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Commerce. But probably there is no place of the same area along our 

 lakes and rivers which is so vahiaMe in this particular as the river con- 

 tiguous to this city. From Fighting Island to the northern poiot of 

 Belle Isle, a distance of sevei.teen miles, there is one complete fishery, 

 from which large numbers of fish are yearly taken. The cost of takii g 

 them, when the run is fine, is very light, and fishermen realize large 

 profits. They are known through all the St' tes, and are esteemed 

 among the choicest delicacies to be had in any market. The large de- 

 mand creates a corresponding valuation, and in every city they become 

 the fir.'-t brand of fish sought. The river fish are generally larger, fatter 

 and better flavored than those of the Lakes, and are therefore always in 

 better demand, and always command better prices. In New York, in 

 Boston, in New Orleans, and even San Francisco, the Detroit River 

 White Fish are eagerly sought for. 



The catch of the past season was remarkably good ; at the fisheries 

 (about fifty in number) between Fighting Island and lielle Isle, over 

 7,000 barrels, or some 700,000 fish, have been taken. About half of 

 these have been sold fresh at an average of eleven cents each, bringing 

 in a revenue of $M,850. The remaining portion are mostly held by 

 the fishermen until navigation shall open to them the eastern and south- 

 ern trade. These 3,500 barrels, when sold, will net the holders about 

 ^^^0,000, or in the neighborhood of eight or nine dollars per bbl. The 

 cost of catching, cleaning, packing and ship|)ing, have been far less this 

 season than on many previous years, and theiefore the [irofits will be 

 much greater, because the demand will not be at all diininished. From 

 the fisheries upon Belle Isle, about 7,000 fish were taken, a majority of 

 which were sold fresh. The remainder of them were caught below the 

 city, mostly upon the American side of the river. 



The method of catching fish here in the river difl'ers somewhat from 

 the means adopted for lake fishing. There gill nets are the principal 

 agency employed, while seines are the instruments here used. 



A correspondent of the New York Herald, writing from Wyandotte, 

 a few miles below this city, says: " The number of barrels caught an- 

 nually in the lake fisheries is nearly as follows: 



Lake Superior, 3,000 bbls. 



Lake Michigan, 15,000 " 



