28 THE REPORT OF THE [ No. 68 



in other years, and the fisherman seems desirous of carrying out the regulations 

 of the department, as from my ditferent visits to the fishing stations and markets 

 I find that the law has been well observed. The Indians have abandoned the 

 selling of bass and other fish prohibited by law. There has been a large in- 

 crease of tourists this year. They report the fishing good, and have observed the 

 law well. Poachers in inland lakes have been less, and the farmers have assisted 

 in the protection of the fish more than in other years. Everyone speaks highly 

 of the present regulations for the protection of fish. 



Overseer Labatt, Victoria Harbour: 



Repoits that the pollution of the waters in his division by bark falling off 

 the sawlogs is proving detrimental to the fisheries and recommends that some 

 steps be taken to have the nuisance abated. The nets of the fishermen suffered 

 considerably from this cause. 



He succeeded in capturing one trap-net during the season, which he destroyed. 



The several close seasons were strictly observed. 



Overseer Waddell. Leith : 



Reports a very good fishing season in his division although the fish were late 

 coming on to the shoals on account of the fine weather prevailing. 



The close seasons were well observed. 



About one half of the total catch was exported to the United States and the 

 other half used for home consumption. 



He had two parties prosecuted for illegal fishing, one of whom got off, for 

 want of evidence, and the other pleaded guilty and was fined. 



Four nets were confiscated and sold. 



Overseer Stewart, Gillies, Hull : 



Reports a slight decrease in the catch in his division, although the fishing 

 in the beginning of the season was very good. 



All the fish caught were sold in Canada and used chiefly for home consump- 

 tion. 



No abuses of any kind came to his knowledge, and there were no convic- 

 tions. 



The fishing laws and regulations were well observed, as were also the several 

 close seasons. 



The law respecting the pollution of streams was also respected. 



There is only one fishway in the district. It is situated near the mouth of 

 the Saugeen River; it is of little use, however, owing to the obstruction at the 

 mouth of the river. 



Overseer Stead, Sarnia : 



Reports that in the beginning of the season there was a very large catch of 

 pickerel, but so soon as fine weather set in the catch fell off. The fishermen were 

 unable to take advantage of the extension of fishing season, granted by the 

 Federal government, owing to the very heavy weather which prevailed. There 

 was not one pound that was not damaged more or less, and nearly all the gill-nets 

 set off" Kettle Point were lost. The prices obtained for the fish were good, and 

 compensated the fishermen somewhat for their loss. About 95 per cent, of the 

 fish taken in the division is disposed of in United States markets, and the balance 

 used for home consumption. No abuses exist and the fishery regulations are well 

 observed. There were two cases of illegal fishing by citizens of the United States. 

 The first of these was for catching pickerel during close season, and the other was 

 fishing gill-nets off Sarnia. In the first case a fine of $10 and costs was imposed, 

 and in the other about one and a half mile of nets was confiscated, besides a quan- 



