1911 GAME AND FISHERIES. 25 



Nopigon Fish Co. is composed of almost all the fishermen of that section. They 

 have a man paid to look after their business, and they all come in for their share 

 of the profits after the fish have been sold. 



In discussing the fishing with the old-time fishermen oT this section, they 

 fitale that the fish are still in Lake Superior, but that owing to the migrating of 

 the fish, they have gone to other grounds. They come back at intervals, and at 

 times exceptionally heavy catches are noticed. A case was instanced last fall when 

 a fisherman went to raise a pound net. He found that the net was filled, and 

 that hj securel mn:e fish during that one lift than he had cauglit durin*^ the 

 whole summer season. He had several excellent lifts, when the fishing again 

 became poor. 



The cost of fish in this place has increased considerably during the past few 

 years, until now whitefish and trout retail at about 12 cents a pound. But now 

 the profits do not all go to the dealer, as the fishermen are getting a much bigger 

 price for fish than ever before. The Canadian markets during the past few years 

 have also grown at a reasonable rate. At Port Arthur and Fort William the 

 consumption of fish has greatly increased. Ten years ago there was but a com- 

 bined population of some eight thousand people living at the head of the lakes, 

 now there are almost forty thousand. At Fort William, Thos. Craigie has opened 

 up a fish store, and almost his entire catch is disposed of to the citizens of that 

 city. In Port Arthur, Bowman & Co. and the Dominion Fish Co. retail fish, and 

 they dispose of a large amount of fish in the city. There are also a number of 

 the smaller fishermen who dispose of their fish to the meat markets, and who 

 also do some peddling. 



Re Sale of Fish, 



After a careful inspection of the fisheries he finds that the large portion of 

 the fish caught in this section find their way to Canadian markets. Shipments 

 are made east of here, the Toronto market securing the bulk of the fish, whilst 

 some go as far east as Montreal. Then the C. P. R. take quite a lot of fish on their 

 trains east and west. 



The largest shipment of fish from here to American markets are the fat 

 fish, which cannot be marketed on this side. The fat fish all go to the States via 

 Duluth; and they are shipped by the Dominion Fish Co., the Nepigon Fish Co., 

 and Bowman & Co. 



Close Seasons. 



He thinks the close season on Lake Superior ought to be changed. The fisher- 

 men who have been questioned on the matter are of the opinion that the season 

 should be closed from the 15th October to the 15th of November. The present 

 season of ISTovember Ist is too late. During the period from October 15th to 

 November 15th the fish are caught filled with spawn, and everyone of the fisher- 

 men is of the same opinion that the close season is not the right dates at present 

 to regulate the fishing during the spawning season. It should be changed. 



Illegal Fishing. 



As regards illegal fishing, seizures were made east of here by the Soo over- 

 seer last fall of tug and nets of a fisherman at Rossport. . 



