CVIII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



(11) That iu the eveut of the removal of all obstructions aud polluting ageucies 

 and the establishment aud enforcement of suitable regulations, the increase of the 

 supply of both salmou and landlocked salmon by artificial means be attempted 

 through the cooperation of the two governments. 



PASSAMAQUODDY BAY AND VICINITY. 



International fishery interests iu Passamaquoddy Bay and its neighborhood are 

 concerned chiefly with the preservation of the herring, and as no decrease of that 

 species has been proved, beyond the disappearance of the winter school, which can 

 not be attributed to overfishing, it is not considered necessary to suggest any changes 

 in the methods employed, and the only recommendations made are as follows: 



(1) As the present regulation providing for a close season on the principal 

 spawning-grounds off Grand Manau has undoubtedly been a wise one, and may 

 have, to some extent, aided iu maintaining the supply of herring, it is recommended 

 that it be continued and that a similar close season be adopted for a part of the 

 herring spawning-grounds oft" Machias. 



(2) It is recommended that a regulation be adopted prohibiting the use of herring 

 for the manufacture of oil or fertilizer. 



(3) It is recommendeil that the minimum size of lobster which may be taken be 

 fixed at 10| inches, aud that all lobsters caught, l)y whatsoever meaus, under that 

 size be returned alive to the water. 



(4) It should be made unlawful to take berried lobsters at any time. 



(5) With a view of protecting the smelt, a close season, extending from March 15 

 to July 1, is recommended, during which close season it should l)e unlawful to take 

 smelt in any manner except with hook and line. 



LAKE MEMPHREMAGOG. 



The interests of this lake can undoubtedly best be served by fostering the g;ime 

 fishes, and, in out opinion, this should be done to the extent of prohibiting all net 

 fishing. The lake has become an angling resort of umch importance, and as bmg as 

 its attractions in that respect are properly maintained, the local Avelfare will be 

 benefited more materially through the influx of visitors than by the continuance of 

 a commercial fishery dependent on so small a basis of supply as that furnished by 

 these waters. 



The use of spears, which are employed on the spawning-grounds, is also to be 

 regarded as detrimental and should be stopped. 



It is further recommended that the black bass and lake trout be jirotected by close 

 seasons, extending from November 1 to June 15 in the case of the former species, and 

 from Sei)tember 1 to January 1 in tlie case of the latter. 



LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 



(1) That no not fishiug other than by seines be permitted in waters adjacent to 

 the boundary line or elsewhere in the lake where international interests would be 

 afi"ected thereby. 



(2) That the use of seines be permitted from February 1 to March 31, inclusive, for 

 the capture of wall-eyed pike aud other associati^d species, but under such limita- 

 tions as to localities and number of nets employed as shall amply provide against 

 the decrease of the species named. Should further inquiry establish the fact that 

 this fishery is proving harmful to the wall-eyed pike by materially i-edncing the 

 supply, its abolishment is recommended. 



(3) That the use of seines be permitted during the mouth of October for the 

 capture of whitefish and other associated species under suitable restrictions as to 

 localities and number of nets employed. 



(4) That the length of any seine shall not exceed 40 rods ; and that the mesh of 

 the seines shall not measure less than 2i inches iu the bunt and 3 inches in the wings. 



