60 FISHING-GROUNDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



FiKE Island OffShoee Ground. — The center of this giouud bears about southeast from 

 Fire Island light ; distance, fifteen to eighteen miles. It is about five miles wide aud from fifteen 

 to eighteen miles long, extending nearly parallel with the neighboring Long Island shore. The 

 depths range from sixteen to twenty-three fathoms; the bottom consists of sand and gravel, with 

 sea weeds and sea clams. This is a winter cod ground for New York market smacks using trawls. 



Cholera Bank lies about twelve miles south of Jones Inlet, and is about one mile long, 

 east aud west^ and one-half mile wide. The bottom is rocky ; depth, twelve fathoms. Fall 

 ground for cod ; visited by New York market smacks. 



Mussel Eidge is situated southeast of Jones Inlet, about one and one-half miles olf the 

 beach, and has depths of eight to ten fathoms, with a bottom of sand, mussels, and clams. This 

 is a cod ground in the fall and spring; visited by New York market smacks and small sloops from 

 Jones Inlet. 



DiLLBEKRY GROUND extends westwai'd, i)arallel with the shore, from three to five miles oft' 

 Jones Inlet, to off Rockaway Inlet, a distance of fourteen to fifteen miles. The depths of water 

 range from four to ten fathoms; the bottom is sandy, with some rocks. This is a boat 

 fishing-ground for cod in the spring and fall, and some fishing is also done in the winter. 



THE COAST OF NEAV JERSEY. 



RocKY' Ground lies from twelve to fifteen miles southeast of Highland light, New Jersej". 

 and is about three miles long, southeast and northwest, and one mile wide. Cod are occasionally 

 taken here in the winter, but the iiriucipal fishery is for bhiefish in the summer. This region is 

 visited by the New York market smacks. 



Rocky Spots in the Channel are located about eight miles south-southeast from Sandy 

 Hook light-ship, in depths of twenty fathoms. Tliis area is about three miles square, aud is 

 mainlj" valued as a bluefish ground. 



Fishing Bank begins southea.st of Highland light, about three miles from land, and extends 

 south a distance of about eight miles. Depths, eight to twelve fathoms; bottom, sandy and 

 rockj'. This is a good ground for bluefish and sea bass in the summer. 



Shark River Ground. — The center of this ground bears southeast from Long Branch ; 

 distance, six miles. It is about three miles square, with depths of twelve to sixteen fathoms. 

 Cod are found here in the winter and bluefish in the summer. 



Squan Ground begins about fifteen miles southeast of Squau, and runs to within five miles 

 northeast of Barnegat light. It is located on the so-called twelve-fathom ridge, where the bottom 

 consists mainly of sand, stones, and mussels. This is a winter ground for cod. 



East of Barnegat Light. — The center of this ground lies from twelve to fifteen miles 

 east of Barnegat light. It extends about seven or eight miles north and south, and is about 

 three miles broad. The depths of water range from twelve to sixteen fathoms. The bottom is 

 sandy and gravelij', with sea clams. A winter cod ground ; visited by New York market smacks. 



Egg Harbor Ground. — The center of this ground lies fifteen miles southeast of Egg 

 Harbor light. The ground is about fifteen miles long and three miles broad, and extends 

 parallel with the neighboring coast. Depths, twelve to fifteen fiithoms ; bottom, sandy, with 

 alga», sea clams, and mussels. A winter cod ground ; resorted to by New York market smacks. 



Absecum Ground bears .south of Absecum light fifteen to eighteen miles to the center of 

 the ground. It extends about seven miles parallel with the coast, and is about four miles broad. 



