272 U. S. BUREAU {)F FISHERIES 



Yield, by apparatus and waters, of the fisheries of West Virginia, 1922 



WISCONSIN 



The fisheries of Wisconsin, prosecuted on the Mississippi River and 

 tributaries in 1922, gave employment to 587 fishermen and 302 shores- 

 men, most of the latter being connected with the pearl-button 

 industry. The total investment amounted to $442,950, most of which 

 was also, represented in the pearl-button industry. Other important 

 items were 343 gasoline boats, valued at $76,255; 87 haul seines, 

 valued at $28,875; 1,100 fyke nets, valued at $23,700; and 518 gill 

 nets, valued at $6,930. 



The products of the State amounted to 8,089,494 pounds, valued at 

 $285,624. Of this total mussel shells contributed 3,105,140 pounds, 

 valued at $68,064, including pearls and slugs. The carp fishery in 

 Wisconsin has increased in importance within recent years, and in 

 1922 the value of the catch was nearly one-half that of all the products 

 of the State taken from the Mississippi River and tributaries. Other 

 important species worthy of mention were buffalofish, catfish, and 

 drum or sheepshead. Based on the catch, the most important form 

 of apparatus was the haul seine, followed by the cromoot bar for 

 taking mussels, the fyke net, gill net, set line, and spear. Large 

 quantities of mussels were taken by hand while wading. Mussels 

 were taken from several of the rivers, including the Mississippi and 

 St. Croix, but the latter two were the only ones from which fish were 

 taken commercially. 



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