1908 GAME AND FISHERIES. 27 



season opened late, and in the first part of the season the tugs did well. In 

 July and August the catch was light, in September very good but the 

 fishermen could not make regular trips on account of rough weather. 

 In October (the weather was very -stormy, and the fishermen did 

 not do much on that account. On the 9th and 10th November there 

 were landed at that port fully 30 tons of fine large trout, principally female 

 trout, undoubtedly on their way to the spawning beds. In his opinion there 

 could not be a better way of depleting the waters than by extending open 

 season. Otherwise the close season was fairly well observed. 



In his division there were four convictions, one for shooting fish, two 

 for spearing pike in Chesley Lake, and all fined $5 and costs, one for retain- 

 ing undersized bajss taken from Saugeen River, fined |10 and costs. 



Pai-tridges are more plentiful this year than for some years. The past 

 spring was dry and favourable to the young birds, and the close season was 

 better observed. 



Hares are very numerous this season, and close season was well observed. 



Lake St. Clair, River Thames and Detroit River. 



Overseer John Crotty, of Bothioell, reports an increase in catch as per 

 statement of last year, but that is accounted for by returns being received 

 from all the fishermen this season. 



Probably 75 per cent, of the catch was exported, the balance being for 

 home consumption. 



No abuses came to his notice. 



The close seasons, as far as he knew, were strictly adhered to. 



No violations of the Act were brought to his knowledge, and consequently 

 there were no fines or confiscations. 



There are no mills in use in his division, and no dams or fishways. 



Overseer Remi Laframhoise, of Canard River, reports that the carp fish- 

 ing has been very light, having fallen off about 40 per cent, from last year. 

 He thinks from what he can learn from the fishermen that the high water 

 was the cause, as the carp had the chance to get into the big marshes where 

 the fishermen could not get at them. Pike has also fallen off, while the 

 ])ickerel, bass and perch have increased. Whitefish have also been scarce in 

 the Detroit River, I presume on account of the constant northwest and west 

 winds, and the river being nearly half its width west of Bois Blanc 

 Island, and the heavy blasting going on at that point would naturally keep 

 them back during the year. He seized one hoop net, one minnow net, night 

 lines, and also prosecuted three different parties for illegal fishing. Two were 

 fined, and one let off on suspended sentence. He has been over his territory 

 on different occasions, and is satisfied that our licensed fishermen have fairly 

 well observed the laws. 



Re Game. There was any amount of ducks in the Detroit River in the 

 spring of the year, but very few in the fall. Quails are quite numerous, but 

 on account of the dry fall there were not many killed. Muskrats are very 

 plentiful. He has found some of their houses broken, and he is informed 

 that some people are hunting them with guns and dogs, and it is the dogs 

 that are destroying the houses. He thinks that any person hunting muskrats 

 in the marshes should be prohibited from having a dog with him. 



Overseer Richard Little, of WaJJaceburg, reports that the fishing for 

 both large and small mouth bass has been the best since he has been acting 

 as game and fishery overseer, and old anglers tell him that it has not been 

 equalled in ten years. 



