CXIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



rropagaiion. — A contiuuance of the joint efforts to increase the suiiply of Avliitefish 

 aud lake trout through the ageucy of artificial propagation is recomniended. 



LAKE SUPERIOR. 



The remedial measures suggested for Lake Superior are as follows: 



(1) In all localities where there is evidence of overfishing by the pound nets the 

 number of the latter should he suitabh' restricted. These nets should be separated 

 by an interval of at least 1 mih?, and they should not be allowed to extend more 

 than one-third the distance across any channel or passageway. 



(2) Where young whitefish abound and may be captured by the pound nets in 

 appreciable quantities, the use of such nets should be i)rohibited either entirely or 

 during such periods as the young of that species may be so present. 



(3) The mesh in the cribs of all pound nets should measure at least 4 inches in 

 extension when in use. 



(4) It would seem that the extent of gill-net fishing for whitefish and trout had 

 reached, if not passed, a safe limitation, and that some restriction should be placed 

 upon the quantity of gill nets to be fished hereafter. Further obser\ations, how- 

 ever, are required to establish a satisfactory basis for action in this matter. 



(5) The mesh in gill nets employed for the capture of the common whitefish and 

 the lake trout should measure not less than 4^ inches, aud we consider that a 5-inch 

 mesh would bo preferable. 



(6) The herring gill nets and those used for the smaller varieties of whitefish 

 require a smaller mesh than the above, but the conditions under Avhich such nets 

 may be employed should be explicitly defined. 



(7) No restrictions appear to be called for at present in respect to the herring gill 

 nets, except that their use should be prohibited wherever young whitefish would be 

 taken in them. 



(8) The number of seines employed at present is relatively small, and it should 

 not be allowed to increase beyond a safe limitation. 



(9) The mesh in whitefish seines should measure not less than 3i- inches in the 

 bunt and 4^ inches in the wings. 



(10) The use of all kinds of seines should be prohibited wherever the capture of 

 young whitefish is involved, either entirely or during the seasons when the young 

 are present. 



(11) It is considered that it would be beneficial to iustitute a close season covering 

 the spawning jieriod of the whitefish, during which no fishing for the species should 

 be permitted. 



(12) All sturgeon measuring less than 4 feet long which may be taken by any 

 means should be returned alive to the water. 



(13) It may be found advisable to establish local regulations for the protection of 

 the wall-eyed pike in places where they occur, but no information that would be 

 serviceable in tliat respect has been collected. 



(14) The throwing into the water of fish ofl'al and of all other deleterious substances 

 in places where it would be harmful to lish life should be prohil)ited. 



(15) .Joint efforts for the increase of the supply of both the whitefish and the lake 

 trout by means of artificial propagation are recommended. 



LAKE OF THE WOODS, RAINY LAKE, AXD RAINY RIVER. 



International interests on Lake of the Woods are concerned chiefly with the pres- 

 ervation of the sturgeon. Although the pound-net catch of scale fish is comparatively 

 large and important, especially at certain seasons, should the capture of sturgeon 

 become unprofitable at any time, that method of fishing would probably be mostly, 

 if not entirely abandoned, and little else be done thereafter in waters closely adjacent 

 to the boundary line. As both the scale fish and sturgeon, however, are taken 

 together and under the same conditions, their preservation should and can be 

 arranged for on a common basis. 



