650 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
FISHERIES OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. 
The fisheries of the St. Lawrence River employed 69 persons, the 
investment amounted to $1,323, and the catch, consisting of sturgeon, 
minnows, and suckers, amounted to 81,900 pounds, worth $6,988. 
The minnows taken in these waters are sold to sportsmen for bait. 
Table showing, by counties, the persons, apparatus, etc., employed in the fisheries of the St. 
Lawrence River in 1899. 










St. Lawrence. Jefferson. Total. 
Items. ; —= : = 
No. | Value. | No. | Value. | No. | Value. 
= eae 
Mish enm CMe acy aaiersyate seers sitaciewla esis siete ei een Cth Resanas aes 7 i RA AIS 69 Sess emee 
Oats ea ssc ociteciccmmessccciceecsscececes oaks sesh oes 43 | $250 11 $110 54 $360 
SCIMES# Saaditeae tare cele Soe hes ee Nee repel sa ac, Bee 3 60 13 234 16 294 
Setslinesw seas see Sle ae ceeccee ice eernemseecs Re el sae S60) Fe. oe Eliesoos ‘69 
Shorepropenby/jecets cia -ci- oeeleeictoeee tose cei 300" | Been ce seen eal meeee 300 
RO LHS Rate eee ens ae ee ee ce ake O70) aes B58} Godse |. “1323 
| 





Table showing, by counties, apparatus, and species, the yield of the fisheries of the St. Law- 
rence River in 1899. 











St. Lawrence. | Jefferson. | Total. 
Apparatus and species. —— SSS 
Lbs. Value.| Lbs. Value-| Lbs. Value. 
Seines: i 
IMINO WSes een cS Sends ha cane aolecs arses 800 $40 17,900 | $1,343 18,700 | $1,383 
SUCKEers eet ere a eet eter eens seen 14, 400 72 | NER Ase lee eae 14, 400 | 72 
Mota M one dt eclseecliasos. SO crates shes elec 15, 200 112 | 17,900 |, 1,348 | 33,100] 1,455 
Set lines: 
SULTS COM eters tacts yetertoyayo lle neiors, coe eri eee tele 48,000 | 5,400 | 800 133 48, 800 5, 583 





FISHERIES OF NIAGARA RIVER. 
The fisheries of the Niagara River were of minor importance; the 
yield, consisting of perch, white bass, and sturgeon, was 13,170 pounds, 
valued at $616. Practically all of the catch from this river was taken 
in a form of apparatus known locally as a ‘‘ fishing machine.” The 
use of this unique device, which was prohibited for a number of 
years, has recently been permitted by the State of New York, within 
the limits of the town of Lewiston. It consists of a framework of 
timbers extending out from the shore about 20 or 30 feet, which is 
heavily weighted with large stones to prevent its being carried away 
by the swift current. In the center of the covering of this frame- 
work is a well or opening enclosed on all sides except the one facing 
down the river. A square wooden box with sides about 8 inches in 
height and a bottom of fine-meshed iron screen, arranged to fit loosely 
in this space, is raised and lowered by means of a windlass. When 
in use the fish passing close to the shore to avoid the current enter 
the sunken box, which is raised to the level of the platform about 
every half hour. The apparatus is in use from about the middle of 
May until late in the fall. The remainder of the catch from this river, 
consisting of sturgeon, is taken by Indians with spears. 
The fisheries of this river are all to be credited to Niagara County. 
