1900 ] FISHERIES DEPARTMENT. 35 



Overseer- Clyde, Cataraqui : 



Reports a decrease in the catch of fish during the season due to two of the 

 best fishermen not operating their fishing, as well as to the fact that the fisher- 

 men were not so careful in making out their returns as formerly owing to the 

 repeal of the regulation demanding a sworn declaration as to the correctness of 

 the returas. Again, the ice was later than usual in leaving canal, thus shortening 

 the fishing season in those waters. 



There were a number of convictions during the year for illegal fishing. 



He recommends that no bass measuring less than 12 inches should be taken. 

 He also recommends permitting the resident settlers who fish for domestic use to 

 have 100 yards ot net and pay a fee of $2 each. 



Overseer Driscoll, Howe Island : 



Reports an increase in the catch of fish by angling, over the previous 

 season. 



The fishery regulations were well observed, and no fines were imposed or 

 confiscations made. 



The close seasons were also strictly adhered to, and the law respecting the 

 pollution of waters was not violated. 



There are no fishways in the division. 



Overseer Craig, Glenbumie : 



Reports the fishing last season to have been quite as good as in previous 

 years and that good prices were obtained. Rod fishing was much better than 

 usual, and the bass were larger. This he attributes to the law prohibiting the 

 sale of these fish, as in previous years large quantities were caught in the spring 

 for the market. The residents in the vicinity of the inland lakes urge the 

 destruction of ling and suckers, which they claim are detrimental to the game 

 fish ; and request permission to kill them by any means. 



Many of the lakes have been stocked by the residents with pickerel and 

 appear to be doing well. Herring are plentiful in these waters and the holders 

 of licenses made good catches. The trolling for salmon trout last fall was not 

 very good, as the water was warm and the fish remained in deep water until the 

 close season began. The tourists however had much better sport than usual. 

 The law prohibiting the sale of bass was well observed by the fish dealers ; and 

 the seizure of a quantity of gill-nets had a good effect on other poachers. 



Overseer A. E. Sliter, Morton: 



Reports that his work and vigilance have been effective as shown by the 

 absence of violations as compared with last year. 



The year has, he says, been a fairly successful year for fishermen in his dis- 

 trict and the catch has been well up to the average of former years. Bullheads 

 are caught in large quantities in hoop-nets and are mostly shipped to American 

 markets. 



The close seasons have been well observed and approved of by fishermen. 



Three cases of illegal fishing have been brought to his notice, and informa- 

 tions laid against the parties, with the result that two were fined with costs. 



One gill-net was seized and destroyed it being of no value and not worth 

 drying. 



There are two sawmills in his district and during the past year little, if any, 

 refuse was deposited in the streams, and the sawdust is mostly all used by farmers 

 and others for bedding stock and saving ice. 



There are two good water-powers in the district, with almost new and sub- 

 stantial dams, one being the Dominion Government dam at Morton, which is 

 used to raise and regulate the level of the Rideau canal between Jones' Falls and 

 Brewer's mills, and is opened up at times during the year to keep a uniform 



