1040 REPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



[4] 



enough, too, the State commissions can wield a greater influeace than 

 others over net-owners^ their work being practically of a local character, 

 and carried on for the express purpose of increasing the stock of fishes 

 by propagation. 



Notwithstanding this opposition, however, 1 arranged with ^Messrs. 

 Snide and Fox, of North Bass Island, for the eggs from their three trap- 

 nets, which were established on spawning grounds not surpassed by 

 any in Lake Erie. Fourteen and a half million eggs were taken from 

 these three nets, or nearly 5,000,000 to the net, as will be seen by refer- 

 ring to the tables. A glance at the tables will show also that eggs 

 were taken here seven days earlier than at Middle Bass Island, and 

 eight days earlier than at Kelley's Island. 



Four nets were worked at each of the last two islands mentioned, the 

 former yielding 1,000,000 to the net and the latter about 650,000. 



During the fall season whitefish and herring comprise the great mass 

 of fish caught at the islands, or, for that matter, throughout Lake Erie. 

 Indeed, the combined catch of all other kinds is insignificant in com- 

 parison. 



The lake remained open much later than the preceding season (1880), 

 increasing the product of the fisheries to correspond. Notwithstanding 

 this, however, the greater demand and brisker competition of buyers 

 combined to produce a decided advance in prices. Thus in the fall of 

 1880 the fishermen received 3^ to 3i cents per pound for whitefish and 

 50 cents per hundred weight for herring, while during the period under 

 consideration they received 4^ to 4i cents lor whitefish and 75 cents to 

 $1 for herring. 



Pending the appearance of ripe fish the "egg-man" must bide his 

 time with patience, disposing of the time which would otherwise hang 

 heavily in collecting notes by the wayside, and making frequent tours 

 of the docks as the fish-boats come in to note the condition and catch 

 of fish, often being comi)elled, through courtesy, to listen to the oft- 

 repeated tale of some superannuated fisherman, who tells what 'spiles" 

 offish /reused to catch in "them days," such fabulous figures being 

 noted as to induce the belief that the original number had increased in 

 geometrical progression through the intervening years. 



Following are the tables of spawn-taking operations at North Bass, 

 Middle Bass, and Kelley's Island : 



AT NORTH BASS. 



