FISHERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES. 367 



Attention may be directed to the permanent value of tlie detailed 

 statistics presented in the following pages, showing the extent of the 

 fishing industry in each county bordering on the lakes. Such data 

 afford an invaluable guide for determining the changes in the condi- 

 tion of the fisheries, and furnish the most satisfactory basis for noting 

 comparisons from time to time, in the increased attention now being- 

 bestowed on the lake fisheries, and in the consideration of questions of 

 legislation and propagation which are continually arising, detailed 

 comparative statistics will necessarily have great utility. 



II.— THE FISHERIES CONSIDERED BY LAKES. 

 GENERAL STATISTICS. 



As an introduction to a detailed presentation of the statistics of the 

 fisheries in each lake, the following series of general tables is given, 

 showing, by lakes, the number of persons engaged in the industry, the 

 apparatus, boats, etc., employed, and the quantity and value of the 

 catch. 



The fisheries of Lake Erie, as is well known, are much more exten- 

 sive than those of any other lake. In all the essential items which 

 enter into a statistical consideration — persons, capital, and products — 

 this lake takes precedence. In the canvass conducted by this office, 

 4,482 persons were found to be directly connected with the fisheries, 

 $'2,810,302 was ascertained to be invested, and 64,850,873 pounds 

 of fishery i)roducts were taken, having a value to the fishermen of 

 $1,000,905. 



Lake Michigan ranks next to Lake Erie. Here 2,877 persons found 

 employment in the fishing industry, $1,437,224 was invested, 26,434,206 

 pounds of fish were caught, and the income of the fishermen was 

 $830,465. 



Third in general importance is Lake Huron, although in the items of 

 fishing population and investment it is surpassed to a comparatively 

 slight extent by Lake Sui)erior, and the value of the catch is so little 

 in excess of that of Lake Superior that the relative positions of the 

 two lakes might be changed from time to time without the superven- 

 tion of any specially marked changes in the condition of the fisheries 

 in either. The fisheries of Lake Huron gave employment to 726 per- 

 sons and $408,858 invested capital, and yielded 10,056,381 pounds of 

 fish, which were sold for $221,007. 



Lake Superior had 653 persons engaged in the industry, had $366,682 

 invested therein, and was credited with a catch of 6,115,992' pounds, 

 valued at $220,908. 



Next to Lake Superior in the quantity and value of the catch is Lake 

 Ontario, which is, however, surpassed by Lake St. Clair in the number 

 of fishermen and the amount of invested capital. It had 389 fishery 

 employes, fishing i^roperty to the value of $123,533, and a catch of 

 3,440,448 pounds, worth $124,786. 



