42 THE REPORT ON [ No. 27 



SYNOPSES OF THE FISHERY OVERSEERS' REPORTS IN THE PROVINCE 

 OF ONTARIO FOR THE YEAR 1899. 



District Overseer Jndd reports : 

 rtsiU'That since his appointment as District Fishery Overseer for Eastern Ontario he has 

 endeavored to acquaint himself with the territory over which he has supervision, its con- 

 ditions, its necessities, the administration of the laws and the revenue which may pro- 

 perly be derived therefrom. 



Extent op Territory. 



This territory, which embraces that part of Ontario lying east of a certain line run- 

 ning north through Addington and Renfrew, with the exception of the St. Lawrence 

 River, consists of a net-work of lakes which may be classified into four branches, viz.: 



Those which form the head- waters of the Tay River, consisting of some thirteen lakes 

 situate in the counties of Addington and Frontenac ; 



Those which form the head-waters of the Fall River, and which consist of ten lying 

 in Addington and Frontenac ; 



Those which form the head-waters of the Mississippi River, consisting of six or 

 more situate in Addington and Lanark ; 



Those lying directly upon or tributary to the Rideau waters, of which there are 

 over thirty within Frontenac, Leeds and Lanark. 



This territory has been richly endowed with picturesque lakes running from four to 

 twenty miles in length, with every facility for pleasure and profit. As a resort for tourists 

 it is equal to any in the Dominion. 



Quality op Fish. 



It is inhabited by coarse and game fish, and in many of its lakes salmon-trout, 

 pickerel and whitefish are found. It is capable of famishing a large supply of fish to our 

 markets and, as a source of revenue, may be productive to a much greater extent. 



Most of these waters are in touch with railway and navigation to the St. Lawrence, 

 and hence afford easy transportation. 



Depletion. 



It is a fact, however, that these lakes are greatly depleted of fish, possibly in con- 

 sequence of such easy transportation to the markets. 



Opinion as to Fishery Laws. 



Hitherto there seemed to be a prevailing opinion that the fishery laws and regula- 

 tions were for the rich and not for the poor. They were attributed to class legislation, 

 assuming that protection was for the sportsmen and to deprive the poor man of his fish. 

 Happily this idea is beginning to fade away, and it is being more and more understood 

 that it is in the interests of all that our fishery laws should be strictly enforced. 



Co-operation. 



Happily, also, the officers are meeting with better co-operation and moral support on 

 the part of the citizens in their endeavor to do their duty. 



The question of a cheap and nourishing food supply from our lakes is now considered 

 of so much importance as to cause the displeasure of the people when the executive fail 

 to do their duty in protecting the same. 



The fact is being better understood that if there were no fishery laws and no protec- 

 tion against netters, fish would soon become the dearest article in our markets. 



The angler can disport himself unmolested beyond civilization, because he has the 

 means so to do, but the people not so fortunate in circumstances and not having the means 

 for luxury, do not wish to be deprived of that food which nature provides so abundantly 



