LAKE ERIE. 129 



there were uot less tliau 425 pouud-uets. Each company's uets are set iu a line, the outer 

 tiet being often four or five miles from shore. The fisheries of Toledo extend from Teal Ground 

 to Locust Point. 



Off Toussaint, about ten miles west of Port Clinton and three miles from shore, there is 

 a gill-net ground of considerable importance. The bottom here varies greatly, iu some portions 

 being rocky and in others uiuddy or sandy. The water at the outer limit of the ground is 

 about twenty-eight fathoms in depth. 



Some seining is prosecuted in and about the mouths of the various rivers along this stretch 

 of sliore. At Portage Eiver it is carried on only in winter. A few fyke-nets are set in Portage 

 and Four Eivers as well as in some of the bayous, but the fishery is not important, although 

 considerable quantities of inferior varieties of fish are taken. 



Port Clinton to Vermillion. — The pound-net grounds continue without iuteri-uptiou 

 along this section of shore. The fishing-grounds of Sandusky and vicinity may be divided into 

 four great districts, each partaking of some peculiarity not shared bj- the others. They are 

 generally spoken of as the Cedar Point fisheries, the bay fisheries, the island fisheries, and the 

 main shore fisheries. The Cedar Point fisheries are the oldest and most important. They begin 

 at Cedar Point, at the entrance of Sandusky Bay, and extend about six miles towards Huron. 

 Thei'e are sixty-six nets iu this district. Many of the outside nets are five and one-half miles from 

 shore, the nearest being about one-half mile. They are set in from twenty to thirty feet of water, 

 the average depth being perhaps about twenty-eight feet. The shore as well as the bottom of 

 the fishing-ground is sandy. The catch here consists largely of herring, but great quantities of 

 whitefish are also taken. 



The bay fisheries are prosecuted not only with pounds but also with fykes and seines, the 

 stations and reaches being scattered along both shores. The water in both the upper and lower 

 bays being shallow, nets having a depth of five to twelve feet only are used. 



The main shore fisheries extend from Sugar Bluff to the entrance of Sandusky Bay, the 

 pound-net stations being scattered regularly along the shore. They are set in from twelve to 

 thirty-five feet of water. The bottom is generally clayey. This fishery is noted for the large 

 catch of herring, the next fish in importance being the catfish. 



What are known as the island fisheries are situated about North, Middle, and South Bass 

 Islands aud Kelley's Island. On the North Bass Island there are but seven nets, though north- 

 westward from the island there is an extensive whitefish spawning-ground. On the north of the 

 island it is impossible to drive stakes on account of the rocky bottom. At Middle Bass Island 

 there are twelve nets, many of them being set in thirty-five feet of water. The fisheries at South 

 Bass Island are the most important of the group. On the shoals aiul reefs about the islands 

 there are extensive and important whitefish spawning-grounds. The most productive of them, 

 however, are those north of North Bass Island, in Canadian waters. At Kelley's Island there are 

 twenty-three pounds, and the fishery would be very profitable were it not that vessels run through 

 aud destroy the nets. The principal fish taken on these grounds are herring, whitefish, and black 

 bass. The seine fishing in this locality is quite extensive and important. The principal grounds 

 are located about Willow Point. In Sandusky Bay seine fishing is carried on all winter. The 

 principal grounds are near the mouth of the Sandusky River. 



North and northeast of Kelley's Island there are two reefs, which are frequented by sturgeon, 

 and about two hundred gill-nets are set here aniuially. 



The pouud-net grounds of Huron extend about five miles east and the same distance west of 

 the mouth of the Huron Eiver. In 1879 seventy-four jiouuds were located iu this district. Five; 

 SEC III 9 



