O' 



2 FISHING-GROUNDS OF NOETH AMERICA. 



to tliirty-fivc fathoms, and the bottom is broken and rocky. Cod are caught during May and 

 June with band-lines. 



Ottek Island Reef, Snipper Shin, and Western Reef. — These names are appHed to 

 different sections of an IrregnUir, broken piece of rocky ground, that lies about halfway between 

 Viual Haven and Seal Island. Otter Island Reef, by which name the eastern section is known, 

 lies about four miles west by south one-quarter south from the western head of Isle au Haute, 

 and has depths of from ten to twenty-five fathoms, with a rocky and broken bottom, on which 

 trawls can seldom be used. It is a favorite ground for cod and haddock during all the seasons 

 when these fish are in shoal Water, but is best for cod in the spring and for haddock in the fall. 

 Snipper Shin is only a westerlj' continuation of the Otter Island Reef, and lies between it and 

 the Western Reef. The general direction of this ground is about iiorthwest until it joins the 

 Western Reef, which trends more to the southwest. It contains a shoal of seven fathoms, about 

 which the water is twenty-five fathoms deep in places. The general characteristics of the ground 

 are similar to those of Otter Island Reef, but small halibut are occasionally taken in addition to 

 cod and haddock. The Western Reef has the same depth and character of bottom as the other 

 two pieces of ground. 



GROUNDS OFF AND ABOUT MATINICUS ISLAND. 



Bald Ridges. — These ridges begin just outside of Wooden Ball Island, and run off in a 

 nearly direct line for Matinicus Rock. They are almost parallel with one another, and quite close 

 together, the distance between them not being over half a mile. They are from a fourth of a mile to 

 half a mile in width each, and have depths of from fifteen to tiiirty fathoms, with a broken, rocky 

 bottom. The shoalest part is distant about a mile from Wooden Ball Island, and from there 

 the depth increases toward the southern end. This is a good ground for cod at all seasons when 

 they are on the coast, the shoal being a favorite resort of the rock-cod. 



Harry Marshall's Ground bears south by west from Matinicus Rock, distance, about 

 three miles, and has an area of not more than two acres. The shoaler portion has a depth of 

 thirty-five fathoms, with gravelly bottom ; on the edge the depth is forty-five fathoms, and the 

 bottom consists of rocks andjiiud. A good ground for cod in spring and for hake in summer. 



The Bounties bears southeast by south half-south, distant six miles, from Wooden Ball 

 Island. It is about four miles in diameter, and nearly circular in shape, with depths of forty to 

 sixty fathoms. The bottom consists of gravel and rocks, and is somewhat broken. It is a good 

 ground for cod and cusk in the spring and fall and for haddock in the winter. 



Minerva Hub.— This is a small gravelly spot, not more than a fourth of a mile in diameter, 

 with a depth of thirty-five fathoms, and abounds in cod during the spring and fall. It bears 

 soutlisoutheast from Matinicus Rock ; distance, nearly six miles. 



Skate Bank bears south-southeast, distant twelve miles, from Matinicus Rock ; is about 

 two miles in diameter, and nearly circular in shape, with depths of thirty-five to sixty fathoms. 

 The bottom is gravelly, but quite uneven. The best season for fishing on this ground for cod 

 and cusk is from April to July. 



Matinicus Sou'Sou'west Ground. — This ground bears south-southwest from Matinicus 

 Rock, from which the inner edge is distant about six miles. It extends about nine miles north 

 and south, and has about the same width, being nearly triangular in shape, and broadest at the 

 northern end. On the northern part there is a shoal of about thirty fathoms, two miles long east 

 and west, and one mile wide. Sharp rocks cover the shoal, but the ground is not broken and 

 drops off gradually to depths of fifty and fifty-five fathoms, and even to sixty fathoms on the 



