664 HISTOET AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



in the fishery from November to April or May, with a break of about two mouths during the coldest 

 part of the winter. lu the region about Saint George's Island, the fishery lasts during the entire 

 year, with the usual winter intermission. In the coldest months it is not alone the severity of the 

 weather that interferes with the fishery, but the ice often makes around the cars moored near the 

 shore to such an extent as to destroy the lobsters stored in them. Some fishermen who haul 

 their pots in cold weather keep the lobsters in the cuddy of their boats near the stove until they 

 reach land. The well smacks do not begin to run until about the 1st or middle of March, and 

 cease running about the 1st of December; many do not make as long a season as this in the lob- 

 ster trade, and but few continue active from the middle of July to the middle of September. 



The above remarks indicate the principal causes that influence the duration of the lobster 

 season on the coast of Maine, and account for its variability. In the coast review of this industry, 

 the question is more fully discussed in connection with each district. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MASSACHUSETTS. On the coast of New Hampshire, the season gener- 

 ally continues only about four months, or from April 1 to August 1, the best fishing being obtained 

 in May. At Cape Ann, Mass., fishing begins in March or April, and lasts until about the 1st of 

 November, but not much is done during the summer. The spring fishery is the best. In Massa- 

 chusetts Bay, the deep-water fishery is kept up during most of the year, with a short intermission 

 iu the winter ; the shallow-water fishery begins in March or April, and continues until near 

 December. Lobsters are abundant in Boston Harbor from about the middle of April until Decem- 

 ber, and are fished for during most of that period. The lobster season about Cape Cod extends 

 from April 1 to November 1, the fishery off Proviucetown continuing from May to October, with 

 best, results in July and August. At Truro it continues from April to September, and at Chatham 

 from June to November. On the southern coast of Massachusetts, including Vineyard Sound, 

 Buzzard's Bay, and the region about Gay Head, the season also extends from April to November, 

 May and June being regarded as the best months in some localities, and July and August in 

 others. 



RHODE ISLAND TO NEW JERSEY. In Rhode Island the principal season is from May to 

 October, but during the mild winters of 1879 and 1880 some fishing was also done. The best 

 months are July and August. In Long Island Sound the fishery continues from March to Decem- 

 ber, with a small winter fishery at the eastern end. Most of the fishing is done between April and 

 September or Cctober. The season for New Jersey lasts about five months, or from May 1 to the 

 last of September. A few traps are set both earlier in the spring and later iu the fall. 



BEST TIME OF DAY FOR FISHING. It is the prevalent opinion among fishermen that lob- 

 sters take the bait more readily at night than during the day, and it is considered most profit- 

 able to keep the traps set over night. It is probable, however, that the tides influence them 

 somewhat, especially iu shallow water, by causing them to move back and fort!) over the grounds 

 where the traps are set. The customary method of fishing, however, precludes observation in 

 this direction. The traps are usually visited early iu the morning, or as early as the tide serves; 

 and after the lobsters have been removed they are rebaited, if necessary, and left for another 

 twenty -four hours. Sometimes, however, in seasons of great plenty, the traps are hauled twice a 

 day. A correspondent at North Haven, Me., writes that " when we bait our traps in the after- 

 noon and allow them to remain over night, the catch is better than when we bait them in the 

 morning and haul at night." Another informant states that the best time for catching lobsters is 

 on the flood tide, whether it occurs at night or during the day. 



