EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CXXXIX 



lake fishes. The yield in 1S90 was three times as great as in 1S80 and 

 nearly twice as great as in 1885, The combined production of all other 

 species was about the same in 1885 and 1890, which years showed about 

 double the output of 1880. The decrease in whiteflsh and sturgeon is 

 more than oflset by the increase in herring, so that the total catch in the 

 lake region in 1890 was over 14,000,000 pounds more than in 1885 and 

 about 45,000,000 pounds more than in 1880. 



Comparative tail shoicing the products of the fisheries of the Great La'kes in ISSO, 1S85, 



and 1890. 



Species. 



Whiteflsh . 

 Lalio trout 

 Sturgeon.. 

 Herring . . . 

 Other iish . 



Total 



1880. 



Pounds. 



21, 403, 900 

 6 804, 6u0 

 7", 557, .-i83 



15, 9G7, 517 



16, 948, 600 



1885. 



Pounds. 

 18,344,004 

 12, 580, 005 

 7, 147, 042 

 25, 809, 4.^i8 

 35. 894, 107 



68, 742, 000 



99, 842, 876 



1800. 



Pounds. 

 12,401,335 

 12, 890, 441 

 4, 289, 759 

 48, 753, 349 

 35, 563, 647 



113, 898, 531 



LAKE SUPERIOR 



The fisheries of this lake are less extensive than those of any other 

 member of the Great Lakes chain with the exception of Lake Ontario. 

 The fishing is practically confined to the taking of whitefish and trout, 

 the catch of all other species being insignificant. The season of 1890 

 was, on the whole, a satisfactory one, and the output was fully up to 

 the average in recent years. It is therefore a favorable year with which 

 to make comparisons with 1885 and on which to base conclusions. 



Considered in the aggregate, a decline is to be noticed in the extent 

 of the fisheries of the American shores of Lake Superior in 1890 as 

 compared with 1885. The decrease was most marked in the items of 

 persons emjiloyed and quantity and value of products. The relatively 

 slight decrease in the investment is explained by a large increase in 

 shore and cash property incident upon the establishment of large fish- 

 purchasing houses. An analysis of the returns indicates that the 

 decrease is more apparent than real and does not necessarily represent 

 a scarcity of fish. The decline in the fisheries has been practically 

 confined to Minnesota and has been due to a transfer of American 

 interests to the Canadian side of the lake. 



The extent of the fisheries in the American waters of this lake in 

 1890 is shown in the three following tables: 



Persons employed in Lake Superior fisheries. 



