BASS FISHING IN GEORGIAN BAY 



89 



setting nets in this reserved area is not of a nature to accom- 

 plish much reform. The Ontario Government, under whose 

 charge the actual inspection of this reserve now lies, should 

 appoint at least three men who are thoroughly familiar with 

 the shore, by preference fishermen themselves, and provide 

 each of them with a fast gasoline launch and an assistant, 

 and pay them salaries sufficient 

 to keep them in comfort 

 throughout the year, and above 

 suspicion. 



Then assign to each man a 

 third of the shore line, and 

 take care that the work of in- 

 spection begins as soon as the 

 ice breaks up; for it is just at 

 that time when all the serious 

 damage is done by fishermen. 



During the months of April, 

 May and June these inspectors 

 should be specially on guard. 

 In the summer months of 

 July and August, when tourists 

 are in full force and the fish- 

 ermen are lying on their oars, let them patrol the shore 

 for anglers who are in the habit of making record "catches" 

 of bass. And then let them continue their work until the 

 ice forms, and even during the winter. For although there 

 is no danger of anyone taking a small-mouthed bass in winter, 

 there are other fish which are not so wise as to hibernate, 

 and these should be protected from themselves. 



If such a policy were carried out, combined with some 

 system of producing a proper revenue, and the fish markets 

 closely watched, there would be such an improvement in 

 Georgian Bay as to astonish even a Commissioner of Fisheries. 



Regarding the hatching of bass, there are natural hatch- 



7 



Head of Large -mouthed Bass 



(From Photograph by B. A. Bensley) 



