MILNER FISHERIES OF THE GEEAT LAKES. 21 



The i>ossil)ility of liaudliug the fishes over as they are dipped out of 

 the "pot" or "crib," and sorting small fishes out, to escape, while the 

 larger oucs are reserved, has been frequently suggested. The objection 

 to this would be chiefly the fact that, owing to the delicate nature of 

 the white-fish, it would not endure rough handling j and, if the regula- 

 tion was established, there would be no probability of its enforcement. 

 That it is in some measure practicable, if carried out, may be known 

 from the fact that a fisherman, formerly in iSorth Bay, Wisconsin, took 

 his fish from the pound-net, one by one, and bled them before he threw 

 them into the boat, the smallest were thrown overboard unharmed, 

 and most of them swam off vigorouslj', though many died from handling. 

 His purpose in bleeding was to pack a firm-lleshed, white-meated fish, 

 for which he received a fancy price from some one in Ohio. 



The enlargement of the mesh in the pot or crib is perhaps the most 

 practical regulation that is likely to accomplish the purpose intended with- 

 out inflicting injustice upon the fishermen. The mesh in present use is 

 from one and one-half to three and one-fourth inches in length, exten- 

 sion-measurement — that is, measured through the length of the mesh- 

 opening when drawn taut. This makes it from three-fourths to one and 

 five-eighths inches from knot to knot. For the capture of herring, the 

 smaller mesh is considered necessary, while, where the object is to caj)- 

 ture only white-fish, the larger mesh of three and one-fourth inches is 

 sometimes used. 



Comparing the gill-net mesh, usually four and one-fourth or four and 

 one-half inches, with the pound-net mesh, it will be observed that the 

 difference in size is not the only variation in condition to be considered. 

 The fine twine of the gill-net is more unfavorable for the escape of a 

 fish than the coarse twine or cord of the pound-net. Besides, while the 

 gill-net, by means of nicely-balanced floats and weights, stands in the 

 water comparatively slack, the sides of the pound-net are drawn up 

 with the meshes open, and standing taut and firm, are much less ajit to 

 entangle a fish while attempting to pass through. It is seen from this 

 that although four and one-fourth inches are snmll enough, perhaps too 

 small, for the gill-net mesh, the same dimension is not required for the 

 pound-net. 



Still, with all the advantage that a taut, open mesh aifords them, the 

 habit of the fish to remain quietly in the " pot" until it is lifted to the 

 surface has to be taken into consideration. Of course the greater 

 facility of escape, the greater number of fishes that will avail themselves 

 of it. 



It should not be considered an unfair demand that all white-fishes of 

 less size than the minimum of the inspection-grade Ifo. 2 should be 

 allowed the means of escape. By a series of measurements it has been 

 determined that a Xo. 3 white-fish will measure about seven and three- 

 fourths inches in the girth. This would require for its escape about 

 three and three-fourths inches, extension-measurement, or one and seven- 



