEIUKS. With a knowle(l{,'0 of tlio above conditions and of tlio priieticos of tiio tiching when it wan at its height, it iw easy to account for the early and nearly complete collapj^o of the fishery for whiteHnh and trout, which were chieHy caught out by the f-oinos at an early period. Tlioro doen not neem to have been any regular migration of thetio tiHh lengthwino of lake. They occurred along u narrow border of the lake and simply moved to feoiling grounds in the spring and to spawning j^rounds in the fall, wherever the shoal water was suitable. There they were most abundant, and on those areas we still lind the remnant of them. The following tables shows the condition «f the fif 1,1511,200 ISri.d'iO (ill', 000 10!»,3( < There was seasons between those dates when the fishing seems to have rn'l'oa but, on the whole, the tendency has been steadily downward. The evidence indicates that the fishery in United .States waters began to decline long before the first statis- tics were taken. As a further proof of the present scarcity of whitefish and trout ill Lake Ontario, if any were needed, it may bo stated that the United States Fish Commission was unable, in the fall of ISStG, to procure on either shore of the lake a supply of egirs for the hatchery at Capo Vincent, while the Canadian Department of Fisheries has for years procured its supplies for the hatcheries at Now Castle and Ottawa from Lake Erie and Georgian Bay. Most of the fishermen interviewed about the Bay of Quints, when- the bulk of the whitefish and trout is now caught, were of opinion that the presentsupply was being kept up solely by artificial means. While it is likely that the extensive spawning grounds ot the whitefish in the head of the Bay of Quints have been injured by the deposit of saw-dust and other refuse brought down from the mills located on the largo streams which empty into the head of the bay, and that the same character of pollution may have contributed to a minor extent in damaging the spawning beds in the bays at the eastern end of the lake, there can bo no doubt that the chief cause of the decrease of the whitefish and trout was the overfishing by seines in the early days of the fisheiy, and that this decrease had commenced before either gili nets or pounds were introduced. The extensive gill net fishing which was carried on from 1870 to 1880, most exten- sively during the same ueason as the fall seining and when the fish were converging on their spawning grounds, must also have aided in the work of destruction begun by the seines, and this was particularly the case in the Bay of Quints. We arc led to believe that the most extensive spawning grounds for whitefish in the lake are at the head of this bay. The bay is long and narrow and a large number of fish begin to run into it from the lake as early as September. At this time many who had been fishing in the lake, move into the bay, in the sheltered and confined waters of which immense fleets of gill nets are set directly in the path of the fish to their spawning grounds. This fishing continues to the end of October and is particularly destructive. The pound nets cannot have mate/ially contributed to the present scarcity of whitefish and trout. Trap nets have only been fished in the bays at the eastern end, for wall-eyed pike, herring and coarse fish, and their influence at most has been purely local. Whitefish, trout and herring are not taken in fyke nets. A question deserving of serious consideration in this connection i? whether the continued decrease of the whitefish, herring and trout is not being materially aided by the absence in practically all parts of the lake except Chaumont Bay ot those ho tihhing complelo out by the m ignition )t' ttio lako iihIh in the ndiint, and I and troul iiy reliublo 1S1K-, 12l),(i."0 ivo rii'liou !0 indicates firtit Htatis- 1 and trout Statert Fish tho lake ti art men t of Caslio and [iterviewod ow caught, cial means, jfish in the and other empty into jontiibuted tern end of 0 whitefish 7, and that introduced, uost exten- con verging ifion begun We are led iaivo are at f tinh begin y wlio had d waters of ish to their )artieularly scarcity of ■astern end, it hart been vlielher the rialiy aided ay of those JOIXT riSHElllES COMM/SSWX. ' 45 whiXK l't.f% ot'ThJ'co^.r/i'iul'''''^ r'' '•^'^" -'-^ -" -•"-. h' means of !"Ue«. The hli/o'^'bi; , So,'' I nrarZ'^n inr " \X- "'"^^" '" ^"""''«' mg methods, which, in our oph io c3d unXr n"*''^' •"•"•''bit-My of all nuch Msh- without detriment to the spo t nTCr st^^ n^^^ •■estr.efon., bo empioyci groat advantage of the rnore^mpo^tant ,"arko, (thoH "'"" ""'" ^'""'^''^'^ ^" '''« of they;rrf't\vhi;r.rhrc:"d?:^o'ri^^^^^^^^^^ rp^--'^" ^•^^ --• •lying in great numher«, sink tHho bottom a. f^^^^^^^^ alewives which, this WU8 not a primary factor is Vhown , H, f . ' ^''" /"'''''"- K'-">""J^. Tha whitefish and t?out bcjan long before the nodrctow f' /^ '.'""""^^ '' '^""> ^^e no reason to believe that it has an imDorUnt 3.„ ? ^ alowives, and there is The decrease of tho 8tur,ron h^/kn '""'lence at tho pr^Hcnt lime. iH clue to the fact tl at Z .Sds of^^Si^t ""' °" '''f ^'7 ^''"''^ ^'"'^0. This would naturally take the s url con rn.ro ^^/ f^ employed have been such as fishery has nev^r been as'-o^i^n^riy' "o! e^cu od "pf n- t^o"Hs'. ^'"""'"", ^'^'"" ^'^^ of the quantity taken as they then hul no in.^l-'nf \ ,1"^ ''°'="'''' '^"« '^ep' semes were dcntroyed and thrown lav Thtrl ^"'"° »"'' ^hen captured in tL the^^^mo ond^f thj:-.^^^ Jthe^SS -^S^ ^ ^J^f^-^ ^^ - nowS^iSS':^': t,s!;:/!;s;-t^'*itz^.,?^V'^'^^^ '- ^'^ «!-'-• any groat cx.ent until that for tho vhit^Ms I.Tn, It ^ T '' ''''''' '"'^ P'-osocutod to When seines were extensively uo"l b 4 ir .Is of h^l'''"^ ''''''"^ \" ^° '*™«'«'^'«- inshore to spawn on practically the mc rounds ! hnlll^f'H' ?'"''."'^ '''">' ^'""« same season. Tho catch was then sa S "ti o ill ^JVl'?'t«'j.«h„""'J "^ « out tho be extensive about 18S4. It irZ^t nmmininV^I .r ^''""- ''^•" '"''■'■'"- f^°^'="' ^o in tho Buy of (i„int<<. On he C^n-uii^ , shnr/h ^''« ^^'^^'f '." ^^^^ of tho lako and the larger size bein.r also Jhaf n!^t " ^'^ """"'^ "«°'^ '" ''■•'>"» 2 to 2^ inches As herring are L^no^^a llv tishe, f?'? „ ««™|'>«»'y u.ed by the Now York tiXoZn' limited arta ove^ whi ^^^ ^e . ken X^^^^^ 'lian whitetish, considering^ ho overdone. It i.s chiefly prScZd the n^vh'! ^'r,^^^' ^''^ «-*'iory has boon spawning grounds and durfn / ho ime thf h„^ " "'^,"'■° °" '''« ^^».>- ^o their Canadian shore the size of tte m' >^h has 11 ^ f "n'"'"T "'"'" ^''"'"- «" 'ho plaints are made that tho herri.^i nmJ «!n ^""'^''fY reduced and many com- u«ed to be. When pounSs we"' Is'^Jd i'n "i!J ZtTo.Znf' ^T'^^ ^'^^" ^'^'^ of herring wore made in thorn eastern end of the lako large catches mile of tho New York shore excontbin'.^' 'fp'*'° ""."'^°*' <^" ^e fi.hed within a are not fished on the oSS S^^^^ S'^' '"".f "« P"""'^^ t''«P« «nd seines well protected. The bulk of oVatd 7m '^i^^^ hook and line. ^^"' '^ '""'''' '" g'" "^ts ann f-,. .i ui . . in the nets of fishermen, it is by accident" Th« Sf,. '",• "'\'^T'**"'^ '^h«" '^^'^'^n of any form of net along the grLer m. t of t^l>^^^^^^ 'l^'^ P'""''"'''' ^'"^ "«« the land, was adopted ^ith .LT^ S^l^lSl^g tS^s^S^v^ll^J^-S^-^ u MAHIXE AX/> FI^HEItlEs. also vlrlimlly ])rol»lbllH tho cuptui*! of tlio wull-cyod piko, grans piUo, porch, Hiickei'S< buUheadH, ooIh, and the romaindcr of tlio prcdacoous and loarsor lishuM. On the Canadian shoro, all commorciul fwliin^ in tiio htke in done oithoi- witii gill uots or hoI- lincH, a fow iyko nots boing used in the Hhoal wutorK of tiio Buy of (^iiiiitd. Iloro, again, tho banH are most thoroughly protected. Tho HtatiHticH, conwoquohtlj', hIiow no docroaso In thin sptnuoH, while tho tostiniDii of all porHons oxaminod by ns tends to prove that tho baHh uro incroaMing. A ro:,Mhior kept at one Hportiiig rosort Hliowod that more basH wore taken l.y the HportHmon stopping at that particular hotel, than were caught by all the eominorcial fishermen in Hie lake. RECOMMENDATIONS. In view of tho extent to which the supply of both whitefirtli and lake trout has become oxhaurtled in Lake Ontario, any regulations looking to tho protection and increase of tho'^o species, in order to bo otl'ectivo, hhould bo decidedly stringent. With respect to tho fisheries for them and for tho other important fishes of tho iako wo recommend as follows; — 1. That a clone soagon bo adopted for both tho whitefish and lake trout ft '>m tho l,')th day of October to tho Hist day of Docomber, between which dates tliey shall not bo fished for or taken in any manner, 2. That in tho Bay of QuintE8CRIPrir»N OK THE LAKI. itiK KrountlH of at lenNt two of tho more imnortHnf «n«, '^ ru ^°«V'''''"*''^ "pawn- part, of tho lake tho bottom con uS ohi rj f "av wi ^in, ^Y°"^:f""' '^' ^««P«'" ami mud; toward the marginn, clay "aiVd '-ruv«Y'«lV^ ^^^^^ rocky patches near tho Hhoro. ' '""^' ""'"^ '"'«' «nd mud occur, with occasional re not loss Hpc'CiCH, which greatly influence the BeuHO. .i.,,. methods of VL'^.'"*'-' "'■ "".V"'"'" out^placoa and render difficult tho harmoM.in.^^f'trm^l.^.'i^utt^tr eo^'Ic'oS compennated for l,y the fact that it 5,rd onnir n7/L r'''«\'''^^ '^"^^^^•'-''•. ''^ entire extent, and during some yoars Se ca^nfu h '^°'' ''''^""^' throughout Ua catch of all the other lakes oTZ^^s torn *"'"" ^"■'"'"'" '''«" '^e comhinod MAHKET KFSIIES. ^^^^"^^S^^tlSt^ waters ot Lake tho tlHhermen, but between whic the atier do nof ''^°' T-^"^ "''« '■^^"gni^ed i.y a record of their catch. Other I inds tal e in vnrl i?^" •J'^'Criminate in mak-nj collectively. In tho table v^hih follows the IZZtr'^T''''''' ""'' ««"«i'i«red for are enumerated under three hZrin a manner lo ill ,'T ^T^^^y ^^^^^ni^^ portunco, basod upon (1) tho priTner no, nd ^^ °/ * u"^'''''' relative im- extent of .ho catci maVl/otod° irXs^ the'^vTu'e " K'ca ^h^'^ltT ^^ ^"^^^'^ with one exception, retained practicallv tho H.im«^„i„!- • , ^j^® h'gher graden, Of 18.3, b„. Z eo«r.or grade", wel^l^ tcliTe;;^!;:::^^'"''''''' ''""""'» fWC«™^ri^^U„i.,d SCa.o. w„.e™ „, Lak„ K,,e „„d Ma.koW i„ 1893- Airaiigt'd l)y Piic,. |,e,. l',,„n(l 1 Hlack bass . 2 WhiteHsh . . . . 'A Lake trout.. 4 Wall-eyed pik •'; Pike.. ... ... • > Sturgeon .... 7 CatHsh 5 Rlue (like !• .(lerniaii carii.. 10 iWhitebass'.. 11 iSrtUKers. 12 j Yellow iiercli . 13 i Herring . . . , . IJ .Suckcis 1') Sheeijsliencl . . Herring Blue pike Saugers Yellow perch... Hheep.shead. .. Suckers Whitetish Walleyed pike. Sturgion . ... Catfish (iernian car|>. . . Lake trout iWhite baa.H Black bass Pike Arranged bv Vain.- of Catch. Herring. • Blue pike. . Whitetish. • Satlgeis, . VVall-eyed i)ike. . Yellow perch. Sturgeon. ICatfish. (ierninii carp. Suckers. Lake trout. Black bass. Slieepshead. Pike. White bass. 46 MARINE AND FISHERIES. But few changes have occurred m the relative extent of the catch of the hiehor and preferred grades of fishes since 1885, when the first complete statistics of this subjec were taken by the United States government. This f^ct L brough out by the tollowing table, based entirely upon the figures for the United States ^ ins"). IS',10. 1803. H*-"-"'!?, H.nin-. J"'"' I'lk.'... liln.pilcr ^""g"'-« Siiiig,.rs. . i^.'/VK"'", WhUcfish \\lMtehsli . Wall-rvcl M ill -.•>■.•(! ink.' SturRi'on . Jiliick luss Black bii Jjiikc ti'oiit iLiik pike iss. . trout . Hirriiij,'. Hlni- pike, \VI,lt..H.s|i \Vall-.-yc(l ."'nrKciiii. T.„'iki- trout. ;lilafk lias.s. p,l, Marked changes however, have taken place in the actual amount of the catch of several spcoes, and some of the inferior grades have attained much greater nro Jrard^oTtrfda ^^^'''''''"''•^""^"^^'"^^'^^^ «.„. The output of the Lake Erie fisheries has always been much greater in United States than ,n Canadian waters, as shown in Ihe following table, which gives the total weight of the catch of fish for each of three year., the only yeai^ff vvh ch such a comparison IS possible: .? j^^-'o lui wnicn Vcai. 1885 18!>0 18!)3 Unitftl States Canada. 'I'otil Ll.s. 01,'ir>(),(KK) 64,8r>0,000 42,0(>8,000 Lb*.. 7,005.000 r,soo,(K)o i»,41O,0iX> Lbs. 5!t,0r)l,000 "2, "40,000 52,.S78,O00 The principal species from a commercial Standpoint are the whitefish herri^nr p.ke-percW and sturgeon, of which the valuation of the catch in 893 was about 85 per cent that of the entire lake catch. Of the remaining species the ma o.iU are either relatively scarce or inferior in quality, but the catfisl es and ydlow Terch are conspicuous features of the fishery. Although regarded primarily S snoS fish the black bass is also taken incidentally, in small quuntiles, for market " wniTEPisn. „„,,f f^t^'^^ir'^,^'^^^?^ J"a"k8 first in quality and market value amon- the com- morcial fishes of Lake Eno. and is, therefore, the one most highly regarded bv the fishermen. It was the principal objoc of the early net fisheWes of the lake and for a considerable period composed the greater part o"f the output. It has howevS suffered grea dep etion, until in 1893, owing in part also to the dovelopmennflhe S3 ;?eSral\'5cS ^''"^ "' ''' ^"^^^ ""^^"'"^^ ^« -''^ ^b-^ ' P- -t^'of Distribution and movements.-The jH-incipal habitat of the whitefish is the ^ -n... jij.ii ji i!!„ j( .r, iv,o .vgulai i!;yvoments, one occurring in the JOINT FISHERIES COMMISSIOX. and March, at which season^ U has ever beS on ' SrPf '*^^ netters, mainly from Diu.ki.k and S I„o ..1 v lf„ "?'^"* observation.' The giM the first and middle of April and co, Hn.w, ?i • ^ ^''^'." *^ sctfor whitcfish botwfen part of December ioUo^C' Tl^eoMvVtJrr;''"'"?""'^ "'•''' ^^'^ "lidcile or S; of the rcgior. offAshtabuiaTohio ' ^" *''^°''^' '''*'* "«^-«'' »^een extended wosf orth^teri.;:^f;^rtsriir^tt^^^s\«^-'''-r i>ig of clay and mud. Therein a Lrrcitor o, li ^"thorns and the bottom c'onsist- limits, of which the fishermc^h^v' c^g i^ „ JL" Xclit*^' ^^ f^''- "'^'^'" t'-- changes m the season and weather. In he ofiHv T ^? ^^ '"Auenced by generally to be obtained eastward of D m, f^k in "elXdl sh^!.!! ''"'' ^'^''"^ *« «"*5 of fish work.ng westward and into deeper wX- as i li^. ''"''T '' ''^'^'•' 'he body etunung to the deeper water as the Cer omes o^ ?!' "^"'V ^^'^ that the early spr ng distribution in nbim/io. « • ' ^^ ^^ probable, however would ind,cafe, Sudsing ^.-onMhText^u of T Hj^rrwhil'r.^'^r^^ than' the above occupy. The extent of the gill net ( ilch v , • i. ^ i ' ^''.*' ^^'^''ormen may then partJy by the condition of tht water ani larly'l/'tr j;.)'^' "^ T'''''' ''^»^«" the fisn as explained further on. The season Ln{ ^V "''"'' '^"' «^ '^ Portion of t.nues i^^ito May, but then fall aw r^'ntiT J?ne Jh '/ '''"■'; °"^«h, ^^hich con- obtamed. This circumstance is attributed bv the fi'sl^^.^.n?/'T'«^' ^">' ^^^^ «='" be of a slinie on the bottom, which aL^o covers U,e ,?«?«„ nT" f''"'.^^ ^« ^^e formation them. These conditions' may persist La week ir two ^T^f '' ^1.^^'""^ ^« handle revives especially in the deeper vvaters irwL^tho I «i; "'^^'''''°" ^ made dunng August and September. K rem '^^^^^^^^^^^ poorer returns, as a whole than tho snmmn. '®'"'^'»'J^'^ of the season affords much which takes a large proponiof/U'tL ra.^ay^^^^^^^ '"^ '"^^ spawning ru'n The two seasonal movements above eJerrednrel^ot'T^'K"- . the western end of the lake, and it is dur nl .hl^ '1 • ' 'Shoreward and towards catch is made. The spring movement aco II ^. \ <^ouUmmce that the pound net and in May, although I feS ZlglT, may beZn f t^'j':,' ^''V""«/ h«'f of AjIrU chores as far as the Bass Islands !nd K ninvilio S ,l hn^n'- ./' "' ^" ' '^''^"^ ^^'^' ako ,t IS most pronounced, east of Ashtabula It o. ."n,?. L? ^'? '°"^'' ^'^^ ^^ the ho western platform, where only small an l^TeiuafrtJL« ^ ''"'" ^u'"'^""«« «" to the^Bass Islands and Kelley. Is^land, althougStr^trb^;- i;.^^^^ and ^S^^'ISJVS^-SI'^^ K: T7Tf ''^^ ^'- ^P^'"^^. grounds, to a large extent, at a g?eatSanc^^fmm«?- ^^"^ ^'' ^° """^^ spawning on a ^mall scale in September, d^Sng S "h monTb '7' "?'?' '^^^'^"t. I't begin! captured in ,he pound' nets on the |lt7orm It doos no7 '"^'^'^^'^'^ «re sometilnes ever, unfl in October, and, including the un o,Th become pronounced, how- No^-ember and more or less n to December -I'L?! ^«^^»/"". continues through the last-mentionod month. That is to "?v l,' '^''""Sh very few fish are taken during chiefly, if not almost eni rely, ftom tltl Z'^Tf- ""'•"'^'"'^ '''""' *« ^e obtah ed the down run keeps farther^-ffl^ore. ^'S f 11 ^TlrL l^^' ^he bulk of same as the spring, but at the weste n end of he hil o i'"". w obtal,, tho From Vermillion westward Ohio, east of Vermillion Pennsylvania and New York. lTi_4 1885. 1890. 1893, ■ *^ard Lbs. 1,009,400 373,000 Lb.s. 891,902 37!},620 Lbs. 651,180 ■■[ I 287,944 '' ^ 1 1 , ^H York . . ' ■■■ 1 2,149,455 l,075,8ti9 353,286 H »*-*#•■* fif) MARINE A XI) FISHERIES. As brouijht out by tliis table, the perooiitat,'os of liecroaso for 1890 and 18:>3 as compared with 1885, in each of the throe districts named, have been as follows : 1. From Vermillion westward : 1890, 11 per cent; 1893, 35 per cent. 2. Ohio, cast of Vermillion : 1890, none ; 1893, 22 per cent. 3. Pennsylvania and :New York : 1890, 49 per cent; 1893, 83 per cent. The most extensive decrease has, therefore, been manifested in that part of the lake where the deep water gi'l netting has been the main feature, and where com- paratively smitil amounts are obtained by pound nets. The next rale of decrease is at the western end of tho lake, where the pound nets attain their maximum develop- ment as to numbers, and wheie, in 1893, tho cutch by gill nets on thospawnin" grounds was less than one-sixth the total catch of that district. Tho least decrease was shown by the central portion of the south shore, whei'e tho size of tho catch is also smallest, where the pounds, the principal method of capture, are for tho most part scattered and relatively few in number, and whore the fishing season for white- tish is of shortest duration. They come on this shore only during a brief period in the course of their spring and fall migrations, a transient visitor, passing from or toward their normal place of habitat, TIk. ligures discussed above ropresent tho actual catch in tho several years without reference to the amount of apparatus employed. From the early period of the fishery the number of pound nets and tho quantity of gill netting" increased rapidly and continuously, but the amount of each has been reduced in recent years. The pumber of pounds was very much greater in 1890 than in 1885, and there were at least 200 more in use in 1893 than in 1885, The decrease in the catch of white- fish by pound nets has, therefore, been coincident with a marked increase in the amount of apparatus. In 189u Jie pound catch comprised 40 per cent of the entire catch by all methods, but in 1893 it had inpreased to 60 per cent, owing to the reduction in the quantity obtained by gill nets. Much less explicit infoi'mation is available respecting tho gill net fishery at tho eastern end of the lake. At one time, mainly before 'detailed statistics were taken the amount of whitefish gill netting employed from Erie, Pa., was very great and tho catch of whitefish by that means was very large, much exceeding that by all methods throughout the remainder of the Jake. It is stated by local authorities although the statistics fait to furnish the exact date, that the development of this fishery and the taking of a large catch continued to about 1885, when, owing to a rapid falling otF in the abundance of the whitefish, most of the fishermen who had previously engaged in its capture turned their attention to the herring. As the fishery declined at Erie it was taken up at Dunkirk, where it has increased several fold fince 1885, but most extensively since about 1890. The only other port from which deep water gill netting for whitefish is prosecuted by steamers is Ashtabula Ohio, but it is there of slight importance compared with Erie and Dunkirk. ' While the quantity of gill netting employed in the deeper water increased considerably between 1890 and 1893, the falling oft' in the catch of whitefish by that moans between those dates amounted to G7 per cent, showing that the decrease continues and that tho fishery is still being conducted on too largo a scale. The Canadian catch of whitefish, which has been made almost excl'usivelj^ in pound nets, shows many and great fluctuations in amount during the period from 1872 to 1894, but during recent years the total annual catch has been larger, c . an average, than in the earlier period of the fishery. ThiS increased catch, howeverj has only been secured through a steady increase in the amount of ap larati. i employed, the proportionate annual catch to each pound net having declinec aipM/st continuously to the present time. This fact is strikingly illustrated by tho following table, which gives the average annual catch per pound net for five year periods except tho laut entry which covers only three years : ' 1872 to 1876 10,036 1877" 1881 ..'l60 1882 " 1886 2;C78 1887" 1891 lV28 1892 " 1894 ijlSl JOINT FISHEIUES COMMISSION. DECREASE IN LAKE ST. CLAIE AND TIIK DETROIT BIVEE. 51 viouB to that date. There has also K, .,1: " g''eatly fluctuating catch pre- side of the lino. There L no s?inda d by' 'hLTto'!:^ ""'"''T ''" ^^« ^^^'^hi^An th.8 decrease, but, an the fiBh whiX freTuent tL« T?'"*' ^'^^ extent or rate of Erie, and only d.iring the npawn nV movomenMn .iT .T,' •°'^*°' ^''""^ ^'''^"^ ^^''^e hat the extent of the^un each year!. SeS hv tt ""k'' '? ""'"'■'^' ^« «"PPo^^« the lai'ger lake. "^ mnuenced by the abundance of the fish in OPINIONS op THE PISFIERMEn RESPE'.TINa DECREASE. acknow\et^t';:t^i llrbeS^^ '"*'^«' fi^'^-'os of Lake Erie fl«h since early time.. It is aZi; to^^ntverinv"''"'" ^" ?,!« -'abundance of white! con inueddovvn to a comparatively .cert Xt.^^Mr'"'^. ^^''"'^ '^'« ^^^'•<'«'*« has in the face of the «tatis!ical rotdrns wh c thev tie!!? 'I^' enough however, and figures being taken from their o.sn boo s where snol"' '^''''^ burnished, the men are strongly of the opinion that Jni,7g the 1 st f w'v T'-T^ '^' '^ ^^^'''■ the average catch has remained eon^fnnf ^^i l-w years just preced ng 1894 they attribute very generali;'toX'ToS oTtZVaS ''^ "'^7^^°'- T"'--0'^ult reconcile their views n this m-ittor wiTl? iln •? '^'*^«'^o'^'es. It is impossible to doubtedly has the greater weight of aTuioifty. "'' "^"''^ discussed, Svhich un' LAKE IIERRINO. -^^r^^^'^nl^SS^^I^S'^n^S:'^ t '^' '"' V^-^ '"-^ 'abundant of the the raost conspicuous one, a^regi-J'th extent of tXt^^'^.V'^^ '' ^-'^'V'^'' '« '""^h Since 1879, at least, the output "annuaUrt^onf this l??',*"' f"^"''^ ^^ain of lakes, fifty to eighty per cent of t he entire vfeldoAl. ? a'""?, ha« constituted from while within the limits of t e lake Use If d ,n.i n , l' "^' ^'°"' " ' '^' ''^^^'^ combined^ has composed from about thirty to sffty' p St of T.7J7'^' /^" ^'"'"'^ «^^«^ Moreover, notwithstanding its infer o7n?onfh^ T'^u ^'^^^''^ of all species, beeiie^ua. to W thirty^hree -^ ^^i^ e^S? J?'!?: ^.iJ^TorS i^^^^^ jhicri;;dS'ti,^'fiL:::;^:ii^^p;;sr"St^ ''^r-'r^^-^ '^ ^^° -^''^^^^h. days of the fishery, the mesh in the , oS 1 e^s w'is of s!,ffi ^'"'.T- ,^" '''' '^'^y permit the escape of herrin"- and the Ju!Z n.„ i o^ sufficiently large size to fiHh The impr'ovements i^fa lit es for in«noiStT h"'""'^,' "l^P/*'^ ^« ^'^° ^^ite- the herring fishery, and the opportunit es o v ,^^^^^^^^^^^ f '"''^ ''''" '^^'P'^^ '« ntimulate the catch long dis-tances in a fK.sh "o ,di io f^,?""* ^'"" P'*^«'''-^'"« "^d shipping market. The cheapness of the , oduc whTch LT u^ -Jl' "" \'''""*^^ """'"i^ed poorer classes, has also been one of he m t i,;^^^ ^ 7'*'"" ^''« '"^'^"« of the wide demand. Through those dreumstanclthPh^""^ {"^'^''« '' Producing this widely distributed ma?ket h" n anyoTSer of lie lakf '''"^- '^"'^ '?'^" '" ^'''^^ « «^0''o considered to be of more momen to tie Lhe • no, o? "/?"i'''"^ *'' preservation is the others. The fact that the heiriW n, . i ^^''^^ f^"« ^h^" ^hat of any of the other lakes to the north tdwes'fs fikeiSI' i" L'oiTr " ""''' ^"« ^'^^ ^ migiS:?sr rxs;^:^t^/rs^r tr ;?r'r'-f ^^^^^'^-^^^ -^ ing most parts of the year. During the sLrnmer „n? J 7'^^°'^ disseminated dur. to the deeper water Jn the miSof the Se jn 1 "T '* L' ™'""b- restricted northern shore east of Rondeau althm.^i. l " [^^ eastern half and along the western platform. •^^'"'<^«"». although a small body is found in winter on the Ilci-4J » .l|W O" MARINE AND FISHERIES. From the doop water re^ :>n of even temperature there are two .Toat miir,a tions into the whoaler and more changeable portion8 of the lake. In the spHnir when the Hhoal waters become warmc- the fish emei-e from their winter habitat and move shoreward and upon the edge of the plat;<.rm, evidently in search of foo'i Ihe volume of this migration is less than that of the full run and is more fluctuaiin • and irregular, riie movement is felt along both shores as far west as Leamingtoi; and the eastern side of the Bass Inlands, and iho herring, therefore, constitute a con. sidorablo portion ot the spring catch of the pound ne(.H within the limits m ,»tioned Iheir presence is generally first noticed early in April and occusioriallv la-tre lifts are made in the laltei' part of that month, although west of Vermillion ani proJjablv on other parts of the shore the best fishery is in .May. Some herri,,./ ,i.re oaun ! he platform over which thev beco-ae widely distributed, a small part of th.> u boois al.o finding their way through Mie Detroit River into Lake St. Clair. '' fo •«' On the middle southern shore tho fall movement is ill-defined and irregular and lie hshermen, theorizing upon ihis fad, suppose that the bulk of the fish move no the Cai.;.dian side of the lake until dollected by Point Pelee, many of tho pound neiters L dding that the Uni'.-d States waters are so obstructed by gill nets that no other cour.0 is open. West oi' Vermillion and around the islands there was formerly and IS Htill t , some extent, a small run of largo non-spawning fish during the latter half of Septe.ut or and ear y in October. The main fall run appears about or sub- eequeiit to the nnddle of October and continues until the latter part of November or into December, but the best fishing is obtained on the platform during November ^J??" /J^ ^f}^ '^™ "Y' -wning. While it is at its height there is a substanial falling oft in the gill net catcl m the deep water at the east, which is ample evidence that a large proportion ot tho aerring in the lake take part in the migration Only indefinite information has been obtained of the return or eastward move- ment of the herring after spawning. Some of tho eastern tugs which resort to the western end ot the lake in the fall have been known to fish out of Huron as late as January, when some fish were still being caught. In Lake St. Clair herring are caught at all seasons except the summer but whether the spring fish are some which have remained after spawning in the preceding fall cannot be stated. ^ ^ » Spawning.— Ah shown above the herring, therefore, execute the same eeneral spawning movements as the whitefish. The distribution of their spawnin,:^54,!tU0 H8,868,283 20,93 1,07« or theSutMre 'extfyoa'r^'iro'j^.t .Tt"'"^' '"f,^'' '"^''^^^^ '" «- ""^i' 1B90 •or intermediate periods, lutv ng'prSil v .I'.n^S '" ''^'^ '^^'^ ^'^ ^^-'^es two half decades ending with th^vou r^v u^^'^^ <^*"f=h of the It then fell off to IheSxtent of Sv ^t'';'"^' ''^^ff '^« '"'f^'nr.um about 1890. years^ the catch for 1893 bavin., been i Imn.t iT r '^■T'',^ ^''" «"''f'eoding three Taking into considerat oi rhrextcnnf fi n ''"' '"^'^ ^^''' ^'''' ^^^5. we fin''"'."P,'"'°V *''''* *'*^ herring has suffered no decrease except in one or two places, due to local causes. ' ^1, ^l'i° ^'?"^^'"" statistics show a steady increase in the total catch from 1869 Jh« nn„.!.f"i, ''^'"'"^/^^f^ made, until 1885, inclusive. Since then the increase in the pounds has been steady, amounting to 64 per cent in 1894. While the amount SnLT'i^l sol I!? S ' *''"'? ^'t' ^T' "/'" ^^° ''^''>^'' '' '^^''^y '"^'-^'-'s^ which brr^ro,.r'l H ' ^^ P'l" T*- .^°°"'^ ^""'" y*^"'« «'"''« 1886 has the catch fihow?S,Lt I .r't??''''!'." ^'-'^ year, and an examination of the records tainoH H T'"'^*''*' *°''''' "i? '^ ^T"^ "^« P^"*'"^ mentioned has been fairly main- Ippa^atus ^ °"'^ '^''"''^^ "" Sreat increase in the amountof The fall run of herring into tho Detroit Eiver and Lake St. Clair, was formerly fro^ ^l^^l'^a^ '' T"^ '?^'' ^'"««°d to be taken in the VoJuuZLaVllV^^^^^^^ the spawn run of "vollf.w nib-n"....! \. '"""f ** ot />l!iy, considerably ator than according to localit^,nUI tie enronrinrT'""" '" ^'T''' '"' ''^^^ abundance ^all. Tho gill nettors ot" ( eveland nn,l n!/^^ TTu ' ""."^ «^°"^' "'^''i'" ' " ^ ''« oi''Iy the drst two weeSfn April bole thnri l.'"'^ 'E' "'^'"« P'"'^«" "'^"ally during to catch them irregulartP^niil Docei 1?!^°' '^' K^"^'' ""^' •''°>- '«"^i""° in gill nets in April a.fd oar v S thov r^ '^-^ October, and the maximumSho vo/i,. «?,„! "'f^'-l/^bundant in September or aa blue pike, are nmalk^ran the snfin h' h on U '" ,?«^'«'"l^«r. Thes'e fish, nold to the gill notters thoy are not ext fnZ h ^•>e P'atform, but i„ their imparlance which ^hey may be mU'^H^srarodid^i^'Xe^'^Lg!' "^'"^' ^'" ''''^''^ ^'^^ Btreai"?lliiTr;;oTrl"e';ffrd"ll*J,^^"''°r P"^««^-"- - '»- ^aysand principally at the woHtorn end of the ll^^ ^''''■^'' 1'''/^''"" ''^ '^^ '^'""-^ but be tho most prolific Hpawiinl\m.unVtVn7^^ B:iy«ppoa;s to similar rank^'n the^lTe S^t ^ih .e"io^f Ti«'"' "'^ the Thames iii^'r holds latter part of March and tLoiiPvLvf^fW ^u'^S^' ''"'' deposited between tho is no «'uisfactorrevideLe rosneJtm" fhf f''^' ^''' T'?'^' •^"■•'"- ^P^''- There several fishermen claim to huX^Z"','"' "^ '" " '''"' '"' "'"'""^'' in May. ^'*'" '' '^''''''"''■^ " ''»'"'"S the latter partof April and early caught'-Tl^o'all'arof Ss^^^^^^^ '' ''-'l^ '^ P^"'^^^' ^"t fow such fish are the second grade includes fish ZuvIoTx^Z'T'f'''^ "?^^'V^-^ from about 1 pou..d, thfm a'^kor^ oTtroS"rsid?t!iVrv:;''"" ^'^ Tho „;ii .,„f 1 '■'""''^^'an biae the average size is ea d to bo larLrnr i or 5 ounces, all of which „,„ -.'ulTctij "^ ' ""°" "'''• """"^ weighing only ^:.^ ^ -li"- 66 MAHINE AND FISHERIES. Hhl.n^ Tfl T^ •• ® "" '"'''' "'° 'T°.'^''^ "^ testimony ih not in^licativo of a .Jecroaso aUhough fluctuations wivo occurred from time to time. So lax is tho din. , imination amlHodubiouB the d.Htinction naid to exlbt botwoon tho two varieties, that it is n7a' whoTe """^^ " di-'Cussion o- . except as regards' the species Tho statistics of tho catch follows : — for hiou yesi., , United States waters are m FniiM Vi'i'iiiillion westward , . Vcriiiilliou to f.'oiiiu'iiiit PeiiiiHyl\ania and New VorU 1885. IS'lo. ISO.l. LI.-.. 2,30l»3,(l23 Ll.>. Lbs. 2,(;5n,o44 2,017,(171 3,2(V>,430 a327,OIl 3,7;iO,i(;2 i>,uU4,ti3(i 2,.")(iO,720 ' 7,!W4,«02 nn,i iftoT .*"'u "-?'', ^ -lecroase in tho catch of about 25 per cent helwoon 18S5 and 1893 and ot about 15 ,, or cent between 1890 and 189;i That tho deiieasoin the abundance of tho species is ,i,'reator will bo understood when it is recalled that during the longer period mentioned there was a heavy increase in all kinds of appara us in which the wall-eyed pike is captured. The n lling ort'was greatent in the eastern part of the lake, while along the central p.irt of the south shore there has been a considerable increase in the catch. In the sprin- of 1894 there was a nrif/Th" -f'T ^'""•'"' r".'" "f ^'''^ ^^xtrenie western en?^^^ ':''' '-: '- ^"'-^ hooks and lines, named in the order of their importance a this the catch credited to the pounds doubtless consisted o'' ,,i wal' proportion cannot be told. T .^.fi'w'Vi'"' ''"'^ movemenrs.-The saugor is distribute.! along he entire shore of w»?l i;*"'^ *"""''1 *? ^' •"""'^ '^^^ abundant in Canadian than in United State waters. It seen.