64 American Fisheries Society 



It would seem that it were safer and less apt to result in 

 depletion, to carry on some of our commercial fishing by this 

 method rather than by licensing commercial fishermen. More 

 discrimination as to waters fished, varieties taken and in methods 

 of fishing is possible, and the quantity taken at any time and 

 place is absolutely under control. Unrestrained legal commercial 

 fishing has all but exterminated our Lake Superior whitefish and 

 Lake of the Woods sturgeon, and is rapidly coming to the same 

 unfortunate result with the Lake Superior herring. There should 

 be more state or government control of fishing with a view to con- 

 servation and our Minnesota State fishing may furnish suggestions 

 as to more discretion and latitude in control of the industry. 



BENEFIT TO THE PUBLIC. 



The benefit to the people of the state and to the country has 

 been unquestioned and apparent. Not only has a large quantity 

 of fish at moderate prices been made constantly available, but they 

 have been made use of, thus releasing a corresponding amount of 

 meats and other foods for shipment and export. A distinct 

 saving in cost has also resulted on account of the low price scale 

 and much more fish have undoubtedly been used than would 

 have been under ordinary conditions. The constant presence of 

 low-priced state fish in the markets has also, without doubt, kept 

 the prices of other fish at a lower average than would have been 

 the case if there were no state fish to be had. 



Direct evidence is not easy to get, but one instance was a letter 

 received from a St. Paul woman expressing her appreciation of 

 the opportunity to get cheap fish. With seven in the family and 

 her husband employed as a janitor at $60.00 a month, rigid econ- 

 omy was imperative and state fish helped materially in her family 

 to keep the larder supplied. Her case is undoubtedly typical of 

 hundreds. Many expressions of appreciation have come from all 

 parts of the state. 



The enterprise has also served as an industry from which many 

 settlers in remote parts of the State have added to their income. 

 It has also served to put the business of the Indians of the Red 

 Lake agency and elsewhere on a cash basis and has enabled them 

 to invest liberally in Liberty Bonds and War Savings Stamps. 



