WHITEFISH FISHERY OF LAKES HURON AND MICHIGAN 301 



and depth of the lifting pot were: depth — 18 to 47% feet; length — 30 to 40 feet. The 

 lifting pot usually tapered from front to rear so that the width in a single net varied 

 from about 24 to 20 feet. Mesh sizes in the pots ranged from 3V2 to 5 inches as manu- 

 factured 4 except that the front side of the net (the side through which the tunnel enters I 

 contained meshes measuring not more than 3% inches. In some nets this small mesh 

 was extended along the sides and bottom of the net, but for a distance of not more 

 than one third the length of the pot. 



The lifting methods employed varied considerably, the most general method being 

 that in which the net was brought to the surface by means of a lifting line attached to 

 the "king" anchor line 75 to 150 feet from the back of the pot. When the net was 

 brought to the surface, the boat was pulled under the anchor line and worked forward 

 until it was under the pot of the net. The fish were shoaled on the front or tunnel 

 side of the net and removed through laced openings. After the fish were removed, the 

 boat was worked back to the point where the lifting line was attached, the lines were 

 allowed to slip into the water, and the net was permitted to settle to the bottom. 

 The average time required to lift a deep trap net was approximately one hour. Num- 

 erous mechanical devices have been developed to reduce the amount of labor involved 

 and several types of power lifting machines are now in use. Some fishermen released 

 the tension on the back anchor line and handled the net alongside the boat in a way 

 similar to that employed for lifting pound nets. 



* The present minimum size of mesh permitted in the pots of deep trap nets operated in the Michigan waters of I«ike Huron is 4f 2 inches as found 

 in use; provision is made for a section of netting the meshes of which may not be more than VA inches on which the fish may be shoaled. 



