1907 GAME AND FISHERIES. 



propagation of these fish, which to many anglers afford the most enjoyable 

 of all sports, and it is hoped that during next year some plan may be 

 decided upon which will enable this work to be carried on without inter- 

 ruption. 



Angling Permits. 



Many of our summer visitors who were obliged to take out angling per- 

 mits before being able to legally angle in our waters expressed themselves 

 as being pleased with the new regulations, believing that now fishing would 

 be better protected, for no longer could ignorance of the regulations 

 as to size and number of fish which could be legally caught be urged as an 

 excuse. Our officers fulfil their duty in regard to the selling of these per- 

 mits in a much more satisfactory manner this year than last, owing, I 

 believe, to the better understanding of their instructions, and in conse- 

 quence the revenue received from the sale of these exceeded considerably 

 that of last year. 



Patrol Service. 



The patrol service during the year was performed partly by boats owned 

 by the Government, and partly by boats chartered for that purpose. The 

 "I'll See" was put in commission on the Georgian Bay as soon as the ice 

 had disappeared in the spring, but it was found that she was not suited to 

 those waters, and it was thought that the protection of the fisheries would 

 be best served by chartering a steamboat, and the "Mary L." was then 

 secured. For three months, with the assistance of the "Pearl" (which was 

 used exclusively for patrolling the waters of Parry Sound and the Bustard 

 Islands), she patrolled the waters of the Georgian Bay and the North Channel 

 of Lake Huron in a very satisfactory manner; and while it was necessary 

 at times to impose fines, the law in my opinion was never better observed. 

 Capt. Gidley, who was in charge of the "I'll See," acted as an officer of the 

 Department on board the "Mary L." and directed where the boat should go. 



During November, the close season for whitefish and salmon trout, the 

 tug "Thos. Maitland" was secured as an additional protection of those waters, 

 and the officer of the Department who remained on board during her term 

 of service reports that undoubtedly the presence of this boat prevented many 

 nets being fished that otherwise would have been fished. 



The purchase of the "Lurline" for patrol service was a wise one. She 

 was well adapted for that purpose, and but for her untimely end the fisheries 

 of the Georgian Bay and North Channel of Lake Huron would have received 

 next year the protection which long ago they should have had. 



The "Pearl" was chartered for three months during the summer, and 

 carefully searched for trap nets, finding but few — a different situation from 

 that of last year, the officer in charge assigning the reason to the thorough 

 patrol which this boat gave- to those waters, thus preventing fishermen, who 

 year after year have made a profitable income out of the illegal trap net, 

 from using this net. 



The "Eva Bell" patrolled, as in former years, the Rideau waters. The 

 officer in charge reports the law being well observed. For three months the 

 "Dean" patrolled the waters of the Bay of Quinte, and filled a long felt 

 want. Her services during the past summer prevented much illegal fishing, 

 which year after year has been going on in spite of the watchfulness of our 

 over^'eers. There is no doubt that a constant patrol should be kept of these 

 waters for at least six months every year. 



