374 REPORT OF THE COMMISBTONER OF FISH AND FTSTTERIE8. 



forl,)i(ls tlio solliiif? of any brook tront, wliicli liave to be coiisuiTied by 

 the ti-sherinaii or given away when caught. About 20 Induvns, using 10 

 canoes, engage reguhirly in the fishery^ who are assisted on shore by 

 10 others, employed in preparing the catcli for market. On the Cana- 

 dian side of the river, about tlie same number of Indians follow the 

 fishery. The catch on the Michigan side is sold to wholesale dealers in 

 Sault Ste. Marie, while that on the Canadian side is shipped principally 

 to Montreal and otlier Canadian cities. The fishery opens in May and 

 continues as long as the lish run freely, usually until the middle of 

 June; after that time but few fish are seen, and the fishery is practi- 

 cally suspended until the late fall run. During the summer, when a 

 few fish are found, the fisliery is limited to the small number of Indians 

 who take tourists through the rapids and fish for sport or for home 

 use. There is an abundance of fish in the river during the late fall 

 and early winter, when fishing is resumed. Formerly this run was in 

 October and November, but of late years, owing to climatic conditions, 

 the run of fish has commenced and ended in December. 



In dipping in the rapids two Indians occu])y a canoe together; one 

 sits or stands in the stern to guide or pole the boat, while his com- 

 panion occupies the bow with a pole or paddle or dip net in hand. The 

 Indian in the bow keeps a sharp lookout for fish that are ascending the 

 rapids, while his companion gives his attention to the management of 

 the canoe. The fish are always seen before any attempt is made to dip 

 them, this practice being in marked contrast with the important salmon 

 dip-net fishery carried on by Indians in the Upper Columbia Eiver. 

 When the fish is spied, the dip net is rapidly seized and thrust down- 

 ward into the turbulent water with great velocity and dexterity, the 

 fish usually being secured. During the best of the run boats will aver- 

 age 300 pounds of fish daily; individual catches are often much larger. 

 On May 8, 1891, a noted Indian guide, scout, and fisherman, known as 

 John Bouche, dipped 825 whitefish, averaging 2 pounds each; in April, 

 1878. the same Indian dipped 2,952 pounds of whitefish in a single day. 



The nets are all made by the Indians. Tliey are about 6 feet deep, 

 4 feet in diameter, and are attached to a pole about 12^- feet long. The 

 size of the mesh is 3^ or 4 inches; about 100 meshes enter into the 

 depth. The Indians lay considerable stress on the size, shape, and 

 general composition of the dip nets. Any departure from the approved 

 style is thought by them to prevent a good catch being made. The 

 time occupied by an Indian in knitting and rigging such a net is a 

 week to ten days. When fish are abundant, the net lasts only about 

 two weeks. The average value of the net is $12. A small amount of 

 dip-net fishing is also done from rude platforms erected over the rapids 

 near the shore. This kind of fishing is followed chiefly by those who 

 are not expert enough to dip from a canoe. 



Spear fishing for commercial purposes is limited to the vicinity of 

 Bayfield, Wis., where it is chiefly carried on by Indians, 500 or 600 of 

 whom live in Bayfield. Spears are employed only in fishing through 



