1909 GAME AND FISHERIES. 51 



Overseer F. Taylor, of HuntsviUe, reports that bass fishing has been poor this 

 reason in the waters adjoining HuntsviUe and vicinity, especially the first part of 

 the season. Lake trout was fairly good. No fish are sold or exported at Hunts- 

 villa. The only abuse he complained of was the taking of undersized bass. Close 

 seasons have, he believes, been fairly well observed. He had some complaints of 

 violations, but they fell through on investigation and no fines were imposed. He 

 believes the waters are well protected, and the mill owners have been careful this 

 year in respect to sawdust. Some people claim sawdust kills the fish, but no proof 

 has been brought yet to show that such is the case. 



Overseer Ira Toole, of Omemee, reports that the fishing for maskinonge was the 

 best this season that he has seen for some years, and a good size also. Bass fish- 

 ing was ver}' good, but there are not maiiy who fish for them there, the fishing is 

 mostly done with the trolling line for maskinonge. The catch of muskrat was 

 not 60 large last spring as the year before owing to the low water when the ice 

 came, which froze them out and they wandered away from the water and died. 

 Mink are about the same as last year, pretty scarce. He tliinks it would be a good 

 move to give them the same protection as the muskrat, as it is a common thing 

 here to see mink traps set in September, which is two months before they are 

 prime. Frogs seem to be holding their own pretty well since they were protected 

 two years ago, but lie thinks they should get protection for at least two years aU 

 over as there are some places where they are cleaned out entirely and it would be the 

 same there only there are a few places where it is impossible to get at them on 

 account of the marsh and fallen timber. Partridge are about the same as they 

 have been for some years here, disappearing as the woods are cut down. The 

 duck shooting has been very good there this season; in numbers they seem to be 

 about the same as last year. He has had about the usual trouble with poachers and 

 law-breakers; a few of them have quit the business, but there are plenty left yet 

 to keep an overseer busy. 



Overseer C. Twamley, of Cavan, reports that the speckled trout are becoming 

 very scarce in his locality, and he would strongly recommend the close season to 

 commence on the 1st day of September. The bass were more plentiful in the 

 spawning season than usual. He never saw as many in the creek during the 

 months of May and June. In one place he suspected spearing was going on. He 

 searched and found a spear, broke the handle and brought the spear home. As 

 for ducks, the black species were more numerous all summer than he has ever 

 seen before. The partridge are increasing. The people are observing the law very 

 well. 



Overseer John Watson, of Gcesarea, reports that he is much pleased to say^fish 

 are on the increase and the cold rough weather in the spawning season with his 

 close watch has given them good protection during the past season. There have 

 been a fine lot of large maskinonge taken out this season, but he would say to re- 

 duce the catch to two maskinonge and four bass. He would also advise that the 

 close season come in on the first of April, as in years past, when all took fish in 

 spawning season. He has some seasons found the killing all over by the fifteenth. 

 He also tliinks that fishing for bass in winter should be prohibited, 

 as more bass can be killed in one day through the ice than in 



