758 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



Among the most remarkable grounds in tlie lakes are those situated at the west end of Lake 

 Erie. The whole shore from the mouth of the Detroit River to Lorain, several miles east of Ver- 

 million, is occupied at short intervals by pounds. Kelley's Island and the Bass Islands are also 

 favorite localities. There are other important stations at Dover Bay and between Willoughby and 

 Painesville. 



The pound-net fisheries of Lake Ontario are of minor importance. The few stations occupied 

 are situated at the east end of the lake, near Sackett's Harbor and Cape Vincent. 



The nets, with few exceptions, are set comparatively near shore. When a very large number 

 are set in a line, however, as is the practice at the west end of Lake Erie and some other localities, 

 the outer net, of course, is situated in quite deep water. The station for single nets most distant 

 from land is probably that situated at the north end of Green Bay, midway between Point Penin- 

 sula and Summer Island. The nets set here are about 7J miles from the nearest shore. 



The kind of bottom most sought for is fairly hard clay covered with sand. If the bottom is 

 too hard the great labor involved in driving stakes becomes a serious obstacle, while if too soft 

 the stakes will not bear the weight of the net without becoming loose and unstable. 



Pounds are seldom set in more than 75 feet of water, the average depth being about 35 feet. 

 The deepest net in the lakes is situated off the north shore of Saint Martin's Island, at the entrance 

 of Green Bay. The bowl stands in 97 feet of water. The stakes, which are three times spliced, 

 are 125 feet in length. 



2. FISHERMEN. 



There is nothing peculiar characterizing the pound-net fishermen not shared by others. The 

 owners are generally men having considerable capital and possessed of the ability to carry on a 

 large business. 



3. APPARATUS AND METHODS OF THE FISHERY. 



~NETS. The pound-nets of the Great Lakes are of simple construction. Each consists of a 

 leader, a heart-shaped pound, and a square bowl or pot. The length of the leader varies according 

 to the situation of the net, from 30 to 85 rods, or from 500 to 1,400 feet, the average being about 

 50 rods. The size of the mesh is usually 6 inches, but in some localities is reduced to 4% inches, and 

 in others increased to 8 inches. At the east end of Lake Ontario, the size of mesh in leader, heart, 

 and bowl is uniformly only 2 inches. The mesh of the heart is usually 5 inches, but varies from 3 

 to 7 inches in a few instances. The bowl or pot is generally about 30 feet square. In the largest 

 nets, however, it is occasionally 40 feet square, while in the smaller ones 28 feet is a very common 

 size. In Lake Ontario the pounds are smaller and the bowl is only 20 feet square. The mesh 

 varies in size from 2 to 4 inches, the average being about 3 inches. In depth the nets vary very 

 greatly, making it difficult to form an average. The widest differences are found among the nets 

 in Green Bay. Some are set in a single fathom of water, while others are from 40 to 65 feet deep. 

 The great Saint Martin's Island pound, already noted, which is 97 feet deep, may also be mentioned 

 in this connection. The average value of the nets is about $350. 



Besides the ordinary pound-nets there are others, known as " baby " pounds, employed in 

 some localities. 



BOATS. Many different shapes and sizes of boats, from small skiffs to steam-tugs, are 

 employed in the pound fishery. There is one, however, universally known as the "pound-net" 

 boat, which is in use in greater numbers than any other. Those employed on the west shore of 

 Green Bay may be regarded as typical, and we will therefore describe one of them. 



