CL REPORT OF COMMrSSTONER OF Fli^H AND FISHERIES. 



Apparains and capilal emploijcd in Lale Erie fisherie$. 



Froducts of Lalce Erie fisheries. 



The condition of the fisheries of this lake as compared with 1880 and 

 1885 is an important consideration, which has been the subject of much 

 solicitude on the part of those most directly interested. It has been 

 apparent to almost everyone that the supply of whiteflsh, at least, has 

 been decreasing yearly, and that the catch has only been maintained 

 by the use of larger quantities of apparatus. The following comparison 

 of the output of the fisheries of this lake shows that in 1885 the yield 

 of 3,532,000 pounds of whitefish was about 200,000 pounds more than 

 in 1880 and 1,200,000 pounds more than in 1890, The increased appa- 

 ratus in 1890 should, other things being equal, have resulted in an 

 increase in the catch over 1885, amounting to at least 3,000,000 pounds. 

 The output of trout, an unimportant fish in this lake, has increased 

 slightly over 1885, owing chiefly to the larger quantity of gill-netting 

 employed. Sturgeon show a diminished abundance, although more 

 were taken than in 1880. Herring have more than doubled in quantity 

 since 1885. The production of other fishes, considered in the aggregate, 

 is somewhat less than in 1885. The large increase in herring much 

 more than overbalances the decreases noted, and results in an augmen- 

 tation in the yield of 13,400,000 pounds compared with 1885, although 

 the value of the catch has fallen from $1,109,096 to $1,000,905. 