^ o belong es.sentially to the shoal waters, at least during such Sform ;«. f^^^^^'I^'^ to the finhermen. a fact exemplified by its abundancitn the atgerTi; notT^wn."' '' ''' ''"'' '°"^'^^' '""^ -'--'^^>-'« "^ the bulk of the form^'nT„"inn *'?! '^'^ u^""^^ ■'" the spring they are found in abundance on the plat- form and along the shore west of Vermillion, being at that time the object of an important gili net Ushery. viill nettin- tor saugers begins at Vermillion and soon les, fyke nets and "bhery. Much of 't ed pike, but w! JOIXr FlSllEHHiS COMMISSION. &r itorti aro as f tlio catch. cont„.uo8 during the firnt th cc weo t i.^An. 1 "nltT''"'"r'u '""■^' '"-' '^« "'^•"^« small numhers in tho pound notn Zt I ,o do o o^ ^ poun.lH Kot .n onrly on Iho plmform .hc^ aro the moan o^'J'.'"''''^- '""."'"' ^^''°" ^''« Thero 1. ,1 smaller nhoroward movement inhof^rr''^"'"'"'^' "■■-'" •l''a"'''t''««. placoH niukoKood, matches, aithouKhnovor so Inr!^^;^^^^^ ^''^ '"",'"' """*'" «"mo -n, are oa..,ht through .he ice^n th:i^;i; l;:;5ii:;:'sz;^n ':i:^':;Jtr;!z tnown. They undoubtedly ^w don I e s'l /.rn 'f^^^^^^^ *" ^^''''^'^ '^ '"" "^'-^■••■'•■•Iv tho lake, and it is HUppo.cd that l .u ,i?^ '''" "'" '°'^ " "'« extreme western end of tbrm as well as mo'rj' h .a, n« ;''Sr re", 7 "t? ' e '' ^^^'1'"" ^t^'«'^ "" ^''^ >'«'. -;; Uetorm,„ed. hut the^oas^^ «"pXar;n;tyr S^^^J'S? ^Si"^^ i pound. The gill nets take a ij^^ av;:;;^^i^: E^IJe ;!,:;;;^r''"^ "^ "^^- decr.;;::'^'";;^^*^;^^;^:,^^^ been a enumerated separately. With resS TT ', .''S "'' '" ^'«"'"Jian waters is "o MOV;,(M)0 pounds) Js recorded^ States waters, the largest ca S 18!»0 ..otwithstand ngtiuit hoq , ntitvnVn! T^'T WP. larger (4,r.31,OOoS,oundH5'^hri^8.^^^^^^^^^^^ In IS'):] 'the cat somowhut loss than in the eaier ™ Sre has h i ""',"'^°'" "^P"""^' "«'« ^^"^ n t . ,xtent ol the tug gill netting S,; tht ?n ' 1 r 7'' ''"'" " ''<'"'•'«'' i"«™^"*o arge ttch in I8I.3, even though a L-ease'^i^. I, '','''' ""7 l''"'^"^' ^'^l''-'" tho 18W tho -Htch by liound nets was rs .? .'", -y^'i'i'lance had take, p ueo tn ofthahai The'^sUSwstTonhfu;rlh/'"r''''''^^ order of. ue nzo o-^e catch : gn^nl Si ^^vk^^^^ apparatus as follows, in tho VVi'ii very f.' •,.,M,'ionfl tl .•' '^"'""N ryl^o "ots and hooks ami lines on this subjee\ . l e eSct t,.a^^ 'T'^"'^"-^"-^ ^^'^" -«'- n o Vi,^^^ any.uefiniteinformatj'h'utit ' ""■'"'" '^"'' *"'^«" P'"-'' '^"^ no one give discrim- ,it^i;^i^ t^;^:!^ ^^ti;r --^ ^t ^^^ '^- ^^-^^ ^^ P-P- yellow and blue pike, whid. ZTLnuZur 'r°"f ""^ *'^° •^'"''"°'' sizes of he one name, presumably thv twhic Tth '^^^^^^ ^'^'' ",' "" '>'^^^ '"corded unde? whether blue pike, n\. 2 or 3 p ck rll ors„uTrrT. ^ '""•" P'' ord-,e catch! that a docreuse .n the abundancJ of tho s;:^:::;:^-.^,^ S^uJ^^.^t^^^^^' STCROEON. onAk::i:I'X:S^^ is one of the higher priced tishes cava.randisinglaKs; the dSnd for ??? TP'l''^''"''^ "^ '' 'Secondary products foro profitable- to th'e fishermen On thn f-f '. 'i*" ""P-P'^ '•'"'^ ''' eaptu e, tW' made in gill nets, 527,000 noun"; hi^in^ h , f^ ^''''\'' T'*^ ^'^^ ^ulk of'the catoMs pounds in pound nets'andSSoVounds^^^^^^^^^^^^ ""'''"^ '" '''''' ^"^ 000 ^^strihution and movements —Pvfioru, ]\.-. . w 4U .• • ments of the sturgeon is that they n or VirlinHj' ^"^""V ''^^P^cting the move purpo- s, and most of the catch is m Je at Z\ P'*°^« '•? ^^^ «P'-i"g for spawning entire «hore, but aro most abundanTn (hi evf^. ^^'"""V ^^"^^ °'«"'- 1''«" "long the County. New York, where tV."U 4„L''^-Vr^.*'«^*«^" «"'' of the lake, off Erie exce.ued thitof ullthe remalnder'of the%7nit'l*r«/\'''^ taken has always 58 AtAHlNt: AXh FlsIlEltlKS. bettor innintamod. Tho vicinity of Point Peloo and Poloo iHland has boon the most luvoiirixl one in Lanadinn watein. Thoy ontor Detroit Rivor in tho Hprinif and at the »- uno Houson occur in some numboiM in Liiko Ht. Clair. Many aio taken on tho Canadian Hhoro of LaUo Krio in Hummor, hut tlio fall ciitih iH cvorywhoro Minallor than tho spring. Their wlioroahoutu in wintor is not Un -wn, bui thoy arc ovcanion- ally caii^'ht on IiooUh and linoH tiMhod through tho ice. Stiir^'con aro (aUon by moauH of pound lu-fs, gill notM, HoincH, and baited and naked hookn. Pound notH wore formerly tho ,.oHt important of the appliances omn loyod for thoii- capture, but nince 1885, al loant. more ihan half of the annual yield of Uke Krio ha« boon taken by moaiiH of ^ill nots off the «horoM of Hiio County, Novv ^ ork. The loculitios in which thoHtuiKeoi. is taken by other moans aro diHCUHNod in connection witii tho appaiatUH and flishing mothod«. Spawning.— 'l\\o Hpawning HeuHon begins early in May and continues into June* Iho exact location ami extent of he spawning grounds are not known, but nomo parts of Lake ^.t. Gluir the lower portion of tho Dotroit Hivor, tho vicinity of Point i^cloo and Poloo Island, and tho shores of Erie County, Now York, appear to bo roHortod to for that purpose. It in prolmblo that lish under 4 foot in lonUh do not spawn. " .S'i>es.— The maximum size of the sturgeon in Lake Erie is about ISO pounds but individuids weighing from !)(» to 100 jiounds aro considered largo rit tho ijrosent time and the average goodsizoi sturgeon has suffered a relatively greater dooreaso in abundance than any other species in tho lake. In tho early history of th.* pound net Hshory thoy were caught in vast quantities, but being in no demand thov wore ro"ardod aB a nuisance and destroyed wholesale. ' " The statistics of the Canadian catch antedate those of tho United States the species being first recorded in the Ibrinor in 187l>. From that time until 1887 there was u yearly increase, but subsequently there has been a nearly steady decrease coincident with an increase in the number of pound nets irom 143, in 1887 to 204* m ]8ft4. Comparing tho catch of tno pound nets during tho four years 1887 to 18')o' with tho similar period ending with 1894, wo find thatliio catch per not has decreased Jb per cent. Oii tho United States side the decreased has been greater, the catch falling Irom 4,727,050 pounds, in 1885, to 2,078,907 pounds, in 18!l0, and 793 800 pounds, in 1893, a total decrease of 8;5 por cent during tho entire period The decrease has been manifested in all parts of tho lake, but was greatest in amount if not in proportion in Erie County, Now York. There has boon a heavy decrease in tho Dotroit Rivor and Lake St. Clair, but owing to tho irregularity of tho fishine methods there employed it is impossible to estimate its extent BLACIC BASS. .SYa^MS.— From a commercial standpoint the black bass is of very little import- anco in Uiko hrio, and it demands attention in this connection, princinailv on ac- count of Its qualities as a game lish. ^ Distribution and Movements.— in tho fall, and perhaps to some extent in the spring and summer, tho black bass appears to be somewhat gregarious, and it occa- sionally happens that at such times large catches are made in tho various forms of lixod apparatus, pounds, trap nets and fyke nets. The sport tishing is carried on principally in the early summer when the larger and finer fish are cai ,t but there is some ai 'ing also in tho fall. There aro no definite migration, uf'this species, but there is a movement of small and medium sized fish njon" «hore in certain places. ° JOINT FlSHEltlSS GOMMlSSlOX. 89 but the .„«l|.„.o..the.l Hpecie; i^SnSi.Uo tt ,al"yH, tho b«Ki.. in tho latter part oi Cy :Llo ^^^L.^^^^^^^^ "•"'""" "'M'-rn to Bpuwnin^. Homewhat oarlior. Tho h.oed nnh rL ^,, ' ""' '«'K"-'n'>"thoJ bans H}on« or noHlH in which the ok^h ar^S sL I thl , . '" '""^ ^lucor-.hapo,! .leprcn- tho youn^ are hatcho.l. Th^flT a.Trtfl |\ .'^ "8naK<" ''pearn. and other ,,oa"-h ini ,rthosTl'v "''"'' "' '*"•''' ''"'*^^ ''>' '^"i"°^ a connidorahlo tin.e, and we'naw po'^ciren 1^^ tr'TInT"",' '" '''""" ^'""'- ^"^ minnow «o.ne« in Auku... although they ari':;;a";enU; i:::^:JlZ S^'' '" ^^« on an avoni^o. More fish under 8 o.,nco8 in woi h^v ^ ^'^ ""'"^ ^^ '" '« """^o« «tnn«. than in tho catch ofthe pounTr.."" S'll"T,rd-' be dr^r""'" -hS" F^I^Shv la:r^±^:!::^!:?"'l:!-« ^^ '^'-'^ l>- i- Lal<„ ^rio C. been oxteiiHivo. Formoiiv Imwrn on^^k "." V ""'^" """« ni L/aico tirio haH bunn oil to lUmoiatoU, but thoHubNoquontrotiirnHMlinw,, ■.«,!. .„*■ '~J" ""^" '""" """• ""punuoiy 105,.;oi' pounds M,l8!.3/a?ainIo^^^^^^^ per unit of apparatus £::;..f ;;j:,:;;;^S; ;:';Si; wiu V'" ^^^ri^'?'- -- ^^-^ «- hoy are obtaincl principally in HeinoH I u als^ n f L ''^'^^^«»'• I" I^'^'^^' St. Clnir, in pound notH. O . tho liivir St 'l!i. J ^^^^ nots,u„d, to u limited extent although Home are .p are o,' t^.oir naw d rbnl" t^" Ti^'"'""' '"*^"''"" "'' '^'M'f .re.' vicinity of Algonuc ind the St. C Jr E ' ^^ro .A i:^t "^'""^ ""'^ "^^^''- '" ^^o tishory by sportsmen, a very large nronStim n • t? Ti ^'■^^'".'^'^'^ ''"<>l^ »"TlT' .*^° ^""'^ ^^^' ^"'e/^rys ^acwsWs • the of tho catfishos aiTrSn by Ek and Zo" audi t" r '"^ '" V" ^•"•'"^''- ^-«- ^^«'" part Of tho bullheads is secfred by metis of ?i«^ ]"" '"'".'"' "''^^- ^"^ ^''« .^"•^"ter line fishery for tho catfishes vvaffm'mo -l^f.f "^on f iT* •'""'^- ^^^^ '>««'^ ""^1 yoars both spocios have fallen XneiHv'.f'K^ considerable importance, but of lato remunorativi, and fewer men nov'^ay In ft ""''' '""'""^' '""^ '*^''«^^- '""^^^ '-« other ;^;:!^^S£^^r:^^;t:;i-Sr:M^ r^'^'^^ ^f «^°«^^^^" ^^^^ ^f any were made at practically af of thJ^C " ^stationsTT."' ^'^T'''' '^ "''« ^^^^' in many casos'being su/h as vl 111 to imou ^t ^o fh« " ?"*""• '^'?'''' ''^^ ^'•^P'°ti«" for commercial ,)ui^30808. The sta sties tZl to ZT ''^^^"^■'"'""^lO" of tho species men, the figures of tho catch siownra ,iol!°rnr" ''l« t°^^""«"y of the fishor- 1893. From 1890 to 189;^, the decTeas"o ave?a ^i „f '7r- '^ P"'' ^°"* ^^o™ 1885 to finhing methods emplov- l Th^TATJ^'f^^'^,^^^^ for each of tho United States shore wi- the olcentfofofrLT.t *^n"" ""'ll"'™ **"• ^ho entire increase in tho catch was observed^ Chautauqua County, N.Y., whore a slight W MARINE AND FISHERIES. Lake jTrow^.— This epecioH affoidn only n very limited (ishory in Lake Erie and iH pract.cjiliy conhned to the deep water of Pennsylvania and th/wostern ext emity of Now York. Almost the entire catch is made by lugs from Dunkirk but HmaS quantities are obtained by ve.sol« from Brie, AshJibuk and Fahpo t ' g" Inets ally .n the whitofi.h gill nets, and very rarely one may enter the pound nets Dur- ing the spring and summer they .eom to bo scattered ovei' the deep water area near ho eastern end of the ake but in October they begin to collect in' a body prepara- tory to spawning^ and ,n that month and until the middle of December tie en ire ' and We^sS; N^' "" " " '^''^"""^' '''' ''''''''' "^'"' *''« ^'^•»'<^ '^<^^-«'^" i^-ki^k The t.'out are said by some of the fishermen to have been much more abundant at one t,mo than they are now, but their statements lack confirmation There appears to have been a recent decrease, however, which the statistics indicate to have amounted to 23 per cent in 1893 as compared with 1S85. "'uitaie to . ^'ellow Perch.— TWm species is very abundant and furnishes a larrre catch but tvsno held ,n much esteem by tho fisherme,., It is one of two JpecSs which i . F 'rT""" '!' ^''^ '*"""""* "^"^ '« """'''^ct betwee.i 1885 and 803 but this has undoubtedly been due to an increased demand rather than an actual inc ease n abundance. Tho perch is one of the most rapacious of the lake tisht u 3 fee « fts pl-o't'cSo": ^"""^ "' """'■ ^"'^ 'P*^''"^- ^""^''^ ''-' ^'^«^«*'-^^ no demand ibr Miscellaneous.-The remaining species taken in tho fisho.ies of Lake Erie the whue bass the various species of tho suntishfumily,grass pike, maskinonre one th^-" ""7 "'^"""^^ «boul 30 rod. Ion-- althou.,d, a few are more extennive T eVl i? J ^^ "" *^ '" ^" rods in lenUb eaders, and 50 rods now appeals' to Iw'tl. '""'^"^ *" te.uiency to use shorter IS designed to extend fW.ni 'thr^urfacV o ZV^r ''"' '"^^^ As the loader adapted to the depth of water in w kh w ^'\Y^l»-^-, Us depth is, (,f course varies from 11 to 30 feet the sm .ller 1", . ''• ^'^"''- ^''^ ^'ianietor of the crib Like. The cribs have about the «ame dentl?a« n. ? "'oro open waters of the varying from G feet to 8 or 9 fathoms ^ "' '"' ^"^^'^ ''^^'^ they are usecf, range bei^trnVilTs'S^rSl n^^t^T ^ ^t ^ ^-^-' ^^« extreme size, and most of the new nets in thn f . ^.t6"i'o"cy, howevrer, to incre-iso f « e rront. The hearts and tunnels have usual J //rV''"» '"'''''' ''^'^J^y '" a gun shore the mesh in the cribs is gencraHv nTn'^V uk"'' T^^'' O" the Michi- ZolT %u''T ''^^- ^''«t of Maiimee Bay ho Pn«; "^'^ -^ '''^^^ "••" ''"P^'-tcd .nches. The figures given above renreseSn ,p'"''V^' "^^-^ ''^'^ ~i ' "^ 2+ tarring and during use the twine shrink! < . ' *"^'^^'' ^'^« "o^^ "cttin- but in fevv cribs in any ^ut of L^E^n^^^^^ 'T""' ^'^^^ "'^''^ arei;ro bly exteiision and in many it is as small as 1^' etes '"'"^ "^"'""'^^ ^^'^ ^ '°^''es i^ inUrcI's.tu:tter"^'^°P^^ essentially the same as _ In Luke St. Clair the len•■-"/ *• " ii'u i/iio uAeupmm oi tioulliern part of the Michigan shore and Pennsylvania, fewer strings are fished in the spring than in the fall. ■ -^"Z'':^, f'^" ,t^o time of starting is fairly regular, although it may vary sliLrhtlv owing to the whim or juagraont of the fishermen. In Ohio, as before LuLnll the law forbids fishing before September 15, and in the other states they conform voluntarily to same general season. As some time is required to set the nets it is further from shore in the fall, or, at least, the strings are then extended as at that season the principal aim is to catch whitefish and herring which remain further out in tHe lake. in Canada no summer close snaHnii is o^'o"'"'''"' /^••'f.opf ^.,,^„f _f p_;„x r. ■ ., law does not require it and the water is generally so much colder on the north side l>ring of 1894, juantity near Detroit River 1 in the fall of 85, and from of Cleveland. I character of parutus. On he conditions brenco to the ity to the ott- ■c between it LocuHt Point in a line, the most aa long, ons are such f the lake is other shore, lavo reached id along the far as Point 30, where, in b, the others e 1880 is as i^ero grunted inct seasons close season ) deleterious fishing with ould not be :,ding from u.ction any- 7 the appre- tion of the )s.sible after the United t. In most the Michi- ee Bay, the .nd shorter ry slightly, mentioned, oy conform B nets, it is ally placed , as at that further out r>,J,,,, . i» north side J01^^T Fl^HEUIES COMMISSION- 63 Of the lake that the twine is not seriously affected Th. . April, and fish, with one or two interruntionV?.! ,' ■ ''°'' ^'^ "^uaHj sot durin- season having been enforced dur "I U.Kon, f 7;'"^'' ""'" November 1, u close 6,nce 1892 Previous thereto. thffiSZ ;^ ,^'-,^^^^^^^^ '^^' the whUeS all whitehsh caught during November. 'equired to return to the water the ST;e':Lfc?„S^^^^^^ «Hore the sauger is 6,.ec,es takes place in the viciniJy of M "um^S K/'f:,, ^^ "^^^'^^ "atch of' tl, Ot awa City. In this district practically Zhin /on ;fT" '^*^*"""^^ ^' ^^'^ ^'^ in the island region a considerable quantit of L"k • '" ^''°" "^^^il April 15, but East of the platform the sauger catch is nntl ^- ^ " obtained with the sau/'ers often occur as far east as Clcve a I^IC the"sT'''"'' ?'^^""^"^ ''''•^« ^^^ them in the latter part of April therf s i rn„ r^^^''.,""^ frequently mixed with enure platform region, whero'^^i i'n thTmo; mnm-f 'T""'^'"^ '^''^^ tluoughout I e fiBliory especially between Monroe andTort Si^ 'T'"^' 'i''^'^" '" ^ho spring the latter part of April and early in M-.v j'r m?^ The heaviest run occurs i„ eastward the blue pike appear in Jim,!? . " Sandusky and Ivelley's Islam maximum until thc^latter^rt o M y nd in?, rVh" ''''''' '"' '" - 'rLcl ' h when the twine is taken out. ^ " •^""''- ^^""y «''« "«u^lly still abundant tend as far east as Dunkirk at least. Between S inTln k ' ?IT '"" '^P^'^^''"-'^ to ex- fill in the gap between the saugers and the he vv .? =^ r^* ^ ''^^^^'""^ ihe herring and he herring and blue pike occur o?rothe7 1'^ • ^"^l'''^°' but eastof Cleve^ the other predominating /rom day to day^ the ?• n "' ^^" """ ""^' sometimes n somewhat limit3d numbers from ApdUo e on, i '^- /-^""? '>'' ^"''''««-^h occur near Erie than elsewhere. ^ *'"" ''"'' ^^ hshing, being more abundant tioned, white bass, sheepshead, suXli , e o , Zl' "^"^""^ ^'>«^« "^i' '- men^ Po.nte Mouillce, Mich., 'and in P^C 'l^i ^nd^N^^^^^^ ?''','' ^'^''^' ^"'«' «tc. At the pounds more frequently than ols^^v^re on thfunited St'nl' '^'":^'°"" '« taken in The first lifts of the pound nets in thn fi,l Z ^"'t^^l/^'lates side. fish, most c^' the species Ling of i tie vat Tamo'l'"''''''?^""^ "^^^''t'^^nt of their abundance these are sheepshead wall ^vod n^^ '^'^"Jr''"^ '" the onler of bass, suckers, carp and saugers. ' The catcX sSll^wnll "'" ^'"^1"'^«. P°roh, white • '^ — """ ojjuuiuB in ^r is thaStS^^'S^Ji.^-o ^^h was fonnerly expected and now hoped of herring are usually caught prior to Sober 15 '^ ^JT fraggling bodies crease ,n abundance, but it is not until the first lo.il f v''"^' f'"-"^ gi'aduall:^ in- mi^m IS reached. In a general way it m i lu «• . ?l ^^^^her that the maxi- between Novem'er 5 and 25 althmnM; th„ r^ ' '"•''* ^^'^t the heaviest run occurs and the season. The heSng aS a hrw/f fa. lure for some years. K.Ht & C v^land con^piu'lvolJ^/' i'*^" ^''''' ^'"^^ been J in the pound nets in the fall. comparatively few hori'ing arc obtained ward 10 ,p,„,„ „„ ,fc„ |,„f & °t „,' Ctovnhn H ' ,"". 'i'? ''"'''"" P"""" "est- all m tLommmor." i;rtlio'nlal'R,m' Zl-Z^"""!^ '" "'" "Pn-g ""d UBuifiy", it"a 'HM^ 64 MARINE AXD FISH E HIES. fished. The wall-eyed pike is an important fi^h along the entire shore, and on the platform it Hupplants the herring as the dominant snecies in the pound net catch Most of thorn caught before Ist July and after let September, being most abundant west ot Point Peloe in the spring. Whitefish are taken in limited quantities alone the whole shore and at all seasons, but raosllv in the tall, although the November close season interrupts the catch of this species. At Pott Dover, Rondeau, Point Pelee and other places, sturgeon are obtained insomr numbers during Juno, July, August and September. This species was formerly exceedingly abundant. The saugor is of comparatively little importance on the Canadian yhore, and the miscellaneous tish are about the same as are taken in united States waters. Catch in Lake St. Clair.— In Lake St. Clair the nets are fished during an averace season, from 2()th April to 20th Juno, and from 20th September to 20th November on the Michigan shore; and from 20th April to 1st November, with an interval in summer, on the Canadian hide. The first spocios taken in the spring are wall-eyed pike, red horse sturgeon herring and porch. Near the discharge of tlio lake the sturgeon is the most valuable fish caught at that season, although they are much loss abundant than formerly Comparatively few herring are now obtained, although they were once common and the whitefish catch is small. In the northern part of the lake the most imnorl tant species are poirh and pickerel, caMsh, mullet, red horse, stursroon black bass and white bass. ' o > At the southern end of the lake red horse are often extremely abundant in tho fall, but as the water grows cooler wall-eyed pike and whitefish are taken The latter comes about October 15 and remains about three weeks, some of them spawn- ing towards the end of their stay. Herring are now rarely caught and the «tur"eon is less abundant than in spring. The catch of miscellaneous tish is similar tolhat or the spring fishery. Relations of Mesh to size of Fish.— The regular mesh used in the pounds is such that large numbers of small fish are taken, tho principal commercial species which suffer in this respect being the pike-porches and the catfishes. In 1894 a detailed examination was made of tho character of the catch on the United States shore from Toledo to Vermillion, including the island regions, and on tho Canadian shore between Point Pelee and Eondeau. In all of these places great quantities of small wall-eyed pike are taken. On the Canadian side tho majority of these weitrhed between 8 and 11 ounces, and at least 15 per cent were as small as from 2% 5 ounces. On the United States shore the average was about 8 ounces in all places where observations were made during September, and at Huron at least, there was no increase in the average weight up to the end of the season. In Sandusky Bay large numbers of small cattish, weighing 6 or 7 ounces each, are caught in the bay pounds. The most of them are thrown overboard alive, but many are inevitably destroyed, as wo had opportunity to witness. Many small fish of other species are taken, and we were told that young white- fish are caught to some extent in tho pound nets off Erie in the spring, but we were not on the ground at tho proper time to determine the validity of this assertion One lot of sturgeon from between Point Peloe and Rondeau, consisted of 81 fish over 4 feet in length and 30 under 4 feet long, and tho capture of these small ones 18 constant in most places where pound nets are used. To prevent tho capture of those small fish several methods of regulation have been suggested. The gill net fishermen almost universally propose that tho mesh in tho cribs of the pounds bo increased, and tho pound net men quite -renerally oppose such a measure. The latter base their objections upon the ground°that the small fish, in their efforts to escape, would gill, and that, furthermore, were the mesh made largo enough to permit the escape of young wall-eyed pike, it would also be large o.nnugh to pnrmit. tho mcnpe of the adults of some otho;- speoies, as for instance the Sanger, ' JOINT FISHEh'IKS COMMISSION e «tui'n that respect. If^the laic i.^ of undoTsitd fishT'"'" '^ Y-^ '^' ^"^^^ «^' ^^^ oJs Horted out at a time when ft best «u ted bf/ ^'- P''«hibited, they would be would inevitably be too late to alknv 2 « Ihtn '^r"'""'^^^'*^^ ^ishennen, which to l.ve, the very object of the regula\irL^nl^L7e;K7e;erd'''■ ""' *^^ ^-"^' ^^^^f'l^T^J^n^lS^ nets are lifted or fished general, the catch is secured i., t^-oo "X 'i mf " t r'^'u ^'f, ""''^^''^ to go out. In when taken into the boat, but = . ba -I.Vt. L?/J ''''*''^^''^' ^" "^ the lish being alive and after a storm sufflcient^; ..^^^^'^^Z^I^f;''' occasionally some dead one? considerable. Such extreme c.o.., howeve" a i rat '''' '^' l"-«Portion is often GILL NETS. ifm «B MA/tIXE A XI) FISH E HIES. mesh, arc recognized, namely, a small mOHhed net adapted to the herring and pike perches; a net of mediiim-sizod mosli Huitod to the whitotiMh, and a large nusHlioi net for the sturgeon. The Hoverul branches of the tishory will bediscub.seii in accor dance with that clasBificalion. SMALL-MESIIED HILL NETS. Description. — The smaU-meshed nets are used in Lake Erie for herring, saugera, wall-oyed ])ike, etc. Tlioy usually have a mcHh measuring from U to 3.Jr inches in extension. On the United States side the more common size is 3^ inches while in Canada the minimum size is fixed by law at 3 inchen, but probably many nets having a smaller mesh than 3 inches are actually emplo^'^ed on both sides of the lake, lioing constructed of iinon there is little if any shrinkage in the twine. The length of individual nets varies from 'JOo to -100 feet, the longer sizes having come into use in recent years. They are about 20 meshes deep, hanging between 3 and t feci svhen set, and are tiow invariably furnished with corks and leads. The tugs are generally provided with three gangs of nets, of which, during cold weather, two are fishing and one is ashore drying on the icels. One gang is lifted each day and taken ashore, being replaced by a dry one, f-o that each tishes two days before being lifted. In the summer when the fish die and spoil more rapidly, only one gang is fished at a time, so that each net is lifted every day and the captured fish are brought more promptly to rauikot. The tugs fish f; im four to six miles of netting in a gang, so that in eool weather they will have, on an average, from eight to twelve miles of netting in the water at all times. The boat rigs are more variable in size, but in general they use about one-half as much netting a^' the tugs fishing in the same region. On account of their dependence upon sail power, the boats remain closer to the shore and consequently have a shorter season, owing to their inability to follow the fish to the deeper parts of the lake. The fishing grounds of the tugs varies, with the position of the tish, from within a few miles of land to well out in the lake. In al' cases the. nets are sot on the bottom and the fishermen depend upon actual trial to locate the schools, there being no surface indications of their presence. History, quantity and distribution. — The small mesh gill net fishery is of recent development as compared with the fishery for whitefish. Its statistical history is difficult to trace owing to the different bases upon which the returns have been made in different years, but in this connection we are principally interested in its present magnitude and in the question of its ii;croase since 1885. The irregularities in the seasons at different places render it impossible to state with accuracj'' the number of nets fished at any given time, but the largest number which it vvas possible to fish under the conditions prevailing on the United States side in 1893, is ostimatod at about 5,750,000 feet, of which3,T50,000 feet are allowed to the tugs and 2,000,000 to the boats. In 1893 the number of tugs v-as 1*1, but in 1890 there wore probably only about one-half as many, and the number of small boats was probably about the same. Upon this basis the number of nets fished in the two years would be about m follows: — 1890.. 3.875,000 feel. 1893 5.750,000 " This maiics an increa-o of about 48 per cent hetwesn tte- years mentioned, an estimate which is probably not too large when we considei- that there was, during the same period, a tendency to increase the iize of the rigs tiuhed by each iug. Between 1885 and 1890 there was also a lan,e increase, but its extent 'cannot be stated oven approximately. rni . .,,_* ^r -.:n ..„ii:.-.. ,.-.-J ; ., jl .Jw,,^ i ,.'^ — XnO aniodni, Ul g::: :;ct,i.i;;g uscu :;; -.auc-imh v at^rs ciiitjt: varied irregularly from 50,000 to 270,000 feet. The increase has not been a steady ■^ and pike- I'ijo. nu'slied cd in accor- !■>{?, HiiugerH, '>\ inches in lies while in nets having hil?(i. Being le length of I into use in ■1: feel svhcn during cold mg is lifted tinhos two ore rapidly, ay and the im four to an average. out onohalf int of their rtnsequcntly ieeper j)art8 of the fish, .>pend upon sir presence. is of recent \\ history is i been made 1 its present ible to state ?est number nited States are allowed r only about t the same. be about a 3 entioncd, an was, during by each Ing. t oannot be een a steady JOINT FISHEIIIES COMMISSION. . » o7 one, although the.e were more nets in 1894 than over before and since ISRO ,„« . ;irof"ur.r° '-'^ ^•'"" ''''''' '^^'- ^^tugsareusedrgnrSnfoV'tS f.om practically all tishing points on the United States si JrobS in ^n'^'"'?"^^ -^^ in the region cast of the pTatform. In the n, rfs adKcent n ti;^ , /,f ™''^^'"'^'""'^'^° 34 tugs tiHhing in 18i)8, while east of tl'aKon (here we"^ '''•° about tho nroDortion ot n fn T Tiw> /'''"'."" '"ere weio 4.5, the nets being in « longer »»a,on M ll,o c«.t Ih.n at tl,o wet end" of tl o • ko ? ,!. t.^ . '' '',"""-; uiS:::L';ir,L'L.^;'i!ss.^ftetT;"rr„»'r/i3^ In gonorul, howovor, it may bo .aid thai wi.ilc the region we.l „r Tr„r„„ ■ pro.om,noMtyap«und net ropon, these portion, of ti,e ,dtl easTof th S „i^"° " be..__adnpt,d to «,ll ne,. and are the ,oa? of tl,o .0., .^."^'."'.ili/trtS the lako i, elear of iec and con iLfto about thiJaf e, J ^xl?t "T "' er,^i!r;-t.rMi.^i5r,ror;re:° ?S^^^^^^^^^ most important species, while the porch is taken in ™tnr n^ n^^f ^/''' '''^^ ^^^ Srr;,l;rer/„f,i\ttLibf b SS west end from all parts of the lakt. ' ^ "^' '"'^'^^ '"^^ «•"»« *» ^ho -A- f«w har-ing are caught at Kelley's Island and Vermiilio., in +K-, tho saugers leave, but in tronoral th-^ fnrimr p.,i,.h nf !k^ • " ^^° «pnng after west ot- Cleveland In the wostern en .^^^^^^ 'P''°'^" '" unimportant fishery subsequent to he sau^ • run ulu ftif tut'J oTeveiri'"P/^''"' ^^''' "°^ fishery with /mall mesh nets continued Sif ninteiuSodfv h.-nn V"'.'^'."'^ '^' portion of the year blue pike and herring beinr^o "Sd;'^^^ ffiX^^ «'"°« °"""'m!^:^^'l-V- «f^ «'-- n,^ the nets. F^:^ i:^^^:^^ Ohio, waters between June 15 ia.rd Sept^mbe ' ' bul he 'tu^r mS 'T'"'^'^''^ 'l running out of Ohio waters during the close season ard «HfL^^ -'^ Jf»"«^«"'^« «f difficult to determine, the law is I^'a.nlally^rdrd U t'as tt '''' concerned. ' "** '"** S"' nets are terpJi^Sp^xsinf^Sr^'Sir-rSX?;;;^'^^^ ^^« ^■^^- various places! especially off Avc'^toint 't^ mZI':: ^Z TriJITnS Sn."" I* fish coi^,nuons.y from July 15 until ice forms, but during the latteVnar of S^^^^^ and in November the hfurin-r ..r« „,.,,,,«». ,v.' • .. > "t '""®'^ P^"^"^ ot October of a large part of the fish ",:oVard the wesi^nd'orthe^ate LalnrSj^ fT?r'"' fore, «-o_of^tho tugs from Erie and other ports run to The vic;n^iy o''ll';^;oi':nd 68 ^A RINE AND FISHERIES. Sandusky, whero they are joined by the local tugs in the important fall fisheiy for herring, which continues throughout Xovember and in open BoawonH well into the winter. On the Canadian side the nets near Long Point catch herring from April 1 to the middle of May, when the tish run into deeper water where the nmall boats used by the Canadian fiHhormon cannot follow them, although they are caught by the tugs running out from Erie. In the same locality the fall Heason begins during the latter part of September and lasts until December. During November about one- half of the catch is composed of wall-eyed pike, but throughout the lost of the full season herring are the only sjtecies caught in any numbers. The few nets used near Point Poleo Island catch herring only during the fall at the same time that they are caught on the United States side of the platform. WUITEKISII GILL NETS. Description. — These nets are employed solely for whitofish and trout, the mesh varing according to the species sought. For whitofish the size almost invariably used is 4^ inches in extension, although it is claimed by the flsliermen of the island region that some nets measuring 5 itiches are used upon the reefs in that vicinity. The only place from which 5J-inch mesh is handled is Dunkirk, New York. These nets are never employed in the whitetish fishery, but only in the fall for lake trout. The nets used by the tugs measure about 40 rods long, but in the island region the general length appears to bo 12 to 15 rods each. When stt they are said to hang from 4 or 5 feet deep. In the eastern end of the lake leads are used, bit on the rocky bottoms at the western end rings have been substituted in order to prevent the chafing of the foot of the net. History, quantity and distribution. — The fishery with medium mesh gill nets began about the middle of the present century (at Erie in 1852) and thus antedated by a number of years the use of the small mesh nets. The number of nets employed in this fishery ap^'Cars to have gradually increased until about 1886 when the white- fish began to grow scarce and most of the Erie tugs began to use a smaller mesh for herring and blue pike. Since about 1890 a number of tugs at that place have re- entered the whitofish fisher}', and in the meantime there was a development along the same lines at Dunkirk, where this fishery has received increased attention of late yearss The tug fishery for whitetish is confined to that portion of tho lake east of Ashtabula, the number of vessels engaged in it in 1893, being as follows: — Ashtabula, Erie Dunkirk Buffalo 1 tug, fishing 40,000 6 do 200,000 5 do 200,000 1 do 20,000 460,000 In the same year there were about 500,000 feet of netting belonging to the boat fishery, although it is doubtful if over one-half of this amount was ever in the water at one time. The Dunkirk tugs are engaged almost exclusively in catching whitetish until about the middle of October, when most of them, if not all, begin to take trout in the 5J-inch mesh nets. Some of the Erie tugs mentioned are also used almost entirely in the whitetish tishery, but others, with those located at Ashtabula and Buffalo, engage to a greater or loss extent in the fishery with small nets. Tho bulk of the fishing is done east of the Ohio-Pennsylvania boundary in depths of from 12 to 30 fathoms, and from five miles offshore to well across the lake It is only the tugs which traverse the greater distances, the boats remaining on the grounds near the shore and thus being able to fish less continuously. fiHlioiy for ill into the April 1 to bouts used Lfht by tho during the about ono- of the full r notH llHOd time that i, tho mesh invariubly tho ihland It vicinity, •k. Those lai"o,f;r N-iifbrn;";;"^" '■''' •"*' ''"■^'' ^-'^^ ^^'•^"''' •'"^ -^ ^^ -»^« ^o say tha wS 00 ft". TM " ■''''' ',"■^"''f ''''''' ^'^^^ "ots, measurinir net rnori lut piesonco ot a imitod spawnin.i,' ground in that vicinity. ^ ,„'fi ■■ 'V'W';'"^''>° o"tire souHon skotchod above certain'othor snocies "tro fincrht have'y^g;d h" tllj. oc^asional^ -onopol.ed this fishery, but since 1890 they Novemb?rVhen"/h'/"'^ "^ '^^ '''''"• '^"^ «'" ""^ ^^'^^^'-y ^^'^ ^'"^o^^h is confined to ^In^Zn^^ • t! ••'''''"'" '''""'' ^« 'P''^^^" o" the reefs and rocky bottom in the witL.?ei Sound n tr-?""r' '" '^-'''".'