46 THE REPORT UPON No. 32 



Overseer A. 0. Boynton., of Kirhfield, reports that the waters of the 

 Trent Valley Canal afford plenty of sport to the local fishermen. The bass 

 are becoming more plentiful every year, and there are a few maskinonge. 

 Carp are to be had in thousands west of the "Lift Lock." 



His division includes one of the best duck shooting grounds in the Pro- 

 vince. The marshy lands lying along the Trent Valley Canal were sown a 

 few years ago with wild rice, which now makes an ideal hatching and feed- 

 ing ground. The ducks were more plentiful this year than for some years 

 previous, and although hosts of sportsmen took advantage of the open season, 

 no violations of the law were brought to his notice. 



Muskrats are increasing rapidly, although a large number are taken 

 every spring, nearly 500 being taken by trappers in April, an Increase of 

 nearly 200 over the same month of the previous year. 



A few deer have been seen, but none were to be had during the open 

 season, and no violations have been known. It is to be hoped that they may 

 become more plentiful. All the citizens are quite anxious to see the law 

 enforced, so that each year may see both game and fish more plentiful. 



Overseer A. Bradshaw, of Lindsay, reports that the number of bass and 

 maskinonge caught in that section during the trolling season was about 

 the same as last year, although fishing when the season opened was better 

 than last year, larger sized fish having been taken, but the dry, hot month of 

 September was not as good for fishing as that month had been last year. 



The close season was an ideal one for the protection of the fish while 

 spawning; rough and windy weather for the most part of that season pre- 

 vailed, a,nd this protection given by nature herself while the fish were 

 depositing their ova on the spawning beds, and the vigilant watch which 

 he kept up, prevented destruction, which under less favourable conditions 

 might have been attempted by unscrupulous poachers. 



He cannot too strongly reiterate his opinion that the close season for 

 maskinonge should begin on April 1st and not the 15th of that month, and 

 he also believes that one-half the number which is now allowed to be caught 

 in one day by one person would be enough. Owing to the number of people 

 who come there to fish from other parts of the Province of Ontario, and 

 live in camps or cottages along the waters during the summer, two mas- 

 kinonge and four bass each in one day should be sufficient for them. 



Frogs, which are protected during May and June in each year in Vic- 

 toria County should in his opinion have general protection, if not over the 

 whole Province, at least in all the northern counties along the wa'^ers of the 

 Trent Valley Canal. 



The law was well observed in that section, as far as he could usceriain. 

 Millmen and others lived up to the law, and gave no troubb-* iluring iLe 

 year. The water is low at this time of writing in the river and lakes, but 

 is expected to reach its normal condition when the fall rains are over. 

 Surveys for the new lock and dam at Lindsay are about completed, and work 

 is supposed to begin on them in the near future, and the old fishway in the 

 dam is not likely to be of any more use. Next spring a new one will be 

 required, if it is to be maintained there. 



Partridge. It is to be sincerely hoped that the measure of protection 

 given these splendid game birds may increase their numbers, which have 

 sadly diminished during the last few years. 



Ducks were plentiful when the shooting season opened, and some good 

 bags were gotten by local sportsmen. The protection given these fine game 

 birds during their breeding season is naturally being felt in their yearly 



