BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 257 



ago. In 1879 there were but 350 half-barrels salted, while in 1874 there 

 were 2,300. They rake only whitefish and trout. In the last three 

 years the catch has been too poor to pay expenses." 



West coast of Lal-e 2Iichigan. — Mr. Kirtland, of Jacksonport, Door 

 County, says that in his neighborhood the amount of whitefish has fal- 

 len off fully one-third in seven years. Xo fresh fish at all is sold here 

 now, as it was three years ago, but it is all salted and disposed of to 

 coasters. 



Mr. Marion, of Oostburgh, says that as many fish were caught the last 

 three years as usual, but the number of nets have greatly increased, so 

 that the decrease of each man's catch is thought by some to be fully 

 one-half in 10 years. 



At Pentwater, once such a famous ground, there are at present but 

 two boats. In 1874 there were five; 10 years ago, seven; and good 

 fishing; now it is an almost abandoned locality. 



Concerning the Mackinaw fisheries, the figures are quite reliable. In 

 1874, Judge G. C. Ketchum ascertained the product of that year to be; 

 equal to 3,542,840 pounds fresh, and in 1879 Mr. Kumlein shows the 

 product to be equal to 3,259,896 pounds fresh, or a decrease of 282,944 

 pounds, or 8 per cent., in five years. 



The other laJces. — While visiting Lake Huron, Mr. Kumlein wrote: 

 "It is estimated by Mr. Case that 10 years ago with the same number 

 of nets now used, three times the amount of fish would have been caught. 

 He used to put up 1,200 barrels in a year. Xow he seldom gets over 

 30 tons." 



Writing from Erie, Pa., Mr. Kumlein says: "Many years ago Barce- 

 lona was the most important fishing point on Lake Erie, but at the pre- 

 sent time it amounts to but little. Dunkirk was also for a long time 

 famous, but very little is done there now. Erie, on the other hand, is. 

 improving." 



In 1872 Mr. Miiner wrote of Sodus Point: "There are three boats 

 here fishing pound nets." In 1879, Mr. Kumlein says, "Xow there are 

 none." 



In 1872 Mr. Miiner said: " Poultney ville, X. Y., has been a resort for 

 Canadian fishermen for years. Fourteen or fifteen years ago they came 

 over in numbers, and they came almost every year." In 1879 Mr. Kum- 

 lein said, " Xow there are none at all." 



From Sacket's Harbor, Mr. Kumlein writes: "Clark & Eobbins, of 

 Jacket's Harbor, say, that in 1879 they salted 2,447 half-barrels ciscoes^. 

 while in 1879 they got only 100. They think such fish as pike, black bass,, 

 trout, »S:c., have increased since the alewives came, and that the whitefish.. 

 and ciscoes have greatly decreased." 



From Lorain County, Ohio, Mr. Kumlein writes: "The general im- 

 pression seems to be that the decrease among the whitefish for ten years 

 has been very great. Ten years ago there were not more than half as 

 many nets as now, yet a much greater quantity of fish was taken. " 

 Bull. U. S. P. C, 81 17 April 28, 1 88S. 



