REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. CXXXIX 



lake fishes. The yield hi 1890 was three times as great as, in 1880 and 

 nearly twice as great as in 1885. The combined prodnction of all other 

 species was about the same in 1885 and 1890, which years showed about 

 double the output of 1880. The de(;rease in whitefish and sturgeon is 

 more than offset by the increase in herring, so that the total catch in the 

 lake region in 1890 was over 14,000,000 pounds more than in 1885 and 

 about 45,000,000 pounds more than in 1880. 



Comj)arat\ve tabl shotoing the 2)roditcts of the fisheries of the Great Lakes in 1880, 1S85, 



and 1890. 



LAKE SUPERIOR 



The fisheries of this lake are less extensive than those of any other 

 member of the Great Lakes chain with the exception of Lake Ontario. 

 The fishing is practically confined to the taking of whitefish and trout, 

 the catch of all other species being insignificant. The season of 1890 

 was, on the whole, a satisfactory one, and the output was fully up to 

 the average in recent years. It is therefore a favorable year with which 

 to make comparisons with 1885 and on which to base conclusions. 



Considered in the aggregate, a decline is to be noticed in the extent 

 of the fisheries of the American shores of Lake Superior in 1890 as 

 compared with 1885. The decrease was most marked in the items of 

 Ijersons employed and quantity and value of products. The relatively 

 slight decrease in the investment is explained by a large increase in 

 shore and cash property incident upon the establishment of large fish- 

 purchasing houses. An analysis of the returns indicates that the 

 decrease is more apparent than real and does not necessarily represent 

 a scarcity of fish. The decline in the fisheries has been practically 

 confined to Minnesota and has been due- to a transfer of American 

 interests to the Canadian side of the lake. 



The extent of the fisheries in the American waters of this lake in 

 1890 is shown in the three following tables: 



