160 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [10] 



Shipvicnis of hrook-frontfri/. 



LAKE TROUT. 



The supply of lake-trout eggs laid in was considerably larger than 

 usual, and the greater portion was obtained near Thunder Bay, Lake 

 Huron, from runs of fish to the coast reefs. These runs are taken with 

 gill-nets in from 3 to 12 feet of water, the catch, however, being very light 

 as compared with that of the " big reef "of central Lake Huron. The 

 coast trout begin spawning September 15 to 25; the " big reef " trout 

 about a month later. 



The increased price obtained for lake trout has wrought a great change 

 in sentiment in fishing circles at Alpena regarding the expediency of 

 the artificial propagation of the species in Lake Huron. A few years ago 

 the fishermen would not allow the eggs to be taken except upon a prom- 

 ise that the young fish should not be returned to the great lakes. It 

 was argued that lake trout were destroying the whitefish by preying on 

 the young, and should therefore be exterminated. But, as the two spe- 

 cies are found almost wholly by themselves and on diiferent grounds, it is 

 now claimed that former opinions were largely in error. Whatever 

 weight may be attached to these theories, it is certain that most of 

 the Lake Huron fishermen would not now object to an increased trout 

 supply. 



In all, 405,000 eggs were sent to Northville from the Lake Huron fish- 

 eries, arriving in good condition. The tables of shipments of eggs and 

 fish are as follows : 



SMjnnents of lol'c-froiit eggn. 



