1909 GAME AND FISHERIES. 23 



Overseer Charles H. Knight, of Byng Inlet, reports that the gasoline launch 

 ** Charlotte " was put in commission, and proved a great help in the season's opera- 

 tions. He has had no complaint from the licensed fishermen. They have been very 

 law abiding, and to some extent have been a help to him in keeping down illegal fish- 

 ing, as they find it in their interest to do so. The catch of Whitefish and Trout will 

 not be as heavy this season as last. He was called to burn nine trap nets at Bad. 

 River, but so far he has not been able to learn who the owner is. He has had one 

 conviction for fishing nets without license so far this year. Bass and Pickerel were 

 plentiful, more Pickerel having been caught by angling in Magnetawan River this 

 season than for the three years previous. This is owing to vigilant protection in 

 spawning season. Deer are not as numerous in this locality as last year, owing to 

 their having been run out with dogs in September. Partridge are on the increase, 

 owing to the close season afforded them by the Department. He says that the law 

 has been well observed in his division, better than any previous year. He thinks the 

 licensing of guides a good move, and believes it has a good effect, and thinks a good 

 move would be to license trappers, say, a fee of $5.00. 



Lake Huron (Proper) and River St. Clair. 



Overseer H. A. Blunden, of Sarnia, reports that the season opened fairly early 

 with a continuous spell of south and southwest winds enabling the fishermen to set 

 their nets without much trouble. Along the St. Clair River, the seine fishermen, 

 and Lake Huron from the mouth of the river as far north as Blue Point, the pound 

 net fishermen, reported a light catch during the early fishing season, which he thinks 

 can be accounted for by the spell of south winds before mentioned driving the fish 

 out into deep water and besides he heard the American fishermen were obtaining 

 a large haul on their side of the Lake, therefore proving that the winds have an 

 effect on the fish. Since the fishermen before mentioned have reset their pound 

 nets for the fall trade he understands that they are getting very satisfactory hauls. 

 The fishermen operating between Blue Point and Grand Bend reported a more satis- 

 factory season so far than the ones to the south of that point, particularly in white- 

 fish and trout. He is sorry to say there were more prosecutions for catching and 

 offering for sale small or illegal fish this season than usual, probably owing to the 

 small catches in the first part of the season, but since the beginning of fall opera- 

 tions and the returns have been greater there seems to be no cause for complaint. 

 Taking the season as a whole he has found the fishermen taking a deeper interest 

 in their own welfare by assisting the hatcheries to collect spawn and otherwise obeying 

 the laws. In the immediate vicinity of Sarnia there seems to be no partridge, but 

 he learned from his travels through the outlying districts when he was posting 

 notices and otherwise looking after the interests of the Department that there were 

 a few to be had, and he thinks it was a timely act of the Department in putting on 

 a longer close season. Quail do not seem to be as numerous as he would like to see 

 them as their covers are gradually being laid low. Geese are already to be seen 

 flying south in large flocks. Ducks have been plentiful this season, Mink seem 

 to be plentiful, and, owing to their destructive raids on poultry and the ready sale 

 for their pelts they are much sought after. Muskrats are very numerous in Sarnia 

 Bay if their odd huts are any indication of their numbers, but there does not seem 

 to be as much destruction from them in the ditches and watercourses as usual, prob- 

 ably owing to the past two seasons being so uncommonly dry, not affording them ag 

 much water, for protection as they usually seem to require. 