^ ^^u^-'"« '^"'^'^"^^s and flrmers.l'ethor sh oV .^rt,nl " 'Tcs ;r'^o"1 '^° ?^>^"^'«« «"M.loyed. It is car^iec^on in generally- i;:[we:r'i^ov:;^ aid" .rS'Sr*'' The ^^hiS m""^ ^h roe weeks, and spawning, and no other species a^pe^ "be^ od^^lh th^m inlhe l^^^ 70 MAliINE AX I) FISHERIES. Carpne«in^.— Within a fow yonrs tho UHo.r gill iiots for tjikin/:' tho Germiui ciii'p luiH Hpruiig up 111 Hevoral j)lao.eH nlotig tho hoiith whoro west of SuiuluHky. Thf Bizo ot tho moHl) is tho siimo iih iho trout nets, numoly, 5J iiichcH. Tho total umounL employed in 18!13 probably did not exceed 5U,000 loot. STUHQEON aiLL NETa. Tho Mturi,'eon ijill nols arc made of relatively stout twiiio and the riicsh meaeures from 11^ to i;^ inches in oxtension. Tlioy aro about 0 foot doop, aronet at tho bottom not far from shore, and aro tond.d by nioims of wiil boaU or row boats. Tho date of their introduction in Lake Krio has not been learned. Sturf,'eon fishing by this rneiinsappcars to bo conHncd to that portion of tho lake lying bo'woon Irving and Buthilo, Now York, where in 18!t3 there wore 18 4,'i3() feet of this largo inosh netting in use. It IS employed principally by farmers, two men and 50 pounds of netting being the equipment of a boat. Until Ist .May this species is caught on bailed hooks but abou* that dale tho gill nets aro set and their uso continuois until Jul\'. They come into use again in September. filLL NET PKACTICE8. Time out, condition of catch.— Tho time elapsing between tho soKini,' and Iiftinf of tho gill nets depends ujion the season, tho weather and the kind of lisb for which thoy aro used. The whitotish nets at tho east end of tho lake aro allowed to remain in the water two days as a rule, anil longer when Sunday or bad weather intervenes. Although unlavourablo comments upon tho quality of the fish so cauirht have been made, our ob,-.ervations disclosed that I,; -ve-m 80 and 00 per cent oAhe whitefish laiuied at Erie and Dunkirk wore allv. wi-jon taken from tho water, ovon after tho nets bad been fishing throe days, and ^: • ;-■ v all of tho dead ones wore firm and hard Iho whitetish gill netting on tho w^-u^.i: T'.atform is always conducted during cold weather, at which season tho fi>h wiii !,.:,,>;- longer and as tho nets arc sot near the shore they can readily bo reached at all t,i;nes. When fishing for saugors, wall-eyed pike and porch, tho nets aro out only ono night, and, as the fish aro hardy and the water cold, the entire catch is obtair'od in good condition. Most of the gill netting for blue pike is done at times when the water is not very warm, and, except when storms interfere, the fish are marketed in good order. At the eastern end of the lake, however, there is some complaint of the c-ondition of the catch by the small boat gill nettors during July ami Augu-t. Tho most serious charges in this respect relate to tho herring gill net fishery especially during the summer months. In warm weather the herring nets aro leftoiit only one day, but when tho weather becomes cooler thoy aro usually left out two or moir- days. It is generally agreed that tho herring is the most tender fish caught in the gill nets and that they die and decompose very quickly. Observations niTido at several of tho fishing ports and in tho markets of Philadelphia and Pittsbiir.rh showed that, while many of the gilt net fish are in good c(.ndition, a considerable proportion were decidedly inferior to those taken in tho pound nets. At Krie in August only one-third of tho fish wore in condition for immediate shipment in fresh condition. The balance were either salted or dressed before shippin.' These fish were not spoiled, but merely soft and pallid and generally inferior to those con- sidered as being of first quality. When dressed fish aro received at tho markets tho cut edges are dark and the flesh is so sol' that the bones protrude. There is no doubt that during colder weather the general condition of the gill net fish is superior to that described, but taken as a whole the gill net catch of herring is inferior in quality to that of tho pounds. Relations of mesh to size o) fish.-— Tha gill nets do not take nearly as large a proportion of young fish as do tho pound nets. The mesh used for anv species is 8upposc(i to bo adapted to tho size of fiah suited to tho markets. The ju'^incipal dif- JOINT Flail imiES COMMISSIOX ' _ 71 plaint concerning i moSoI L h,S^^^^ , '^^ """'"*"; ,'^"" «• Thoro in no com- Many undor«i/,o.l wull-iyoTpi ko iZ-ovor / ^^ "'"T «""!!>^''^"1 ''V tho teolh. In Ihocaao oC the wl ifo Ih it i ?.ll„ . .'kT ''' ^'"P,^""'" mo'^l'od nets. youn, ..e caught in^Jt :!:;:t!:i W ' o" rhl ' (^^^ iJ^'S" xltl'^ .r""'"^^ "'' ^'^^ to ho a rcasonahio ono but Nomowhuf «v.nn l«, i ' ,• "? ^'"'"'"""t appoufM nior and lall of 1 -04 did not STm .x" ob.orvafon. nK.io durin. thL'^u-n. TRAP NETS ANf) PTKE NETS. ^i'^^^ry, number and distribution.—Fykii nalH h-ivo \„~ i- ti ,■ ■ . docado. Of tho Sr M re w;3^^ '^"^I^T" i' -^"'.■od during ti.o last forms of i. paratuH to-rotiior wo (ind ih-it\ulZZ., V T " ^onsidonn« Iho two made ovia ,,',t by ,he fbilowinlMablo :-i " ''°'''^' '^^^'''^^^ «'"^« l^'^S-'' ^"Ct lH,S.-j Fyki .nul "Biiy pdiiiids Miil)iii. ri,'■•- «^i.eci pftei. eo„si,|,.rahlo quantitic. of wort ois l , .,* ,^1. I ' '""^ -'■'■''■"' 1"'^"- »'"' is an appr.cial.l« curront i„ I ho riJ Tl.o S I v l""' '""""■!'>-*^^- ^V^'h"-' there species cumin,, up -ho rivor to >aw .' M ^7^ji^i:r '' "'/r" '■''r^"' ""'^ that rnade on .ho Ma.,n,oe i.^or L. ^J;;:^:^:^^^^;^^^:^^^-!^^ ^!i:^, hutr L^'a Z i:S'p;r -• ^^ -- .':-S'ca::^,Sk::;!; {^f<',. Si, ,., • . about five not« tiHho.i from M; >• until al.ont Vmn, in V, ' • ' '""* •'^<"'« •'"'« ^^"^^t^;:^^!^:^^^^^^ i'j^on, .hero ,ho, are |•in,^ I..winterwa,u;i'So^^^^^^^^ ••""' " verylo.v^.or: latter l)oin,. sometimes i.| as to .suygesi its posnihlo extormi- The Michi...n and Ca,,ad an sh cul mist ^, ' '" /-^^ ^?^ '''""'•''' "-•^ ^^''-'^'oon. whitotiHh, and certain frneJudX^^^ '"' ""-' ^■"•'""■^' of Hpa^^^.in^ their own use. ^'"'' ""'''' " '«^^^' ^•o'*''^^ 'i-^l' l>y this moans for HOOKS A.ND LINES. nam^ • ^Jtl^i;^ .^^^^ ^[^^. '^'j" -'7 '- classi«ed under .-ur heads, catfish; HneHshoryio^Htulietn; s;>nti;hi'n"^ ""*' """""^ "'^'•''"« "^''^■'•^' '«'• an fishing durin,. the nSde "o ' -the '";. "Tvdi'Tithr '^' '"'""' -""'-"'>"« •ntiectod with a tell-tale device, called .? .•..;...-•',:.''"/'"'"■' ^'^ '^'y"'^ ""«« to than lisliin^r „unii,-r me remaimler of tho vear I'.u.l, nW^., "•' '"" "I'""""b connected with a tell-tale device called ? 'Min ,.„ '• .^ • "'"' "'^."** •^'''^''''•"' li"os i« caught. Tho fishery is carried on fom tl «' r ' ' 7'''^'*'A"^''^^ ""^i^-o whet, a tish "P. "Hually from Deceml^r , il tiV Z .. ro^'p'?" ''' ^'"''r »"^" '^ ''^^^''^'^'h varies between .5(»0.000 and 1 0.0000 .,n,u, / ^'^'"•'"''T- The season's catch yelY^dko. perch and hr;,^wirv';'wl:'::^or''^ •>'' '''- ->' runners. The catd, amou s to ler .T^o!n'; ''/I ' •' '"'''''' "^"^^ l''""«^' O" c..is,s ,.ineipally of .n,e;lUd ^l-clC'alKSf ^Td'pE tl iS, - at El:S^S'g,;^i!:;;™i«» "P- « «-" -alo at several other places, as 74 -V. I niNE A X/t FISH K HIES. Set-lines for catflsh.—T\m fisliery i.s doc'liiiing. In 1800 it yieldod 40 ])or cent, Imt ifi 18!>;{ only 10 ])<.t cent, of iho vnliio of tlio lino fi>^!iorioK. Tlui ilccreaHo was universal, and wiiK lino to (ho rajtidly docroaHinf,' ahmxlunco of tiio callis!!. This tishory was fnilowi'd on all pails of tlio UnittMi StaicH ishoio, hut han nt-vor been considciulile on llio Canadian nido of tlio lake. Tlio K^imtli of lino varit'H, iho avorago iiumluT of liooks iisod hy ono (isliorman boin;; liciween Soo and 1,500. Two HpccioK of cattish aro cau^'ht, tlio silvor or spotted i-al (Irtalurus /luuctnt us) and the yollow cat {Ameiurus lacustris), tho fishertnoii not alwa^'n distiiii,'iii.>hinfr between thorn. Line Jiaiierii's for stiiri/ton. — Tlu^ lino tislioiy for Hturgeon is contincd to that portion of tho laUc lyin^ within tlio statu of Now York, who.o it hoijins as soon as the ice loaves and conlinui'S until some time in .June, althoUf,'li many abaiidnn it for !ho/,'ill riot tisliery about May 1, Two molhods aro employed— grapplini,' and sct- liiit's. Tho former can he used otdy when Iho tish aro rolling upon their spawning grounds. The grapple eonsistn of a threopointod hook, which is dragged over tho l)ottnm and "driven home" with a Jerk when it comes in eontait with a fish. Wliilo this is not a^ dcstruclivo as the sot-line grapnel used in tho Detroit River, ncyertheloss many fish escape in a mutilaied condition. The set-line ti-.hcr\ with baited hooks is more extensive. The lines aro similar to those used tor catfish hut stouter, and two men fishing from u small bo.-'t use from 2,000 to ;},0(l(l hooks. Most of those engaged in this fishery aro farmers residing along shore betwcon Irving and Bi.fl'alo. Besides Hturgeoii the set-lines catch other species, notably blue pike. The lino fishery for sturgeon is insignificant on the Canadian sliore. Sjiort Jishina. — The principal sport fish of Lake Erie is tho black bass, including both tho small-mouthed and large-mouthed species. Formerly a luimbor of places on the lake, notably Krie, Pa., the Ba.-s Islands, and various localities iii ('anada affordeii famous fishing for these species. Considerable numbers of sportsmen aro still atti acted to the Bass Islands, but the fishing there, as elsewhere, has sadly deteriorated. The best fishing at present appears lo be in tho vieinitv of Beloe Island and tiear Long Point. Perch and wall-eyed pike are also caught for sjiort and occasionally a mnski- iioiige is taken by trawling. The perch, wall-eyed j)iki> and bass are Usually d for wiln live minnows, but the bass is sometimes caught on the sjioon. Lake and Hirer St. Clair and Detroit River.— \^\ these waters tho line fisherios resemblo tho>.o eiiunierated for Lake Hrie. The principal one in the Detroit River is by means of the set-lino grapnel for sturgeon. This apparatus cnnsl.-is of a stout line stretched across the spawning grounds and armed with nakeii ihreo-poiiitwd grappling hooks, so arranged that tho sturgeon como into contnct with them when '• rolling." Tho struggling tish boconio caught upon one or more of these and aro painfullj- lacerated in tho attomjit to tree themselves. In many cases they are firmly held, but often their struggles suffice to tear them loose, usually at tho expense of serious injury, and when afterwards caught in the seines they are found to be shockingly mutilated. Tho injuries are such thnf man}' fish must die in conso- quonco. The method is thoroughly reprehensible. SPEABINO. At tho present time spoaring is an almost unknown method of faking fish in Lake Erie, but occasionally a tew wall-eyed pike are sjieared through the ico there, and also in Lake St. Clair and the St. Ciair Kivor. It is stated tliat black bass aro Bpoared on the spawning grounds in St. Clair River. EXPLOSIVES. No explosives are used for tho capture of fish in Lake Hrio. nor in the waters connecting it with Lake Huron. io per cent, L'creuHe w»8 ItlHii. ThiH ru'voi' been varios, I ho iiii.l 1,500, < jiunctatua) tini,'ui,-,hiii^ icd ti) that as Noon i\H iiiiioii it for 1;^' and si't- r spawning iij (ivor tho ith a tirth. roil Rivor, ■JoctHaiis(iictorily, how esMiy (op honio 'M results, it iniisl ho <] ^•v<'V, and to i Tho hulk of tl „ I ., , "■ ■"" ''Hill consjsiH < value of tho total output for l.s'Ci ! mainly to its moreossyiitlal feat ivosi,.,| „t J, 1 1 „ nsiiro >o * '"ICO an important I OH them and the fact tj7 «"ineo( the inferior kinds, suci OS are, for th quantitioB are often taken I iho m of rohitivoly littio coi ll a con^iderahlo proi)ortioii of' fh the as th *i most le siickors. w jirice received for obtained only in Hinal so(|U6nco. There are al an.i,'lin^r ie also carried on t< am.iunis. Tho black f o catch may bo rejected, makes several spocicM which Jass is the prin.ipal sport fish, b --••^■•..f, .c«,„u larricd on to some e.xtent for (h.. ,,.ii i-'-'j-" "pori iisn, other species. Tho maskinon^re h wn •!, ' ^.-!..^''?^^' I'^'''''.''- ^vall-oved piko are lit Tl irreater fisheries of Lake I wliitohsh and piko-pcrchos. Of tl .u..w„„,i;™,i;,;;,;v;:;i:;;:;::''^"'i'^|'"'""' iake hrio are. theroCn-n ..n..., .■ ,. dental featii o are, therefore, prosecuted' for the I los of tho main -^...... .V .,„,„., ,„ „,o ,„.„„ ,.,„p alihoUL'h it sr:';:^.':;.^::"-"''^ "''-wise 'the-. Kr:,! :h.:::::!:;:"!:'^^p^^!"-^''''''''''ki« obtained iloh, although it' is not Some of tl ntonded to imply that i I , • . ■ mil 'lo and profitable for t| oomo ot them moreovop .nn ii i "' "oniaDci jo 10 tisher iiorrinir, ;is inci. Iioir men. satisfied to confine tl to the whifofish and hon Huflicient I leir attention to tho five forms fi "laiority of tho fisherm i''rics this heini en would b^ these are tht I'lsis to insure a "i^r, l)rovided their abund rst mentioned, or .'veii ehief! continuity of jirood c.itchos. J in<-e couM bo m n our iipii iiiiitaiiU'ij on a th 10 species which (lomun-i tlie oiirw.i.^..i i •■ • «--•<'■«, "oco>«ary, the remainder should bo s' b iii i,.^ ? n"'*''''''T''^^ •"""' '^•''^''•^'^•" ■n the interest of the former, howevo? m .'1 L "'"• . ^">* '•"^"•"■tio,,., made Kroator or lass de^^ree, but in sZ^d ;ect1on s ,. o'^r''!' '" '"''"''' ^''^^ '''•^«'- '» can readily bo provided. "iitctions spec.al rogulations aro desirable and un.is?:iuC£: ^K: ^ii^ciMnxriirrsr"","^ ^'^ ''-' ^-. .— morcial fishes, and while comma idin-^ In, hi, ' . ^ 'T '" ':"^'"l'''ny with tho com- obtained rend.r it of no particul HSuo o the^^^i^^^^^ '^V'"' "'" '^'"^'" """>''^'" forgo KH .«p,„ro if it clMild bo d ^ c m .nion K T"/ '''"' '''"'"'' '^° •-••'»'^«"'' '« accomplKshin^Mhat result has boon srnr'trr?LV' '1^ "" '•™'"'''' '"""'"'i "^ restriitionH, thecaiTvin.Mnitof-wl.'l^h^ • ''",'''-"' I'rote.tion wouM involve the nets, and wo are co Hrnt th^t ScHo ;.7r ^^ "T^''" ^^•'"' "^^' '"""ilin^ .f bo exacted. """' '**"'^' ^'O'npl'ance wit I, such inoasuros could never ' 80V0II place in tho v 1,.,,.. !-:.*' ■•■"* "' "'"" Piaco in tho value of th» c-itch I- —'"".-.. jn, lorm, into prominence, and for laco a number of ilivo but much inf years tho latter spocios has been Hrgf, lo enor in 'l\ MAlllXK AM) FiS/fKIUKS. >M>(li llic oxIiMil ami viiliio of ilio ontiro liiko oiilpiit. Tlio Inrj^'o nizo of tlxi TiJikf l",rio iicrriiii;, ilr* iihiiii'lanct' in InculilioN riivimnihlc fur il s ('.■ijiluro it( iiiiml tinuM of tlio year, and tin' proximity of llio LtroiimlH to inipoitaril inurUctM, Imvo ■,'ivon it nii Hilvanla^t' <»vor llio luTiin;,' ol oiIut lakiM an is alx) on" ". ihe piko-percliOH, rankH fourth in the valiio of ih • ealch. ll In, 'o a lur/^e extent, Iho ohject of a Hpeeittl tihhery in the early Hprinjj, whon ilH valuo . i;''<'"''y enhanced hy the soaicity of frehh lish at thai season. liako Krio is praelically one eonliniioiis tihliirii,' ;;i()nnd, aeee^Mihlo and mon* or less iuerativo to the lir.hernu)n in all j)artH. Sneh moderatidy deep water as oeeurs nuar its ejistern end j)rovides siiitahio eonditions lor eorlain hinii there unprotitahio for sovonil months. On Iho north shore, however, the water remains eoolci' duriniT the «nmmer, and lishiiiL; mav unusually he carried on continuously during; that season. The jfenoral ^'ill net lisiiini,' is least interrupted by seasonal chanif*'". Tho (diaractcr and distrihution of the apparatus is detoiinined in |)art hy the physical conditions and in pail hy the movements ot the lishos which t hoy are desifjned to capture. Pound nets arc Iho predonnnant feature of the platform and ot the shallow water adjacent to it on the south shore. Introduced tlioio over forly years api, they have increased t-,. an extent unjiarailoled in any other section of the country. IV»ither cast on llio south shore they are employed as lur as Now York State, out much Icsb commonly, and many are rarely tithed tofjethor in the same locality. Alon^ tho I'anudi.an shore they are distriliuled r.ithor evenly, hut the niimher there is ni)t one-sixth that in Unite.l Stales waters. The j)iiiicipal ^'ill net refrion is tjie hody of the lake eastward of ihe platform. The lonirest season is furnished hy the deeper waliMS, mainly otf Pennsylvania and New York, hut this hranch of lishinj» is exteiu'ed at times to'most other jiarts of Iho lake, incliidini^ the western platform, where, however, it cannot successfully compote with the pound nets except during' the hoi,!,'ht of the run of cortain species. Trap n>!ls are useii to some extent on the shores of Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, and fyke nets to the westward of Vermillion. Seines are employed in some places, hut they have hoeii fjeiierally suporsodoil hy other methods, and ai(^ now important in only a tew localities. The hook and line tishory is chiefly coiitinod to tho easiorn aiid western ends of the lake, and is conducted on a relatively moderate scale. On the Canadian side the market fishery is now practically roHtrictod to tho use ot pound nets an i jjill nets, and is much inferior in im])oitance to that in United States waters. The siiore is not adapted to such extensive strings of jiouuds, and tho irill net fishery is carried on solely hy moans of small boats. Tho extent of the decrease amonj; even the more important tishes cannot generally bo determined spocitically from tho information which is available, hut in some cases it has been so marked that its magnitude can readily he estimated. Tho cau.sos of decrease are still more difficult to fix in detail, hut tho principal intluonces concerned thorewith may be inferred with a reasonable assurance of reliability. The early fisheiies in Lake Krio were pioHccuted almost exclusively for tho whitefish, but at that period it was only taken close inshore and mainly, if not entirely, during its spawning run. After a time, however, tho means of'^capture were rapidly multiplied, and the species was followed to its most distant grounds. During the warmer and colder months it inhabits chietly tho deeper wuteru iu tho "'";"-'• '"'•"-Pni.u-u.il.ll ' i'^,i,T;7,i'^ """'-l HUH.Iu.s wan lor a M,onal will ..H tis|,..ry „r hI,,,,! ,l!,n,,i„;, ' " ' """'" l"*"^ "'"^ """ "I'lor i.y ■ III! htatihtifH sImiw M r'>||iii,r ,,n :,, ii ' , S.n.o. war.r. ,i„nn, ulo .II'N "':.;; r:':::! ; '"""• ^^'"""'^'' '" '-i-'i '<^^'l t-v u co,.tin,.ouH 'I III' it'Dlntiiiii liiiM iiiw, •: t I.. I of <»V,M(is|,i„ir |,y |,„j|, jIj^j 1,'rca. an as iiH ■ ■■ iiiu »iiii(]ijsii caicii i.<.nnasa,HiViii,.c.s.„:;;;'h;;r;o^ ,";;;;; •;;;;--; '.r ovo,.|i«i.ia, i.y ...ih tho noc.,o„ with this HpccioH ill >eoo,it vo Jh ' T , ^^ ''^;'"''"' l"-"mi.,onlly i,. eo,,- too lar^o a ,.,a,.titv of ,ho a.l.ll, ,1 .7. "s^. ; 'ZV^^^ '""" ''""' '""'"">'"'. ••""' doopo,- waters co„stit„ti„;. tho normal I al.ita ,, I "' ^T'- V >'"'"' '" "'" doeroano actually took plaoo in that -^o wH w li.l / i^""?'"'" .''"'"^ «' ^''« the Mat.Mtioal lot.irnH. Tho arnrnt'omont, ,'> , 7'"' '' '^ ''"« "'«" l^«o" i'ienti.h.l by Hl.orowa.M a,.,l wontward r,.ovoT.a 7 J'l ^ij^'"'' "''^'^ 'r^'^'> ■■f"--«"co to the apphaaceH oxto.Kl acrosn tho pathway ,? t o Uh , k'?'"'"'^' "'"' '""• Tl-ose .nto,copt their paHsai^o ho oxto, liveHy wh tov J ' l""?h "•^'^"^^"^^'•vals, an,l 8mp,.H|n;. any «houl.l .each their npL.Ti, 1/ ,3^ n", '' f "' '''"' '' '' "'™"'^^ depositing' their ,,fr^,, ,hoy are a^^^ai , tho fe;, t* of .t" Jit "'^•«"'^ """oove.-, while rCSn^ ^"^-*^ ^^-- -' '^«'- «'• ^"ir'^^-'t>e:::d:^;s Ji;th:;is jodu.!;;^;i,ri;^'rr t./^'ll.t,:taZt^r£'^,^'^"'^ *v^ - p---. -" ^he fish, tho larger HizeH having/, apna,ontTv . ,, m r '^ T"""'' "^"''"^^ '^'''^ "^ H'o ficution of the moHh muHl cttli'^ K ,^;otrr^^ ^""^'ht off. ThiH modi- docroaHo in tho abundance of the Hsh a^^i t Jl„ ', "V"" '" I' '*"■*"'" ^-""""^ ^f puHh the tiHhory hoyon.l a p-opj- limi't io, nd ,ts r-'''"""' '*'"' "'" ^^"•'""''y ^o have failed to seizure satinfuctor,^ ...w' i 't;boir,nn,nf,' many years aifo. We ially aided by .ho captu e of Sact mil " I.oen^'mater- w.th Homo of the oth^e. species Very Vw vfu u. wJ'fTt' '"'^' "^ '"'« "^«»"«'J platform or elsewhere in the pound nef reJon^^f nf "''"\«*'«h "«•" «^-«f «een on the many lish of that character are taken i. "some ^fh ^'"' ""^- '^ ''* '''P'''^'^ ^hat also in th. herring ^iii noi« whL omnioved Tn M ^^ ""-'■- -"'-"" f^"''"'^ "-^^ "^"^ he the case is not" mprobable bu t tZSiee r« ? -^V T'"''- '^^'"^ «"ch may the eridonce presenteS to thai effec^Vn'X-Trwe^'Led' investigation bofor^ 78 MAIIINE AND FlSHKItlKS. To wiml oxtc'iil the pollution f.f th<- wiitor mny luivo iiifliioncod tho d ccroaso of tl.iH HpocioH 11 iH iiiiixmHihlu I.. Hjiy, 1)111 at liio mo^t it can nut Imvo raiiUod uh a vorv potiiil lactor ID (•(.iii|)ar»is()ii with tho li>liiii^' practioos ahovo rclcrml to Many ol'tlio li.shcirin'n aro (•(iiitidont il li^ll haH lioon fhefked lliroii^'h llio nf^'oncy of tho halclH^rioH, l)Ut tl that i«f?aid aic not niiHlainod l>y the HtiiliHtical lol '".!' '." '>'^*"'> yoaiH tho di'croiiHo oC whito- loir )*tatoni('ntH in rns. It is piohalilo, howovoi that cxcopl I'or tho asHiHtanco »»rarti(i(ial pro|)aj,'ati()n tlio amount oC d' have lieon much /creator coroaHo would The h did not 1)1 '-^inio an important objoct of iho tiHhoiicH until 11 vory iimch JatiTdalt' than tho \vliilc(i)*h, but with tho docroiiNcof the lalloi- it haw attained the principal position in tho lake cat«di. This npccies haH oHHontially tho Hamo din- tnbution and movcmcntH aH the whitotish. It livort in tho deeper waiors durinir tho Kroatcr pari of ijie year, but appears to occupy ihoro a wider aroa.and even durinL' thcoNtromcsol iomi)oraturo may bo found in Hmall numbers on tho western plat- toim. its Hpnn-; and fall nii.;ral ions aro practically idem ical in character and extent and itshpawniii,t,'seat'ondooM not diller materially from that of its lar-'or rebitive' 1 he platform contains important, if not its i)rincipal, Hi)awnini,' jrrouridH althouL'h there IS every reason to suppoHo that tho species also spawns extensively further east, but in what locality has never lu-en ut of too that tho rent their nd causes ih omtoc.cfupy other than th< arge oilu's hav Huron and !• e heon Hoen Hpawriing ir customary gPCMinds in the lalo fall. It is Haid HtaleinenlH in that airport, where mkI in recent vcarH otf || li an oeciirieiieo was i I" Noiith Mhoro helw iiovi.)iif,ly iinUnnwii, luii i| 79 that ocri .luctivonoss of the npoeien has LZ Inucl. n.,|;;i;.!:r"' "'"' "'" '-"^"'^ "'"^ ^'^ l"'- n,r„. cl^eh olt^Hn:; aIo;.n,:Sh''T '"'"' '""V'"li^-' ^•"•- " — Panuivolv uni- very lar.., incroaKo in I o >ZI l^t^^^^'r •^'^- - ^'"i "•'<'«•", l"'wev,.r. wi a whrch (hoy are taken ' "l•l'•■"•'""^ '"'th pound nets and gill notn by •V"nl.oiH, and in the doopor watl'^wori ew, '''?'' ""> ••';«'""^ «xcept in H,„all hoy ocoaHionally ho.uinc! enland^.r ' , ,rSi ' n '" V' .""'^"" ""^^' "-^'"l- ••"» before dcseribod, ho far as ca , v " L . i '^^'"•'"''""^^ ""'I ' HpecieH, whi.h has been fell to a rrl r. h- '""!'"'" '" "'^' "I'l".!......,, of this but ,e,nponu-y local u^.r^L^^T^^Z^:::::^;:::;^^ regions. tnin.ls of Hom.. tishern.en as to whetl e u.^.T. ' ''"''' "'•^"^01. .louht in the taken place. The pike has s. tn»I I • ^ " '""^'" '" *''« -''•""« "'" 'I'" M.ppir has whitefi'sh or tho ber'ri ;, no.wTlhs ^Hi r^i;;/w"^ 'iT'^^T'-' ''""«^-"'' ^''"" -'''•"^ 0 ««hory boin. secured bV pSti I ^vl^^^v ^ n^^ -norediverse bulk of the catch, as with tho s oHes S...] i f ",''°'"*' "">l''<'vod. Tho pound and trap net«. Tho docTeColmsri' VI "'?''' '"/'"' -'" "^"^ =""' '" 'bo l>i..ed with th!, oxcoHHivo ca,,;; 0 of r ' r- r ;'.""^"".'^-'-'^'' P'^« ""'^ '^^ of their well-known pm aceousTib ImH ^A'^!"^'""'"^*>7 '"""7 'inhormon bocaUHo of these forms in LakS EriHarpro I, oed n ine «r"" 'i '"'"'^ V'"^ ^''° ^''^'''i''^ "^ .« no ground for the latter boMef' 'md n" ^viS tha? " 7^'^'^ "^ '""'''•'"^'- ^bo-o abundant than at tho penod «f their ^.x rTrLtch 1 V^ ^"'■^ '^"°'' '««« explained. Tho statistics, moreover credit tT,a^«rnn m""" ^''"''" "f-'^' "« ^"^'<>f^ •8 apparent among tho pike-poreheH °^ '''"'* " ^"•«*'^«'' '^oereaso than f^.uua'^a.rtSrhUitini^'LS Erio^rvrot irot""" '"?°"^-« ^'•'^^ - ^-p'- « the conditions there existing vou'ld arZ h • '''"p."^ "^perfect knowledge of with favour the proposition ;« on ..... 1° '["polit.c, and wo cannot regard afforded to ri.i thVE^oHholt'li giS ' \^« V{ "''f'^f'""'^^' ^'^"'^ ^>« It may at times bo possible to adinsf thn'L c^ "'"'''' "™'^"«'" body of water In Lake Erie or in rll^' i^e. "imfl' f bodv s,^"h"!. '/ T'^''^ .^7 "'•'i^^''^' Boloction considerable c,hange produced m^h causo'mor- ,^^'^r"''' ^'^l ^•■"'''°««' «»^ ""7 so-called P-edaceousineciosisSi™ 3 th«..?? *'"r>'°«'^- Tho number of vi^orousonslaughton^hoL^iS^— -,arKSS^£:^ N 80 .V.I/.7.N7; .I.V/' //v/ZA'/.'/AX have now I.00I1 ciuriod (.M lorMo lotifT a pi-riu.! Imvo niit|..iil»io.lly torhlod lo JiHliirb llio haliiii.o()tnalur(M.rij{iiially prm-uiliii^' in Huh lako. Th.'io is i... way ..i i.to- venting' Hiii-li nil ofcnnoiico or of (lolormmihi,' what tin, tinal ..iilroim- inav I,,. Mit wiih ih.' Ii^'lil wi< now |l..H^^ms on t|ii< Hul.j.ri, w.i coniidor il iinwarranU-Il lo'iloli- K.iaiily Micntic.' any Mp.ci.M which o.ciipieh an inipctitant poKitiun in tho tinhorioH or may conlihiio lo ho a hoiino of prntit to ihti lishornii'h. Tl.o sauiiorH, whi.h c.nio iioxl alloi- tho walloy.'.l" piko in tho mjm> of cuh-h .KTur nio-l ahnn.lanily alontj Iho miuU. slioro w.-hI ..C V..imillion ano icnuited it witiiout detriment to the more important l.iancho8 of tho lake tisliery. Its nizo and hardinesH pormit of tho return to the water aiive of all immature individualn which may ho taken by any molho.l, and much j,'ood can undoubtedly bo accomplished by this moanH, as a lan;o |)roportion of the pound net catch especially coiiHistH cftho hiiiuII tish. It is imporlant. fiirthormoro, that tho extent of the (special tishcries tor the BpecioM should be materially reduced, and the ^rill not nie.sh should ho so ro,s,Milaled in size as to jirovent, ho far as possible tho cai)turc of any individuals below tho KO'iorally accepted standard of four foot in lcn;,'lh. We consider, moieovor, that iho use of naked hooks or j,'rapnols on the spawning irrounds is a prenicious practice which should not bo tolerated. The black bass is tho princi|)al game lish of Lako Erie, and tho sportsmen demand for it the fullest moasiiio of protection. Wo fail to soo, however, how its preservation can bo pr<)vide, but iitcil III iloli- tlio tirihcrioH \KV of Cttlcb, iii aliiMit tlio '111 ry in tlm tiNtii'H hlmw ) I III) iMOitiia It lliii liir^or >iily tlio vo Iv only tl ili'Mleucti) las Huiloroil lirotiiiiirnl i^tii/A'i| ami I' iIi'hI royeij van alioaily H uNii lic .1 I ami HciiioH. lit' lliu iako, hoii<. Tlio 31'aliiiri liuH ivy liimiiui- ilOHllU-;^OI»(l H! it iiioritH coiicliisivo led ill con- Hii(!li pro- iraiichoH of or alive of h fjood can poutiil net 0, that tho oil, an. I tho »HMili!o, tho )ur teot in olrt on the HportHinon or, how itH 8 cohstniit 1 would be 8o, but we licublo, for 0 ontrunco 1, and onoo tho fiHbor- , however, during ita ir HJzo for otorminod litios, such i methodB, conditiuns JOfXr FISIIKIUHS Vn.MMlSSlnx. HI It in not ONHonliiil to d tbonrj, Miiph nn lb« calrtHl iHC.iMH tbo roi.iiiininK Hi.bo« in ihJH .onneot taken only in r*iMall iiuant :::;;.r.i'''?'::''':'-"^''«.!'"P"r.an.o,whii::o,h if»n. A f.'w of -juantil.OH are ntill doHin.hlo VoatureH 'of „, u;:;;r" r:::!!i..TT''!?v"'«''' '- -'KK-tod toolion BM It wholo Hhoiild Hliiindant and in our npiiiinn, I • inpoitunt H|M.,-i,m in will,!, tho li„bori . ■ Any Htopn taken in the int for tboir proHoiviuinn, hut 1 1, '•« "nboiiliBttt,.,! to (hat oC II iOiH wbu'h are '' '-atcb. In Noine H'lr pro- lie nioru th til oir ailvaiitai,'o, ami X^^ mom on ON <>l ibo htko aio fhiBil •"l of tho l/ittei- will inci.iontall Tb wxioni in liko do>' "'^""'- ban ln<•roa^od in an unparalleled dcKro A nL i '". '^"""'' ''^'"'"^ ^^•»'«'-'' "'"' "" "'«' ••"-m.iian nlloro they haxo :on „ J,, , '7""'"'«'' "' l»'" noulh »ho,o mum nu „hcr in United SlatonV ."h " ' o^ 1 P ''""'^''TP;- Tho maxi- whonil amountod to about I fioo no,, v « " '"'"'hod In ahoui |,s!)o 1HI.3 howovor.ithadfidlo oir iu : ,{s /I ''^''';:^ i'''^*"' '" '««»• By plHtod. On tho Canadian nide the or, \ """T '•'"'"«""» ^vas oonlcn- On tho south Hhoro it in thoc mi u 11 r.; .1/ r'''"*''.'" -"- "'" ""-^t your. Htri,,K^ niado up. .fa variable uXr^^^^^^^^ "i: '""'■1'''^ '" .-.ntinuous :>r leH« lii.ianeo, depcndont uponThe [. ,|X i.!^,? '^ '"^ '"">" l''"-*^""" " «''«"'er u.HtHncc.thoHo.trin«Khave!.ontain..| ;;;;v"^^^^ ""'"'' '"'•"'">'• '" -mo a onKih of five or Hix milon, and allh.UL'h " 1. u '" '""" "'"' ^'"^••' '■"'"•'"'d ;>» l.'nK Htrin,.H in very ,.roat'. While lii'n,;?:;^:,;:;;^;;,^^^^^ "'•' Proportion to Komo c.xtoni olHowhoie, it in carried to I c !r • , « 1^ ' '^ ^^ '"'1 """• '^ '■"""^^'«*^ f'.rm and in the chmely adjacont re-don where r^^ ^^^^^^'^^^" ^ pl»l- OHpocially favourable foi thii piirp-,?,' .'i/^e , / • .,;7''''''r " '^''1'""^^ ^^'•" '«■ '•» these Hlrin-H coiiMitute a rapuLuccoHhion f- . " ,"-H^ ""«'"^ to the nhoro line working. alon« ,ho coaM, wI.'om, Zl^Z^, 1 h ' oh:' e^^^ ^r^^' •""" '-'' boin^ providod except in tho rare canos dlJll,!\ Iv^ <'bock(^d or diveriod. no iraim Hide no more th.n iL or three pound ^^r I Z^TH'''' '''''■ '"' "'« ^'"""•ii'ln ^'onon.ily tinbod «,n;rly. The individu ' Voade.s m ^ '" " "l'"'"'^'- '""' "'«>' "ro 'ods, hut the inner ouch may bo n u ch |o,. "'. ' r"""" -«:'«''""y ''Om .Id to ♦;0 tatos. TbomoHh in unuallvC^^Ti ! 1^^^;^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ """'^:i"»> "*' ^-'tfr di," •H douhtlul if much advanla.'c is , r, i e. 1 v '"""*'■'" "' '"'"'" «-•'. but it cban,es the direction of .he nVh^dn ^ ic ?a Mr;!::'?'".";- J''' """ "^•''•"""^' tbo opomn^^ into tbo nearent .Tib. ft irberrtba tv . '"""'^.""^^»'-P« of thin hnhit in .- :, . _ Iohm tlinii inarvelnim that an\ < oimiilnrNlile number of tlio eniKiatury i4|H)CtttN -iinultl bo al>lo to roach tlioir Hjiuwhinj; xnmiitlH. 'I'lial Iho iiuiiiul not fUbory an a wliolo ban lnon K''o«"y <'Vort|.ino in ovidoncetl by tbo laet thai MovornI yoarn a^o it coafod to bo proHtablo on ibc hcalf on wbicb it WOM and hIIII Ih contlucied. From tbe i«tun(l|)olnt, tb.iofore, both «d tbo lihbornmn ttml or tlio objeciM oj" bin indiihtry, it ro.|ijir.'