TBE REPORT OF THE [ No. 68 



the gross yield of the different kinds of fish in each division taken in 1900 with 

 those taken in 1899, and showing the increase or decrease (p. 78) ; the total 

 3^ield of each kind of fish in the Province as compared with the total yield of 

 1899, and showing the increase or decrease (p. 80) ; the value of the different 

 kinds of fish taken (p. 81) ; the number of tugs, boats, men, etc., employed in 

 the industry, the quantity of net licensed and the value thereof (p. 81) ; the 

 value of the Ontario fisheries from 1870 to 1900 (p. 82), and the quantity of fry 

 distributed by the Federal Government in the Province since confederation 

 (p. 82). (The two latter tables are compiled from Dominion Reports). 



THE SEASON'S CATCH. 



While, it will be seen, there has been a considerable falling off in our prin- 

 cipal food fishes — the whitefish, lake trout, herring and pickerel, there has been 

 a marked increase in the quantity of the coarser varieties taken. 



With regard to the decrease in the catch in the Lake of the Woods, our 

 overseer specially observes : "If the fisheries in the Lake of the Woods are ever 

 *■ depleted by overfishing, the blame will certainly be more easily laid against the 

 " State of Minnesota than the Province of Ontario, as, until last year, licenses on 

 " the American side were issued indiscriminately, with very few provisions 

 " attached, and at a fee of only $10 per pound net, as compared with the policy 

 " pursued by the Canadian authorities of limiting the number of licenses, and 

 "the higher fee of 850. There were something over 250 pound net licenses 

 " issued on the American side, while but 34 were issued on the Canadian side." 



There can be but little doubt that the past year has in many places 

 been the most unfavorable in years for fishing operations, owing to the heavy 

 storms which have visited our lakes, and the shortage in most places is in a large 

 measure attributed to this cause. Particularly was this the case on Lake Erie 

 and the Georgian Bay, where the results to the fishermen, not only from the 

 diminution of the catch, but on account of the destruction of nets and other gear, 

 were most disastrous. 



Another cogent reason given for the shortage from the Georgian Bay and 

 Lake Superior is, that owing to the large quantity of frozen fish held over from 

 last year, fishing operationsjin these waters were not prosecuted so vigorously nor 

 so late as in former years. 



The unfavorable weather also made it practically impossible for the fishermen 

 to take advantage of the extension of the open season which was granted, and on 

 the whole it is doubtful if the results of such extensions are not rather a 

 detriment than a benefit. 



A new species of herring was last year reported in Lake Ontario, being 

 thought to be a cross between the blue -backed herring and the ciscoe. The 

 species is said to be increasing, and it is believed will ultimately be as numerous 

 as the ciscoe of former years. It is larger than the ciscoe, and is said to command 

 a better price in the market. 



It will also be noticed that the quantity of sturgeon is largely in excess of 

 that taken last year. In Lake Erie, where for many years there has been a 

 gradual decrease, there is this year an increase of over 26,000 lbs., the tota! catch 

 being 169,025 lbs. This fish has greatly increased in value, not only on account 

 of the demand for its flesh, but more particularly for the caviare prepared from 

 its eggs, and the taking of radical measures for the prevention of its extinction 

 has been suggested. On the other hand, the fishermen allege that it is most 

 destructive of the eggs of other fish, and that gallons of freshly absorbed spawn 

 have been taken from a single sturgeon. In that case it is a question whether it 

 is expedient that any steps should be adopted in the direction of protection. 

 The Ontario legislation prevents sturgeon being taken in any manner without a 



