280 



V. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



previous report, 



until in 1917, when the maximum number, S,433, was reported, hut 

 in 1922 the number dropped to G,809. Gill nets also increased in 

 number, until in 1917 there were 153.277. In 1922 the number 

 dropped to 107,706. The history of the seines is somewhat different. 

 After 1885 there was a distinct decline in the numbers reported, 

 until in 1893 a minimum was reached, which was even below the 

 number reported in 1880. Since then the number again increased, 

 reaching 446 in 1917, but it declined to 363 in 1922. The investment 

 in the fishery has constantly increased, the amount reported in 1922 

 being SI 1,720,821, which is greater than that of any previoii 

 and is almost nine times as great as that of 1880. 



The total yield of the fisheries of the Great Lakes since 1885 has 

 fluctuated between 86,000,000 and 114,000,000 pounds, the catch in 

 1922, amounting to 108,732,443 pounds, not oeing conspicuously 

 greater or smaller than those of previous reports. The same is not 

 true of the catches of individual species. The lake sturgeon has 

 suffered the most serious decline, the catch in 1922 being less than 

 1.3 per cent that of 1880. The yield of whitefish was also consider- 

 abh' reduced in 1922, being less than 20 per cent that of 1880, 

 though above that of 1903. The confusion existing in the early no- 

 menclature of the fishes of the Great Lakes, and the various condi- 

 tions in which they were reported (fresh, salted, smoked, etc.), 

 prevent one from venturing too far in definite comparisons: but it 

 is safe to say that the production of some of the most highly prized 

 species has seriously declined, their places being taken by hitherto 

 undesired species and the total yield thus sustained. 



The following tables present summary statistics of the Great Lakes 

 for various years, 1880 to 1922. The figures in the table on products 

 include the fresh, frozen, salted, and smoked fish, none of which 

 have been converted to a fresh basis and for that reason do not 

 represent accurately comparable amounts. They may be useful, 

 however, in indicating the general trend of the yield. 



Comparative statistics of the fisheries of the Great Lakes for various years, from 



1880 to 1922 



PERSONS ENGAGED 



' Includes St. Clair and Detroit Rivers. There was no fishing in Detroit River in 1917 and 1922. 



2 Includes persons in wholesale trade of Detroit, Mich. 



' Inchides St. Lawrence and Niagara Rivers. 



' Includes persons engaged in the mussel fisheries of tributary rivers not shown in previous canvasses. 