« an oiitiro roviHion, but it in corlain lliat noibiiiK utloclual can bo accompliHlicd wiibout locoufhc to lioroic nioahuroB. Tbo roduction in tbo tnunbor of noiw Hbould bo >ulHcioni to pniduco a dccinivo roHult! i-'iirtbcrmoro, only n limiiod numlwr hbould bo aiiowchl in any ono plaoo; ibolont^th of tbo Htriii^'M hbould be loMHcnod and tboir continuity brokon. and aci-oMH by tbo wbitclihb to tboir wpawnintf roolH Hbould bo intorruptod to aH nmall an oxlonl m |)OHHibl(>. Tbo caiiturc of immoiiHo quantitioH ot yoiinj; or undor^iKod linb by tbo nound nolH iH tbo moNt hcrioiiM loaliiro connocto.l 'witb tlicir use, in view ot tbo lact lliat Ihoro iw no |.r;iotioal nioann of provonlinK it "iiItT tbo proHont condiliouH of tho linliory. It IK conHidorod vory ohMontial that tbo mcnb ot tbo crib should bo wmall enou>rb to provoni tbo Killinjr of an appn-ciabio quiintiiv of tbo tinb tnkon, an olbcr- wiHc tbo net m ditHcult to lift and manv tisb nro rctidoiod unfit for rnarkot. Wboro only lur^o Hub occur, or wboro it in doHirod to obtain only a larj,'ogrado, bolwoon wliicb and tbo noxl >,'rado bolow tboro \h oonhidorablo ditlcrenco in niao, a inoMb can bi^ Holoctt'd tbat will axMort tbcm convionlly. Hucb wuh tbo cano in roHpoci to tbo oarly pound not tiHbery on Lake Krio, wbon only wbitoti^b wore in demand, and wbon a mOHb «« largo aH 5 incbof* wan somotimoH oniployod. At ])roHont, bowover tbo doHirablo part of tbo catc^li in larf,'oly ompoMod of borriiii,' and piko-p'oiohoM all of wbicb run much Hinallor tban tbo wbitotiMb, and tbo Movoral npocioH may bo tbund moro or loHH aMHocialod togolbor at timoet in tbo samo localitioM, In order to accom- modat(* tbo nu'Mb to tboNo lormM, it baH boon reduced mainly to botwoon 2 and lii inchoH, but it bocomoH Htill Hmallor tbrou^b Hhrinka/,'o wbile in uho. A lari(or me»h than 2i inchoH, it Ih claimed by the finbormon, cannot bo employed except to MUch great dirtadvantage uh pruotieally to prevent tbe piotitablo continuance of tbo tiHbery. J{ocontox|iorimontH, conducted under our Huporvi^ion, Hhow tbat a 3-incb mesh will gill largo quantitioH of adult herring, both before uiid during the lifting, many of which are tbund to be unfit fir market when iho not in raised ; it will al.io allow wall-oved pike, weighing over a pound, to poHH through and OMcape. A aV-inch menh cauHod the gilling of fewer finb than tbo H-incb mesh, but of moro tban in tho cuHiomary hIzo uhoiI near it in tho name loculily. It would undoubtedly nerve to liborato n largo proportion of the Hniall piko-percboB, which are the most objection- able featuroH of tho catch and which it is vory doBirable to prenerve. Ub advantages should bo further tented under proper auBpices, but until that has been done, wo t^ol consiraincd to recommend nothing larger than a 2f inch menh for the ciYbH^biitthat 'hen tbe nets are actually in use. This should be tho Hize after shrinkage and w... „ ..„.„ „.« «v..u„..^ ... „»„. x,„b would bo a very decided improvement upon tho present practice, and would not fail to secure tho release of many nmall wall-eyed pike and saugors, which are now marketed at an inferior piico. Young whitetish and herring do not seem to be prewont in appreciable quanlitioB in tho principal pound net regions. An alternative method of preventing tbo destruction of undersized fish by the pound nets is to provide for their return to the water alive, as tho catch is being trauHferred from the net to the boat. Were such a measure feasible, it would prove a fortunate solution of this vexed question, and leave tho size of mesh to bo settled at the convenience of the iishermon, but we consider tho proposition to bo entirely impracticable as regards Lake Krie or any body of water having such complex and extonsivo fisberieB. Under all or inaiy circumstancen, the fish will remain alivo and in good condition in the cribs for a considerable pericd, and wore the catches uniformly small, the undesirable portions could be readily culled out, but such is generally not the case. The catches usually consist of a considerable' quantity of matoiial, and during iroud soasons may run constantly very btrgc, representiu'- JntXl Flsnuiims fOMMlSSJOX. II •lireotionM, riilmi- of tlio iM ovidoiKted on wliioli it 10 tihiioiiiiaii tN lurtniii '' mouMireg. :iHivoroMult, i tholonxlh roHH by the nil ex lent lia ' till) iMiiimi lie liict I lull lioim of tbtt illi lit* r^milll >ii, iiM otlior- ot. Wlioro lo, butvvcon a iiienli CUM SjH'OI lo tilO oiiuiimI, and t, howover. liorchoM, all uy l)u tbunil v to nccom- L-n 2 and 'JJ larger moHli U|)t to nucIi iiico of the l-incii moHli 'tiiijf, many I ul.io allow f-inch me8h hun in tlio lly Morvo to t objection- advantages )no, wo feel bH, but that use. Tiiia iild not fail uh arc now ioem to be fish by the L-y tl I bull ch is boing >uld prove > bo Bottled bo entirely mplox und main alive he catches but such is [uimtity of j>reo6nt tug nevoral in IroHli conditio H|.ccioH, Homo ,.f which may liavo ri" market value. A« tho tid. fnt.re I,.... ,h« im,.u,tant- question i'< JJJcL Trl^^^ " "'" '^"''' o...tc«,„l.,nt landlnK w.lh'tbe loa.i ihS I b v "v ,?• '" '^'\r^^'^'^' '"ilroad >He«Ho the MualKiMh alive, the laite. ''• with,., about ,en years, and are .h,w oraplovcd ^ , r^K''''''''''••^^ '" ^''"^ '"^o Oh.o, on the Houth «hore. There wereT52 in le i^^ s-n^' ""■*'^"''' "' '^"'""in, pasMOKsing certain -Jly to be much incroaHe.l"'Ti;r7.' i ''""'"""' '"'"'>' '"' ^'ImnKcd. wentern part of the United StateHH.o'eand a.e ,n' 7'V'!-« ^"'"H'hmI to^tho waters and mai-why aiea.s where thot. .,.V«i "^"" "''"pt'-'l beHideHthe,.ike-no?cherblCl, k'.'. .7/'''.S[' '"""J^.'-f the interior grades of"'ri.:h beside^ the i.ike.pj;;!;;;^^;:^ ^. rs^^'^^her^Jtiy: 'i^;"'"^'«'• ^'-^^o^^ someplaceH.asinSanduHky B«y,i«Vo,ylarLrrS nl. these nets employed in have been roHponnible for a greS amoun^t ofyama'V'""'"'^ ""'' «"'^'"'»«t"'-"H. they Ihe uill nets einp byed on Lake f-'iiA ....J^„!!. ■ , • II n,eHh^.p^prop;iat: fbr VLrH r^nd V"? 't'T ^T'^'^ ^'-«-. for the whitefiHh, and a Co o o for Thl ^nf "'" P'^^^P^rohes, a •geon is rostricted to Now Yo^k wate s „K ** "•:^'«»n- The gill r.'et ■he use of both baited and nnCl^ u'T' ''rt'' }' .''^ ^"'ried on in con- mi^ .|, •. — , ** fr'""" "'"ouni or uamaire fiMhery for sturgt junction with the use of both^raked an.rniked Kk?' Th«7-"; ■" k"'"""* °" '" "on- on much too large a scale is evident from he cont^^^^^^^ '^^'''^ Pronocuted dance 01 this species. While the reieasinL aHvo o^^m f^^"' decrease in the abuu- Io«8 than four feet long is recomm;n.i«?.-/'.- *.!??'*" «urgcon caught raoasu.in^ Io«8 than four feet long is recommended K«„ . **" ''.'"'■«^«» """^hi the size of meHh in those nets aTto nrovide l^'V'^^'^^^ "d^isable to so regulate escape of the smaller fi«h. Obser JL'!!"!!:."'!.!"'" H' P^^.^'^le, for the " ^^^^ im size are lad deeper waTeis and measuring - to regulate the voluntary practically t^o entire open season. '^Thi™;" It t '' '^ '« ^''^ied on during mam body of the whitoHsh, and the sp eciest n.tonTT"" ''""'r^ "^" '^^ '«»«t the the quant ty becomes much reduced dKnTtheDSHof^r "V'"' *'"««> "'^^ough in the spring and fall. Advantage wa« o?g a^rtaken nf th'"'" "^"'•«"'«'-d movement up the most extensive of the gillnet fishoKf th« il ^'r'r ''"•«"n>«tance to build excess, w th tho inevitable retult of causTng a V^fou^ In. ^™^. ^^^ ««'-''"d o was mainly abandoned about 10 years a^ro Th« ?i ^«P'«tioa of tho whitea^h it undoubtedly beneficial to the JpeS^lX^he «!h!-T''"'"^ ''"'^**'"« afforded wn« xude. v^Ue^Ui much smaller than at "a ibrme;^;fi^. Tl^ ^^e^ bei ^X 84 MAIilNE AN1> FIfiHEHIES. ducted on a much laiger scftle than the supply will warrant. The fishery on the spawning grounds is much less oxtonsive and of short duration, but by many it is regarded as pernicious from the fact that it decimatoH and disturbs the fish while they are collected together within limited ureas for the purpose of carrying out their moBt important lunction. The injury which may thus be done is mitigated to a greater or less extent by the ett'orts made to secure the greatest possible amount of spawn for urliticial hatching, and by the planting of the fry in the same waters. The size of the mesh in tho earlier whitofish gill nets ranged from 5 to 5*-inclieH. It has been reduced, through the catching ott'of the larger run offish, to -li inches While the latter size appears to take no whitefish below a suitable market standard yet we consider that the maintenance of the species could best bo secured by u return to the original practice. In the small special fishery which is carried on for the lake trout, a bh inch mesh is used. Not considering it important to provide for the preservation of this species, no modifications in the extent or manner of its capture are suggested. With the falling ott'in the supply of whitcfish, the small-meshed gfll nets grew rapidly in favour, until now the quantity employed is much greater than that of all the other kinds combined. Although used in prcL-tioallv all parts of the lake their principal field is to the eastward of the jtlatform, mainly' in the deeper waters the catch consisting chiefly of herring and blue pike. At the west end there is a special fishery in the early spring for saugers, wall-e^ jd pike and perch. The eastern fishery has steadily increased in magnitude, due to the exceeding ahuiidance of the fish in that region, and to the practically unlimited demand for the cheaper grades which has sprung up in recent years. As elsewhere explained, the catch of herring and blue pike in this section of the lake has only been maintained by the constant expansion of the fishery, and its extent for some time past has evidently produced an excessive drain upon its resources. Within a few years, morever, the practice has grown up among the gill not tugs of pursuing the herring during their fall move- ment toward and over the platform. This innovation was immediately followed by an abrupt and very serious decrease in the abundance of that species throughout the western pound net region, which we feel con.ident was chiefly due to that oause. Complaints are made that the summer gili net fishery jjr'oduces an inferior quality of fish, and thai many herring are wasted through their rapid decay in warm weather. It is also said that a great destruction of the same species is occasioned by the loss of nets in winter, and close tiines covering both seasons have been suggested as a means of obviating these troubles. This subject will atrain be referred to. " The size of mesh in this class of gill nets ranges mostly from 3 to 3A inches but is sometimes as small as 2J inches. It is regulated by law to not less than 3 inches on the Canadian side, while in United States waters the favourite size is Si inches. Experience indicates that tho latter size is best suited to the general run offish, especially the herring, for whose capture it is chiefly used, and we consider that no smaller should be allowed, havii.g in view the greater protection that would thus be afforded the young wall-eyed pike and saugers. The number of seines now employed in the Lake Erie region is very smrll but in some of the lo( alities where they are still utilized much injury may be occasioned by them, especially on and about the spawning grounds of such species as the pike- perches and the black bass. In all such places their use should be restricted or abolished, but we have heard of no serious objections to this mode of fishinL' under suitable limitations and with a proper size of mesh. The hook and line fishery is of relatively slight extent, although of considerable importance in some localities. It is cairied on mainly for the pike-perches yellow perch, catfishes, etc., in connection with which no unfavourable practices 'or con- ditions have been brought to our attention. It is ]iossible that the capture of sturgeon by means of baited hooks, in conjuhotion with the gill net fishery for the same species, is umnz condaeted on too largo a scale, but the facts in this ease can only be determined by further observations. We deprecate the use of naked hooks or JOINT FISHERIES COMMISSION. \ 85 grapnels for the eturt/ooii. The vnln.. «r ,1, m recent years, but we canno s;™,l '^IZ'Jsl ''^''"•^' ''"^ ^'"""'^y ^'^tenorated meaHure of relief, us before cxplafn^ed ' ""^ "^''"'■'"*'' *"'" »^ ""^ considerable t.on of ,mmen.e quantities of t^T. ^L^n r««n !!? "* "" -'T'^"' ""^ ^^o destruc- and the sturgeon. Jfelief is to II SSt Srsr^hrorr"'''''^ '"• '^^. Piko-porc-hes of hsh.ng, and, second, by the correction of -- '^''-'^^'lon in the amount regarded as pernicious. How far th« «w » < •"'"!" P'«ct'ces wh-ch may bo m order to biding it within the limit aionsoJitsl""^ ^'^''^ '''''^' ^" ^' '•^"tricted arbitrary basis until some mcansTnm'rn.tifr"'' '■''•'; '""''\'^'' ^^^'^'''^'^ "P™ ^n present fmo Lake Erie has never bcei u J "^ whrir^^"" ^' ^"'"^- ^^P ^-^ however that the resources of a! the larli «Thl • ''" ""^f-'r "''^^- ^^^ know, taxed. Where .he output has not act dfv .ifn," • ^ ,"'•' "" '"''« '^'*^« l^««" '>ve.- empoyment of a greater amount cfunSt'"';''''^ " '^"' ''"«" '^^P^ "P ^7 the result must follow^ A decrease has beT^^iUriw;^ o,. later, the in'evilable species, but to a creator de.rrp« ,„;f i. "^""''*^"' '" the ease ofal the imnortant length of time the^ave beeKh'^foT::;! tt n^r' ?'''«-. ^.'^P-'^ent '."^ been followed up. ° ° ^""^ ""^ "le persistence with which they have pets :p ^^::^ ?,;fmit?r r ■ Jrc^-^^- ^^'««^ ^^'^^ «- ^^^ pound must naturally be reg:uXras a'X 0 ^0^'^'^"' ^'T I^'"''^" ^he po'u'nd'ret their way Their number is not excessive on^h! O ^T.''*^«T«'- «P««i«« may come the eastern part of the south shore sofn Canadian shore, nor generally on ond of the lake in United StaterwatjJtLt':'^^^^^ •''•^'«' but at\he wes-^tern reason, and, in our opinion tsS.IHK! "'""^er has been multiplied beyond «uch a change, in conJec ion with the pwJsed'^h"; '^""^ Tu^''"''- ^"^^ ««'e^t of ing of tbeir continuity, would undouStXToon b« Sh"'"^*'^-''" ^ break- bL£r^ .n greater individual p4eii;r:i^nVtl:e' ^sr^Tho^^cSu^ -st.4''tg^?d'^^ftht^r^^ -quires to bo much reasonable number in any part of thelake ^ ^^ multiplied beyond a thediff^e^rb^Seforth'elTll^^^^^^^^^^^ for the whitefish, heiTiuff nirnlroh!?' ^ ** ^'''"'' ^^at each of them, namely exten i ,y ,,„j ^^'^^^^ J. P'ke^perc^^^^ is being carried' on toJ whitefish, herring and sturgeon. irrquestfo.SwhVrP'''"''^ '" *bo case of the the amount of gill netting Ian be offeoSl " f ^f^^"" ""^ regulation limiting roundingtheiremploymint In theevS K^^^^ '"^ '^o condition suit t.cable, we would suggest that esentialv hi Z^ "" restriction being found impra". by instituting one or ^orerseHeaeo^^^^^^^ "'^^ht be accomplished, offset, so far as possible, the overrhZ'at oth- ' '•" *V""'" """^ ^"^ation as to ever, ,t is important to bear in S K it j« . ^'T'^'- ^" '^''' connection, how- magn.tude ofa fishery during the oDenJn ! ^«'"ot""«« P0.^«ible to so increase the the shortening of its Jurat on^ WeTherefre^oLT'fl'"''^ '" '•«"'^«'- ineffectual be placed upon the extent of gill neUinrevlVn .k '''^''''\"'''"' restriction should of close seasons be.ng adopted "^ ^" '° ^^"^ ^''^"^ °^ « regulation by means In case close reasons are urovidori fni. iu^ „ occasion some trouble and ^Jl"^!(' . . x- ' ."■" "■"^"•' "alcih, noHsinio fiHl., unless it he the ^^U^y^l^^^l.S^^^l^lf'^' '^.P^f ''^ than th'e whiic>: that respect. ^ ' ' '"'-" '''^'^ "''^'"'^y roceivod some attention in . . , -• .'.•■I'l iiiuiuur less in t point, on the Konlh «l„,r(, at Iho wet on.i - - »tHni^.i::;?i;:":;,':ir'™, ;,",,£: ;;7,^"-.,°f. !>?-;'- »-! >" th„ ,„„,,b „nhe iraiw. will m.it.,M.i.li„ »...: H':};'^:'^"'" "^ ^ho individual nets in the latter by broad is at BEC0.M.ME\DATI0N8, in tbf riTnVrt 0? IKS' r ™"'irz[,f /'f p-r" "f «"->■■ •'■--"y an,l di-,„„c. „pL,-t „r ,„„,e net l,» rrL^at' ^4^1 'l!! ' """ i"""' ""> 1'°""°"' fioo cireuuition of llio .cren.1 imi)o,linl ««h .. "» '» raal™ ,.„,|,lc provi.ion (o,- the bo „oco„;,ry koforo t|,„ liniilut," f 1 oomL.l *"''' '^'"■"""' "b"""'!'™. will ..jn.to. ,.^. ..,,. pe..e».e..;rl:,",rrsrti: ?oroTiV::,4:.';r';^ tion ^.'So tr^ i.T„l;::r/^r;x' isSr/i'M;: "^''rvv'"""- ^'" '•«- \ermillion westward. "FP'y mainiy to the Lnited States waters from statrr,tr^rto°r„'n;i;fcri':r:hr'''"= ^' """■'"« "'«»» "»i'-"<' Ihnt the longth „f th„ pound not leatle,; be lostrictod to W m,l. cjib:^/.,;'-L?=r„'tSt"ts^,:p?r?^^^ shall extend to the bottom ' ^ ^ '^"" ''^ '^"^ '®"«t 5(* feet wide and of atToast olrSe."''^ '' P'""' "^* ^^""^« ^^ -P-'^ted laterally by interspaces "-B^r" "^"^-"^^ i« a less dept. po..?^e\Tt .yrS,?:.^^:;£^^^^^ ^^« we-errenllnt l.ke. the length of case should the^e nets ofe :f"'rr'e " rn'te" width '^' T'^'"?"' ''"''" °« way. ""^'^ •" " ? '^'>o width of any channel or passage- :|l 88 MAIIINE AND FISHEIHES. That the use of pound nets bo pi-ohibitotl on any loet or ground on which whito- hsh or herring are known to rt|.awn, or wilhin a roar,onable distance therefrom Ihat tlio use ot pound nets bo prohibited in any locality where yomi-' whitotish may be taken in undue quantity. " That the mesh in all pound nets measure in extension at least 2A inches in the crib, after shrinkage. That all pound net stakes bo removed from the water within 30 days from the close of the fall tishing season. ^ Oill ne^s— The mesh in the gill nets used for the capture of herring, wall-eved pike blue pike and saiigers should measure at least 3J^ inches in extension and the omploymont of any gill net having a smaller mesh should bo ])rohibito(l. ' Avery largo rediution is called for in the extent of fishing with the smnll- moshed gill nets, especially for the herring and wall-oyed pike. In case this can- not satisfnc'lonly bo accomplished by reducing the amount of netting omploved praotically the same -suit maybe reached by instituting a olose season, which' Bhould preferably occur at the time of year when the greater waste of tish takes place. Wo recommend that the use of the small-meshed gill nets be entirely prohibited west of a line connecting Point Peleo with Vorraillion Light, between Isi J'dvand Ist January. •' In any locality whore the small-mesh gill nets are liable to take an undue quantity of undersized whitetish, their use should be prohibited, at least during the period when such undersized fish are there present. The mesh in the gill nets used for the capture of whitofish should measure at least 4J inches, in extension, and it is considered that a 5-inch mesh would bo uro- ferable. '^ The quantity of whitefish gill nettini; now employed appears to bo excessive in view of the continued depletion of the whitefish, and it should be restricted unless the )u-otoction of the species can be better provided for by a close season. The mesh in tho gill nets used for the capture of sturgeon should measure at least 11 inches in extension. It seems to us that the gill net fishery for sturgeon at tho eastern end of the lake IS being conducted on too largo a scale, and that a reduction should be made in the number of nets employed, but a special investigation will bo required to determine the proper means of regulating this fishery. Tho hook and line fishery tor the sturgeon also needs to be taken into consideration in tho same connection The nso of any gill net within one-fourth of a milo of any fixed net such as a pound net or trap net, should be prohibited. Fyke uets and trap nets.— Tho, mesh of these nets should conform to tho same regulations provided for the pound nets. Their number should be restricted in accordance with the capacity or requirements of each region in which they are tished. A great reduction in the number of the fyke nets is demanded in several places, -Seines.— The dimensions of seines and the size of mesh therein should conform in each instance to the conditions under which they are employed. Tho mesh should in all cases, be sufficiently largo to permit the escape of undersized fish and the number of seines, as well as the manner of their use, should bo properly restricted in all places. t i j It should be prohibited to fish seines on or about the spawning grounds of the black bass, tho pike-perches or other important fishes during their spawning season or while tho eggs and young fish continue to remain upon tho grounds, and in all other places where the employment of this method would bo unduly harmful. Naked hooks for sturgeon.— It is recommended that the method of taking stureeon by means of naked hooks or grapnels be prohibited. Spears.— The use of spears for taking fish of any kind should be prohibited. JOINT FlSHEIilES COMMISSION. an UHed .Hterially in replo„i.hin« the stock but Iv «P«r''t>..nH, may bo «xpecto(l to aid m in our opinion, over, greater bonefirmi^h^ «iocK but wo vonturo to hu- flHhing ,o.. the Hpeci'/d";ig Sf'o^Ti^^^^^^^^ ^•- 'ii-ontinuaV. explained. ^ * P"'^'^ "' '^s spawnini' Beiwon. as «! ■f,'08t that ce of all spawning Beiwon, as eisowheio BhouKretuTiitd SrrtirwaJor '"" '"" ^""^ ^««^ '""^. ^"^- by any ^ean^ .^K?.*T:-Al' f -'-^ for the black ba. incuding its capture by any .neans to June I5th, and all b ■■ ••'^ '"*""«' black bass mea;urinV;i"o;BTanTl!?nl'''"!''? "^^ '•«^»'-nod alive t or sold. "'"" '"'' '•"*" '« '"«''««. taken by any method, should l,o retained «ho„,d be prohS7rraVr;Sr>K ...b"^ .1.%- '^ - — «- aken m the nets during that period \sl,u!d bo .on.r.' V'' ."" ^'""^^''ich may be black bass measurin.. Io«h tJ,„„Vn:„„> '!""', ''''. '•o^unied alive to (ho water. " No ".w.„., lui-nour improvements and other work of ibJ^K . . " '^oo'iection fish b^Te^ Tf-;^^ri'irp"aratfoi'r^^ -Tt ^^TPP'-^ «^ -hite- the scope of this work be IncSSd to th^Sf eTn'^otibt"' '' " "^"'^ ^'^^^ DETROIT RIVER, LAKE AND RIVER ST. CLAIR. gencJjl phylgnS^^^^^ f ,?-'^y bottom, the same of Lake Erie. The lake, with an a ea of 4iS -^ ^^ P. "tfo-m at the w.-storn end shallow expansion of thelrroat s^roam .^ ^''T*' ""'««' '« eH-^enliailv a broad flowing tVoln Lake Huion^to LaSe ^^"'''^ "^ ''^'^ ^'- ^''^'^ ""^ ^^^^'^'t rivers, apparatuf llnStinf Xl^SrSs'^^d'S T" "'''^"] •^'•. ''™'^«- ^^« ™-able now prohibited on the Can^adlnTde and rn^'o?^^^^^^^^ ^"t';^-. ^'^^ '«"«'• ^''^ are used in the vicMnitv of Ancho, Vv 7nnnJ ?^^V''^ U"'^^'^ States shore used the first on both the Canadian anTunkod S.I? '' 1^''' ''"'^.^".'^ ''"P "^^^^ «»ro the United States side only ^"'^ ^'^^^'^ «^o^e« »«d the last two upon tenti|?^Jrrnth/^^cCrp.:S'Si -« the cause of much con- and the market fisherman on the other A tVl /bo sportsmen on the one side specified is now fished in contravontL'^o .^^^^^ interests in the lake are of consTdemb o imnn.f ""^^ ""1 Michigan. The sporting St. Clair, the well known St. Sair p ats the?e «r« ^ ""^, u '*)" '^'^''' «^ '^^ ^'^«^- occupied during the spring and snmmit' I ® ^^^^^^^ '^"tels and many cottages black bass, per'ih, gS^fd^eaodt^era^e^Z^hr.^^^^^^^ inhabitants of the neighbouring region sunnlvthl ^ /^ P"^*''^, """"kinonge. The and guides, and the produce of thfi? armjfnd thn '"^ population with boatmen are very considerable. ^ ^^^ financial interests represented slurj^^ti'l^S^l^^lKSir^;^ '"^^ '^''^^"^^'^ "« '^^ »>-•-«, whitefish, .e.s^:^;"^.s;s-^^^ ^ w^ Of .0 0 90 MAinS'E AXI> FlSHEItlES. at least, also in tho sprint,'. Tlio cnuso of their decreaso in no doubt largely con- noetod with the failing ofT at tlio western end of Lalto Kiio and tho oflbets of hoiR>- ficial regulations there would no doubt l)o reflected by an im])rovement in Lake St. Clair. There is no (i.ieslion, however, liut that tho formoi- heavy fiwhory for those Hpocios in the Detroit Rivor and Lake Ht. Clair was rusponHiblo for a considerable proportion of the decrease. At jirescnt the catch of whitetish, although insignificant as compared with former times, is said to be increasing slightly. To what extent the decrease in these species is due to tho sowiigo discharged into tho Detroit Kiver from the city of Detroit cannot be stated, but it is not thought to l)e an important factor as compared with the others mentioned above. Tho decrease in wall-oyed pike is less extensive than in tho whitefish and her- ring and is due to a larger extent (o local causes, overfishing with fixed appliances arid seines and ihe catching of the young, and the same causes, taken in connection with the grapnel fisheiy in the Detroit River, have operated to docroaso tho sturgeon. The fishery for wall eyed piko and sturgeon in Lake Huron and Lake Erie is not without otfect upon tho abundance of these species in Lake St. Clair, and an increase in either or both of tho two groat lakes mentioned would be bem-ficial to the fishery of the smaller lakes. Tho decrease in the black bass is due apparently to "xcessive fishing, both by sportsmen and ity professional fishermen using fixed aopliances and seines. It ap- pears that the nets, especially tho seines, are most destructive to the black bass in the winter. In tho Detroit Kiver the only commercial fishery is bv means of seines and grappling hooks for sturgeon, though a few coarse lish are caught in seines by farm- ers in tho spring. Formerly vast quantities of whitefish were taken in the rivor but this risheiy became much depleted and is now followed solely by the Canadian and Michigan authorities for tho purpose of obtaining eggs for the hatcheries. In the St. Clair Rivor seines are used upon the Michigan shore for wail-eyed pike and they often catch large quantities of young ones. No nets are used upon the Canadian side. In this river the black bass are speared and seined upon their spawning grounds, and as there is considerable sport fishing at Algonac St. Clair and other pL-ices, this is the cause of much complaint. ' ' RECOMMENDATIONS. In view of the above mentioned conditions existing in the waters connrctinp- Lakes Huron and Erie, the following recommendations aro made : ^ L That tho use of all nets, excepting seines employed in obtaining whitefish for the hatcheries and seines with not less than 4-inch mesh for c.itching sturgeon be prohibited in the waters of the Detroit and St. Clair rivers. T I ^o'''^'^'"" fishing with seines, traps, or other forms' of nets bo prohibited in Liake St. Clair north of a line drawn from the mouth of the Clinton River in Michi- gan to the mouth of the Thames River in Ontario. 3. That the minimum size of mesh in the "i-ibs of pound nets, trap nets and fyke nets be not less than 2i inches in extension. 4. That no nets whatever be permitted to be used between the 31st day of October ftnd the Ist day of December, excepting for the purpose of the hatcheries. 5. Ihat a close season be adopted for the black bass from May 1 to June 15- that all black bass measuring less than 10 inches long, by whatever means taken be r turned alive to the water; that the number of bass taken by each rod per diem be limited to 20 and that a number of rods to each boat be limited to two, 6. That all sturgeon less than 4 feet long be leturned to the water. ♦u '^•, That all fishing with grapnels ornaked hooks be prohibited ' but that all other hook and line fisheries be permitted except for black b'ass between May 1 and June 15. '' 8. That the throwing into the water of fish otfal, including dead fish taken from the uots, of city garbage and of all other substances deleterious to fish life be pro- JOI\T FISHt:,.'Iks COMMISSION. urge I V con- cfN ot bone- ill Lake St. •}' for t hoso nnsidornhlo iisigniflcant ?hHt extent Iroit Jlivor important ill ami bor> appliancos connection 0 stiirgoon. Krio is not III increaMO the rtshory g, both by eH. It u|)- iclc baHH in soinoH and 08 by farm- 1 the rivor, e Canudian n-ien. • wall-oyed used upon upon thoir B, St. Clair 3onnfcting bitefish for urgoon, be ahibited in • in Michi- ;8 and fyke 1st day of latchei'ies. ) June 15; I taken, be iv diem be It that all yiay 1 and aken from ife be pro- "tton?cs;,:a: 0';:."'^°" "• »"-"" '"i-^ -^ "■« 91 waste from naw-millM, gas LAKK IIUKOX. DESCBIPTION OK THE LAKE. i.-rog!;lS;!:;^ZSC^-;^ chain of the Great Lake. It i, or greater arc, and the lower' J^^ ih sub ^^1!^!.'^% "'''"' """"' "^ '^' ""^«'' ThH crescent lieH ho that it« upper h Zis diroHfl. v^« / ' i'""*"" '"" '''•"'«'■ «"'-^'«. Michigan at the Strait of Mackinac while tKow«rTT'''S'''^ ^^"h Lake establishes communication with LakrEWe hro 11 , ' '" ''"T'"'' ««»ll'W"rd and the Detroit River. At iU northern ,wl. o^ '*^' /''*" ''^"^ ''"'' ^^'''fe St. Clair and Lake Huron receives tl fc S ' Varv f/ n'"'' ■''' ^f "'" '"^"-^'^ of Mackinac, Superior. ^""^ *^- ^^""^y- discharging the overflow from Lake greater distance in its HOutherrporUon mollm/n • "" ^''^'i^^'"' '*°^^ ^«'' « somewhat character, consisting of rocks, hoZTovH JZJi «'',«" /he bottom is variable in distributed. Localities suifible fo. .m.n'i ^ . ®'' '"""^' ^''"y and mud, irregularly but are most numerous in Sagn/w Bay "''" ''' ''"'''''^ utintervals'along shore^ ^oef^^tfe^^d^ts J^^^^^^^^^^ Tr r'T ^^. ^^ --"«^ ^'•^' North of the reef the lake has « ma^- 7 "^^' ^"^•' to North Point, Michiean curve is rarely .ore th'a'„1 mflUromrorTanS^tLe ll flfh/^ ^"^ ' the'sO-SK i to 1 J miles, except on the < .rn sidV' ahl. « fu ''™ '''''^^ generally from numerous small reefs and islands and mf,l tn Southampton, where there are the lake is shallower; de^ of 3o ?a horns', n7 r"'"'"- The southern portion of maximum depth is onlV 54 fathoms Tn« K.i? ^'' '*'"^ ™*""'' extensive, and the '"™Tt^t?f hT'^'^^^"''^^^^ -thera'n7eaX:^ ' '^ ' "^^'^^ fatho^'s^^wate: atho^Vh^Sh^itatl ^P^^\ by from 9 to 30 toward the north. » mucn greater depth is found on each side, especially IMPOBTANT PISHES. eiiumeraiea. ihe variations m the relative catch of the J. 92 MAHINt: A\l) FIsHKItlKS. more prominent of Iheso spocien in 1886, 1890 «n.i lHit3, aro shown in the followin g ISHT). 1«K). iHita. Trilut WllitrflHll. \\ Hi'iiiii^f Willi I'.yi'd iiikr iiiul gv\\»n pike ("iittiHl,...,. ........ Stnivi'on Hliick hiiHH Tniiit .. I rmit. HiTiiiitf. Siicki'iN. I'.icli. .... . ^ , WliiicliHii. |;^;"';.«V"" CuKhIi. ' '^ HIin;k1.iu.M iJiii,,^. i,„^^_ Walleyed pike uiii) (fraNH jiiki!. Muckt'i'M* * I'ni'ti ami siickiTs wnri' iint scparatfly •■imnicrattHl in IXXfl, I Tilt' pnipoitidii i.f KiiiHH |iiki' waM Ii'sm tlmn to ]),.i. oiMit. The rolativo importance to Canadian fisherion of the five i.rincipal Hpooies in ^'2:^:i\^T"l •''^"«''';\'V '^^■. ^'•^/""^^iog tabic, in which tie sovomi brmH a ^ onumeratoci in the order of t lie size o^^ catch :— tfWO, l,s,s.\ 1890. 18m. AVliiti'Hsli. TriMit. Hcrriiinr Walleyed pikt Stiu>reiiii. Herriiijif. Wliihtisli. Tnmt. Walley.,1 StiirgCDii. pike Trout. Herriiiif. WliitetiMh. Stliiveim. Wull-fyed piko. Tnmt. Herriii(f. Stlll-Kenii. Wliiti'tish. Walleyed pike. LAKE TROOT. ,. .uffl^K^-T-^* ^'l® P'®!?"t t'"^e the lake trout is the most important species taken in the fisheries of Lake Huron. In 1893 it constituted about 29 per cent ofThe total catch and 44 per cent of the value of the fisheries on the Michi-ran shore In Can adian waters .t has al.o attained first rank in both quantity and v^ue It' is cauX' water ,n the northern part of the lake approaches the siscowct of lIi e Sunerior^fn fatness and quality, f he bulk of the catch consists of two wide?y recSnized forms the deep-water trout and the large shoal-water or fall trout. r«^og">2ea torms, Distribution and movenents.-li we except Saginaw Bay and the reeion south of the parrallel of Goderich, there is probably no time in the spring summe? or fall when vessels fish ng out of the ports of either Michigan or Saiada would fail to obtain trout in gill nets having the proper size of mesff. In the earlv sm-h.^ thev o rn!,".r^'"*'' ^^''\^' "'^''^ '^^'^ «" ^^'^ «'des of the lake, but after fhoSiddle pii f t.^^p''^^"'^.^." '^^ ^'''^^•■^ «<"**>« ««a«t«> Platform'and especially on the ?nt? h"/ s.mll^'l ^^^\ ^^""''l '^^ r^'^^^ of SeptembeV or a little earRer the^ move the iollowing \tx ml KriiMK [like. |- nl Hpooiea in rul tbrmH are lH!t4. I pike peoies taken t of the total re. In Can- It is caught lat means in ke trout, the I the deeper Superior in uized forms, •egion sooth Timer or fall rould fail to spring they ' the middle iiailyon the ■ they move 'atei' late in JOIXT FISHKIUKS CO.\f MISSION. 