S2 THE EEPOET UPON" Xo. 13 



three hatcheries on the Muskoka lakes, which, if successful, will do much to keep 

 up the stock of fish. 



Doubtless the patrol boat "Meenagha^' has been an unqualified benefit to the 

 fish protection, giving a wide advertisement of law enforcement, and that the De- 

 partment were wide awake to their duties. 



Overseer C. St. Charles of Madoc, reports that during the past months of the 

 present year the fishery laws in his district have been very well observed. There 

 have been no convictions, and very few complaints. Pickerel has increased a great 

 deal, the catch being larger than previous years. The fishing in Moira Lake is 

 done almost wholly by residents of the village of Madoc, and is carried on more 

 for the sport than for gain. 



The game laws have been well kept this year. There was one conviction on 

 Dec. 21, 1909 — that of a man being found guilty of illegally having in his posses- 

 sion 10 partridges. He was fined $50. There were a few complaints of men hunt- 

 ing deer without licenses. They were all convicted. 



Game is scarce in and around that locality. There were very few ducks, and 

 they are getting scarcer every year. 



Wolves are plentiful in the Townships of Tudor, Grimsthorpe and Lake. They 

 destroy numerous deer. 



Overseer William H. Sivitzer, of Gooderham, reports that the close seasons for 

 fish were well observed, no instances of illegal fishing having come to his notice. 

 The salmon trout catch was up to the average, some fine specimens having been 

 caught. The catch of black bass was better than last year, some lakes having been 

 stocked three or four years ago, which are giving some return this year. They 

 were stocked by the settlers from other waters. There are salmon trout, speckled 

 trout, brook trout, and black bass in his district. There are no fishways in his 

 district. No fish were exported, but all used for home consumption. As far as 

 he knows, the mill owners have observed the law fairly well. There wera no 

 tourists visiting his district, to his knowledge. 



The game laws were well observed. Deer seem to be getting more scarce. 

 He often saw deer years ago in his travels, but has not seen one alive for three 

 years now. He thinks that dogs should be prohibited for a few years, as he has 

 heard of a great many deer being slaughtered to feed the dogs in the winter. 

 Ducks are scarce, and he thinks that the cause is that there is no wild rice in his 

 district. There are quite a lot of muskrats and mink, and some beaver and otter. 

 He has heard of a number of beaver houses being chopped open last winter, and 

 the beaver taken away. He believes there is a quantity of beaver and otter fur 

 carried out by fur buyers. One otter pelt went out by mail. Partridge is plen- 

 tiful. The wood hare or cotton-tail are quite numerous. There are no black or 

 grey squirrels in his district. He thinks the partridge should be protected, or in 

 a few years they will be as scarce as they were two years ago. There were a great 

 many out after them this season. 



Overseer Frederic Taylor, of Huntsville, reports that bass fishing was good 

 this season, and they appear to be on the increase; but, according to information 

 gathered from people on Lake of Bays and Peninsular Lakes, the salmon fishing 

 was not as good as last year. 



No fish were exported. 



No abuses existed. 



The close season has been well observed this year, and he has had no com- 

 plaints. 



