ex KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



With respect to the fisheries for theui and for the other importaut fishes of the 

 lake we recommend as folloNvs : 



(1) That a close season be adopted for both the whitelish and lake tront from the 

 15th day of October to the Slst day of December, between Avhich dates they shall 

 not be fished for or taken in any manner. 



(2) That in the Bay of Quintc the close season for whitcfish extend from the 1st 

 day of October to the 31st daj^ of December, and that the use of herring gill nets in 

 that bay be jirohibited during November. 



(3) That the minimum size of mesh in the gill nets fished for whitcfish and trout 

 be fixed at 5 inches, in the lierring gill nets at 2f inches, and in the sturgeon gill 

 nets at 11 inches. 



(4) That the quantity of gill nets used in connection with each fishery be restricted 

 within proper limitations. 



(5) That the use of baited set lines for sturgeon be permitted, but that the capture 

 of that species by means of naked hooks or grapplings be prohibited. 



(6) That all sturgeon measuring less than 4 feet long, taken by any means, be 

 returned aliv(^ to the water. 



(7) That a close season be adopted for the black bass from May 1 to June 15; that 

 all black bass measuring less than 10 inches long, by wliatever means taken, be 

 returned alive to the water; that the number of bass taken by each rod per diem be 

 limited to 20, and that the number of rods to each boat be limited to 2. 



(8) That it be permitted to fish fyke nets and trap nets in the inshore waters of 

 the lake for the capture of the coarser fishes between the 1st of October and the SOtli 

 of April, within proper limitations as to number and under such restrictions as shall 

 prevent their ])eing set on th(^ spawning-grounds of whitcfish, trout, or herring, or in 

 such manner as to interfere with the spawning movements of those species. 



(9) That the mesh in the bag of all trap nets and fyke nets measure not less than 

 2^ inches in extension Avhen in use. 



(10) That the use of seines on or about the spawning-grounds of any of tlic impor- 

 tant fishes during their spawning season be prohibited. 



(11) That the joint efi:"orts to increase the supply of whitcfish and lake trout by 

 artificial means be continued, and that the scope of that work be increased to the 

 fullest extent possible. It is recommended that the ])lanting of the fry be not 

 restricted to one part of the lake, but be extended to as many of the important 

 spawning areas as possible. 



(12) That the throwing into the water of fish ofial, including dead fish taken from 

 the nets, of city garbage, and of all other substances deleterious to fish life be 

 prohibited. That steps be taken to prevent injury by the waste from sawmills, 

 gas works, oil refineries, etc., especially in tributary streams containing spawning- 

 grounds of important fishes. 



LAKE ERIE. 



Pound nets. — It is imperative that the extent of the pound-net fishery, especially 

 in the western part of the lake, be very materially reduced, and that the positions 

 and distances apart of these nets be so regulated as to make ample provision for the 

 free circulation of the several important fishes. Although further observations will 

 be necessary l)efore the limitations of so comprehensive a measure can be properly 

 adjusted or its details perfected, we venture to offer the following suggestions 

 respecting it: 



That the total number of pound nets in the lake be limited to 1,000. The reduc- 

 tion in the number is intended to apply mainly to the United States waters from 

 Vermilion westward. 



That the number of such nets set in a string be restricted to (5 on the United States 

 shore and to 3 on the Canadian shore. 



That the length of the pound-net leaders be restricted to 50 rods. 