'i'l-l at all Hou^ooH the I^JZ\VXlS TZ/VTu''' '"'""""• '""' '»"• winter, trout arc taken thr.Hi.rh IL ^^ ''*"^ m|,h!Iow wiHor. Kvon ii ;»»...i... >MoM«„:'l';v»::S'.„'i' „r,,;:,; im'S",;:?;',';:,;;", "-i": """, "r'" ;lon( <.r iL .lop.h of wan They 1 .'^^^^^ 'linlrihut...,, i„,j.,,...„. IovoIh from the bottom to the S. 7',^ L '" '"■ """"'"' '" ^'vvim at all the hottom. «urm. o, altl.o,ii.|, the nets an, «„|y „„t ,„, „,„,„ ^„ ti.o '^'"irnixir^izrZahii'iro:;^;/;'' t^'^^r """."" ^^ ^"" -^^ '« •liHtanco, I,,,., „nlv to )JZainnnoo2^^^^^^^ "> "-''vol any conHi.lorahle 'iHh co.„.,rn,Ml in tl. h , "mS Tl o i.sT ' ' '.'"'''"''" '"'"■"• ''''^^'"•" »>'"'i'"* "f* fiHh.rmen term nhallovv water tut • n.l ,,. ""i ^^ '"" " ^"""l">'^"'l "' what the into ;. „r 4 and HomotimoHcv on 2 St 0 vu '0 Th "la! f """'; "'"^" "^'' ^^"' «•"" cloHe to Hhoro, an-i in more oxte-iHivoi/^CHentod on'lho" ""^ "'••"•""^'' ^ rnoa;2fr^;s;;:!;'r!;^;i'';^«£r:l <^ •'-" ^r '^ ••"• "• - Hpawn along the, nhoren at all Hukablo p ccm „ ;;'iil. ^V" r.'"^' "'?f '"'. '*'« "'^'' other timcH, and the Hpawnin.' miL'rat m ri^^ n ^ arc usually f,,,,,,:! m from their accustomed sLmer^abitVt ome' n^ ^ "" "T "''i''^'"« "'" ^''" "'•h for (lopoHiting tl.oir ogirs '"»'>'«atH t(, Nome nearby roof or nhort, favourable troutarenorthofs'ull^pi;;; .^ % t^S■ H^'ofTr^nf "(r '';'" 7'^"^^'!''"^ ionnor .H o„o of the best localities on the lake for <' a W 1 ' . '^'""'t'';'!'". The ofall thoHpawninL'trrounds in I .ik,. rr,/,^.. ; i. ^'J ""-'^"^o' "out. Tli,> greatest the lake from No.^h 'o „ Th.m ler Bav o"l ' A '^f"^ 'V''^'' "^'•°'"hoH across sumntor the lish begin tu"-c;,.or,?nrw.? M . ^1 "!"''' '" ^'"""^"- '^"'in^' the the spawning seaso^'n t ^oy seiK e Zl brst^'n: ".'"''' '""'";• ''"' '" "'^' ^-'^'h'-'*' numbers by t.,gs from boiJ, Hide. «'>"""«'«-^<' P^'tions and are caught in great Hhoa/.w.?ortt,u\ie^:sirts "«ually occupy aboiitZ. we | "s i s aw^ ;"'"' T.T au'""" "",' «""^^'""P"^" '"-1 reefs as well as alonir shore snawni \u. i ^ T I ''I''' ''''"'''' ''""''''' "!>'>" the of November, the nlon LL L>rwhat hUor' ^^^1" """'"lu'' ^' ""'^ '^' '''"«'• P"*-* olfAlponaand Southampton T l^rm Lb .J;^ northern part of the lake than between the several Sar^ not la Iv . fin« .'' '"" '^^ P';«^'"^"ng- The intervals m of the earlier and the V^^^l^&'S'^;!!;^::;^^:' '^^ ^^ '^'^^^^^ and ifSaTulua'T goriirv^^^^ "''"«"' ''"'^ ''^'-•' "'--. stomachs. ^ ^ ^^'"^ wh.tehsh are sometimes found in their is exfeo'd'^Sb^on^VdS^^^^ \t ST'" 'r°'''''"^' ^''« 'l-^^'^" ^^ '^^c-.s of the maiori^ there hns^h..?'. 'll.^"!!?"" "'i'T,'^' "^^^^.-^i"? *» the statemente ^/.*' M MAltlNE A SI) FISHKIIIKS. 1H80. 18!N). 1803. < Itlii r iiietliijiN 2(>3,78(i* 2,03II,7M) 1,421.327 329,2!)2 3,243,8m) 267,715 1,750,«1U 3,611,576 KHtinmti'd. net Hiul Our inveHtif^'iition hIiows that botwoon ISS.") arid 1893 tho iivoratro catch Dor .'ill 3t huH lailoM ott but () por cent, while Iho avoia^'os for tho years 1H1»0 and 18!»3 rreo qiute closely. A compariHon of tho average catch hy \hl pound nets in 1890 id 18y.| would seonrj to indicate a fallin,:,' otr al.out 2n per cent in tho shore trout within three years, but tho data are not sufflciont to serve as a satiHtiictorv basis for conclusions. •' ,o»/^'!° «^''^,'8t'?»,' '•oturns for the Canadian side of the lake for 1880, 1885 18!)0 and 1894, show tho following catches to have been made in those years : ^^^^ • 469,000 lbs. 712,954 " 1,409,150 " 1,503,270 " These figures indicate a continuous increase in the size of the catch, but there was, as upon tho United States side, an increase in apparatus also. The catch bv pound nets may safe y be ignored, as this form of apparatus is confined to thJ southern end of tho lake whore very few trout are taken. Assuming, therefore, that the entire catch was made m gill nets, we obtain the results shown in the following 1885. 1890. 1894. Year. 1 Fathoms of Gill Xet. Catch |ier 100 Fathoms. 1880 54,417 Cl,253 152,200 222,050 Lbs. 1885 862 1890 1,162 18y4 926 711 Considering the lake as a whole, it is probable, although not proven that a slight decrease in the abundance of the trout has taken place, and it may bt assumed that this decrease has been greater in the catch .f shoal-^ater trouT while the deep-water fishery has been fairly well maintained. ' WHITEFX8H. Status.— Od the Michigan shore, in 1893, the whitefish ranked fifth in the amount and third ,n the value of the catch. ' In 1890 it held sixth pat in he amount and in 1886 second place. In the early history of Lake Huron it was the 1H1I3, .7 ;t,2».S,»«l •-' 207,715 lU 8,511, -.70 B catch per ^'ill IH'JO and 18!»3 111 netH in 1890 ho Hhyro trout ctorj' biiHis lor 1885, 18!)0 and 0 lbs. 4 " 0 " 0 " tch, but there The catch by ntined to the therefore, that the following Catch iier 100 Fttthoins. Lbs. 862 1,162 926 711 roven, that a 1 it may be f trout, while fifth in the place in the 1 it was the joiy-r FisiiKiiiKs cojfiuissiifx. . ^ MoHt of tho whitofiMh are caught in houndn Tl.-. r^ii • proportion taUon by .ach form of a,';par:;ui' i.rii^li, i^^uS/rsraleXa.;'; :- "" Pounds (Till notM * 7«'l por tont. '■i'S-U do doptbH but Hparin,Hy, and th'o b nil ^ t ^S^^'u. T'"^ "!"?. '"'^"" '" «'-''<"• Thoy are mo«t abundant in tht,vici^itv•uJ^^;n",^ '" '" -•''• «"'h..mH. Mackinac, and in 181.;} about ti7 i rco, of K. n ^^ ;*'. ^"'""l'^ "'"^ "'^ Straits of tho lake wan made, chiefly in in ..,..;,, ^ " '''' "!' "'" •^"^•l'i^"in nido ol Chobo3-«an and iTo'squ 1^1^ C 1^^ J' 'j' ,^:;,';:; 'fVf ^ '"'''.owa. Mackinac, the moHt unportant whitetisl. ground n U miod S I . ""' "V ^'' ^'"'"i'lore.l next in importance to tho.o mcntione. f.dl e hv H^^ county Ih two most of ,1.0 fl.i, are cau^M.t )./«! ^01" ,1 n .1. '''I'.""'' •''"'"• '" "'« '''''t .•oma.nin. neyon counties thi^ tlHh.Vis i^c^nril^^itit" ''"' '"" '" '''"""^- "' tl.o ^~u^'!:t^u:^::rL^^^^ \i «'•■ -t, although ourly ,n June. Tho ^m I net LToundn ox ton I r J, r- 1^ ? '"""'" P"""^ "'" May and Tho movoinentH of tho whtiefiHh in T..b.. xr.. than in Lake Erie, being cm.h^nod to horovvard m T r"'^' •'" ^"""'•"'' '«''« ^J««"i'e These migrations ^ppea? to be accomZioTbtS '" '''" '^'"''"^ ""^' f«"- except at Detour, where the >>V^u'fZ^r^^^^^ P'':^«'-"«« "'""« «''<>ro, appearing first noa.-Dotour, and hen narninL down ^?r"';"' *'"'*'«'"'y >li''"ction Bay. In this region the catch i7la rrdm-i J I v r['t "''""u"°' '"^^'^eorgian' period, and. except where the fishery LcarSd on d L .•^""' *''"." "^ ""3^ «^''«'- statement holds fW the rest of tho lake *' ^^^ «P"«^"i"g reason, this buttae;t3t:iltdtr;ra?eTaUho«' whitettsh during summer and winter oi-e caught fn .small numbersTero tS^r'n Z whl'^ f rH- 5.^ ''« ''"^^ ^^'"^ oti of the averairo calchcH per unit of apparatus i\u tho several years for which "i".'.'^''!'."^";!!"'.'.':!?'*'- 'y^'V"" "?^..I'"'^A'M« tor IH85, as the catches by the several follo\vs" "'"•*""t o»' the catch for oach of four years in Canadian waters was as 1880,. 1885 . 1890., 18!)4.. 7(52,000 pounds. !I21,54H 442,020 187,000 •I II The following table shows the number of fathoms of gill nets tho rv- • , ^ pound nets and tho catch of whitoHsh for oach of the same roars. compuLcu uoon tho basis of 1S80 as 100 per cent :— ' ' i-^mpuLcu upon Ye-: 1880 1885 1890. 1894 Length of gill netH. 100 113 279 409 No. of Pounds. I ,[;,''?'''',"'' 100 121 38 26 t^nlliiblo for ish wuro an I, nnd with r the four IK thu lOHt ch of 18H6 1H!»3. !«» « 112 7 ) 1890 wan I" 'Iccrcaso catch was > in a com- ior which ho several •niind notb e», where, liirinj; the ra^to catch iko being I's wa8 nti '■a'n'ji-.- t,t iiiiil upon 'atch of liiti'tiHh. 100 121 08 26 Kill no,:!i! lH:H;tr,ii;'rril: it.!r:r:!' "• '^-^ "-" ■«=•* «- - < - ^ ..n.i .. «" t''« -".no yea,, i. «„ 4 "* No" • , ""l^" I'V'I"""""- "'" c-aich ol w" 0, h I hen, ,.„„ 1,0 „o e«e«,.e Lm h U . li ''.'T.'''"?" '"*"'"••"'' "" ' 'I'larfer. fonnnuci to .1,0 pre^e,.t t me. ""''=""'•'"'""" ''"«» l».o.le..rc«.„ i„ ilu.spi,.. ,,; f..4KE IIKKUIMi. CTeaHodcalchofthisHp^cio/i 18. "1 '^' ^^""" 7""'""'* ^'"•«'"l " I <' 'd';" n »ny other locality „o. t'l. „f s.g m ;i E^' [n T^.n "/?'" '" :'"'"' ^■"""^'^'^ ''«^. in 'liore wan distributed uh IuIIuwh •-- ' ^" '^"'^ ""' *'"''-•'' f" the IJnifo,. Stute» c any F-ociil ity Xnrth .,f |< i-c 1 Ciiinfy I"«.-..f,„llit.V ,111(1 -oMtllUHlrl < ' itrli. ;«2-».221 ^'.4^;rfr;srtl^^ When they are most abundant. ThiH Hhnr.ZJ^A^ •^""^' ^^"^ ^^ei"*? t:,e numtW 98 MARIXE AXD FISHERIES. From the middle of October until about November 15tb, gill netters carry on a fisbery for herring in the vicinity of the Ghegholo or Fishing Islands, the fisher- men from Southamptom and other Canadian ports making temporary camps alon<»- shore, from which to prosecute their calling. This fishery is close inshore and i° carried on from boats only. Spawning.— Ihe spawning run of herring appears to come inshore around the entire margin of the lake, but the most extensive and constant grounds are located in Saginaw Bay and around the Ghegheto Islands. The spawning season is supposed to be mainly from November 5 to 25. Decrease.— 1l\\q general opinion of the fishermen is to the effect that the supply of herring has increased on the Michigan shore south of Alpena, and has decreased on the Canadian side of the lake between Sarnia and Capo Hurd. The views ex- pre.ssed respecting the former j-egion are substantiated by the fact that exclusive of Chippewa and Mackinac counties where few herring are caught, the average catch per pound not shows a steady increase since 1885, amounting to 90 per cent in 1893. According to the Canadian statistics catches of herring have been made as follows: 1880 183,200 lbs. 1885 1,220,600 " 1890 1,386,700 " 1894 478,200 " The catch of 1894 is greater than that of 1880, but was taken by a much greater amount of apparatus. The intermediate years appear to have boon exceptional for fishing on the Canadian shore, not only for the herring, but for other species as well. Considering the entire length as a whole, it may safely be afiirmed there is no' evidence of a decrease in the herring supply. WALL-ETED PIKE. , Status. — The wall-eyed pike held sixth place in (he amount, tho fourth place in the value, of the catch in United States w-sters. in 1893. It was fifth in the size of the catch in Canadian waters, in 1894. On the United States side the catch was distributed by apparatus as follows: Al]liaf!ltUn. Pounds. , . H;v!;,' .,{.inc.. I'-yk.. nets. Spears tiill ni-ts... Aiinmnt .if Catcl). (iS(l.!)r)2 30,445 24,SS3 11, S! 2 3,420 7o7,51.S IVicentage of Catch. 4 0 3 3 1 (i 05 inoo Distribution and movements. — The wall-eyed pike is 'oca! in is distribution, its cc-7tre of abundance being in Saginaw Bay and River, where 82 per cent of the total catch on th«^ Michigan shore was taken ir- 1893. Relatively small quantilios are caught on the north ehore and near the St. Clair River, but practically none are rs carry on a s, tho fisher- camps along shore and is ) around the i are located 1 is supposed it the supply as deci-eased 10 views ex- at, exclusive the average • 90 per cent len made as lbs. »uch greater aeptional for ecies as well. I there is no irth place in ) the size of 0 catch was IVicfiitiigi- (if C'atcli. I 4 0 3 3 ] (I 05 100 0 ribiition, its of the total iiititic-1 are I}' none are JOIXT FISHERIE>1 COMMISSIOX. 'if^^^'^J^^^^^ «i-r, in small the nets are set until Kjitay 10th or ?5h uui .Ir .'l'"f "/"°'^ ^'•'"" ^''° ^i™*^ the first or middle of June bu?furlhei down tl o h^v fh ''"' " •""' """ ^^''fe'*^^ »»til few wall-eyed pike are caught in Saghmv Bav aLr 11^1"'; "°V-' •^"'^'- ^''^y small fish enters the bay in the fall. ^ "^ ^' '"'^ * '"'"•'0'^ run of Spawning.—ThiB species runs into bays rivers and sm«ii of ^ , pose of depositing its eggs. Some schools Pntnr.K„! stieams for the pur- others the St. Clair Eivef and rme of th« or!Z *^?: ''^"'"^ "'» th« north shore/and but the bulk of the fishrpa^^t'e'her'i S gfuavE .t ITT'Vf ^Vl" '^""'^ name. Spawning begins early in April and lasts fmm 10 tn "n . """^ of the same concluded before May Ist. F ' "nu lasis iiom 10 to 20 days, usually being 'Sj>e.— It is stated that tho wall-eved niko oiiio-hf in *.,• for a number of years, it is liable to return HuddTnlv in n ' '"..'*"y. ^''^^" '«''«'ity . The-catch i,? United States watei-su tSe th"ee XXwHoh ''""'k'""'^- ist.cs, including also a small portion of grass pike^^ra/follows :^ '"' ^"^' '^•^^•■ Joan 940,500 lbs. . S 1,483,072 " ^^'^^ 827,819" the a?rrta^°e'r r^^^^^ »d we fi„a .bat mat. U. ,,rese„. ,.atu. a'^^Tpared tS 7h?L?t V/c^rwT.f fhV '''*/''" '» ""• plete data than are now accesiihlft nn,l if ^ *u ' T^^^P". ^^'^'^ the use of more corn- extent of decrease ' "^ '^ «9, therefore, impossible to measure the STtlROEON. Hurotw^Ve'^fn^JSro'lA^^^^ On the Canadian side, however the Sh n V7qJ a ^'':^"^ *^'^°^ ^«'"« obtained, exceeded only by those of tri^it U^ a r'inT pS \'o fs'sT- ''^•' ^"' ^'^^ no value and was generally regarded as a nuisanc« hnftK • ^'^^•'^^'''^'^^d paid for it is but litUe lowe?- than that of the ^lout ' '''■"' ^'"" P^""*^ """'^ ,1 ,j^'\'n*«<'on ««d wioyemenrs.— In 189;i sturgeon were oauaht Jn « the Michigan shore, with tho exception of Alnemi Jtfil t^ '" t^*"*^ ^'^""ty on obtained in 1890. in 1893. overtX thirds of the onHr; ^^'^f^^'"' 50,000 lbs. wore made south of Saginaw Bay and on tho CAiLi?.? u ^'"^^'^ ^'»<^«s catch was also taken in the ^southern^pa'^r of the ?al e t^ecialh^n^'th?' ''^ ''''^'^'^ ^^« vicinity of Sarnia. The bulk of the catch is made dnrin? 1'°""'^ «ot8 in the l.miled number is secured in SoptembeT A oUier soasonf iT ^"*^- •^"'/' ^"' ^ occur inshore, and it is probable that at such VimL tT ^ ^^^ ^P*''"<'« ^oos not deeper portions^of the laL, where t'hV-e^SaSl^^^^^gr irtr ^t^trn^ soutlS^Sf S^lS^CnS^tlv't,^ /f^ B^idy bottoms at the for caviar is found in thei throughout the year developed spawn suitable lid — 7^ 100 MAIUNE AXn FISHEIHUS. Decrease.— There is no qucntioh but that tho sturgeon has undorgono a most re- markable decrease since the be<;an shore. In 1893 l .ore was a decrease along tho entire Michigan shore, but the greatest falling otf was m Saginaw Bay, where 179 000 lbs wovii taken in 1890, and only 8,188 lbs. in 1893. Owing to the nature of the statist tical returns it is not possible to show tho catch of sturgeon per unit of apparatus, but tho general extent of the decrease may be gathered from the decline in the tola! catch. Most of tho sturgeon aro obtained in pounds, but there is ono seine cieditod With a large catch in St. Clair county. The Canadian catches during four years were as follows : Ifj! SOOOlbs. ]fj^, 223,750 " ^°^-*- 370,675 " In 1880 there were few seines and eg pound nets in use, and practically no sales of this species, which accounts for the small catch recorded. In 1885 there was a great increase in the number of seines; in 1890 tho pounds increased and tho seines diminished in numbers, and in 1894 tho latter were entirely prohibited, their place being taken by additional pound nets. Those figures may bo taken to indicate that the catch of sturgeon on the Canadian shore lias been fairly maintained since 1885. Gill JVets. Introduction.~The gill net fishery of the United States side of Lake Huron in 1893, yielded 3,534,028 lbs. of fish, valued at $13«.714. This represents about 30 per cent in quantity and about 45 per cent in value of the catch by all methods on the Michigan shore of the lake. The species taken, arranged in the order of tho size of catch, are lake trout, whitefish, menominee, whitefish,' herring, pike, suckers and perch. The last three species enumerated aro not the objects of special pursuit by this method, but are taken incidentally in the fisheries for other species. Trout fishery.— This ranks as the most important gill net fishery of Lake Huron In 1893 it yielded 3,171,860 lbs. of trout, being 92 per cent of the entire catch of that s])ecie8 and 90 per cent of the total gill net catch in United States waters It is prosecuted both by small boats, which confine their operations to the vicinity of the shores, and by tugs, which are able to run longer distances and to set their nets in the deep waters and on tho reefs in the centre of tho lake. The number of nets fished from boats slightly exceeds that fished from tugs, but they catch only about one-half as many fish. No data aro at hand to show the exact amount of trout gill netting fished, the statistics making no distinction between the nets of different sizes of mesh, but practically all are of sufficient size for trout and are used for that •pecies during the greater part of the year. The following table shows the number of tugs of over five tons burden the amount of gill netting fished by them and the amount fished by boats, in the different counties on the United States side of the lake. JOINT riSHEIUES COMMISSIOS 101 13 a most ro- r tlio years )llo\V8 : — Wan. Ill' counties in St. Claii- atch on tiie ^ the entire 170,000 lbs. f the Htatis- tipparutUH, in the total no croilitod lbs. lly no sales bore was a I the seincrt Lheir place dicatc that since 1885. Huron, in ts about 30 nothods on rder of the ke, suckers lial pursuit ike Hui'on. re catch of ivaters. It vicinity of their nets )er of nets only about ' trout gill if different ed for that urden, the e different miiity. Cliippcwik Miiiliinao . , . C!llili(,y;r;ill . . ]'l<'-i|llc Isli-. Alpl'llH AlcuriM losci) AlcllHC . . . H.y Tiiscolii . . . Hiiioii Haiiiliu; .... «t. (^liir '''"*-'"■ ' ''"'"■•' 'N'"- "f N.'ts.Xa. ,,f N,.,, 'I',,,.,, ■\-> n?i »>'j.) A..7M ^ SlL' »» "'i«'7o"; * • i ■ • 511 '"'> "\ "iit-aa"' ' ':\\{\ o r.L>-,s;t r)L';i 12 1 20.") IS L'tL'l ■SM\ 4(i.S 2i:i L'llil 11 Ci l.s;ii ;-i(i;j lilil!) M\ iiiiii ")(I4,S returns in conneet^^onwUl the shlo Th'- ' 'a' ««"ri'l"rod in the statistical fisheries in 18l»4 nsi„.r ,.u. kJ ooo :'. "^''.?"'^ ^ number of boats onirajroc he November n.any ii^he^r^^n^LSn^t on^.ci^^JrcZS^,:';;' ^"l^ ''"' '''''' - the consequent lack of means of shippin^he ?rch Th,?r ^ ^ ""^ navigation un,l net hH ery under the ice in the nortVer^'part ont lake " " '^'"''*" ^""^"' »'" States ho;V,;'rtT of I'hc'Ti^T^hf'""^^ ^"^^"^<^'^' "'""" '»- -'^-e United dian side there sn^fisC; /it anv m '^''?rr^ '^^'>-- ^^"^ «>' ^''^ Cana- fall the best h'shinris on " e ee ^ nd hier ^n'./i'" ^'^' ^^•^'^^ ^" ^'^'^ ^'^"^'"«'- ='"^ s£;:f:fC?^t5o^°,^i^f~ a sin^ilar .one on th^^Sj^^^S;;^^ LS^rfc^S^lfi^StHhe^^^^ ^^^S^l!:;^^^^^^:'''^^^ to that Of n;feri.>r^,o the pounds, H. 4chi\:^;i^ 'f^JX^^.!!^ .^ .r;:.--;^ is of^iiu;:r;ttX;,^5tJ;^^^;u'i?^S trout, most of them bein- oau-h dur n -• Tnnl T i T '"^''^^"t"' to the fishery for noteworthy that in this" regio ove"V5^^"^^^^^^^^^^ and September. It is captured, the pound nets in rhinn„,l PCJ cent of the pound not whitefish are thin all the ^ili 2 fuHted K Tte^^ "^«'' '^^-^'^^ 'b- more important whitefish ,nil net rishery on IhL Ui.ht ^''"'\ '"""^^'r ^"'■"i^»'°'' the most were landed thoro tKo m-" -fonr.v "V®. .'Michigan shore. In 1893. 127.ni!l \h. whitefish are obtained in'SirnetsJuATcm^^^^ the boats the remainder Saginaw Bay, but in ix-t AIIsS^ J^^H'^Slt^tf mS' J? tllf No nor in bay good 102 MAHINB AND FISHERIES. fn„nT-n i"'? ''^ /•^*' whitefish i otl,cr gill netting somh of S.S The™ „;™^« K T"*"! "°'" '^ '"'"' '"»" ">"«!> Bidfl in Iftfift Qfi 1.™.; "'V"^"*- Afe'e were .^3 boats and no luffa on tlie Canadian 7earsco,eredb,tbesSlti::7b:^^Jrb^eirr.l5SlSS=J:^ 1880 -, ,,„ „ ^ luiDx ' 04,417 lathoms JS.:::;:.::.:;-::. 'l^ ;: ^"'^ 222,650 iiipgisiiiiiS ^ngtn'',r:S'b"L'So" ;5iiS3t.r '""' " '° " '"•''"" »"» °p-'. -h°'„tt":;v;: IM MAIUXE AXD FISHE/flES. r> }\!^"P '"'■'^'' ^'°S of stouter thread, are used during Soptembor and October On tl.e Michigan shore, the me.>*h measurcH from 5 to 5^ inches, and in Canada from oj to () lnche^•. " ' The medium mesh nets are practically the only ones us.-d for trout as well as whitohsh except during the fall. The mesh varies in size from 4i to 4^^ inches most of the tir^hormen usmg 4i inches. The herring nets used at Port Sanilac and on the eastern shore of the lake have ^f-mch mesh, and the monominoe nets in the vicinity of the Strait of Mackinac a3- inch mesii. ' 4 « fT* f ' ''f'^ '^^'^'^^^^'^^ °f catch.— in most places, in the spring, the nets are left to h>h for hvo days before being lifted, but during summer, it is the practice to leave them out only three days on the United States side, and four days on the Canadian Ihe sailboals usually keep their nets in the water one dav less than the tu.^s in the Kime region. In general, thoicfore, the tish are permitted to remain in the gill nets tor a much longer time in Luke Huron than in Luke JOrie. Notwithstanding- this .act, however, owing to the colder water and the firmer character of the fish theie'isnot much complaint of the quality and condition of the gill net catch in this lake When no untoward circumstance, such as storms, prevents the lifting of the nets at the regu ar time, there are comparatively few fish unfit for market,' although there are usually some too soft to be transported without salting. Losses by storms.— A smaller proportion of nets is lost through storms than in Ijake l-.ne the principal damage to the gear resulting from the cutting of the nets on tlie rocky bottom at the north, or having them filled with dirt, clinkers and drifting snags at the south. Nets fished in shallow water are more liable to those mishaps or to be carried away by the currents than those set in the deeper parts of the lake, to which not even the most violent disturbances can penetrate, and con- sequontly, the loss of nets is greatest in the southern portion of the lake alon^ the shore between Goderich and Cape Hurd, and in the shoal water fisheries in the vicinity of the Strait of Mackinac. In certain pai'ts of the lake considerable damage is done to the ^-.o.ni.,i,..::::-:: ■.:■;..:.::•:.:■;:■ ■• .^uifiii:,w |;;,ytu.St. Chiir Kiv.-i'::!.' ' IX'crease in AI|.ena Cunty and imivas,. i„ I,,.,.,, Cunty. I'Ntimat.',!. If*."*.'!. ISlMl. l.Hi)4. f I-'.-. 11 ^^^ ?]' l?x WH .Si 17 x,-> H aii 4:> ■l(i2 , iV.2 («!.■} sout(;T(LS':,J^trSji;,,:;;:,;'^^lrS'o;f'^^ ^"^,""^« ^^-« '-■' Canadian nliore none wore licon.cV be i,v ISmI ti u"^"" '""^'""•" «"'' ''^' ^he hilmod and tl.o fishermon wo ^i ern itt 1 to „ ' ^^ !" ^'''' ^''"'"' ^•^'"^''^ ^^''-'^^ P''o- were 27. ti^hod in stand of oni^S b'. ve"^^^^ nets instead. J,, IS'M tilere were u«ed on the eastern Hhore! ' ^'"''''' "'"^ I^='l w Z'.'''^' "'"^ """^"■^' l^^t^voon (JO and -ail as 18 by 20 feet and as 1 "iJe Lrl'Set 'qu'e "^""■'' '"'^ "'"" "''^^ " '^'^ ^ coa.^f;i:Kn; ^^irsai" .;i!^^i,:jTt:f"^''^^'^^ '-"'' ^'^ ^'--^- -^^ ^- water. South of Saginaw Bay on fotl sidles of .T'^i^ "'"' '".^■™'» ^ ^» '^ *««^ of 20 . .0 feet, and in^he "o.^^ ^!^.r^r"t^.:^'?^^^--^^t^ -^^^^^^^ half of them between three and 1 vo e-irh ^ ! 7u """ '^'''^ ^'''''" '""« ''^"^ "^-er more .an five in a string a„d in n ost nh^^. ih "^''f ^T "^ '^*^ ''''^'^ ••^••° there From Detour to St^L ace a^l from Vf^.? """'^% '^'"' not exceed three, mesh in the cribs varies h^^mTto;! inZ^ U,e t'lTr ^"''i '■' ^T""^'^'^ »"^ '^' From Hammond Eay to Oak Po nt most of 'ihl n ♦ ^^'^^ ^^eing the most common, front and sides of the crib a V^ Ji ' • ,?L^ 7 ' i''''" ^^^ ™«^^'^ -'" *"«hes in the the usual size is 3 inch s i' 1,; front anl Ji.le '; !\T- ^f ^''""^ ^° ^^--t "'"•"» eadersarecommonlyof6-incnettTn.riTfi.wfi 1 ^ '"''''%'" ^'"^ ^•''^•'^'- The M^J Of the hea... a^ tunneis ^^^^ ^Ir^^^ ^^T^ ^Z ^^.^^-j'^^Si pa.^f;i;:s:;rj-;s^-r::e;;,s:.s ing tS'^Zng^^^^^^ Ke^''"'"' ^^" ^'^'^•^ *^""°" ^^>« »^ts are in use only dur- ^t;Lm :;r i4r th: t^- :. ^^--^^ ^^ *« ^ecaJ^:'^;;';.:^;: -„;::r z^-;:^ 106 MARINE AXD FISHERIES. in U \ Owiiiy to the ilitference in dates ot' the be^'iiining und ending of Hsh operationa litt'erent looaliticB the suliject of iho Kea*.onM and catch can best bo doscribod Hcparateiy for the sovoral regions in which pound notn are employed : Detour to St. Ignace. and Mackinaw City to Hammond flay.— Along fliJH stretch of shore, embracing a portion of each ponin^ula, the nets are Hot Homotiino durin"- May. In the vicinity of Detour they are goneraliy removed about July 1, but i" apparently bcarcoly pays to leave them in iiftor Juno 1. Further west and on the south shore there is usually good fishing until August, when the twine is taken up tarred and repaired and reset in September, although some of (he tishormen do not fish again until the following spring, The nets fished in the fall are left in until some lime in November. fn those pounds which are sec early there is often a good catch of wall-eyed iko about the beginning of May. The 'loaviost runs of whitofish occur during -lay and Juno and there are sometimes fair catches in July, after which this species gradually diminishes. With the exception of the pounds in Potagannissi-g Tiny, there is a small but continuous run of trout until September, but in that ami the following month gooil runs occur; fewer are obtained in November tlinn at any other time. In August and September there are usually good runs of wall-eyed pike, and a few are taken throughout the entire fishing season. Grass pike and sturgeon are caught principally in Iho warmer months. In the onlor of their abundance the several species rank about as follows : whitofish, trout, wall-eyed pike, grass pike, sturgeon, suckers, black bass and perch. The whitofish represent at least three-fifths of tho total catch, and many of them are so small as to make their capture a menace to the fishery. Hammond Bay to Alabaster.— 1\\ this region the practice varies ; at some places the season is continuous from spring to fall, at others the pounds are fished from about May 15 to July 15, and from September 1 to between November 15 and 25 while at still others only the fall season obtains. ' In the spring the pounds catch whitofish, trout, wall-eyed pike herring sturgeon, suckers, etc. The best fishing is in the fall, when about tho same species are caught, (looil lifts of wall-eyed pike are made during September, and from that month to November the best whitefish catches are obtained. The herring are taken principally late in the fall, and in those pounds which are fished throughout the season, most of the trout are caught in the spring. Saginaw flay.— Here the pound netting is done during spring and fall only. During July and August the shoal waters become warm and most of the fish leave for deeper and cooler parts of the lake. In the spring the nets nearer the head of the bay are tho first to bo set, while in the fall those near tho lake are the first put in order. In an average season most of tho pounds are set about April 15 and removed by July 1. In tho fall they are set between September 1 and 25 and are finally removed about November 25. Tho spring fishery is principally for wall-eyed pike anl herring. Most of the herring are caught during May, and after Juno 1 they practically di.-appear until fall. The wall-eyed piko generally run most abundantly from about Mav 20 to June 20. "^ The catch in September consists of a few herring and inferior fish, perch, suckers, etc. The herring come in numbers during Oc obor and stay until the nets are removed, constituting the bulk of the fall catch, although a few whitefish and laiie trout are usually caught in the pounds near the mouth of the bay. Snginaiv Bay to St. Clair River.— In the spring the pound net season begins about April 15 and ends about July 15. In tho fall it lasts from September 1 to December 10. '■ In the vicinity of Port Huron there is an important fishery for the sturgeon. It 18 by far the most valuable species, but herring and wall-eyed pike are of some importance, and few porch and suckers .arc .olgo caught. The epring fishery over the northern portions of this shore is not very profitable. ih operations bo (icrtcribed f thiH 8 1 retch time during ^iily 1, but it t and on the I is taken up, irmcn do not left in until of wall-eyed jcur during I thiw bpocies ni8&i"<^ Bay, hnt and the tiinn at any of wall-eyed US pike and lor of their It, wall-eyed sh roprepent as to make some places Hshed from r 15 and 25, io, herring, larae ppccies id from that nif are taken mghout the id fall only. le fish leave the head of he first put pril 15 and . 25 and are Most of the ippoar until May 20 to fish, perch, itil the nets hitefish and i8on begins tember 1 t» JOIST FISflEJUES COMMISSIOX. tir.t half or .Sopt.rabo,-: OwiL lo tho «U X^ ^f fr,- "l"' ''"""•'' '^»«'"' »"'! 'tS not ««hcd after November I ^ o.sp.„„ro of ,hi» .bore maay of the not, are nets farthest from the St Clair Rivnr a L , "^""^ '^^"> whitohsh arc taken in iho .Tune, i?--ing U.e sfmm'l'rtlfe'^aery' r;^^^^^^^^^^^^ herring is the only fish of importance ^ piotitable, and in the fall the poJZ:'o.^Z^^^^^^^^ T'^"" ''^ ^'^'-^"-'^ between the the river about 1870 The first fvko nl J "^ "ei« ^yorot^rHt introduced into t'z ou'Sd^ ttTeX,i2r ^ K t TiX \rs""'' r ^'^ ^ ^« ^ -'■ is made^f the same patte'Ss it^tli: Lat'l5rie fyt E"' "'' *^^"P' ^'"' ''' ^'' of fixe"! I'pparat's ""n JsoS'the" t'^tlstllr h ""' '"' '^'" T" ^^' '^ *"'"' «'' ^^^ pieces but there has probaMyTon a^^d^cirsLiSsS^ '' """''' comparisons, • Ine nets iire nllnwml K«r ini^ f^ „„t_.,i. i- '. . The pots ,f the f^ke'ne;- a.^ «llll Tbout?0^St7o" ^nVli^i- ff^^^ ^'^^ '^T'' port.on of the pounds, have a mesh 'ranging from ^ to^3 i n h ^" ««"esponding smalSr:fer^^?rii:yettTken in4h'"^ ^ ^ ''''' «"^ '^-'-^ ""^ '^ --h The following re^rertsSScVo^Thrprt^ipT^^^^^^^ °^ ^^^ «-''-- Pol'.cr 279,691 lbs. waii.ey;;ci"pike:::::::::::;:::::::::::::;..;:-:;;;-- %i>iii :: Catfish and bullheads " •>! 134 .< the St rinV. R;vr..?k • '='»*«»"a^^ Bay »nJ the southern part of the lake near i^ pi"C:r;it:f'.Lragb r r t'; s„'" 'i^. ?;rsr ? r ^° "f poo„., „e. Babormen complain fba. .h.ir Z:1^'.i^!^ ^:^!, ?--„'„'? B sturgeon, are of some ishery over SEINES. Mr£5zxx:i£:r„tfSSrrLt';t?.^Te'tt!^^ IBII I, 106 MA 1,'IXE A XJ) FIS//E/HES. from various causes provcl unproHtable and difflcull, and Sa^'tiaw Bay anncars to have heen tl.o only place ii, which it hecame at all considcrahie. Prior to about 18HU tt.oie W0I6 a nunibor oCsoiiios in ..pe.alion in (ho viciniiy of Bay IWt Saminin K.vor i ino llivorand oiher localities in iho vicinity, but iho time monlioned the ra-.ro niotitablo Miotl.od of fishing with pouml nets bocamo so general that there wiib uo longiir room nor inducement to haul the seines. Fort Huron is the only place where seines arc fished at the present time one liJiving been employed in lHt)4. The catch was reported as consisting of 23 000 no'urtds ot Hturircon and ;50,(l()() pounds of wall-eyed pilce. ' From 18(i0 t^) 18t>4 seines were the only form of appvralus employed in the tishory between Sarnia and I'oint Harris. In the latter year they were ..lohibitcd by the Canadian government and licenses for pound nets were issued to the tishor- mcD in their stead. Although the fishermen opposed the innovation, thoy are now satisfied with the change, a year's experience having demonstrated that more fish can l)e taken in the pounds than in seines. The seines were 75 to 30 rods lon^ the mesh measuring 2i inches in the bunt and 5 inches in the wings. Jn the snriih' the season was usually from about May 25 to July 1, the catch consisting priniipailv of sturgeon and walleyed pike. The fall season was between Sepremher 15 ard r^fovember 20 the only species taken in considerable quantities being the horrin^' Ttieobicctionable feature of this fishery was the capture of considerable numbers Sf smal wall-eyed pikt. It was for this reason that the Canadian authorities dio- hibiled the seines, but it is doubtful if the pounds are much preferable in this In the early history of the Hshory, when seines were used between South- ampton and Capo Jlurd, considerable numbers of whitofish were caught upon the spawning grounds during the fall, and it is generally considered thar the damage thus caused was OonsK nrnh n o ^ !,« OTHER METHODS. The use of hooks and lines and of spears is not extensive in Lake Huron. Trout and catfish arc the only species taken by the former method and wall-eyed pike perch and suckers by the latter. There is some sport fishing for lake in.ul and black 1)888, but there appears to be no conflict between the spoilsmen and the com- mercial fishermen. SUiJMAEY OF CONDITIONS. From a study of the facts set forth above wo have arrived at the following con- There has been a vast decrease in the abundance of the whiiefish in Lake Huron and this decrease has continued unchecked to the present time, the same being due to a complication of circumstances. The location of the most! extensive fishery for this species has varied from time to lime, and it is significant that durin- SA"yi !