CHAPTER X. 

 BASS FISHING IN GEORGIAN BAY. 



GEORGIAN BAY lies between the parallels of latitude 

 44 and 46 and is about 125 miles in length, with 

 an average width of 40 miles. As previously stated, 

 its eastern shore, which is rocky and totally unfit for agri- 

 cultural purposes, is broken by innumerable bays and inlets, 

 some of which penetrate the land for miles. 



Many of these inlets form the mouths of streams and rivers, 

 which carry down vast quantities of organic matter and 

 food for fish. In addition, the shore is strewn with islands, 

 rocks, and sunken reefs, which protect it during periods of 

 high winds, so that even in rough weather one may pass, by 

 boat or canoe, along the coast amongst these islands, except 

 at one or two points, and travel in safety all the way from 

 Beausoleil Island to the mouth of the French River. 



Some idea of the total number of islands may be gathered 

 from the recent survey made by the Indian Department at 

 Ottawa, which places the actual number of islands and 

 islets lying south of Moose Point alone at 2,180. 



The prevailing wind is west, and in consequence of this 

 the waters of Georgian Bay are piled up against the eastern 

 shore on an average two or three times a week; this rising 

 of the water is then followed by a lowering, sometimes as 

 much as twelve inches, seldom less than two inches, and 

 oscillations of the Bay are thus set up, as in all large bodies 

 of water; so that there are always strong currents running 

 in and out of the inlets and in the channels between' the 

 islands and the mainland and between the islands themselves, 

 which keep the water aerated and clean. 



There are also innumerable small ponds or lakes connected 

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