40 THE REPORT OF THE [ No. 68 



There are quite a number of saw mills in his district but no violation of the 

 law respecting the pollution of waters occurred. 



There are five fishways which are now in a good state of repair. There 

 were two of them out of repair, which the owners rectified on being notified. 



Overseer Terry, Queensville : 



Reports thatthethree guardians upon the Holland riversucceededthisspring in 

 protecting the fish very thoroughly during the spawning season. The maskinonge 

 were plentiful upon the spawning grounds. The guardians have worked faith- 

 fully and their persistant viligance has had a good effect in deterring poachers. 



I am much pleased to hear from the summer residents at Orchard Beach and 

 other resorts that the past summer has been the best for many years for trolling 

 for maskinonge, and for bass fishing with rod and line. 



It is quite evident that the large measure of protection given is having a 

 marked effect in the increase of these fine fish ; and it is gratifying to note that 

 with this increase more people are continually ranging themselves on the side of 

 the law, and demanding its rigid enforcement. 



The lake and Holland River are often free from ice before the fifteenth of 

 April, when close season for maskinonge begins, this gives opportunity for troll- 

 ing before fifteenth of April. 



The lake trout spawn during October and part of November upon the many 

 rocky shoals scattered along the east shore ot the lake and about Georgina, Snake, 

 Fox, and Thorah islands. 



The residents along the shore are very indifferent to the protection of these 

 fish as they have no opportunity to catch them except the short season that they 

 may troll. 



I would recommend that residents be granted a permit to spear through the 

 ice for trout, whitefish and herring, attaching a nominal fee. This would cause a 

 general interest in the protection of the fish, and the number taken with the spear 

 would be of nc account compared with the damage done by the nets. This privi- 

 lege of spearing should not extend to Cook's Bay. 



I call your attention to the needed change in the close season for lake trout 

 The principal part of the spawning is done during October and nearly all the 

 eggs are deposited before the fir&t of November, when the close season begins. 

 The close season should extend from the 10th of October to the 1st of December. 

 As the law now stands, trout filled with spawn are actually sold during the month 

 of October and it cannot be prevented, persons having them in their possession 

 claiming that they were caught by trolling." 



Overseer Mair, Lanark: 



States that the only fish which are to be found in his district are pike, pic- 

 kerel and bass. These fish are taken by means of hook-and-line only, and are 

 used for home consumption. Tne only product of the waters that was exported 

 from the division was frogs, some $200 worth having been shipped. 



The close seasons have been generally well observed, and he has reason to 

 believe that very little illegal fishing was carried on. 



Overseer Hughson, Orangeville: 



States that there are many fine speckled trout rivers in his division and a 

 few lakes and ponds; that the latter are almost entirely depleted of fish, owing 

 to the want of protection in former years. He strongly urges the re-stocking of 

 these waters and is of opinion that black bass would be desirable. All the fish 

 canght in his division are used for home consumption. There were no means, 

 however, of procuring an) thing like an estimate, as all fishing was carried on by 

 means of hook and line. The close seasons were well observed and the farmers 



