1900 ] FISHERIES DEPARTMENT. 27 



Port Arthur by way of the North Shore, stopping at all the small ports and 

 especially Nepigon. It is also intended co advertise the district extensively as a 

 fishing district. 



Leasing of Lakes. 



"I have been asked by several parties whether the Department would lease 

 some of the inland lakes for a term of years on condition that the lessees protect 

 the lakes, erect buildings, etc. There are a number of lakes which could be leased 

 in this way, as they are not being fished now in any way and applications will 

 undoubtedly be sent in next summer. 



Overseer James Whalen, Port Arthur: 



Reports that no complaints have been made to him of any abuses existing 

 and that none have come to his notice. So far as he has been able to ascertain 

 the close season has been well observed and no illegal fishing done. 



In his opinion it would be a good thing for the department and the fisher- 

 men if a number of the large inland lakes were thrown open for fishing purposes. 

 In some of the lakes he is informed that the fish are so thick that they cannot 

 live, and suggests care being used in the granting of licenses to see that the fish 

 were not exterminated by too many fishing in any one lake. There should, 

 he thinks, be a handsome revenue in this for the Government. He is of opinion 

 also that in some lakes where sturgeon is plentiful the fishermen should be allow- 

 ed to use pound nets or such other nets as might be necessary. 



Overseer Van florman, Sault Ste. Marie: 



States that about 95 per cent, of the fish caught is exported to the United 

 States and the balance used for home consumption. 



There was very little fishing carried on after 15th October, as all the tugs 

 were laid up and the nets removed by that date. 



No abuses of any kind existed and the close seasons were strictly observed. 



No fines were imposed, nor any confiscations made, and no illegal fishing of 

 any kind came to his notice. 



The law respecting pollution of waters was strictly adhered to. There are no 

 fishways in the division. 



North Channel of Lake Huron. 



Overseer Oliver, Little Current: 



This officer reports, that notwithstanding the very severe weather experienc- 

 ed by the fishermen last fall, the fishing has been good and in most places, better 

 than in 1899. He would favour the licensing of trap-nets, which are now pro- 

 hibited altogether, as they will then be under the supervision of the fishery 

 overseer. He would also favour the use of 2| inch mesh for herring gill-nets, as 

 the run of herring in this district is smaller than in other waters. 



Overseer John Paul, Loring : 



Reports that angling was very good during the season, being carried on 

 chiefly by the residents for their family use. No netting of any kind was per- 

 mitted and no violations of the law came to his notice. 



The close seasons were also strictly observed. 



Overseer John A. Johnson, Parry Sound : 



Reports the fishing operations in his division for 1900 to have been fairly 

 successful. The fishermen seem to be well satisfied with the present regulations. 

 Trap-netting and seine fishing seem to have been less vigorously prosecuted than 



