1907 GAME AND FISHERIES. 23 



not so good, but whitefish are becoming more plentiful. Percli are plenti- 

 ful, and the fishermen are fishing more for perch than for trout or white- 

 fish. The pound net fishermen in his district are going more into gill net 

 fishing, to fish for perch. It is only of late that the fishermen thought of 

 fishing for these fish. He thinks that if there were more perch caught her- 

 ring would become more plentiful, and while the fishermen are fishing for 

 perch they also give the trout and whitefish a chance to multiply. He 

 would recommend licenses for perch fishing. The close seasons were well 

 observed. He made special trips more frequently during the close season, 

 often going out to the nets with the fishermen, and found no cause for com- 

 plaint. Of course, once in a while a few fish out of season will get into 

 their nets, but this cannot be entirely stopped, although the men are care- 

 ful not to make a point of catching fish which they know to be out of sea- 

 son. He had but two complaints of the infringement of the fishery laws 

 for illegal fishing, but he did not fine any one. He found a gill net that 

 was set through the ice to catch herring, which he took out and destroyed^, 

 but he could not find out who set it. There are no fishways in his district. 

 There are sawmills on some of the rivers, but no sawdust or refuse is thrown 

 in the water. About 75 per cent, of the amount of fish caught are exported 

 ho the United States. 



As to game, he has kept a close watch over his territory to see that the 

 law was carried out, Partridge are becoming more scarce each year in con- 

 sequence of nearly all the woods being cut down for farming and other pur- 

 poses. Wild ducks are plentiful in .spring and fall. There are no deer 

 aor wild turkeys in his district. The Game laws have been fairly well 

 abserved during the past year. 



Overseer D. Robertson, Southampton, reports that the fishermen in his 

 division did not have as good a season as last. In the early part of the 

 summer the fishing was fairly good, but the season as a whole was very 

 3tormy. The fall fishing was almost a failure on account of the weather 

 up till the last week, when the weather was all that could be desired, and 

 the fishermen got some extra good hauls. One tug got five tons at one lift. 

 That good week relieved the fishermen of a good deal of financial difficulty. 



One man was fined |10 and costs for setting a net in the Sauble River. 

 He believes the close season was well observed, as no violations came to his 

 notice, although he kept close watch for same. Bass fishing was very good. 



Lake St. Clair, River Thames and Detroit River. 



Overseer J. D. Campbell, Sylvan, reports that the law has been well 

 observed in regard to illegal fishing in his district in the Aux Sauble River 

 and its tributaries. The angling has been fairly good, but the catch was of 

 coarse fish, there being but few game fish on account of the carp being 

 very numerous. He has granted but two dipi net licenses during the year, 

 and their catch was very small. 



In regard to the game, not one single violation of the Game laws 

 came to his notice. 



Overseer John Crotty, Bothwell, reports a decrease in the catch of fish 

 this year, which may be accounted for by seines not having been used. 



The fish caught were used for home consumption. 



No abuses existed. 



The close season has been strictly observed. 



No illegal fishing came to his knowledge, therefore there were no fines. 



No mill refuse has troubled the fish. 



