72 THE EEPOET UPON No. 13 



He had several parties fined for the catching of rats out of season by digging 

 them out. It seemed to have the desired effect, and keeps others from doing it. 

 He has been t-alking to a number of fur buyers, and gave each one a copy of the 

 game laws. He proposes that they buy no furs caught out of season, and they all 

 quite agreed about it, as they think they would get a better class of furs by 60 

 doing. The cotton-tail hare seems very plentiful in some parts of that district. 



Overseer W. H. Johnson, of Harwood, reports that fisihing has been excellent 

 in Rice Lake this season. There were good catohes, and a great number of large 

 ones from 15 to 23 lbs. Black bass fishing was very good in his district, and a 

 large number were caught. There were not as many tourists this year as in 

 former years. The water was not quite so high as in 1909, and in the spawning 

 season the water fell very fast, and in consequence a lot of spawn and little fish 

 perished. It is his opinion that the fish in Rice Lake are increasing in numbers. 



The fishery laws have been fairly well observed. One instance of illegal fish- 

 ing came to his notice. He gave chase to a party fishing, for about three miles, 

 and would have succeeded in capturing them but for a gasoline launch running up 

 and taking them on. However, he telephoned to Capt. Hunter, and Capt. Carson 

 of the patrol boat " Naiad," to come to his assistance, and was told by Capt. 

 Carson that he had found out who the parties were, and would attend to them. 



Muskrats are not as numerous as in former years. He would suggest that 

 trapping be stopped the 15th or 20th April, as muskrats are being trapped too 

 closely, and it would be a great help in increasing the numbers in future. It 

 would also be a protection to fish in spawning season. 



Ducks are quite plentiful. Partridge and black squirrels are increasing, he 

 having seen more this year than for a number of years. 



He has had a great deal of trouble keeping blinds cut down from the rice beds, 

 but could not find who the parties were using them. He has also heard footing on 

 Sundays, and has made enquiries concerning same, but no one was able to give him 

 any information. 



Overseer John Jones, of Fenelon Falls, reports that the law regarding fishing 

 has been strictly observed in the waters in his division, and there has been no 

 illegal fishing at all. The bass and maskinonge appear plentiful, and some fine 

 specimens were caught. This season they had the usual number of tourists, who 

 all report the fishing good. The close season for frogs is having the desired effect, 

 they being more numerous this season than they have been for several years past. 



He would suggest that the close season for bass and maskinonge should com- 

 mence on April 1st instead of the 15th, as the fish go up the creeks and spawn 

 some seasons before the close season starts. The lunge and bass were nearly 

 through spawning in Sturgeon Lake on the 15th April, 1909. He thinks the close 

 season for trout in the waters north of there should be from October 15th to 

 November 15th, instead of from November 1st to December 1st, as he finds the 

 trout are spawning almost every season before October 20th. 



In Cameron Lake and Burnt River, and the waters immediately adjoining, 

 there is a species of fresh water herring that run in October and November, and 

 that is the only time in the season they are seen or can be caught. 



He finds that the carp come into these waters from Lake Simcoe, up the 

 canal by way of the lift lock at Kirkfield, and that there are quite a few in 

 Balsam Lake already. They are very destructive to the other fish, and there should 

 be some way of preventing them getting into these waters, if it could be done. 