^!-!°^'"/^^'h"-l'wo have knowledge, the region of the greatest fisheiy. whethei by gill nets oi' pound nets, has been the region of greatest decrease It IS impossible to say whether or not the amount of apparatus alone, unaccom- panied by other abuses, would have induced the decrease noted. There is no doubt that considerable harm is done by the capture of smal! whitefish in the pounds, and perhaps to some extent in the gill nets fished ostensibly for monomineesl Along the north shore on both sides of the boundary line thecatch of small whitefish of inferior value to the hshormon, but of vast consequence to the fishery, is an evil of the pound net fishery which requires correction. ' A considerable proportion of all the whitefish taken in the lake are cauirht during the spawning time, when they are close inshore and readily accessible, and the facility wuh which they may be taken at such times is probably, to some extent responsible for their decrease. The discharge of saw-dust into the water of streams iiiy npponi-8 to I'rior to about I'oit, Sa^iuiin oiied tho more tlioro wiiB no wont time, orio 23,0U0 poiirtds ployed in tho oro ],rohil)ited to iho finhor- tlioy uro now lliat more tinh roil.s long, the tho sprinir iho prinei pally oi' (mlior 15 and ,' tho honing. ilo numbors of itlioritic'8 pro- forublo in this twcoii South- iglit upon tho It tho Jamuifo Huron. Trout •all-oyt'd pike, ake In ml and md tho com- bilowing con- (fish in Lake mo, the Baine lOfit oxtonsive I that during latest fishery, 'oaso. ino, unaccom- e is no doubt I pounds, and iS. Along tho sh of inferior of the pound I aro caught cessible, and some extent, 3r of streams joiyr nnHKiiiKs commission, tributary to the lake uml adjacent to whitefinh Lrronnds ..n,i .i.«. of rafting lo«« (h.m Canada to the IJni /l ijV, .«^ ' T ^''« "««•" '''-'cont practice whitofiHh. Tho bM.k in ,lo 1 b V ho o ,M- f.: \ "".''"".'''. '"'d itH ^^W-.i on tho weather has ,.«uso.l it. Xet a more o.-^ . '^^ '""^ «r.n,in.g ,f tho logs i,, bad which not only retn/e'lJ^'h^^V^ri fg'r , ° ^.ISrV:^^ "'"". "l'^ '"""'"' It is imposHl.le ,0 de.ormino wh^.h^^ '^;rw:; „' ^*^, '^,!. ;:''" ""' ^"''-'f-' Piko. dttceouH spcoioH before ISSo but in bnU, H,..>.„ i?,, "^ T ' ^'"'"'* "^ "'""^o F>''«- been unchecked. ^ '"iiing <>n in the whitelish has Thist:i^M,^^:^;t;!:;'::;:J:;'•S'v;i^,;!;;::^.:;^T '■"••-•^-^ '""in« <>f«^ side of tho lako i. li contin^rto t le r^' t^S^ ^'l" •^"^■^•^^'"" vicinity of Sarnia, tho catch of sturireon \v .s hi l^wnM "!«/-."""'",'" "'"'•^•, i" tho uiugofthofishory'in 1880 untillH )^ , V. 1 tTKnoirw' "'"" ^'''"^ .^''" '^^''^'"• means of seines, but in tho year last tnunVinn., J ^ was earned entirely on by the history of ,'ho tisher; ^SJhl'Ts" 7 ' c"! J^hoTo":;" h^' '.7"' ""''' '^' toh.Srs.tt^u[;;:'lX:i^!;Th;;;or''Th;=^v"?^ in tho fall has apparently fallen off . omo ox^ nt ff luTiT"' ^''f^' ''"^^' in apparently undmuniHllod numbers. TiriSunitv of t «S''''''' '"■'" '^^'^''^ of tho various agencies which have decin ited t^, vJm nV u • P°'''*''^ ^'?"' ^'"^ °ff^'C'« habits and distHbution. It is Ts ,™^^^ ^'"« '» i^s being confined to the coastal-platform ifhisa hi o Li ,^"^;' ?"^ '- ''"''. '"stead of entlywidoindividualrangoof'rvlem lUm^^^^^^^^^ finds it in considernblo variety and is the rcfTrrrt m. nb nff . T^^^^^ of tho bottom. Although the gill no i 1 oVrfor U i^.l.^ "^"'' ^^ '^' P"""^'«" havofailed to note any s'^erious off ct up ^ H « atltnco' '^^oun^^^^^ o^ion.\vo, we :^^^i^r' -^«'^-"-^«3^ -""'y ^eco^r:rgieJ^x;oSroit:r; concur ''&tSI;;^'^ft-Xtr ^^ S^^ increase or a decrease is difficult to establish with anv .irrr.in nf question of an are inclined to believe that there hTshe>l^n J!^.. f^ ^ ^ ?^ certainty, but wo RECOMMENDATIONS. the i^tE7;:x::r:j;srs-=;ir^z hi^f a^^-^ ^^ their distance apart are considered to be app ieab o also to I « Jf Pr f ^"^^'''.^ recommended that in Saginaw Bay not more than L^^^^ a "'^? ^^l!"^"' ^' '** Btring, and el.ewhero in if e lake n?tmo.rtKtn three ^ "^ "''' ^' *'^"'^^°'^ *" '"^ t I ! UO MMllXE AXn FiSHBlUEs, North of a ne diawi. from North Point, Mich., to Clark Point n,,* iu u ... tho cr.bH ofall pound mi, Hho.ild meaMure ..ot loiN than fm.r innl, . " *!" '"""^ aflor Hhi-inl?''. for tho U80 of (.,il 'a iaivo inerih in thai im.. nf /i i"r ""r"- V'"^ """"''^ provide most important .pecie. and w lo " oyrnVaro Li~^ . • '" ^f'"^'"'''' '« *''« and would permit tho taking of horri".JaiLZr ZuU Li • '" "''' "«'l"«ntiti"«. where ihoy are now mainly fished fo*^ In I „,?..,. rTaiT"" '" » '"«« '•«'"litie« larger than .ho one now employed and w ml d o a, « 1 to T'lT "'^ T'^' '' "':*« p.oportion of the ..nder«izod wall'-eyod Pil e \K cJ^l^ t n.t^lJ,?"'""^" """'""' feature of tho catch. ' ° "^ picHont a conspicuous The UNO of pouiul notH during November should bo prohibited north of .h. li. „ above detincu ... o.-do.. to provide a close se.ison for whiteHsh "° after caiHuro of l,o,.r,„a, which „l (Lai LZdo ,« .,?p,ar " b„ .,.SZ1 »i. ""' ""■ whitefish in that locality. "j'peur lo oe associated w.th young During November it would bo oxDcdient to nmhi..it «..,,•„ i having a smaller mesh than 6 i..chos, wE wouV s^ n l^ byanyg.ll net toct tho 8paw..ing whilehsli ° '" '"'^^ moasuro to pio- capacity „■ rcui™.™., of each .o^iol.'i'^ih'ihcy'.lrlijlljjrd':"'"" """ '"^ in all oaso., bo .ufflcionllv laio ?o LTmf, ,& , "C'"^".''- Tho mch ahould, iViaAfcd AooAs /or s^wroeon— -Tho method of takino- B«ii..„.»,.„ i hooks or grapnels should be prohibited ^ stu.-geon by means of naked Spears.-.Tho use of Bpoais for fking fish of a..y kind should be prohibited. Sturgeon.— AU sturgeon measuring loss than 4 feof Inno- h, ™i . taken, should be rclu.-ned alive to the later. ^' -^ ^^'«levor moans Po«u ^'^« .aw-mills arid n-om manuracturing estabUments oK and in all tributaries containing spawning grounds of imDOWan. fiJ.^ '^°''°^ recomrnonded that in connection^ith all htrbou mprovSn Tnd n ^J'"^ I' 'I Ont., the moah >■* ill oxtonsioii, would provide vtlitofiHll JM tlio iiluoqunntitius, lliOMo loc'ulitieH >d mohli in u\ho irnto a cortniii a coiispicuouu I'th of tlio lino n thirty dayB choH ill oxton- I tlio Canadian nbor 1 lor the uld conform mesh should, fifth, and the restricted in ling grounds. Bnl would be ^ns of naked ihibited. lever moans d fish taken to fish life waste from f the shores 3i'iow. It is er works of abiained by ly of white- iiended. JOIXT FlS/IKftr&.'i ro.l/J//.9,s/0,v jj GKOJIGIAN HAY. DE-iCBII'TION „ il! , It ^"^ ""^"' cliannol, ihat thousands, are ol al . zcs, no, 1 M i itm iT,; wi.l^''T" 'r '""^' ""'"'^"''^'^ ^y width of 25 miles, to iho mere t r. c s h.s Ih w n.^ .' " l^ P "'""'' '""' " proper has an avorairo .lontli of ^'^ to iO 7T'"« '^^'^ '''" "'"^''t'O. The bay ath'oms, being found'^doTo'J.orf i;:\ro '^'Z:^^^:^^::^ 'T"^'^T''^ deepest towards the south sho.o and shoals gradualirtow d t c nor.h T."^'' " purpose Ling .he "fius^Vit S^mw I ^£k '" Ki^S n" h.: T^' '''"'l'^'^ from the J)uck Islands, situated at the no Sr ^cnVof ral? n^J ■"''^' "'i';''"^ "" ciated with those of Manitoulin Island and f?. ,L a Bay tIo n? \" "?""'''' T"": stations for the southern and eastern nan nf^TiT.^' \?," I""""l'"' niainland Collingwood. Ponetanguishono, Waul ashen ai^ Bv^^'' !! ht ^ "7r' ""r" ''^°""^'' part, Killarney, R.unS Island.' (lore Barand tLsK ' ""'^ ^"' '^" ""'"**"•" IMPORTANT PISHES. Six Hpncies of fishes aio enumoratod in the sfjiiUdVa «fr'„ . • r, is:n. l.S"). ISSd. iss:> l.SltO. 1S!M. 1.. 2.. a.. 4.. 5.. «... >lt WliitfH.-li. Trout . . . \Vliitffi>.li.|Tn Tr.Mit ... U-hit,.h>l,. Trout.... jWhiteHsh. ^^Se '"'' "''''''""^■" "'■'•'•'"»•• htU'K-on . ' iWall-HvwIiWiill Pv.'.i I I I'lke. I pike.' :HtiTiiiK.. . j • •• — OrnuB ))ikt' \Vliit<'H,li.iTnmt. TriMit , Wall i-vi-d |.il<... Htuigcdu . Heniiiff.. . « ..ead.ly, though the amount of gear employed hrb,™Vr«ly" h,e',Utd.'"';?"hi?e* I / ■!: i ' );■■ : '< : 112 MAIiiyE AX J) FlSffEIUE\ fish aro fouiul all over the GeoiL'ian Bav -inrl nn,.tk u ■ . . tho same ahorowanl mi^^rationriifle irinL Tl ttll r?? 'vf "'^ l^'^ ^'^""^^ ''«^« inland wators. The ti.ho.T boJ ih ns tnon ^.Z •"^''",'^ ^^""^ '^^ '" ''>'^ «th«'- ally ^ome time in May, earlier o^hter • h L ol "' " "'""y."^ '''^ ^'^"'■^'«' g«"«'- tho «ill nets are .ot Zi far off ^L ' e n * hoS Ct rbj^afthi""'"^' '''F "'"^ "^""^ hsh move into .leeper water or farther offsho e %, S K ^''^?«««"" advances tho July and August and part of SepSer wh -n , hi '^i ^'^""-^ '^'^^^ ^f^''«"Sl' begins, cuimrnatin^r with the close rrih,; llZn.^ ^'ore^vard movement of the fiJ^h the catch of white.rHh ^vLZ^'tl^^^^^^^^ . Up to 1892 n-hiterish have fallen ..ff. and now more t I t ro L .' f"^ '"\'.*' *''"' ^^^^^ ^''^ grounds are known to tho fi^heVmeTam glh^hSs^n^fon^hf i^.^^f tho principal ones beinhoro reefs, off the S,uaws. The spavnin, sealrt"en{?^Th1.o.;;?h' t^ruh^^f Novete;^^''" whitetish, but during he spring n^^^^^^^^ '^" same time as for the not so gr^ttt, while after SeS be" the 1 « J^'^^''''^" ^^ ^^^'"^ taken is trout. Fishermen clafm to rc^^^^^^^^ '" the gill nets are on the ott-.hore reefs and in ho direr Tui-lu S ?.' " T'^^''' ^''^' ^""«'^* tish always taken inshore Trout am noVn!..K„. f^.*^™- the other a much larger are scuthV Grand A^nU^ulin It d. "nd'ro nd he Du^kS "th' '''"""' "^ ^'"^ IS everywhere said to be considerably earlier than that ofl^^^ whi. spawning season shore ^rout aro reported to spawn earlier than tho larlVrihf''^' i'"'' '^'n?^' spawning grounds are distributed all round fh« IL T .'' ^''""'^ 'nsho.e. The and on the outer reef. a.id shoaN Tn^ut i, « mn i"' *"^ "l^ ''•">' ""'""^ ^^^^ ''^'«"J«. paratively few being treniSe pounds. ' ™««^'3^ ^''^"t'ht m the gill nots.com-' was SSytVoTpHn-firr trmoS; «; t h"' •'^'^'■"^. '^^ ^^""^^^^ P"- seining was dollo under fhe fee. the fil boini^ hen on tT"'^ ' "' '"""^. P'-^'e« this spawn. An extensive fishery oHhL kind w^!^:,.- t^^^'t'; ^\ay into the nvers to Bay and at the Waubashene At h« nlln^ ?" ""u "^ ^^° ^^^'^ ^^^ Nottawasagu in the pounds in tSe nortl" diannef VhTAT" ^"""'^f^ P''V« "^"^^'^ t^^f n when fished offshore, but dudSg the spHnt and dl -?'^ ?-"^.'^' ,'" ^''^ ^"" »«*« season, when the gill nets are bein/us? I nshnrl f' ''"^. P'^^iV^tilarly in the latter eyed pike is obtained by 1 hat mea fs Thl wn?l ' ,""°f »<^«'»ble proportion of wall- Je ci.st, but are mostM^ind". t n' the LriSo''od'o??h''r'"'"'°'^ ''' "'^'•^' discharge into tho bay and north chmiLl r„. . u ^ the large rivers which made in the trap nL^rhichTavo been fishfll fi?n' ii^"' "'" ''"r" *° ^avo been eastern shore of the bay The nonmlM fi T 'Hega ly among the islands on the amount, but not so many I^o ca ghfin thoBe et o'ff" £ "«V^ ?=^""^j ^ake a fair Island and tho Ducks. The sniSn ™«nn!ff fV " •"''"''' '^''™ "'^ Manitoulin latter part of April and the oa? iy J if of 7.^ 1 ' ''"'."' I' '''''^ ^" '^'^ '^"'■'"^^' ^^e Georgian Bay proper and the aUontlon of '^h^ A P™"^ "'^1 '^''^ "<** «*^hed in tho the t?out and whitffih! the.^ ifrea ily no ver^^^^^^^ «V """'^ ""'''"''>' P'^'^ ^'^ e.ed piko over the -reater nart of th« h«^ „ J extensive fishery made for the wall- fish has been detected ^ ^ ^"^' ^"'^ "^^ ^^'''''^^^^ '" ^^e abundance of this ■aging over a qi „ them in the spring or summer, at Which seasons they are not%tSnshorTVt"thr^ '" ^^^ ^P'-i"^ o^' summer, at means of gil, nets fnOctoberZf^-oti',"^^^^^^^^^^^ BaytTZi^'^hltrll^S^^^^^^ '"the Georgian the largo rivers discharged He. a^e.sewi^e^o tef h^ad'^ cotmSl' vSu^aV/ follow hero 1 the other ores, genor- ly and June Ivaiice.s the stH througli of thefi.Kh Up to 1892 lat date the T spawning -horo reefs, 1 the reefs %'embor. an^o extent I as for the ut taken is ill nets ure 3(>h caught uch hirger lel as they ing season nd the off- 101 e. The he islands, nets, com- •oyed pike places this i nvers to itawasaga *tly taken 0 gill nets the latter in of wall- all along srs which lavo been ds on the ike a fair aiiitoulln uring the ed in the y paid to the wall- ;'0 of this ?ion, but ;rout and ularly as 'ter of a mmer, at xtent by reorgian Brtain of lue and JOINT FISHEUILS COMMISSION. ' „ as we have been able to ascertain the on"v m«t& h^ . ^i^'iu^ Batture. As far in this region is by means of se nes anS^Jund 'u n^ts'^n? '^7 ''""« ^^«" '^^''^ been tried, certainly not on anv la -"e Lal« ''Phi »^ "* ?*'^''"^'' never having decrease in their abundance hal o currod as shaVn^'''l 'fJ''''' '^^' « S'^^' given in the following table :— "''''""*"'' «^ ^hown by cho three annual catches 1885 1890 4t8,000 lbs. 1894 ^27,050 " 90,265 « region.^'^l'gtod-2? STpo'^'firh.^T t s7d ZZ ^'^^'r ''l ''^ ^^^^^ ^^^7 about Waubashene, and among the sLdVnorth o? Zr^""" ^T '"'"'"«'' ^'^'^o,:; the northern shores of the bav and alnmr h 1 l "' P**'".^^' ^"^ elsewhere on never seen. They have neve?^bee„tat,"ln the n'JVh'nr'' ^^ '''' ^^''^^'^ «r and form no part whatever of the commelciSl catch "^ ^"' ""^'"'^'^ ""^ ^''""^ CAUSES OF DECREASE. on with more vigour and enterprise tinnanvWheL«i •%''"' ^^''^ ^^'^" '^^^ied Whitefish and trout are found o^^o the ^ti^e area of .h«". ^"^i"" ^'"'^ ''^''''^ and lurnish almost the sole object of the ishe^^^ 'prio' to^lfis.'' ^T'^ «^'^""«'' apparatus employed had not varied much for about ^0 vi! ^- t" *'"°"»* «f been constant. As, however, the whitefish sunnlv fmm Ji? ' """ *^® °"*l^"' ^^» increased eftbrts were put fonh by the fi L S of T« h " f"""'"' ^^^^^ ^« ^'^•'. fishing tugs were more largely employed and The amon,t nF-u"" T^^ ^^« '^^"'^^'^ increased. As the result of' this we find thnfi! . ""°""* ?f g''l netting was greatly whitefish caught was q.adrup e/ tL fltt^^^^^^ ^f" '"^ ^^^« ^^' quantity S 1890, the amount of gear bei'ng s\ead v hicrefsod^hn/'. ""'■ ' '^?P'« ^^^ y^^''^ "^ter had been overdone, aid in ms ^ndV^L TIT a' ^"VJ®'"®' '"' elsewhere, the thing following table shows the amount of aZfal''- '"'''''" '^'•^P '" ^*>« «^tch. Thf beginning with 1870, togethe wUh tSe catcwTjLTu^ '"*"T'« «^ ^^^ ^ears eyed pike at the same times •_ ' "^ whitehsh, trout, herring and wall- inro , 187.') . 1880 . 188.-) . IS'K) . 1894. () i) 15 28 32 264 !()() 253 2.')fi 345 21)8,04!) 431,174 40o,((19 380.1(i;{ !)41,(iOO 1,080, 715 ()2 21) )>2 1)1K),(KH) 2,34(i,800 ].042,(K)0 1,421, ICO 5,41)«,,Sl)0 2,500,43(1 723,000 2,.551,4O0 I 1.00]„S(K) I 3.3(;i'.S()0 3,4!M),240 3,58i<,607 53,800 12,(i(H) 1>'7,()00 78,400 2(i3.400 41.000 io,4oo' 353,442 035,150 402,010 Bay whikfch ,11 ra»rkol. that tl,« IT l,"t hPc„„X°' "','' i""''''' '''<>'»»" 'ir 114 MARINE AND FISHERIES. are supposed to have a 4* inch mesh "sncry is carnod on. Tlie nets evidS'i!r ;;sru,i^;^ri^^lo5 ^s^s r ^^ '"^^ r« «^ -^« - employed; and if the whitefishLT shimmed to m^Jketa^^^^ undoubtedly are, this can only be because tCesh in u e i^ Zo sm dl''"'Tn '<."" '^'l channel pound nets, as well as mW nets are fishoH mrl «i,L u J I" l''° ■^•^''^^ this particular region must be s^areS b^'' . e^t: mj ho^,^^^ '^L?. S' , ^/f "^"^ •'" the north channel has not been as exinsivo as in the b«v T, "«^ <5«'^«0' >« evidently began about 1885 when areas weTlicensed w thouu-ol d tT"" '^f of pounds fished or the size of their mesh. Fishermen in a I S« nf H ""'"^''' agree „, saying that to the extensive and was eTul fi hir' K tV '°^7"" carried on in the north channel on the south sW). nf P. ^ir ^- "f- '"*'""^ ^''^"^ Ducks must be att.ibuted the fall inVnffTK.. k f •./'["'' Manitoulin and at the system of licensing '.ri^'bol'idlhemul^rtfp^^^^^^^ iett fiZd w''^'^? ^'l^ as ,s shown by the statistics for 1890 in the ab^e table The nimh«h"V"'^"'''^' been again increased. "'-"^ number has, however, As the species taken in those pounds are whitofi^^h trr^nt ,„nii a .. Lot No. 1 consisted of G.'i fish 2 " 74 " 3 " 74 " 4 " 59 , weighing 100 pounds. 100 " 100 " 60 " -^^^^"^^Tr^LTlt^^^^^^ P«-d«. but there sented lero trout^and Saiufyeli ^ike * ^ ^'""'^ ''"^- ^^' ""''''' «P«^'«^ ^'^P''^- is required to n?lShrthe catch Se^?* t J «^^^^^ '"'""' *'."' ** '""^'^ '"'S^'' «»t«t whitefish, and genera iVwilAhe same nets honll" ""^ ''^" ''^™" ^'■«""^« «« ^he lareer meshed net tL ini . • ' *"'^"Sn some men use a stronger and the capture of these sizes that tire%?irme^:? t^e'c ?cUs Sng ke'nt un \T^ '^ obtained to some extent in the pounds, but mainly by the .'nets' ^' "^ "'" ^^i^'i^^^'^^Z^^iS^tT^:-^'^^^ the gi,l nets, no entangled in thi net, but the prLortion of fa^sh^Thn« f f -^ ?' ^'^'^ ""^ become case of the Georgian Bay, ho we v?' he small tro^r.l?'! 'f ^''^'.^^ '^'"'*"- I" ^he .he«„ci„ne,. ba.k which «eWe.o„ tW b„TS:'fo?^r„g;i-;h'i';SovS|."''^£e" ight in tho bay "18 on the main- i on. The nets class of nets in •s hu8 been bore n'Hizod, us they . In tho north r tho failure in I not fishery in * decrease thero to tho number of the region bis means then lulin and at tho Jt. When this 3d was reduced, f has, however, 3yt^d ])iko and 1 as is required of fishes. We some of these wn iinowledge the weights of nds, but there species repre- 0 decrease in a larger outfit ■rounds as the stronger and rout from the nsport and be ibtediy being it is only by p. Thoy are 0 gill nets, no 3 and become mall. In the >rtant part of arket in poor lailer meshed tho whitofish re constantly arger rivers, ilichigan side oms sets free I'ing. When JOIXT FISHERIES COMMISSIOX. 115 SSnr :S;^^:;;^yS'" "^ ^^^^'"^ ^^^""^« °^ '^ ^ ^^^ '^-- can be no and 17 ^m::ii:!:z-^rj::^'sjs::::i;:;^ '^^'^r -«^^f ^--^»- --dust little injury can have been d"": "thi ' wTy tZVnyoTZZ n'""? ^'" "'"V ^"^ off.hore or remote from tho neighbourhood orfhrmTii y ^P^^n'-'g grounds are lation prohibiting tho lettin- "S of ih « ^f ' '' ""f "^ 'ate years .he rogu- fisherm'en seem to have bee ^Tu'e 1 U,ol ho di frV'"' ^'"V^''" ''''^""''^^^'i- ^^'>« and have generally landne of the rivers, but they are n?w proSiS Fvte ne^ ""ui?';^' ™outhsofsome never been employed except to i very slight extent Trinn«f P'^?'"«^' '"'^« pounds with a cohered pot are not nermittGd h.ft rhL ^'''^ J"^^' «"i'''H "ubraerged by poachers, and whc^ieveT found' th™y tVe I efcoS^^^^^^^ extensively fisted which the bay, paiticularlv alonL' ^ts eastfi.-,, nnH ., ^^""'^^'^'/^a- The manner in channels, inlets Ld deep creoCfa itfes the use of hP«S''" '^''''':' '"* '^P ^'''^ cult to detect them. TrVwl line' .sh^n^anrho^- t^.^S^^^^ ^^o^^S whitS'nSf^lSe C^rld^'lh^^S'^m^S' T ''""'I'" ^^ ^^^^ trout and most of them have a ^-S^T^^X i^^ :TJ7t:i ^^^^^^^ The times for trout only. "'""' """^n mesa aie fished at certain The gill net fishery in Georgian Bay be•« ««t '"«hore, bu^t durlnl Ju'v and Au-us.. th.j are moved into deeper water, and upon the banks and around thTon fendl rhn I" ^^Pt^-^be/ they are again brought closer to shore, whe^e th^y a"e usod until the beginning of the close season, let November. In the sorinff and summer the catou consists principally of whitefish. but in the ^11 more'^I.-ou^t afe ^y.Jj''-'^'^ u^^'~^^^ pound nets are similar in construction to those used else- where in ihe great lakes. The leaders are mostly short, with the mesh 6 or 7 mcnoa in extonsion. The cribs are 40 to 50 feet square, and when the ™sherv first began n mc-sa of less than 2^ inches was used, but afterwards a uniform 4 nciVesh Sr."f.^'h ."!?' "fT^^- i".^^^^' *^« Dominion government vouUaiMIy reduced the eizc, but the fishermen had not all taken advantage of this privilege at^he time of our visit. There appears to have been no good Teason for the SL^re and w« consider that its effect will be disastrous to the whitefish ^ ' ^ 1 ound nets have never been fished extensively in any part of the bav exoent henorta channel and on the outer side of Grand Manitoulin Islard TheTatter region is really in Lake Huron, but as the fish caught there a rshinned fmm W.art^on the « tut istu3s usually regard this locality in c/nnecti^n^iih ^^0 B^y. I \ P°?"'' °®^'' "'®'"® ^«^«^ >n this region. They were all in standi nf one «ach and were located in the north channel, both on the m^n shore and on the numerous islands, and also on the southern shore of Grand ManitouUn Island at its western end, and on the neighbouring Duck Islands. The pound net fiehSv beVan at the Duck Islands about 1881, and at Indian Island and Jear Killarnev Tt ab?u^ he same time. After several years, however, these nets were fbbSden in the region east of a line passing from Capo Hurd to Spanish River. The maximum number was reached about 1889, since which time there has been a eraXS reduction. This appears to have taken place mostly on the outer side of Grand Mani In '"«/!io"^ '"!i' ^K^ f^' ^"."J^ Islands rit is estimated that there were at one ime Sow but 9. P'""^' ^^''"'''' Massissagua Strait and Providence Bay, where there a^o The pounds are set as early as possible after the water is free from ice • ibn a^M-rrr Th^ '''" ''"T"' ^''"^, ^r''^''"^^ '"^ ^P'-'l ^"^^ Bometime even '; lat as May 24. 1 he season lasts until November 1. The principal fish taken in this region is the whitefish. It is present during the entire seasorbuJue and Julv witness the lurgost catches. Wall-eyed piko^also occur throughout the yea^^ it^S nets are in early, a good run may be had in the spring, bit the bes^t month is at intervals JOINT FISHERIES COMMISSION. , jjy are also taken. ^ -'^*'""' ""^ '"''''^'■'^' P«'*°'>' S-'a^s piko and a few sturgeon whic?"'u?irS£"rron for ^Sv^n/'ll^''^'^ '^l' ^^^'^^^^'^ «« ^'^^ ^°"-« *» prevent the U80 of this form of aX a u? T ««"«[«•'.>' «« «tO"y and rough as to been carried on was maZy Sv7iZTn\^^^^^^ «°'"i°« ^^hich has saga Bay and Killarnej. The totaWn.trorfhnT'^^'''''^^.''^^^^ 1870, 440 fathoms; 1880, 137 ^thoL fSo ^ i % ^''^ "''!'"" ^««» '-^^^^H^ws: prohibited in the bay i-itnoms, 1890, 2,466 fathoms. These nets are now The principal fisheries BECOMMENDATIONS. in tiie Georgian Bay and whitefisl^ndl^ke ou an a hedec^^^^^^^^^ '*^';'°°' '"^''^ '^""'^ ^^'' apparently been due to t^olfses overTsZ^and th^".^^^ r ^ ''^"^^ ^P««'«« '>«« remedies naturally suggest therasercrnn'X a l*^"^'"^' of immature fish, two and such an increLe .f the siL of the CsT ^ ^ reduction in the amountof fishing of an undue amount of the uTerledhT^"^"^"' ^•" P'^"«"^ '^' ^^^P^"'? NovemWeiVo\ fSfircotr Srspa^CTo^ o^o.y...on during the month of as this species has not decried to atwrhZ^nk^T/^ '^^ ''T' ^^^ '' '« ''^'i^^^d, that a reduction in the Lo^,^t of^iK S! fi!K. f '*'?" ^^^'""^ °^ *''° ^^^itefish the mesh will atford it all iClrlilS^Z'T^ ,^^^^^^ ^" >"°'-«"«° - *'- -'« of whitfi^hTtTout t'lli?4',JS/etdturL:f -t^^""' ^^ J^ '^'^'•-'^ «" '--'^ f- large-sized m. h be aCS in the cribf a!? ?>,'''^''^'''l important that oJly a capture of wall-eyed pkrandcoarJ^^^^^^^^^ '"°. ^' ""^ "Ejection to fhe deem it advisable^to allVw a limuS amoun of fi h "^' '"I """''"^ ^'^^ *'''*"'^«- ^^ along the eastern shore of the bay '"^ """' ^'"''P "'^« «"^ ^^e nets We would, therefore, recommend as follows:— licensed be fished by any tu- or boat '"*^'"® ^''*" ^'^^ amount fixedV5T:che;"Srnt:atufe" "^' ""' '^'^^^ ^^'^ -^'^^^^'^ -^ ^rout be to SptS^yvtretoTincr^e^S-TllTe '^'1 T* ^^*'^« ""« ^^^ ^ape Hard such^iets east of that I no be continued • and iS'?^" •''■^'"^ P^^'^'''^''^^ '^^ "«« of crib of the pounds be fixed at 4 "nches ' ^^ mmimum size of mesh in tho along- thS'e:stil';;'':2d"rrth'ern' sSerrtt'^l'^ T. '' "°^«^^ '^ '^ ^^^^^ Killarney. noruiern shores of the bay between Waubasheno and not leJttfn'?! iSeT^ '' ''''' '"" '' ''' ^^""" "'*^ ^"" ^^^ ^--^ « -esh of LAKE SUPERIOR. DESCRlPTrONT OF THE I AKB :»1 118 MAliIXE AND FISHEBJES. There is a general absence of shoal areas at a distance from the nhores alont; which moreover the water usually deepens rapidly, the slopes beii.ir more "abrupt as a rule on the northern than on the southern bide. The tishing ^r/ounds are therefore chiefly restricted to a comparatively narrow zone around the borders of the lake' the superficial extent of which is less than one-fourth that of the entire lake and not much more than one-half the fishing area of either Lake Huron or Lake Erie Ihe physical conditions of Lake Superior are, furthermore, unfavourable to the n-o." duction of a great variety of fishes, and only a few of the species represented have been at all prolific. Ihero are however, three more or less prominent bays on the northern side of the lake and three on the southern side, in which the conditions are somewhat tempered. 11' . IMPORTANT FISHES. The most important fishes of Lake Superior are the whitefioh (Coregonus cluvef forvm) and lake trout {Cristivomer namaycusK) . Other species taken for market are the lake herring {Argyroaomui artedi) and one or two related forms, the siscowet {Cristivomer namaycush siscoivet), wall-eyed pike {Stizostedion vitrem) and sturgeon (Acipenser rubicimdus). ° Whitefish.—Tho whitefish are generally distribued along the borders of the lake ranging outward into depths of 40 to 50 fathoms, seldom farther, and in some plaoes coming close upon the shore during the spawning season and in the spring Throughout the greater part of their range they have gven rise to more or less extensive fisheries, although in some regions, as along the Minnesota shore and about Isle Uoyale, they have always been scarce. . This species was the one to which attention was first directed on Lake Superior, und until recently it composed the greater part of the annual catch, but within a few years it had ceded precedence in that respect to the lake trout. The only statistics of the catch for the shores of the United States side of the lake are the following: \lf, 2,257,000 lbs. S ' 4,571,000 " 1890 3,213,000 " 18'^'^ 2,010.000 " Leaving out of consideration the seasonal fluctuations in production which we have not the means of measuring, the above figures indicate a decreased annual out- put between 1885 and 1890 of 30 per cent; between 1890 and 1893, of 37 per cent and between 1885 and 1893, of 56 per cent. This decrease, moreover, was coincident' with an increase in the amount of the principal kinds of apparatus employed and the statistics for 1890 and 1893 were obtained in sufficient detail to show that between those two years the proportionate decrease for pound nets was 57 per cent and for gill nets 64 per cent. The actual decrease has been most marked on the Wisconsin shore, where, between 1885 and 1893, it was enormous, amounting to over 90 per cent On the Michigan shore, as a whole the production was maintained between 188o and 1893, but only by the use of a much greater amount of apparatus equal to 63 per cent in pound nets and 14 per cent in gill nets. On some parts of ttiis shore the figures show an increase, and on other parts a decrease in the output bat the abundance of the fish has apparently everywhere diminiohed, as is evidenced by the extra efforts required to keep up the catch. The testimony of all witnesses examined at the principal fishing centres tends positively to corroborate the deductions based upon the statistics, and it also estab- lishes the fact that the fishermen generally are conversant with the changes which have taken place in the status of this product. The statistics for Canadian waters show a comparatively steady increase in the catch during recent years, coincident with an increase in the amount of apparatus Ihe evidences of a decrease in the apecies are not nearly as marked as on the south shore, although the testiiiiony obtained in the Port Arthur region indicated a con ,.aIong which, I abrupt, as a are,, therefore, '8 of the lake, itiie lake, and or Lake Erie. bio to the pro- irescnted have t bays on the he conditions regonus clupei' ar market are the siscowet and sturgeon •8 of the lake, a some places ring. I more or less )re and about one to which eompoj>ed the rocedonce in shores of the )n, which we i annual out- 37 per cent, as coincident n ployed, and that between ras 57 per arked on the iting to over I maintained )f apparatus, 3mo parts of 1 the output, is evidenced entres tends it also estab- anges which urease in the f apparatus. m the south Gated a con. JOIXT FISHERIES COMMISSION. 119 siderable falling off. made in the " zr'S;«;Hi;a5;=SHs lower or water, ■^^itg^mSSF^Sli^-^s-zs ESSSS=3SSilsi 1885. recent years State; side of the Ial!),000 lb8, 1893 -\485,000 " , ^ ^. 3,061,000 " In Canadian waters the following annual past ten years :— " ""uu«i catches have been made during tho 1885 1886... 911,000 lbs. 1887 842,000 '• 1888..".".'".' 703,000 " 1889... 971,000 " 1890 1,020,000 " 1891 692,000 " 1892 1,077,000 " 189i. 1.05.5,000 ■' 1894 1,128000 '= m, p ,,. "••••■•■ 1,543,000 " dufition was accompanied by an me and the subsequent increase of oro- Ov;.To7e rrtLan^u^UatTin/ the amount of ^pparaturcmpToy^ d «,»„^„ ,>/..:.. _ A .. . ','"»"'". catch in United States waters has bo«n r^u*<>K.J k, b ab a bout tho Apostlo Inlands, since 1S85. and al Isle S^!^t^!i;^i:;:!"Tj"^»^"''-^^;'=SirT,;:::SSS means of _ returns are not indicativeof , especially Royale, since 189:. Accordi Lake oduction in been a general decreas'e^The" extent of whS JJn'"?! °^ Y'^""''"''' however, there has the lake except at tho eastern end in S "^ T be ascertained, in all parts of to Otter Head o-.i te Canadian "ho e In hS' h?.t"''""' ^^^'''^'^ ^'^'"^ "nd thence a large increase in the extent of t^^h^no.;„ ^""^ ^'■^"' ™0'-e«^'«''. there has been increlse in the amount of the catch ^ """^ ''''"^ ^''''''' ''''^ "" corresponding the bivL'^Z^^^^^^^ species in most places about owing mainly to the disSanco of n affi Tut in^'^lH^J^n 1 ' -7 "^"^'T ^'i^'^y' size in these waters The sunnlv nn„ L • ^^^ ^^^^ ^"^ its generally inferior dem-andsuponitromai^a^sZ^asTpresent." "*°^'^ '' '^"''^'^^'«" ^^^'« *»^« whitetn^dlle't ^^TTs'noort^^ ;"^"^t- M''^'' ^«"« '^^ '^' '-^e than the ing fatness, and t the"of3offl I m"'' "* *^' ""'"'^l' °" "'^««""<^ ^^ ^ts exceed- evlnt of H scaroi V of ro?' ' 7^^^«.'»^tle inducement to the fishermen, except in the the BupplyTs unLbtedTv suffiSft^^^^^^^^ quantities are sometimes- captured, but it undJr^xisting chcuS^^^^^^ ° '"''^'^""'^ ""^ ^"""^"^ '^''' ""^ ^e^made ipon 1 ^^° MA HINE AND FIS/IE/UES. _ Wall-eyed pike.— This spocios is scare on nearly all the onen NhnrAo r.ttu^ i i being mainly confined to a fbw of the bays on both tlo now h«rn "T'^®\«* ^^^ a^®. ^s;=rirtK^ri,rTJshS head of Whitefish Bay on tVe United sire;afdB,aSX'l'fZ '''' '''' Bay on the Canadian nido. It is more comnion in 8ir,^ortionfof St it-^^^^^^^ There ban evidently been a considerable docreane in tKSnSance oJthr Sjs Su're^f Jhi^ount^^tircir ^"' ««'-^' ^^^"^ %u;e2^ri;.rars ,n «ome of which they are renorted to have beenTe^at vely ^buncLSa oi^ffm« the aggregate however, they have conHtituted only a very incotpicuous feZ^^ the tishery, and little profit haa been derived from thom Th„ t^l i . '®^f"'e of 1885 ^^*'- 1886 ' 41,000 1887 41.000 1888 120,000 1889 HOOO 1890 ; '^l.OOO 1891 i^7.000 1892 43,000 1893 49,000 1894 ^5 000 39,000 BISTORT AND METHOUS OF THE FISHEUy bv 1870 On'th«p^ \- P'"'"'"P"^ '"^^^«'^« "°^ employed having been introduced bj 1870. On the Canadian shores commercial fishing dates from about 1871 conju'!t?SrwUh g^lTl\^corst?\uL'?h Jl' ' 'P\'^P^\P-S domestic wants, and in men. Thev proved vorvnrof^^^^^^^^^ «^ ^^^ "larke fisher- forty-three in 1885 ^ " ^'^^ greatest number recorded was 68 of the lake, outhorn sides, le. The total I 2 per cent of re It has been 1 Bay and the iiichowanaung Mary's River, f thif species, mainly as an ti distribution nciosed areas, onetime. In )U8 feature of roduction for nda ; showing iber of pound catch for the ,000 ,000 ,000 ,000 ,000 ,000 ,000 ,000 000 000 e neighbour. 