II.-FISHERIES OF CHICAGO AiND VICINITY. 



Bv E. W. Nelson. 



A— SOURCES OF INFORMATION. 



lu this report of the fisheries of Chicago and vicinity, I have included^ 

 besides those of Lake Michigan, those of the various small lakes and 

 rivers near, so far as data could be obtained. 



Although the latter are not of great extent, nor of much commercial 

 importance, yet the information gained concerning the species found in 

 them will be of some value to those investigating the character of 

 streams and their inhabitants for the purpose of re-stocking exhausted 

 streams and introducing valuable food-fishes not indigenous. 



The facts regarding the fisheries along the shore of Lake Michigan 

 and on the Calumet River have been obtained from the proprietors of 

 the fisheries and from personal knowledge. For information regarding 

 the fisheries at Joliet, Lockport, and Lemont, I am indebted to Mr. P. 

 A. Downey, who formerly resided at Joliet, and is well posted regarding 

 the matter. 



To Mr. J. F. Browne, city fish-inspector of Chicago, I am indebted for 

 the statistics of the amount of fish handled by the wholesale dealers of 

 the city during the year ending December 1, 1875, and for information 

 regarding the fish-trade ; also to Mr. A. W. Brayton, of Englewood, 111., 

 for aid in various ways. 



B— RECENT INCREASE- IN SALES. 



Since Mr. J. W. Milner's investigations in 1871-'72, the wholesale trade 

 has increased rapidly in Chicago, as is seen by the following tables. 

 The first table is taken from Mr. Milner's report, (United States Fish 

 Commissioner, 1872-'73, page 7,) and shows the number of pounds of 

 fish handled by the wholesalers of Chicago for 1872, as follows : 



78^ 



