253 



can a hundred times better serve the interests of the state than the Fish Commis- 

 sioners of the United States, who are sure to mov^e very wisely and intelligently 

 but slowly. The United States Government could of course co-operate, but each 

 state knows best the variety of fish that can be cultivated within its borders ; 

 and speaking for myself, I should dislike very much to have the powers of the 

 fish commissiim of this state turned over to, or interfered with, in any way by the 

 general government. I regret that I have not more statistics to furnish this 

 assemblage in regard to tlie extent to which the whitefish seems to have been 

 depleted in our great lakes, but this I know, that at the very hom^is of the species 

 known as the brook trout, where formerly they abounded, now a trout dinner 

 will cost a dollar; a whitetish dinner at the lake costs a dollar ; and if this is 

 a step in furnishing cheap food to the iAhabitants in this State then I am mis- 

 taken. I think the commissioners in this State should turn their attention more 

 particularly to the propagation of fish in the lakes and streams I have re- 

 ferred to, and in other streams east of Rochester on the lake shore, than to be 

 so particular in stocking lakes in the "north woods" and in other places that are 

 only accessible to the sportsman. 



I did not intend to say anything when I came here, only to listen; I felt 

 honoured in being invited to come here, but the suggestion in the letter of Mr. 

 Dunning referring the matter to the general government did not meet my ap- 

 proval, and I c )ncur with the gentleman from Michigan in that respect. 



I am obliged to you, Mr. Chairman, for the courtesy of being permitted to 

 address this meeting. 



Chairman : The chair would like to ask of Mr. Green something in regard to 

 the proper size of mesh for nets in the lakes. You have been a practical fisher- 

 man ? 



Mr. Green : I have. 



Chairman : What is your idea of a proper size of mesh for nets — pound nets 

 and gill nets in the lakes ? 



Mr. Grken: I do not think that in gill nets a smaller mesh should be used 

 than 2 1 inch bar. 



Chairman : Two and one-half bar, that makes a 5-inch. 



Mr. Green : Yes ; the average size, then, is three pounds or over. The smaller 

 fish go through. In regard to the pound net, if you have a large mesh a great 

 many fish would be killed. A pound net will clean out any stream, I don't care 

 where it is ; if they took the pains to separate them, took out the small fish and 

 put them back, which the fishermen will not do. 1 have seen boat-loads taken in, 

 and a third of them would not be marketable. 



Chairman : Which is most destructive to fishing, pound or gill nets ? 



Mr. Greev : T think a pound net is. If a gill net is restricted to a proper 

 size mesh, the small ones will go tiirough ; and a pound net takes from a six-inchi 

 'ip to a sturgeon. 



It was suggested by Mr. Amsden that a time be fixed upon for visiting the 

 hatchery at Caledonia, but it was decided to leave the matter open until the. 

 afternoon session. 



Mr. Amsden moved that this committee take a recess until two o'clock^ 



Carried. 



