46 REPORT OF THE No. 32 



Overseer D. E. Younghusband, South March, reports that during the 

 year 1907, the law was fairly well observed in his district, with a few excep- 

 tions. There was very little angling done. The fish generally caught are 

 pike, suckers, bullheads, perch, sunfish, sturgeon, catfish, a few pickerel, 

 and an occasional small bass. He thinks .that trout might be introduced into 

 the Ottawa River. If the Georgian Bay Canal goes ahead, and the proposed 

 work of raising the water about five feet in this district is done, there should 

 be room for a good supply of trout. The waterfowl would then have a bet- 

 ter feeding ground. 



Game was fairly plentiful, and close seasons and Sundays very well 

 observed. One fine was imposed for Sunday shooting, and two guns were 

 confiscated. In his district only an occasional partridge was seen, although 

 ducks were numerous. 



PETERBORO, NORTHUMBERLAND, VICTORIA AND OtHER InLAND COUNTIES. 



Overseer Bradshaw, Lindsay, reports that bass and maskinonge were 

 very plentiful in the waters of his division below Lindsay, and good catches 

 of these fish were made. He is of the opinion that a decided increase in the 

 number of maskinonge is visible over last year; this he attributes to the 

 growing feeling amongst all good citizens that it is a great wrong to destroy 

 the parent fish in their spawning season, and the dread of heavy fines being 

 imposed by others less scrupulous, whose only aim is to escape the strong 

 arm of the law, if they can. 



The opening of fishing in Scugog Lake on the 2nd September last was 

 welcomed by many people who were not allowed to fish in that lake for the 

 last two years. Bass were plentiful, and some maskinonge were also caught 

 there, but, owing to low water, and the weedy condition thereof, fishing was 

 not as good as some expected it would be after two years of a rest. 



The water has risen in Sturgeon Lake, and the river below the dam at 

 Lindsay to its normal depth, while in Scugog Lake, although not as high as 

 it usually is at this time of the year, there is a great improvement in its 

 height over what it was in the past summer, and if the winter is not too 

 severe the fish are not likely to suffer from the lowness of the water. The 

 catch of coarse fish was about the same as last year. 



He is strongly of opinion that the close season for maskinonge should 

 begin on April 1st, instead of the 15th, as he knows from practical experi- 

 ence, having often seen maskinonge on their spawning beds in the first week 

 of April, and he also believes that the number of bass and maskinonge which 

 is now allowed is too many. 



There is one fishway in his division, and it seems to work all right in 

 spring when there is high water, and this is when it is needed. However, 

 it is reported that a new dam is to be built at Lindsay, and if so there will 

 have to be a new fishwajr also, if one is still kept in the dam. 



The law was fairly well kept in his division during the last year. Only 

 three breachs (killing maskinonge) came to his knowledge, and the parties 

 were promptly fined and the matter reported to the Department at the time. 



Mill owners and others gave no trouble during the season. 



The amalgamation of the game and fish protection seems to work all 

 right. As a rule, when patrolling to guard the fish, water-fowl and fur- 

 bearing animals that make their homes along the water, also receive protec- 

 tion at the same time, so that extra work is avoided in each case. 



