462 



FISHERY LEGISLATION. 



The following are the chief provisions of the Dominion Fishery Laws which 

 affect this Province : 



CLOSE SEASONS. 



Brook Trout {Salvelinus fontinalis) Sept. 15 to May 1, inclusive. 



Pickerel April 15 to May 15, " 



Bass and Maskinonge April 15 to June 15, " 



Whitefish Nov. 1 to Nov. 30, 



Lake Trout , Oct. 15 to Nov. 30, 



There is no close season for Sturo^eon or for Lake Herring. 



Net fishing is prohibited in public waters, except to holders of a purchasable 

 license. The size of the nets is submissible to regulation, and the nets must not 

 be set nor seines used so as to intercept channels or bays. 



Explosives and poisons for killing fish are illegal, mill-dams must have 

 passes, and mill-refuse must be destroyed. 



It is desirable that enquiry should be made as to the adequacy of the pro- 

 tection afforded by the close seasons at present prescribed. It is possible that in 

 certain waters an extension is required. In Lake Megantic, e.g., it is reported 

 that the Lake Trout have finished spawning by the 1st of October, while Mr. 

 John H. Willmott, of Beaumaris, Ontario, Fishery Overseer for the Muskoka 

 District, reports in 1890 their spawning season as from October 8th to 20th for 

 this region. Again in the North-west it is reported that the Whitefish spawn 

 earlier than is the case in the Georgian Bay, so that if the close seas:>n were 

 assimilated to that of Lake Trout, the change would have more to recommend 

 it than the mere simplification of the law and its efficient carrying-out. It is 

 even reported that the run of Whitefish may occur within our waters after the 

 30th of November, so that an extension in the other direction might also be 

 considered.* Such differences indicate that further information is required as to 

 the spawning habits of our food-fish from all parts of the Province, so that 

 future legislation may provide for the protection of waters lying at a distance 

 from the present commercial centres. 



Although the absence of a close season for Lake Herring does not appear to 

 have so far affected the results of the Fisheries in Lake Ontario, complaints are 

 being made that the Lake is being depleted of the more valued Cisco (p. 447), and 

 that consequently some measure should be taken to protect this variety. A close 

 season during July and August has been suggested. 



* Brook Trout have been observed to spawn in Central Ontario three weeks earlier than the beginnings 

 of the close season. 



