16 THE EEPOET UPON No. 13 



improvement being noticed over previous years, due no doubt to the abolition of 

 net licenses in these waters. Bass fishing has been especially good, and tourists 

 have expressed great satisfaction at the excellent fishing there, which is reputed 

 now to be the best in the Dominion. The number of tourists visiting that sec- 

 tion is increasing, and very few instances have occurred of law violation in re- 

 gard to permits, etc. 



Speckled trout are still plentiful in the northern streams. Guides are begin- 

 ning to realize the benefit of taking out guide licenses, and American tourists are 

 now asking for licensed guides in preference to those without licenses, realizing 

 that the license is a badge of competency and good service. Partridges are very 

 plentiful, due to the wise provision of the two years close season, which has per- 

 mitted them to multiply very rapidly. 



The revision of the game laws pertaining to deer, restricting each hunter to 

 one deer, will, in his opinion, have very good results, as the large number of deer 

 shipped out each season, under previous regulations allowing two deer to each 

 hunter, was rapidly decimating the species. 



In travelling the northern sections he found that moose were reported as 

 plentiful, and be met hunters with some very fine specimens of moose heads. 



There are many flocks of plover and snipe about Lake Kipissing and other 

 parts of the district. 



Beaver and otter are increasing very rapidly. 



Ducks are fairly numerous, especially in the northern section of the district. 



Wild geese are seldom seen in the vicinity of Lake Nipissing, but farther 

 north can be found in considerable numbers. 



The suggestion made that a general gun license be provided is in his opinion 

 a good one, as it would help to check the indiscriminate carrying of guns, shoot- 

 ing birds, etc., by foreigners employed on railway construction, and small boys. 



Warden J. T. Robinson, of Sault Ste. Marie, reports that he has been over 

 his district twice, and is pleased to say that he finds a very great improvement in 

 general. There is a desire on the part of t!iose engaged in fishing, trapping and 

 hunting, as well as settlers, to protect the game and fish, and observe the law. 

 Violations of the law are not frequent in his district. Some who have tried it 

 have been punished, and it seems to be a warning to others to observe the law. 



Commercial fishing has been up to the average. Fishermen say that fish is 

 on the increase along the north shore of Lake Superior. The reason for this in- 

 crease is owing to the preserve the Department keeps in Lake Superior, which is 

 a good breeding ground, and if licenses are not allowed in this preserve for a few 

 years the fish will be as plentiful as they were a few years ago. This preserve 

 should be protected with a patrol boat. There should be no tug licenses granted 

 for Gargantua ; the mesh should be nothing less than five inches, and then the 

 small fish would get a chance to mature. The law has been well observed by the 

 fishermen in his district. 



Speckled trout is plentiful, and on the inland lakes and streams angling 

 parties report good catches. There are complaints in the Soo about the tourists 

 getting permits to angle. The anglers have obeyed the laws well, as no violations 

 have come to his notice. 



The preserve in Lake Superior is one of the best breeding grounds for white- 

 fish and lake trout in the Province, and if the Department refuse to grant fishing 

 licenses in the preserve, Lake Superior will be well stocked with fish in a few 

 vears. 