9 it bad been f the lake as n introduced 1871. rants, and in aiket fisher- the capture It they have ho shores to as of all the nsively and ilands. The Jcorded was mall, having es have not lake except itod mainly uantities of JOIXT FISHERIES COMMISSION. ^^l herring aro also taken by this means. TIio ranid >.lnnn «r *i i .. lio shore. For the ■go tugH with head- on so most is also conducted on an oxSive h^ U mL V ^"^ '^"'^ ^"*"" ■'f^"'^' ^^o fishery of sail boats. The hrrinrnots aro moj ?,^ ' "' ""TT.^"'^ butchiofly by moans There has been only ^ compu^atTvoiyHllTlfrr"" ^ ^'"'"''^• nets fished in United States waters since IS&lhl^^^^^^^^^ ^°^'*' quantity of gill greatest development, but coSeraro m.ctw?til! i ?k^* ^''^""^ T^''"^^ nearly its the intervening years In CaS an w iS ,i " '" ^"^ q"ant'ty have occurred in since which timi there has been as a wholl n "'"'^'T!!' ^"^ '*"'*'"«d '" '884, gill netting employed a'on" the north 8hoT« hnf „^°""''' '^^"'T '" ^''° »™«»"t of considerable fluctuiaio^jpom y^ to vea, ' ^rL 1/ r'T'l '"' '^' '''^^'«''" «"^ ^'th the length of gill nets in use thJtyelrJs follows I ''""' '"'"""' ^"'' ^^^^ S^^° State or District. I'<'nKth in Total lin^th fiithoins. in fathoms. iriiitfd States watci Cuuatliaii waters. Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan. North Shore Kast Kiul. . . . 90,()S2 L'7,0(X) s of gill nets shalTmeasure at applicable to United States waters burth^?..,!^' '•««?««' '"^ '»>'■* "tatter which are are between 4i and 4? incLT IkLnih ^/ l '"^'^u''?'' «^ "»"«^ ^^ore employed 8i.es up to 5| and 6*i3es' a e S -f '^^^^ T'^ ''. sometimes seen. Larger especially for the trout. ' *''° «««^«'»na'b' "sed on both sides of the line, pound'rt'fi:h£7^^:L^^^^^^ present the advantages for along the entire so\uher,bordVbutth/Mi ?'"'^"' '' '' """'•^^' «" "^ '''••^''va's pose and has never had more than 4 nound^^^ '^ "«t «l«P^od to this pur- located near the Canadian bound " This met o J nT^T'' "^^r'''^'^ ^"^" ^'^'^ Bively prosecuted on the VVisconsin coasrKnH ?u"^ i""' "^r" ™°«t «^^'-^»- Chequamegon Bay, on the east side of K«L ' '"''''^'"^ ^^,^ Apostle Islands and Whitefish Point. In 1879 the tS n umtrT"'! P'^"'"«"''». «"d in the vicinity of In 1885 it had increaseJ to ^0 '1 d t 8°93 ?o' 2?6 '"Vh "''^ •'''' ^ "^«"^^«- '■^^^^xr,r iSi s^.^£r^^ ""^^^^^^ ^" in 1878, but during the first End^ t h„ T*"^®"' !" ^^« '''''""^>' «f Port Arthur, a In i891 it incfeased ulen^ to 53 burbt'i«'^^^ ^^•'"^ded eastern end of the lake, between Whit'eLl sJ^Ln^f ^^"^'.' ''f ^'^ '^- ^^ ^^^^ nets were built in 1883. Thrraaximum nnmhl «."d Otter Head, the first of these 1891, but in 1894 there were onTier^s" '" ''^"'"' ' '""' ''''^''* '" least^i^cTefoi^tVt'aZVail^Thlir^ci^a'uT^ ^"PP^«°^ ^« — - ^^ 3i to 4 inches. Considerabir^hrlnto f ? ""J ^"'*®^ ^^^*«« «i<^« '^ ranges from tKe water. ^0"«"l«'-«l>le shrinkage takes place after tarring and submersion iS 122 MARINE AND FISIIEIUBS, If? Tho re fttive unportiince of tho gill not and pound not finhoiios on Lako Sunorior IS indicated approximately by tho returns of the catch in Uniled StatoH waters for 18. 3, which Hhow (11 per cent of tho total output to have boon obtained] l.v mcana of tho former apparatun and 26 por cent by moans of the latter. Other methods.— Sat linon uro employed to Romo extent for taUinL' trout and Hiscowot, more especial Iv on the const of Minnesota and about Isle Royalo and tho Ivewoenaw I'eninsula. Ikrinnini? about 18!H», this method of Hshinir ha. boon increnK- m^' at the western end of tho lake, owing to tho faol that .ho ouiHt is much less expensive than m tho case of pounds and gill nets, anri tho profits on a nmall scale are relatively greater. The number of hooks so u.^ed in IW3 was about 20 (JOO the catch amounting to about 8 per cent of tho total catch of trout nnd sis'cowet in United . States waters, Fyko nets are practically unknown on Lake Superior, and there are probably ZT 7, Pl"««»;\h«'-o;>'«y c-i.ld bo employed to advantage. Eleven were' enumeJ- atod in the statistics for tho south shore in 18fM, but none have been recorded in any of the returns for Canada. The Indians make use of dip nets for taking white- hsh at the base of tho rapids in tho St. Mary's River at Sault ^o. Mario, but this hshery is of little moment. Sport fishing for F^rook trout, black bass, etc., is carried ?Jl.lr ^^ y \^ same river but there is very slight inducement for angling any- where in the waters of Lake Superior. ^ ^ ^ EXTENT AND CAUSE.S OP DECREASE. Snn«?io?ri''' 'P°"'k' ''•'■t ^'■^ ^'."^ principal objects of tho fisheries on Lake Superior a deciea^o has evidently taken place in the supply of whitefish lake trout wall-eyed pike and sturgeon, while tho herring and sisc'wot appear to bo oT abun- dant now as ever. Tho change has boon most serious with respect to tho whitefish formerly c^imposing tho greater part of tho catch ; it has been least noticeable in the case of the lake trout, and of relatively minor importance with the wa l-eyed pike and stuigeon. "j»-« Our inquiries have failed to demonstrate that agencies foreign to tho fisheries have been responsible to an appreciable extent for this decrease. Tho depth and the low temperature ot the water, together with the sparsely settled cond tion of n atwT; ? w M ^''« '."fl»°r of ordinary pollutions as well as of traffic excep in a few restricted localities Logging has sometimes caused injury to tho nets and has frequently interfered with the operation of the seines and pounds, but the e is no evidence to show that tho fish themselves have boon harmed thereby Tho refuse from saw-mills appears to have had only a local influence ut the most, affectine possibly, some ot the inshore feeding and spawning grounds, but no proof was obtained of its exten,.ivo d stribution on tho bottom ol" the lake at any tinio and Tor some years past its retention on the shore has been suitablv providoc' for ' It has been impossible to learn to what extent tho offal produced in cloanine fish was deposited in tho wafer during the early period of tho fishery, but the prac? l.ce IS now widely deprecated and it is seldom followe.; except in connection wkh winter fishing when the offal may bo loft upon the ico, akhough much of it is rhen said to be devoured by the dogs and scavenger birds. It is not considered pobablo at Tny' ime ''"^' -""^ ''"' ^''" '""'°'^ ^^ ^^'' '""""' '" recent yeai if l««s7tlr/K'''ll°T.K^^"'"^*^ ^'■''"! "•' T"*'^' ^«"''' ^° substantiate tho view that at least the bulk of the decrease observed has resulted from overfishing under some or all of tho conditions and practices which have prevailed, but, owin|in large part to our imperfect knowledge of the habits of tL fishes in his region it has been .mpossible to estimate satisfactorily the relative importance of the ffiront factor" ^alo and tho •eon increas- is much less I nmall scale : 2J,(J00, the wiscovvet in re probably ero enunior- recordod in kin^ white- ■io, but this !., is carried ngling any- 38 on Lake , lake trout, )o as abun- 0 whitetiHh, )ticeable in 1 wall-eyed 10 fisheries depth and :)ndition of itHc except 10 nets, and ut there is Tho refuse , aflfecting, proof was 10, and for n cleaning '■ the prac- ction with it is then i probable, It years, if •w that at >r some or rge part to t has been snt factors 'orthy for a! waters, tiplication JOLVT FISHEIHEfi COMMISSIOX. . j-. whitoti.l, iH „o„- commonly la^l w ,00 !"^ „il ' '" I 1 1° ''";"'"'° '"' "'" oi the young Hsh have been ie t up n t| o boa" e t^o d« J nrge quantities exceedingly Sed ^ ''°'""^' """'°"' ^'^^ "^° ^^ "'>i«h has been in eit1.e'StirofLTo Kn'"!,lfi great importance VonBide; """he ctm p^a u'vel y^'n J- ^ fi ■ ifi '"" "' ''f^'^'i^' Ui MAIiiyE AND FISIIEItlES. mil ' 11 I -I ' t{ SSr' J;^::'.^';?"^.^?. i-'^'l^-PV'-^.tho.oin wher of H.h in ,uUi„ Th7n«eon; l«rrn,T'"r^^^ whonovor a large n of HO lurco a |,rop.,rti.,„ of tl.oin as to emons r, « il.l i '^'''''''''Jr »'"• 1''° ««« mo.h o„ tho'ba^iH of the minimum t^TZZTZZTT' "' r^'"|"^'':K poiirulH are caliuil f'oi Huron. If iort'ln whonovor a large miiaa "!.?' "°! "" "!'f''"fo Kuwrantee OHcapo iig the re ..otti.he(i lor herrimr" 7,711^^1X^3^''''"' 'i* "'^ '""''^"^ ^^ ^^^ , "l««' greutiy influoL, this re^u Ithe'vounL^LM..! ""^'^''T^ ''^ ^'"-''^ ""rroundingH, water, while tho deeper T.[l':XSr:ra sZl'S;.""^-'" ^'« ^''^"'«'' larg average the ^^::^j::r^t^,:^t::z zT^'f. ''^ ""-^'^ «™''" of whiteti^h. this decrease in size is Hlfown more Sed v f^tL f" '"T '■°''""'l^ '^"^ ''"''«• ""'l made by the gill nets as the 1 Xr Tl?^ ^ . pound not catch than in that That iH to say.^tho izo ve all IrL in iVu ""'.^ "^^''"^« ^''« «'»""«'• fi«l^. and tho iattei'foim of ajpa atu HU.be cons^^erii"'.' '^''V^ '^'' P"""^ "''^ ^"^^'h small whitoHsh. 'PPa'aius ih lo De conbiderod as most detrimental in catching inchJ;; &on the"uS'sta?es rdeTtL'nn^^T"' ^° !"«"«"'« "^ '^ ^»'- ^i whitofish and lake trout nets Th« Lv^ '^ ■■*"^'°' ''•''^» *« ^ inches for both these are used only i^a fe^o^am os^ml o^- Ta "'" ^'"^'^ ^^ '« « '"«h««. "^"k rally employed in'^United sS' wate s are f oT/i Jo 4?' i I'' 1^^" '""r"^" rfi!rLr;?s?;jh^s "^^^^'"'^^ ™^^'"^ ^ trexi^iHarn%:?rorz^iai^o: li to'lfpSultdrand'-titrarrL^'S^^^^ ^" ^«i«^- -'^'" ^"om commission. With roHpectto a ^^00^ mesh ?h« „ ?• T'^®'^,''^'^'"^"^'""« "^^ sizes taken at from about 1* to 2 pSdsallTl. mi «-J'mates p ace the minimum escaping through it. Forthis^reason wm^^^^^^^^ smaller than 4^ inches FormVr?f thl ^ ^® preferable to otupioy nothing larger than at .^.l^Tandtre reduction Tas^blen?' "', '^°. ""''^ ^'^P'^^^'^ ^«^ the diminishod'averago size of the fish This ?„ ,^""«"^''''."^'^"^ '■ con««q"once of the Jake, the mesh ranges in size finm U fn 91 ;, u r j 1 ° "' are fon.ui „r..„f ;.,„ii„ ..r.\ "■'*,? Horn 1^ to 2h inches. In some places the horrinff Ilk ,».K:*_i3„i. . 1 . o many parts of 3es the horrine be associate and"captu;;d"wrth'th"or''£ut''^>fr"^ "*' ^"'^ ""^''^^'^ ""^ ^''^^^ ^4 those two species so'laken is anpiecrble " '' "° P'"*^'" '^"^ ^^« quantity o^f b«t ftom Se^rincTpTsratii^sVtr fofth'^h"^^^^^^^^ "^l?-^^ ^"'^"^ ^--^-. ■considerable extent during a L^t n J?nf n / ' ^ .' "?J^^'"^^ '" carried on to a said to consist less of wiS^h'^ than of rout ^t 7 n«v ?? ^"-'T^^'' ^"^^'^ ^^ proportion of the former Whethflr ?LLm' \ "®^«''t''«le8« includes a large W grounds or interferS g.euTly with theh batus'a ^J.^^'^^'^ upon their spaw^i- «ible to learn, but quantities ot' the Lawn n„fiK P®/'"'^ '* ^^^ ''e^n 'mpos- nets were among the SSnces LTeTlv L?.u ''''a f '".'f"^ ^° '"""^ P'««°^- Gill whitefish as they came E the boaZsfnfKP^^?'' ^^'.^''^ ''"P'"'« «^ ^he large mainly been destroyed The whi efil ^.t« ''!"i'^ *"^ *""' ''"^ ^^^^ fi^^ory hi sand blanks near thrshore^in' dtthfo'f 7?J^^:^^J^^ T^^J^. .?^l^\o- ^eeff and ^00 much exposed to permit oi dshing upon Ih^'^ilZ^Z::^^:::^^ ' !t lai'ge maas ilu KUuriinteo for tiio c'Hcaj)0 .'Wulutin^r the Blod. As tho d of moHh iH lio and Lako \ poiiridH, the weij^hing not ^ and of tinh r very groat, to U pounds, licHO smaller iplh of watel• lrrounding8, tho Hlioaler ijor average )f whitefluh, ho case, and han in that inialler fish. 1 net caieh, ill catching ^088 than 4J les for both inches, but i now gone- uso of the of tho lake, yeigh fiom ions by the minimum ize thereby jy nothing iloyod was equonce of 7 that gill ash. *' y parts of lie honing trout may uantity of November, ed on to a r catch it IS a large ir spawn- on impos- co«. Gill the large shory has reofs and arc often ler whicii JOINT FISIIHHIES COAfMISSIOX .«. K'bo'uf'CemS; 1 t"2r"- '''' """""'"« P""^ «' ^'^ ^'> -''to.! principally thanr!;:s^;\;;ll':!ss ^ !;m';;l;r^?:i:;:s r' ""°^ 'r'r' '^ - any decroaso obsorvod will I,,- four.d m ?, Iv i,w. * ' *'.^'•*'''■' ^'"'^ '''" ''«"«'' "f last mentioned. It is „osh t le hat I .^ , l^^ " c,.n..oot.on with the method of Hshing on too oxtens.vdy m s Z |ta lUie aS lILt^ ^'Z H'" ''T' ''"-^ b«'" '•""'«'' from tho water annually in those pW '^ '"'" '*"'"^' ^^•"* ''-'""^^''•'l cont;si;:Xou;sfr='::^o^t^;""iiSf,;;i^ ocx-urs, and large nuan(ilics,, To H.mwnrfili^''''^ "'"''/''" ^"-^^ ^'"""^ «"l'i"K mostly in tho gill not^ but some '""f^, ^'' "^ '"'"T'- ^I'ey «ro ol.iain4 of the lattor soom to bi Vo,n ZVVh' \ ■ '" ""^ I'"»"''^»'t'"-'^'»» tho majority Hpawning season. ToVot li\lh . 'u S'S, °: '"''''r'^ ■^'''' "'"'>' i'^' '>'' '»'« pan of U would bo cciu'ivalont to acting rho Si 1^ ''"'■'*'" ""^' -'-^«'"'^'« that?cs'o;;rc;:;:.:S:tzsr:;! a;"«/^^' -'^■?-'"^ tothen.t The amount taken in this m nnorhoJovl. oL ""'Tl ^"!'""^''«'' ''J the twine, any approciablo amount of i y iJ 'r he^^^^^^^ '""«"^'»' ^" -'»'«o be avoided, as it has no relation to tl e si/o o^' 7,?^.^ ""k '"'V- ? T'''"''""''« «"» minimum sizes of trout taken in the "ill. i / '"'''*''• ^"'^'® *'"'" ""N f'o those of tho whitefish air udj g von ' d ^ wi trthn'T'/r' '" ""■'^'" '"'^'^'''""^ *'•«'" opinion soems to bo that the avorZo h !? nni7« /i ^'^" '''"j"* «Pecios, the prevailing which fact has also intluencU thXent use o? m.d ''"" ^TT''' '" '""''>' P'"^'«^ In some localities, however, more esnoci . t m ,?""''"'•;'"«« »'od nets than formerly trout run relative y largo :nd Target r,S . ^ ""rthern shores of the lako, tifo The fresh markets wo, tc^prelTto^rec^^^^^^^^ T/'"' .""T ^°"^"'"»'y employed, where the gill not mosi, iS at le\U 41 ° ?1 ,1'"''"' ^ ^ '" woigkt.and obtained. Tho 4i-inch mo^h wi I take ihln, . ' "'"'/"f, ""'"' "'■« ""''' '•'"'^''v '» be Small trout are aL capTu.odT'''1, :^r lrn?se*m''n^^ sota shores, but probably onU Ji^^ n.rmbors *""P'":>'^''' "'""g tho Minno- the Jr^:3;^i^;::^ "-;:r^h;;^si,;t irrr '" ^'•*; p^""" -^« ^'^^ <" is comparatively light. Tho ho ,k and lin„ « h r I"' P"?"'' "''^^ "'^'^'' "^' trout «ive, although it h-fs been no oa u^^^ir^^Jr^" n«ve,. been exton- The fish taken by this nutans are S to averse la? .X?'!'?^' ' ^' ^^ ^'"^ y««''«- tho method present, a., features t^ whSr^^E'r bl S Jlt'Sp^l^^l on.yTo^h';^zv"n:i's: t;thrhi::;^rv e r ""^^«°" ^- ^« ^^-^-^ sively. ' •'^ """ '"'^''"*' they have been captured almoit oxclu- SUMMARY OK CONDITIONS, resources, Tho number of mirklf ti.K^i , t- u^®°^ ""'•' "npo''tance of its fishery provide for extensive oporattnsi p a e ielllv li^ir." ^ r^'T' "Sundance t^ trout, siscowot and herring. Of theJ^ or.; thJ vlh^ «fi h *" ^T.""' '\ ^f^'tefish, lake conspicious in the catch, the doLnd L" >o si'mtf ^n^ ''^"^ t'^^ ^'''' "^ "" tively small and not liUlv to ine.L^n m^f • m • '^V^ ic^-nng being co mpara- only^other market spoesnVv? ZlZl Sn/ion^ '" S" ™,?«d'«te future, ' Tho gcon neither of whl.h is of ll^o thanlo^calllu^^eBT' ''' "'^""^'^' P"^^ ""^ «*"^- years'^tk'/rdtstnllil",^^^^^^^^^^^^ began to bo noticed several wni«.r« T^''' ntp.»- • *• hL-. /,;-.,! P , ® """'**' but chieflv in United Sta'^s whole: although the nupply seems to Hvr.nm^^^^^ apparently boon maintained as^a some regions,^ The ^^^:^^'^£S,iir::^',^i^-:^^^ Wf' i ■ 126 MARINE AND FISHEIUES. I^mIi a greater degree of natural protection than is possessed by the whitefish, and renders Its depletion more d.fBcult although not impossible. Both the wall-eyed pike and stur^^eon have decreased greatly in abundance. "^ ^ The principal fishing inethods which have been followed in Lake Superior enumerated in the order of their importance, are tho use of gill nets pound "ets Jrvily^w years. '"' "'' ''°"" «^^«»«'^«'^ «"M>loyod unti^ within a^compara! n(f< nf^H n ''^'l^"^® ^"'J' ^"^" Obtained to show that outside agencies have materially affected the fi.h.ng intorests, wo must look to the j.ractices of the fishermen tS selves for an explanation of at least the more important changes in the abZdSe of fishes which have taken place. The details of this subject have been discussed under the preceding heading. Seines have been partly coiicerned in tlTrem^va of the schools of large ami spawning whitefish, and in the destruction of considembfe quantities of young whitefish, both of which have been in the habit of c^,mh g upon the shores m immense numbers at certain seasons. This class of nets howeve? is now used much less extensively than formerly. ' ""^'^^«'> >» The number of pound nets employed has never seemed excessive, considerinir the wide extent of the lake; the intervals between them have general? b" en reasonable and they have seldom been placed in strings. The praSs in tl^ "SlwlTy. "T '"^"•^"r^.'^y the narrowness of the pl^atform. anffi tend ncy of the whitefash to approach the shores so closely. Those circumstances however have increased the relative effectiveness of the pounds, and have, appa.ently made haU th attained ly, sheets heiy pro- leat finds itWii ! f II JOINT FISHEHIES COMMISSION. 129 figures aro given ,ep.ratoly for the catch on each &e of Z boundary line : CATCH FOR 1894. Si)ecie8, United Statef Waters. Canadian Water.x. Total. Sturgejn Whitefish Ll)s. l,OJil,207 411,018 405,104 231,474 Lbs. I(i2,7(!(» 449,280 «2,01(» 12,873 (i2,310 Lbs. 1,222,027 Wall-eyed Pike Pike Lake Ti'diit 8(;0,2!)8 407,114 231,474 Miscellaneous !)0,520 12,873 158,830 Totals 2,203,383 1 749,2.33 } 2,952,010 CATCH FOR 1895. Species. United States Waters. Canadian Waters. Total. Sturgeon Whitefish Lbs. 1,14.3,072 280,503 47.3, 77fi 125,801 Lbs. 779,114 71.3,220 254,608 83,348 10,287 9!l,2i)l Lbs. 1,922,188 Wall-eyed pike Pike Lake trout 993, 78S 728,384 209,209 Miscellaneous 40,915 10,287 140,206 Totals 2,064,187 1,939,874 4,004,061 Although tho weight of the cntch of " scale fish," so-called exccods thnt M- t\.^ ThTe'xn'o ?' ^f '" •'' *'^ '^"■^^' ''^^'"'•"^ *^« caviar and soun^.tthol^eate. fjm IT ""^ ''''^'^'' «™o»"ti"g to 173,270 pounds in 1894, and 186 699 no^ nds in 1895 ; of sturgeon sounds, to 4,063 pounds in 1894, and 5,315 pounds in 1895. Fishing method.^ and localities.— The United States catch is dorivpH fVnm « hni,ted area of water, while the Canadian fisheries are carried on in both re southern and northern parts of the lake, the fishing methods being total vJnHke n those two sections We were unable to obtain tigules to show what proport on if the ^ar wb^eTe laTe't^ot'nloirhf ' ''^' ''^^ ''""'^''^ ^'^^'^ '« limit'ed%o the outSrn wniie tne lake trout probably come almost entirely from the northern part In the northern parts of the lake market fishinir i« chiofl^ re^triotS to th^ n-« Gir! kv ^Jw^tTr.?'"^?^ T""'/ '" ^'S Stone Bayi Cl^arwa ^r Bay! Yellow ifiSi T u ^ «i®,?''' %' 1° ^«Ptl^8 o^" a few fathoms to over 25 fathoms In 1894, onIy_8bout 25 licenses were issued by the Canadian goyernment, each giving 130 MARINE AND FISHERIES. authority for the use of 1,500 fathoms of such netting, but it cannot be saiu that all of those privileceH were utilized. The legal size of the mesh it* 5 inclioH, out larger sizes up to 6 inches, are also employed. The gill net catch consists of whitofish, wall-eyed pike, pike and lake trout, together with some waste species. One ol the largo shippers ebtimates that p-obably only about one quarter the quantity of white- fish and a smaller proportion of the wall-eyed pike exported from the lake are taken in the gill net fishery. The fisheries in the northern parts of the lake are, there- fore conducted practically on a very limited scale, and as the areas now resorted to by the gill nettors are rather far removed from the boundary line they can well be considered to have no immediate relations with the region adjacent to the latter. The great bulk of the fishing is carried on in the more open, shallow waters composing the southern or upper portion of the lake, whore pound nets are the only appliances employed in connection wHh the market trade. The growth of this industry has been marvellous, prompted by the exceeding richness of the supply of sturgeon, and facilitated by the very favourable natural conditions which here prevail. Pound nets.— ^onnA. nets were first introduced in Lake of the Woods in 1887, in ■whicL- year two such nets were located on the southern shore near Winter Road River The same pounds were in place in 1888, and two additional ones were built at Garden Island, making four in all. In 1889, the number on Garden Island was increased to six ; in 1890 there were about twelve pounds on that island, and fave on the south shore. The following year the south shore had about fifteen, and Garden Island about twelve. In 1892, the number on the south shore had been increased to 27 ; the number on Garden Island is not recorded, but fishing was com- menced that year at Oak Island, near the mouth of Nort'^-west Anglo Inlet. In 1893 there were 30 pounds on the south shore, 10 at Oak Island, ar-* about 7 at Garden Island, a total of 47 in those localities, :«11 in United States /^.'itO'T- J^i^ first pounds on the Canadian side of the line, two in number, were built in 1893 on the south Bhor<» east of the mouth of Rainy River. , , , . , , ->ac^ In 1894 the year of our visit, the total number of pounds had increased to IbO, of which 146 were in United States, and 14 in Canadian waers, as follows : In the former 96 on the south shore between the mouth of Rainy River and a point mst to the west of Long Point, covering a distance of about 19 miles; 7 on Garden Island • 13 on the mainland opposite Garden Island ; and o^ on Oak Island and the adjacent mainland. In the latter, 12 on the south shore, within a distance of about 10 miles to the eastward of the mouth of Rainy River; and 2 at Skift' Island at the eastern end of Little Traverse. „.„„,,„ jj... , , auj During the first part of the season of 1895, OS additional pounds were hshed, making a total ot 258, of which 188 were in United States waters an-i 70 in Canadian ■waters The Ui.iled States nets were located as follows: 126 on tho south shore between the month of Rainy River and the international boundary line at the west; 7 on Garden Island and 15 on the opposite mainland ; and 40 on Oak Island and the adjacent mainland. The Canadian nets had the following distribution : 34 on the south shore, west of Rainy River; 25 on Bigsby Island and adjacent islands; 5 on B'g Island; and 6 on Buffalo Point at the western end of the Big Traverse. Ihe addition of several rioro nets was contemplated during the fall of 1895. t'W This rate of increase is unprecedented in the history of pound net fishing any- where in North America. ■■ iL Tho construction of the pounds is the same as on the great lakes. Mch con- sists of a crib, tunnel, heart, and leader, all made of cotton netting supported on stakes driven 'into the bottom. They may be placed separately or in strings of 2 to 5 nets but seldom more than 3 are joined together in this way. The average length of the leaders is about 50 rods, while tho cribs are about 30 feet square. Reckoning on an interval of 10 rods between the inner end of the leader and the shore which is probably about an average, single pounds would estond a distance of about 1,000 feet, and strings of the same 1,845, 2,700, 3,555, and 4,410 feet res- pectively, according as they contained 2, 3, 4, or 5 cribs. JOINT FISHERIES COMMISSION. 131 Haiu thnt all s, out larger )f whitofish, Ono of the ity of white- Ice are taken :e are. there- V I'esoi'ted to can well be :he latter, allow waters nets are the •owth of this he supply of whieb here (lsinl887, in Winter Road es were built n Island was md, and five fifteen, and ire had been ing was com- |o Inlet. In '' about 7 at ritory. The lit in 1893 on reascd to 160, [)ws : In the 1 a point just 7 on Garden eland and the mce of about Island at the i were fished, 0 in Canadian a south shore 5 at the west; island and the n : 34 on the islands; 5 on •averse. The I. b fishing any- j. Each con- Hupported on n strings of 2 The average ) feet square, aader aiid the i a distance of t,410 feet res- By Canadian regulations 4J inches is the minimum size of mesh that can be uiied in the cribs. On the United States side of the line there are no restrictions in this regard, the customary size omployod being 3J inches. These dimensions are for the netting as it comes from the factory, but it shrinks considerably after tar- ring. The size of mesh is of little importance as concerns the capture of sturgeon, but it has greater significance in rcMpoct to the whitefish, wall-eyed pike, etc., as elsewhere explained. The pound net season on Lake of the Woods is relatively short. They begin to set the nets between the middle and latter part of May or as soon as the ice permits some time being required to complete this task where many pounds are being oper- ated under one management. It has been the custom on the part of most fishermen to continue this early fishing only until the first part of July, but occasionally until the 10th or 15th of that month, when, on account of the condition of the fish and the rapid rotting of the nets during mid-summer, the latter are removed for a period of four to six or eight weeks or until some tipio between the middle and last of August. Thv. fall season lasts through September and October. Some take out their nets as* early as the Ist of October, and Yew attempt to fish into Novomberas stormy weather or the formation of ice may suddenly destroy their gear at any time during that month. A few pounds have generally been kept in position during the summer months, with perhaps an interval of a week or two to provide for the cleaning and retarring of the nets, and there seems to be an inclination to increase the amount of fishing at that season. Sturgeon, basis of fishery. — A*? before stated the great abundance of sturgeon has been the incentive for the rapid growth of the pound net fishery on Lake of the Woods. Had there been no sturgeon in these waters pound nets would undoubtedly not have been introduced up to the present tinje.and should the supply of that species ever become depleted it may safely be predicted that these nets will mostly, if not entirely, disappear, as the scale fish do not seem to bo sufficiently abundant to sup- port an extensive fishery alone in view of the inconvenient means of marketing the catch. The welfare of the fishing interests of this lake depends, therefore, chiefly on maintaining the stock of sturgeon on essentially its present basis of productiveness. The quantity of sturgeon inhabiting the lake is assuredly very great, indicating unusu- ally favourable conditions for the reproduction and sustenance of the species but in all cases there is a certain limit beyond which the resources of nature cannot be drawn upon with impunity. The sturgeon are all dressed before shipment, the head, tail, fins and entrails being removed. The average weight of 675 sturgeon shipped in this condition during the period of our visit was found to be very nearly 25 pounds. On this basis the total exports for the season of 1895 would represent 76,887 sturgeon, an exceed- ingly large output considering the limited area of the lake. Distribution and habits of the sturgeon. — It has been impossible to obtain much information respecting the distribution of the sturgeon in this lake, iheir movements spawning habits, etc. They are observed to some extent among the islands in the' northern part of the lake, but there is nothing to show that the bulk of the fi.-h ever travel that way, unless it be during the winter months, and it is generally conceded that they remain chiefly in the more shallow southern areas during most of the year. The evl.^-nce points to Rainy River as furnishing important spawning grounds, but the sturgeon may also resort extensively to other streams, although the number of the latter is very small. Reliable observations regarding the time of spawning are likewise lacking. The uncertainty concerning that question is increased among the fishermen by the fact that according to their view the eggs utilized as caviar are in about the same condition in both the spring (May and June) and fall, while during mid-summer (July and Augusl) they apjjear less mature, are smaller, and have less commercial value. The majority of the fishtrmen place the spawning season between the latter part cf May and the early part of July, the most reliable testimony rather favouring the last two or three weeks in June, and the first week or two of July, but there may be more or less fluctuation in the time. A smaller proportion lid — 9J riff] 132 ilAlilNB AND FISUElilES. they arnvo about Oak Island somewhat later Htm T\lll 71t "" '}'*'"• ""'^ some of the fishermen to inditaini^.t he hntnfH r^ ^^^^^ are considered by of the fashormen of oneest oxnniifinf..> nn th« 1..1,, u ""'^'^''^^"^'^nreeyoarH. Some that a falling off was aa;;P;.;r;r.d wiKw^e^Tior interviewed agreed that the snnnlv ,.,lr,„r.f )r.l '«>y txcopuons all ot the hshormen mo™ oomplain that while „t 01,0 time iZvl"i "o 6mc7ll7-n.^Zj °'^' '^"'"'f- spring all the sturgeon rcqaiml b. hoZcLZmfuo^V" tmClt"T'^ '*'' .ho J';;;sr„rp'pi;! yzt ■;srn!i;r.sir doubt the early e«ermiMtlo„ „, thi/pradL „ LaUe of the^W^^^^^^^^ """""f S:ST ""'—'-«»»'—" «- ■.>troduced°"a.lt l^lt^ZtV^TS CONCLUSIONS AND BECOMMENDATIONS, International interests on Lake of the Woods are concerned chieflr with th. preHervution ot the sturgeon. Although ths pound-net catch oLo^lTLh^ ^ parai.vely large and important, especPally at certain seasons shoufdL, I "'™; sturgeon become unprofitable at anv time that m«fhnHTflk- I. capture of mosfly, if not inti.e/y, abandol^l ™t\b ?esrbl'nfth:i"afteTin^ ?^ ad acent to the boundary line. Ah botn the scale fish and Z'-«"" ^'^^^^^^^ taken together and under the san conditionM th«i.. ,..J . ?^ "u' '^"T^^^''. are be arranged for on a common Zl. '**"'*'*"'"^' '^^'' Preservation should and can The most effectual measure >f relief and one which we 8tion.rI^ „.„« . k earned out is a restriction on the extent of fishintr whi<^K „^^ u. ,,r^ ^^S® ^° ^* exceeds a safe limitation. It is impotible to'ffiermi e posIS t' L'S^ ''' number of pound nets which could be fished without danl?oflJ2/n ♦^^'"''1'" as the latter is an uncertain and fluctuating qTan?i^y and the mSerS th^ have to be settled arbitrarily; but we are Convinced 'th«tw?tKinfK ^'"' t^^^^^efore, which this kind of fishing is confined tKtrnumSerofnmndni''^ •'"^" ^T L° not exceed 150, to be di^ded between the two countr es in molrt nn'lo T '^T^'^ reco^^s s t= r i-r b^to^r -r te^ le early part giving rise to that period, ripe running TO sturgeon 3ro the egga nth ofRainy Hhore. At 0 later, and insidered by hfeir appe^i- •ent part8 of •position. 1 no marked ir as we are con-.idoring oars. Some 7 convinced 0 fishermen Irains being 318, further- during the las been so 9y are now prosecuted which hau iO warrant we cannot li practical or at least ' with the sh is corn- capture of robably be Brs closely vover, are I and can urge to be [ready far maximum be supply, therefoie, ill area to ise should he extent ins-ure the to reduce jtablisbed we would that the JOINT FISHEKIES COMMISSION. 133 not o, nol. f ' ?' ''?• ^^ '""^ '°"- «••'*•'' ' '*^"t the inner end of any pound Zl of 1 ;'"f *"" "^^ '" ""' '"'■'^''""' 10 A^ot of water, and that the outer end of the same extent not over one milo from Ih. shore; and that no pounds be fL K . ^°^^ Of such provisions h to insuro us nvidi free lorn of rnovomont for the sturgeon as p(,ss,blo. both during; ,„„i «,a,soquotU to the spawning nl , VVe also consider ,t advisablo tl.,n ao gill not or trawl lino li.hing bo permitted ho pound not region, or south of u lino extending duo oast from American I'o.n oy iho Indians tor sup|)lying their own needs While a close time covering the spawning season -.f the sturgeon could not fail to be benoheial in order to be olfeetive it w..uid re.,..ire to begin at such a da o ad ind eS'! '"^^ *'";i '""'^' 't '''""^ "^ praeti.,ally to fntorforo with the entire sp.'ng and early summer fishery, the most proHtablo in the year. A close season is how ever, suggested for (he wall-eye I pike uud whitelish bv resTilctin.Ahe 1^^^^^^^ fallv in"a .' 'l"'"'^ '-t'"!''"