THE FISHERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES. 



By Hugh M. r^Mixn, M. D., 

 Issisfaut hi charge of DivlsUm of Statintics and iMeiliodfi of the Fishcr'tea. 



I.— GENERAL REMARKS ON THE LAKE FISHERIES. 



In tlic basin of the Great Lakes there are about 100,000 square miles 

 of water, distributed as follows: 



Square miles. 



Lake Superior 32, 000 



Lake Michinau 22,000 



Lake Huron 21, 000 



Lake Erie 9, 500 



Lake Outario 6, 500 



St. Mary, St. f'laiv, Detroit, Niagara, and St. Lawrence 



rivers, Lake St. Clair 9,000 



Total 100,000 



This enormous area supports a fisli fauua that is peculiarly rich and 

 varied. At least 40 species of reeoonized food value are found in greater 

 or less abundance, including some of the most highly esteemed and 

 valuable food and game fishes occurring in oS'orth America. The fish- 

 eries here prosecuted by the people of the United States and Canada are 

 the most extensive lake fisheries in the world. The quantity of fish 

 annually taken is now over 150,000,000 pounds, having a value of more 

 tlian 84,400,000. The wonderful fertility of these waters maybe better 

 appreciated when it is recalled that since 1880 not less than 1,400,000,000 

 pounds of food-fish have been put on the market from this region, the 

 value of which was not less than $42,000,000, and that up to within a 

 comparatively short time no serious or api)arently permanent diminu- 

 tion in the general supply had been observed. Even at the present 

 time the output is wonderfully well maintained, all things considered, 

 and it may be safely stated that in much the larger part of this region 

 the resources are not fully utilized. 



While the fisheries of the American side of the Great Lakes are not 

 imporXant by comparison with the (ishijig industry of some of the coast 

 sections ol' tlie country, tlieir actual extent is great, and in some resi)ects 

 they are more prominent and interesting than those of any other region; 



