1042 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



Catch of the fresh-ivater innssel shell fishery of the United Slates, 1929 



The fisheries of Lake Pepin, exclusive of those prosecuted for 

 mussel shells, employed 54 fishermen in 1929 as compared with 124 in 

 1928. The catch amounted to 390,696 pounds valued at $31,477— 

 a decrease of 46 per cent in the catch and 30 per cent in the value of 

 the catch as compared with the catch and its value for 1928. Com- 

 pared with 1922 there was a decrease of 89 per cent in the catch. 

 German carp was by far the most important species taken in this 

 lake, constituting 64 per cent of the total catch and 55 per cent of the 

 value of the catch. Fresh-water drum was second in importance 

 accounting for 16 per cent of the catch and 20 per cent of the value. 

 Other species of considerable importance were catfish, buffalofish, 

 and suckers. 



OPERATING UNITS BY GEAR 



In 1929 the catch of fishery products of Lake Pepin was taken by 

 30 regular fishermen, 24 casual fishermen, 35 motor boats, 73 other 

 small boats, 19 haul seines having a combined length of 7,782 yards, 

 81 gill nets having a length of 3,717 yards, 8 lines having a length of 

 866 yards, 47 fish traps, 101 fyke nets, and 3 spears. 



CATCH BY GEAR 



Two types of gear accounted for 90 per cent of the fishery products 

 taken in this lake during 1929. By far the most important of these 

 were haul seines which accounted for 67 per cent of the catch and 60 

 per cent of the value of the catch. Ranked next in importance were 

 fish traps which accounted for 23 per cent of the catch and 31 per cent 

 of the value of the catch. 



OPERATING UNITS BY STATES AND COUNTIES 



Wisconsin accounted for 95 per cent of the total number of fisher- 

 men of Lake Pepin during 1929. Pierce County, in Wisconsin, ranked 

 foremost in this respect accounting for 56 per cent. Wisconsin also 

 accounted for 93 per cent of the fishing boats. Pierce County alone 

 accounted for 53 per cent. 