- '^"^ ''' ""'' '-'-""ting October ;^l,whTef is n- tially in accordance with the present custom water 'Jllvo'ir 'll ""''l' '■*! "T"' '?' '''■" ^T"- "''''^"'"^ ''y •■«q"iring the return to the water alive of all individuals taken in the nets which measure less than 4 feet lon<. si/J bom.'!Vi' t^ f-7 "^^'T* ''^'" '■' '*'"'!" "^. "'^«"* -^^ ^«°'' the ordinary maximum Inn^. « f . * P \u^- ^ ' '"'^""' ■'' ^""' '" '^" "'^'"'"^'^ t'rom sturgeon un'"*''' whitefi.h. walleyed pike, lake trout, etc.. should be reBtrictod by regulating ihosi/.e of mesh, which il.oi.ld measure not hss than 4? inches in pound nets and 5 inches in gill nets. " iUrr.^^ ««li Offal garbage, savv-mill waste or other polluting agencies should bo thrown or allowed to pass into the waters of the lake ""uu'ii oo hibitm'r'''"" ^'"" "'"'■^''''" '" ^""'"y l^'^'"'"- "•'^'^"Pt *■«'• domestic use, should be pro- wntefs"ol''rh '"17''^^« '•,?1»i',« to ')o made in Rainy Luke and the more eastern So: rLou'- deciding upon the measures necessary to protect their . COLUMBIA RIVER. ^p •*'''.'' N^?'"'"!""^'/®'" I"'"*''' '""'" '^""il'-eastorn part of British Columbia some ot Its tributary branches being only a few miles distant from the headwaters of Btrc>ar„, which discharge into the Fraser River. It crosses the internaiional boun- dary lino near the niirth-eustorn corner of the state of Washington, and for the rest ofits course to the sea flows through United States territory. It is joined a short heaid bTt lilt InHt« >'" "PPoriunUy of visiting the headwaters of the Columbia, and neaici out liltie ot its fashing capabilities. All of the species of salmon which belong to the P-cific coast occiir in the lower waters of the Columbia; but the hump-back and dog salmon enter the river in Jm' paralively sma numbers and do not ascend far. Silver salmon ascend as far as the «ve :.nt ,? M ^''"^'V'^y '"'^ "°* ^'^'^* ^'"" "^''^'^ ^''« I^^"«-^- The quinnat. sock, ejo and steel head are found as far up as the headwaters of the Snake River in Idaho in the Columbia proper the quinnat are not found above Kettle Falls, althouLrh these Prlv■>T^TfT^''■''^ '^" i^P'^^^^'^'o l>""ier to the passage of salmon; they are irom 1- to 15 feet high and in certain stages of the water some salmon do get past rJp rrn'^-M'''"'u^"''*? ^V^""^ ^" 'l''^«"^«'" that quinnat salmon ever Entered • thL . !!' ( .? n\ ^^V"" u ** "" ""positive evidence that the sockeyo is found in this part of the Columbia basin. The steolhcad is taken oocusionally at the mouth Irv . f'l w likely that any ever will|be eHtabiiBhod. Under thoHe circumstance^ it would seem that there is nothing connected with the Columhia Kiver fisheries which culls for Joint recommendations. WATERS CONTIGUOUS TO TIIR BOUNDARY LINK BCTVVKKN BRITISH COLUMBIA AND THK STATE OF WASHINGTON "*''^*^", DESCRIPTION OF THE WATERS, ^ Physical features.— The westoin coast, adjacent to the international boundai v _t, approach Lummi Islaml and parts of tho mainlaind to the north as far as Boundary Bay which thf\' enter, and thence move around Point Roberts on their way to the Fraser Rivor. A few .sockoyo are said to enter tho bays along tho mainland east of tho San Juan Islands, and small numbers are reported to be taken in Skagit Bay and in the vicinity ot Seattle, but from the evidence obtained it seems likely that large bodies of the species practically avoid tho southern part of Puget Sound and the northern part of tho Gulf of Georgia. It is, therefore, found abundantly o.ily in the channels and open waters loading from the Strait of Fuca to tho mouth of tho Fraser River and in places closely adjacent thereto. The reason for this restricted distribution is explained by the fact that the Fraser seems to be the only river in this region to which the sockeye resorts exten- sively, and from the evidence at band wo are led to conclndethat the -pecies depends mostly on that river for its spawning grounds and hence for perpet ating the main supply on which the market fishery is chiefly based. Small runs enter Lake Wash- n 138 MARiyK ANh FiS/ie/lIES inconHi.iorablo. ^ tontitnony pro.ontod, iho.r total amount in relatively (i important fi^hcu .C on a k„ J h .Ic^^^l^^^^ "/';!"'^ ^'"'^ '^•^'•"'•'«- <>'hor iHlan,! ami at U.o n.-uthon/o d ol'sr a I ' u,;"' Sm iT """'?''" """ '"'T""""" at Hevoral other pi. ob, ,„ore ospcHally by a!" ll.JianH ''""'"""^ "'" "'^" '"""" river, and the [noKros' '{nect. "/hnr: . , ^i'''""'r' r''T 'r""''''"- '»>« '''''^O'- Hume order, l.u! olt.rvati , / .^^p^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^'t'^ '"'^ ^r' """•'"'' '" ^''^ vory'!^r;:;u'?:i.7;;f;''ss^b;.rr':!;^S:^^ .ho tinhin- before the lOil, of tin .Ifnt . ■ ' *'"" '" ""^'^"■"t ""mi.erM to ntart can pmHtably b c^^^,^!^^^ A. a nl '' ?!" ""'^•'«^'""'''"'- '-.oreopor, ,i'n about July 10, and t o ri b to b« .nnn ' '' V''*-!' "'" '^"■^"" '-^ •'^P«ftcd to o,..,n cloHos ,n the oarlv part of Septoinb r -U l?o bif«Ht " Th ' '' '',? ""'"'■ '"•^^•'''"""t and M.,netime« very triarkedlv from v. „, r ' .^'''" "''^'' ""equate, however, ditions. TwoorthL Htffi'nerZ/n .K ^ "' ''«n«"''«"' "P"" nea.sonal con^ by .he Hsherrnc-n bXo t^ iv^I a l>ot?f'^^^^ ?*[''" '"'" "'" ••••<'"^'"'>'--l by .hort intervalH of poor Hsh im" '^''''°'^'' ^"' '^"^ "'•^^ 8eparate''^'«'"- *>"'« stream, while Home oT he lal«r onl .A '^f'*':^ '"'"' "^ '^"''^ ^^ ^^"^k MirtheBt up Pitt and narri.r B?ve . boti of wh?. . T T""" Tf '"^ '^"^" t'-butarion as the this Hpecies reHor s o th; L 1 o tl e at?fnr'^'' '"^' "''''''■ ^' '« P'''^^^^' ^»'«' ing Heason in ehierty the mon h of O oho^h^?l''''"''•L"■'^^''''.'■'^'^'"«• ^ho npawn. Septembe,-andc.oniiuueHi:;e\Ht«t?;'Nlmb"7 ''^"" " ^'« '""'^'- P'"-' «* after^;;::;;^;::i?,,;1r!^«;;,:::^J^^ -rtanty of this species Ftaser Kiver%lthoVh eno,« ouatu^^^^^^^^^^^^ ''" "^'r*'^ in regard to the the tributary st.-ea.ns conta^?n"r I" Inl "^''"'^ °"? ^'■" ^l^^^'ved each year in the Columbia Kiver hor^e ^ Je ThT'n'o^/'rH'''- ^"^^tigationH made on upper waters return again to he'^eaaidf T.V 'Tf ^'u '"^f' ^'^'^^ reach the exten.ls to all parts of the river spf^r " '''^ '^'" ''"'' '^'•"°S« f""^'' apixnir the FruHOf coil in the imperfect, iii.v o'lipse liivi'f. fn hy otiiors i" 'ho flis- ywupplies iiic the fH ti) Mtiirt ij)or. fii.tiN tl In DptJll 20. 'J'he lovoinont liovvovor, una! con- '<'f>^'ni/.(jil «too more ici nation it takes Bockoye m, from hesl up »n as the bio that Hpavvn- piirt of species 1 to the yi&v in ado on ich the fatality vecn 7 weigh- 137 Tho catch of Mockoyc mad., boil, in th« outKido waters* and in th., Kn.-... »;. l«no ,n the (lulf of (icor^na a.ul Pu,vt Sound luX ,„o winter I, V l =&;,;; ,;r;;:;;;:,':=i^ «■■■''"'»■■ '' ".» ^>»- «rv;;;u,':;'.3;.' o/e'ru^rroZr '"^ '""'"• r.rLer Sr ^f"?l'"'rr''fu?'''''''''- '» »ai'l,evory litllo erook along uiosnoieM. lliero i> considor.iblo ihtFerence i'! i*^" (Hiie -»'• it- '^i. • " ea.lier. In the beg.nning ,t is con«idorod to bo of good quality, but the colour of 138 MAiilXE AND FISHERIES. the flesh is light, and becomes still paler as the season advances. The dog salvon has no coraraercial value on the Fraser River, but some of the Washington canneries make use of it, as do also the Indians. Steelhead. — The steolhead or large sea trout are regarded as of excellent quality in this region, py, but it all not be used so as to obstruct more than one-third the width of the rivor. Fishing is carried on both day and night, the highly discoloured water which prevails throughout the fishing season serving to obscure the presence of the nets in the day-lime. We could obtain no definite information respecting the rate of movement of tho sockeye up the Fraser Eiver. A weekly close season is I'^nerved from six o'clock Saturday morning until six o'clock Sunday evening, immeuiately following which bettor fishing, as a rule, is obtained in the neighbourhood of New Westminster than at other limes of the week. This fact would seem to indicate that fish are able to cover the distance from the mouth of the rivor in considerable numbers during the 3G hours of uninterrupted passage. Coast of Washington.— In the Gulf of Georgia, Puget Sound and adjacent waters within the state of Washington, salmon fishing is cariied on by means of trap nets purse seines, drag seines, reef nets and gill nets. ' The reef nets belong exclusively to tho Indians, and are tiie original and principal pal method employed by them for taking salmon. They are fished among ilie kelp on rocky bottoms, especially about the San Juan Islands, Lummi Island and Point Roberts. Tho catch by this means, however, composes only a very small proportion of tho total catch of the sound. GMl net fishing is followed to some extent in a few of the rivers. Next to the trap nets, seines are the most productive of the appliances utilized in this region. Two kinds are employed, purse seines and drag seines, the former most extensively. The species chiefly obtained by those methods are the silver, hump-back and dog salmon. Of the total output of tho Washington canneries, in 18!)5, about one-fourth of tho fish, by weight, was secured by means of seines. More than one-half of the seine catch was packed at Seattle and no part of it at Point Roberts, but a small catch made in the vicinity of the latter place was disposed of on the Fraser River. Trap nets have been found to be the most ett'octive form of apparatus for the capture of the sockeye salmon in the clear open waters of the gulf and sound, but they are of recent origin in this region and are still employed in only a few locali- ties,, although tho tendency is now to increase their number rapidly. Their use has thus far boon almost entirely restricted to the zone traversed by tho sockeye, and to tho season when that species is present therein, but at times one or mure of the other species may be taken in l.-irge quantities in conjunetion with it. The distribution and number of tho trap nets in 181)5 was as follows: Point Roberts, including two in the Canadian waters of Boundary Bay, 15; V^illage Point Lummi Island, 2; Cattle Point, San Juan Island, 2; Point Demock, Camano Island', 1; Hunot Point, Fidalgo Island, 1; total 21. This is probably tho largest number that has been fished in anj one year. Additionui locations have been occupieil. but have been abandoned after trial, and more or loss changes in position have every- where taken place each season. Outside of P(;int Roborts the use of those nets does not seem to date before 1893, and the majority of those above enumerated were established in 1893 or 1894. We were informed that the building of at least 7 new ones in several different places was contemplated for 189G. Trap net fishing has been carried on chiefly and for the greatost length of time in the waters immediately surrounding Point Roborts. whore tho sockeye salmon appear to strike in greater abundance than elsewhere near the shore in United States territory. The are about 32 trap not locations, KO-called, in this region, that is to say, places where such nets have boon constructed, but loss than one-half of them were occupied in 1895. Experience has indicated tho mt)st favourable situa- tions for operating traps and these have been taken possession ot by those in a position to control the ground, while others have to be satisfied with inferioi- sites, and some experimenting is still going on in the hope of securing good results in other places. Of tho fifteen nets operated about Point Roborts in 1805, two wore off tho west shore, two off the south shore, and eleven off the oast shore, the last being within the area known as Boundary Bay. The western traps were both situated near the 140 MA RINE AND FISHERIES. boundary line, the crib of one being nearlv a milo »nH nf tK» rvH, i |.il., o,.,hore. The leader „, ,he f.,4erTpJr„' eS '■"» LXf^l'^i Mm Jf'Z In Boundary Eay, the wutor iH everywhere so shallow as to normit -.f •> v„,.r three traps extended olf in a HoiUh-oasterlv direction from tl.,> Jm.th . . % ^ of the point, on which is located the only Llnl,''/ ainer'a hi a^elvi" ZZ cally parallels the northern margin of a lar^ rectan-uhr rL for If ^'''7™^^^^ bottom on which the Indians have hitherto done Je mtn m t .f'' Idr" ee? nel Emmmmmm pe,>n^n,-itH Tf^n ^^ ^^'''* """^ P'""'""^ ^'^^ appearance of beini. built to ..and peimaneiU:}, but ihoy are sometimes .ri-"*>"-^--- ■ • • ".':'■ -> -^i"' are all practically dismantled, riougt season stakes are seldom removed, bein JOINT FISHEIilKS COMMISSIOX. 141 generally loft in place even when the site is ubandonoci. The depth of -v-tor -it .h^ cnbH at lovy tide vane, from 3 to 8^ fathoms; at the Inne^nT of tJ; e'^d', • r ranges mostly from 1 to 3 iathoms but throe otho u-.,,. I uio o.uloi,- it about them in any part than 5 fHihomH. '' ^"^' "" '''""'"'" ^^"'"'' The first trap not at Point Koborts is. said to have been establishoi aLou* 1S85 • C^inner/es.— The canning of salmon on the Frasor River ho-rnn -ibnnf is'-n • which time the number of e«tablish-nent« engali in ^h ^ Kn ^s 1/ h?' '7 increased, reaching 30 in 1895. Tho^o ure mo^llv or ite.l t n T t' "M^"*^' >' the extreme lower^art of the river, 'h" ^riripi^ ce^irolb \l "m t'pres'^n '1^,'," ftleveston, at the mouth of the central or main channel present heuig 1805^one"e.u'h 'r/ ttV^'fii'""*"''' "f '^' '■"^'*°° ^'^ canneries were in operation in Angeles 1895, and i3ellingham Bay, a small expe'rimentaT cannery 'bJflu I, wS The construction of several new canneries was contemplated for iS.' S^aorfi,r,x.. »• aTpotn'f f '«? P^^"'^^' ''h%'' -^-t2"oto00pl'unt;t^'' £c\rfcl?ed' at Point Roberts, Semiahmoo and Friday Harbour No fio-nrpa pn„M ho X cannea the sales of fresh and salted salmon take^nTn United sttes^waTers ^ ""'^ "^ POLLUTIONS. Fish offal.—ln the dressing of salmon for canuine ijurooses a v«r,T ln,.^,» quantity of waste is produced, amounting to at least one-f h rd C to'al wLt ff i«n. Tk'^'"^'''^'/"'* •".«?'»« «"r' ^y "^^"''^ observation, to between 40 and 50 per rffl; J ' '''''^' f u^' ^[ *^" ^''"^'' <^"«' *«•'« «"d entrails, all of which Ere rejected, as no use for them has yet been found except in the manner deiribed below. The proper disposition of this offal, aggregating many tonTeaXseason has given rise to much discussion. The customary practice" has bee" to dump it into the water near each of the canneries where it in produced, but severaT^omedial measures have been a tempted although none has mot with satisSory resul s wh^f^ r'V'^r-'* Tl^- '''^'f '^ '^^ P''««°"^« «f «« "^"Ch offal in thi wa e "; whether IS effect .s detrimental or not, either to the welfare of the salmon o^o he hoalth of the adjoining region. The bulk of it is produced within a comnrmUvolv short period of time, and hence the difficultv of marine, fo^ it '.?.■ 17-^-4'^ r:Z\ ''I'' ''"""'i^'i '•^eulations of 1890 prohibit" th? thiwi g'of T 7offS inJo the Fr»ser River, and at one time an attempt was made to have it carried out beyond 142 MARINE AND FISHERIES. ??*> the mouth of the river, but this measure was found to be inexpedient and has not continuod to be enforced. Factories have been established for converting the waste into oil and fertilizer, but not meeting with financial success they wore soon aban- doned. This subject has received no attention from the state authorities of Washington. The cannery people everywhere are confident that no harm results from their method of disposing of the offal, unless it be in certain restricted areas whore the eddies cause its retention for a time. During the greater part of the canning season the volume of water in the Fraser River is large, its temperature is low and the current strong. The offal in a fresh condition is said to sink at once and to disappear. The inhabitants, generally, along the river oppose the practice on the ground that it is injurious to health, from which standpoint, however, the question is not of international significance. With res, 3Ct to the open waters of the sound, we have heard of no complaints regarding this matter, although some of the offal is known to wash ashore in places. No evidence has been obtained which shows that the throwing in of the offal has had a pernicious effect upon the movements or the abundance of the salmon. If such an < feet has actually been produced, as may be the case, it has not, up to the present time, made itself sufficiently manifest to bring it within the scope of observa- tion. Wo are led, however, to deprecate the continuance of the practice for local reasons at least, and would urge further experiments looking to the utilization of the offal as an incentive to its retention on land. EEQULATIONS IN FORCE. I V^ Following are the more essential provisionsiof existing salmon regulations on both sides of the boundary line, and also of certain proposed enactments by the Legislature of the State of Washington. Fraser River, — Commercial fishing is restricted to tidal waters, and to the use of drift gill nets not exceeding 300 yards in length. The drift nets for quinnat salmon shall have not less than 7f-inch mesh, and may be used from March 1 to September 15. The drift nets for other kinds of salmon shall have not less than 6|-inch mesh, and may be used from July Ito August 25, and aeainfrom Septembei- 25 to October 31. All commercial fishing is piohibited weekly from 6 a. m. Saturday to 6 p. m. Sunday; and annually from September 16 to 25, and from Movember 1 to March 1. Drift net'j shall be kept at least 250 yards apart, and shall not obstruct more than one-third the width of the river. .Salmon weighing less than 3 pounds shall not be taken. Resident fishermen are entitled to 1 license each ; canners and dealers in fresh and prepared salmon, to from 2 to 20 liceuzes each. Washington. — The only regulations relating to the capture of salmon in the open waters of Puget Sound are as follows: No trap net lead shall exceed 2,500 feet long. There shall be an end passage- way of at least 600 feet, and a lateral passageway of at least 2,400 feet between all traps, set nets, etc. A license is required for each fixed appliance and not more than three acenP'^s shall be issued to one person or corporation. Licenses are issued only to residontf* and citizens of the state. Salmon measuring less than 10 inches long can be taken only by hook and line. By a recent decision of the court, the waters r bout Point Roberts were declared to be outside of Puget Sound, and, therefore, not subject to the above provisions. There are, consequently, no restrictions applicable to the fisheries in that locality, and this condition was sought to be remedied by a bill submitted to the State Legisla )nd has not 5 the waste soon aban- horities of from their ! where the ling Hoa son w and the disappear, round that 1 is not of id, we have s known to of the offal salmon. If ;, up to the of observa- Re for local ition of the ilationg on nts Lv the to the use mesh, and inch ■neeb, to October '• to 6 p. m, Slarch 1. truct more rs in fresh BOn in the id pasRago- otweon all ee 'icenP'jS ) residdntp T hook and •e declared jrovisions. it locality, te Legisla JOINT FISHERIES COMMISSION. 143 ture in February', 1895, which pasHcd the House, but failed of action in the Senate. The following wore the principal features of tho proposed bill : The area covered was defined aH Puget Soun 1 and tho Gulf of Georgia and thoir tributarj' waters, within which tho same system of licenses should maintain as in the exiMting law. Trap net leads wore limited to a length of 2,000 feet, with an end passage-way of at least (iOO feet and a lateral passageway of at least 3,000 feet between all traps. The mesh of the nets were to measure not less than three inches in extension, and all stakes were to be removed within thirty days after the close of the fishing season. A close season was provided for the open waters during the entire month of October, and for tributary streams during April, and from October 1 to November 15. In the fresh water tributaries only hook and line fishing was to be permitted between sunset Saturday and sunrise Monda- of each week. The throwing of mi'l refuse into the water was prohibited. SUMMART OF CONDITIONS. The purely salt water fisheries of the Gulf of Georgia, Puget Sound and adjacent waters have so far been only slightly developed, an comparatively little is known respecting the extent and dirttribution of their rasou.ces. In view of this fact, and until the region shall have been more thoroughly studied and its requirements more definitely iiscertained, we consider it inadvisable to attempt their regulation. The salmon fishery, on the other hand, presents important questions demanding urgent attention. Each of the six species of salmon resorting to those waters has a commercial value and is utilized, although to a variable extent, dependent in part upon the popular estimate of the quality of its flesh and in part upon tho readiness with which its capture may be effected. There is no evidence up to the present time of a decrease in the abundance of any of these forms, but the fishery already condocted on a large scale, is growing rapidly, with the prospect of its resources soon becoming overtaxed in at least one direction. Five of the species have more or less widely distributed spawning grounds, which circumstance favours their chances of preservation and makes thoir protection feasible to some extent by local measures. The sockeye salmon, however, having its spawning grounds mainly confined to a single river, toward which the move- ment of successive schools is chiefly directed on their passage from the sea through the inclosed salt waters of the two countries, constitutes tho most prominent object of the fisheries for international consideration at the present time. From a com- mercial standpoint, moreover, this species is much the most important member of the salmon group in these waters, and were its distribution suflSciently extensive and its season suflSciently prolonged, it would probably be the only species made use of by the canneries. Tho perpetuation of the run of sockeye, as of the other 8almon,depond8 unques- tionably upon a sufficient number of the fish reaching their spawning grounds annually to provide for the quantity withdrawn by the nets. As regaids the Bocke^'e, the material interests of the Fraser Eiver and of the coast of Washington are identical, and whatever might affect the fishery disadviatageously on the one would be equally harmful on the other. Much remains to be learned respecting tho movements of this species. It appears certain that the schools bound for the Fraser Rivor divide or separate when they reach tho inner end of tho Strait of Fuca, a part passing up to the westward and a part to the eastward of the San Juan Islands, but they are said to entirely avoid the central or San Juan Channel, possibly on account of tho very shallow water at its southern entrance. Some of the schools enter Boundary Bay and thence, tururng to tho wostward, mako around Point Roberts, tho site of the princi- pal fishery in United States waters. It has not been ascertained by observation, however, what proportion of the fish reach tho neighbourhood of Point Roberts and ill : 1 ■■ . '■''<' '"i % '4 i 11 144 MAHINE AND FISH A' HIES. fS^Ln/ffK? 1^ •? 'f" hatHubject. Thewcigluofthe evidence lavourB S\^- 'f r^.f^*'^'^*''' "^l". ^^'® ''^''g'""' P'-opo'tion of the sockeye, after onterlnL' the tTuIf of Georgia, make directl:' for theFraner Riveror. at loabt, reach its mouth; wi hout approaching closely to the WaHhington o.m.Ht. This is Himpose.! to be e- oe" cially the case wiU. thono ],i.HKing through the C'nnai do Huro, and this view ie ,- r ported by the fact tha the drift net boats from th, river obtain their best fishin.r neli out in the gulf. Ihe fishermen at Point Roberts eiaim, moreover, that the schc »i8 which come their way trim the shore oniy in part, being distriLuted in a dist uce ot three or lour miles ofl' the fand, and that, thenfore, only a certain proportion of the fihh can be intercepted by the trap nets. The fish are also ^.uid to er' pr Boui. dary Bay no further than huifa mile above the boundary line, md in pa'^si^'r out of it to strike mostly at the south-east and nouth-wet? iiorners ,.1 the point which furnish the best fi: hii.g situations. They evidently do not tan/ !„„« in Boundarv Bay or about the point, as ail accounts agree that they are moving rapi^'lv tow rd their destination. J hey appear, however, to collect and remain for a sh >it t'mo ii' the discoloured aiK! brackish water, vvhlch, .'j To what extent fishing foi ;;..* cockeye can profitably be carried on soutii ot Point Roberts is still pioblematioi,!. hi 'U Strait <,f Fuca the species is first seen abundantly in the vicinity of Btcber B;iv>, where the conditions seem unfavourable for extensive operation^. It i« next ..l:^ nv«.l al the southern end of San Juvn and Lopez Islands, where Indian reef net - • )u»d,s oocur and where two trap net. have been hshed durmg two years pa,>t. dnali quanrities are taken in the traps in 8kaffit Bay, which they enter through Doooption Pass, but of the northward rnwn to the Indians, but the only places where trap nets have been used at all succcss- tuUy ai o those just mentioti»;d. _ The fishery in United States waters, however, is of very recent origin and the incentive i • ;ts development is so great that we cannot doubt the early discoverv of means tor uitorcepting the schools at numerous places along their course In this view of the cas*,», which we feel entirely justified in taking, it is important that suit- able protective mt;asuro8 be established at once, while the supply of salmon is still intact and Its maintenance can be assured. In framing our recommendations much dilbculty has been encountered in consequence of the great diversity of conditions and practices prevailing on the two sides of the line, but we have sought to provide as uniform regulations as the circumstances render possible. The discoloured waters of the Fraser l^^ver are best suited to the use of drift nets. In the open, clear waters of the stau. of Washington, however, trap nets furnish the only means known to be adapted to the capture of the sockeye on an extensive scale, only a relatively small quantity of this species being taken in the Indian reef nets and the drag seines The principa interests requiring to be harmonized, therefore, are those of the drift nets and the trap nets, appliances which are totally unlike in their working and in their requirements. Not permitting of a comparison of their respectivl merits under the different conditions which here accompany their emplovment the only safe expedient has been to provide for the passage toward their spawning grounds of a certain proportion of the fish, both by maintaining open passage-ways at all times, and by the removal of all obstructions at stated penodsTlosi measures have been adopted as the main features of the reffulations here suggested. ° REC0MME^0> ( nONS. 1. The following recommendations are .^iiended to apply only to th vaters adjacent to the boundary line between British Columbia and the state of ^' V- -rx^- ton, which are traversed by the main body of the sockeye salmon and to whii-* o''-' inquiries were chiefly restricted. This area may be roughly defined as compri■ a (Jisl.uiCf i'oportion of er;i't t'fno in », iiowiff the r. atn-M stive on soutii ot is firnt seen nfavourabie in Jixvn and p nets have psiniSkagit ard luuving I8lan^J aoar ly boltn wn all 8UCCOB8- fin, and the liscovery of 86. In this It that 8uit- mon is still itions much ' conditions ' to provide ed waters of ar waters of lown to be 'ively small irag seines, ose of the lir working respective •yment, the r spawning issage-ways ids. Tl piBii i here . OM -vaters, — c> wi'iyd our compri -^ii;'^ •ff^^^T FISHERIES COMMISSION. arranged to be sepa.-ated I ; a^'p of'af e ,^ Z T". ^«"t'"»^"« 'ine, and when bo beginmng of the outer leader. ^^ '' '°**'^ ^^^ ^°«^ ''"^^'^«<"' the inn^r crib and the least|j£Tet^^^^^^"^-°^-^- ^-P« to be separated by lateral passage-ways of at With. £^^P^^- t'^^K.??;-^--, in the i^ The'^Jl^k^i itrelXT/ ^f«,^tLr:a";h in length. 7|-inch mesh extensUnZt^ and /l^^^^ «almo,f to have not less th.n The drift gill netsV^ployed ?o tlkfnVtt TX """ ^P^'' ^ ^o CtemberYs oi?^:;;^rto?;c;£f ^^'-"-^^ -^~~ J^SS^.S,%?;--^« yard. apar,and to obstruct mann^rTf^rpirylrd^arsVnrS '" '"^^ ^---ns or in the such changes "essintfal whi e the Extent of'^ v^ '\^^"«^^' "«'• ^o wecons?d;? an^ small as at present. ^^^ent of hsh.ng by these methods remains af ». It is recommended that in nil i-.v^ restncledto^the_tidal part of the river "^'^ commercial fishing with nets be thei^^pawni'nggJoindsre fadH^ of the salmon toward which we suggest extend from 6 a m olZu^rZ .a ^™^' ""^ '^^ hours duration dunng the continuance of the fish' ng season '^*" ' P-'"-°° Sunday of eacSweeJ; April f 1^:^^\IT^^^^^^^^^ October 1 to thecloseseasons.durinff which nPiMnHo ^"° spears on the rivers dii^5n„ io 1 ■ 1 ' lor SAi6 or x^. A8 no evidence of a deorflasA \r^ fk« u j k.8 been obtoiDed. we do .'tlfenu,, a.d in"''""''''"'' '"' "-^ "' ^e saln.«„ ,„en« 146 MARINE AND FISHERIES. natural Hupply can beat be maintained by early compliance with suitable protective measures, we found it generally admitted that the efiorls made by the Canadian bovernment to increase the slock of sorkoye salmon on the Fraser Hivor by fi^h- oultural methods has been beneficial, the annual run of the fish being made more constant and the otr seasons being improved. In view of the growing demand for the shipment of quinnat salmon in a fresh condition, which may sooner or later come to exceed the supply, we venture to suggest the possibly greater advantatres to be gained by the artificial hatching of that species. 13. We are convinced that the remedial measures which have heretofore been adopted, although not enforced, for disposing of the fish offal from the canneries on the Eraser River are inadequate to accomplish the results intended and are also to a large extent impracticable. The practice of throwing this waste material into the river is to be deprecated on genera! principles, but except in respect to a few. localities no specific evidence has been presented to indicate that it may be detrimental' either to the health of the community or to the welfare ot the salmon and there is no proof that the latter have suffered from this cause. It seems to us that as much if not greater, harm would result from dumping the offal in the open waters off the entrance to the river as from its disposition in the customary manner in the vicinity of the canneries, providing the necessary precautions are taken. So far as we have been able to ascertain, when thrown into the current of the river in a fresh condi- tion it is practically always dis-sipated, and produces a nuisance only when placed in quiet, shallow water or in eddies which tend to retain it along the shores or to carry it into the adjacent sloughs. Factories established for converting' it into oil and fertilizer have failed of success, nor is there any apparent prospect of its exten- sive utilization in the immediate future. While suggesting renewed inquiries for reaching a more satisfactory solution of this question, wo are constrained to recom- mend that, for the present, the current practice be allowed to continue, under such restrictions as may be called for to prevent (he 'accumulation of the offal in any situations where its effect can be shown to be prejudicial. The fishery officer of the district should be empowered to designate all places where the throwing in of this waste should not be permitted. No complaints respecting the offal in the vicinity of the canneries in the state of Washington have been received from any source, nor do any regulations regard- ing the manner of its disposition in that region seem to be called for at present. 14. Waste from saw-mills and other substances deleterious to the salmon should not be allowed to pass into any streams which they frequent. WM. WAKBHAM, Representative on behalf of City of Washington, December 31, 1896. Great Britain. RICHARD RATHBUN, Representative on behalf of the United States.