38 THE REPORT UPON No. 13 



enforced. No fishing licenses were sold, as tourists all pass through this section 

 to either of the lakes — Simcoe to the west, or Balsam to the east. The ducks 

 seem to be more plentiful here this year than for a number of years previous. 

 Muskrats are decreasing rapidly, there being not half the number taken by trap- 

 pers during the month of April of 1909 as there were in the same month of 1908. 

 Partridge — Since protection has been given to f^iese splendid game birds they 

 are becoming quite numerous, which all are pleased to note. 



An occasional deer is seen wandering through this division during the summer 

 or early fall, but they do not seem to make this a stopping place. 



Mink are to be 'had along the waters of this district, but are quickly called 

 upon to surrender their lives for the valuable fur at all times. He thinks it 

 would be wise to give these little animals some protection. He thinks the law 

 has been well observed, although a great many take all the good they can get 

 out of both fish and game as far as the law allows. 



Overseer A. Bradshaw, of Lindsay, reports that the catch of maskinonge was 

 not as large this season as it was last year. This was owing to the high water in 

 Sturgeon Lake and Scugog River, below Lindsay, the water during the angling 

 season being so high that the fish were able to keep in the marshes and weedy 

 places, where trolling could not be done; but some very large 'lunge were caught. 

 Fish of twenty pounds were caught during the summer. Bass were caught in 

 large numbers, and anglers had no reason to complain. The spawning season was 

 windy, and the fish did not suffer while on their spawning grounds. In Scugog 

 Lake bass were very plentiful, and a larger class of maskinonge were caught there 

 than had been for many years, and the water has kept high there all summer, 

 and this is what is required 'to make Scugog Lake what it used to be — first-class 

 fishing grounds. Frogs, in his opinion, should be protected for three years in 

 all the waters of the Trent Canal, and in their banding season at all times, as is 

 done in the County of Victoria. If frogs were so protected in this way they 

 would be of great value to the people who catch them, and also be a valuable 

 asset to the Province. Partridge — It is pleasing to know, from authentic sources, 

 that the timely protection given these noble game birds is having the desired 

 effect. Ducks were to be had in large numbers, and good shooting was in order. 

 Sportsmen seemed well satisfied. Shore birds and waders are also on the increase. 

 Owing to low water during last winter, muskrats were not as plentiful last April 

 as they were in the same month last year. When the muskrats built their Avinter 

 quarters in the fall the water was up to its normal height, but during the winter 

 it became so low that the muskrats' houses were left high and dry. This pre- 

 vented the muskrats from getting their food supply from the water, which is 

 lily roots and other water plants, and the animals had to leave their houses in 

 order to find food elsewhere. Under such conditions, the catch of muskrats was 

 not as large as usual, but prices were higher, and trappers had no reason to com- 

 plain of their season's catch. Mink are getting scarcer every year, and trappers 

 are desirous of having them protected. The law was fairly well observed in that 

 section. Only two breaclies came to his Icnowledge upon which he could take 

 action — a case of killing a maskinonge and a breach of the Bird Act of 1897 — 

 and these he had before County Police Magistrate P. D. Moore, K.C. A fine was 

 imposed in both cases, and the matter reported to the Department at the time. 

 Mill owners and others gave no trouble during the year. The new locks and 

 dam at Lindsay are under construction, but will not be completed this year. The 



