44 THE REPORT OF THE No. 31 



being distributed by the great railway institutions, how hotels and boarding 

 houses are enquired for, beyond the possibility of an adequate supply, and the 

 unlimited wealth that will be distributed in consequence of this tide of touris ts 

 that these lakes, if properly cared for, will be to Eastern Ontario what the 

 prairies are to the citizens of the Northwest. I think you will concur in the 

 opinion that I cannot impress upon you too strongly, the imperative necessity 

 of a vigorous policy in adopting every available, and the best possible, means to 

 maintain its present standard of excellence before it becomes too late, and 

 depression sets in as it has in other parts of Ontario. 



The practicability of these anglers' associations is exemplified by resolutions 

 forwarded to you requesting, for good causes, that no licenses be granted for 

 certain groups of lakes, where hitherto licenses had been granted, while others 

 by similar resolutions have requested licenses to be granted for their group 

 (where formerly no licenses were granted) for the purpose of ridding the waters 

 of destructive fish. And further that local overseers be appointed, who shall 

 reside at, or within, easy access of such group. This is notable testimony that 

 each local association is reasonable and intensely interested, and will commend 

 itself to your judgment. 



I submit, therefore, the wisdom of organizing kindred anglers' associations 

 wherever it is possible so to do, and that all possible encouragement ought to be 

 given, 8nd that in consequence they will develop into very strong organizations. 



That in so doing your department will save a large expenditure in travel- 

 ling expenses now incurred in mileage by reason of the distance many of your 

 overseers live from the lakes assigned to them, and that the evidence sent for 

 prosecutions are of a more reliable character. That the prevalent practice now 

 adopted by many of your overseers in recommending all applications for licenses 

 that come to their hands under the supposition that they are giving good ser- 

 vice, where in reality they ought to exercise very distinct discretionarj T 

 judgment in recommending or rejecting, according to the condition of their lakes, 

 and have decision of character in carrying it out, is another aspect which would 

 be greatly relieved by these anglers' associations. 



That the appointment of more overseers is necessary, and the expenditure 

 will be warranted in the accomplishment of what your department desires, and 

 that without them, and the assistance of angler's associations, and by reason of 

 the intricate mass of lakes in my district, all efforts towards an adequate pro- 

 tection under any other system will be fruitless. 



In calling your attention to the preservation of minnows and the extermin- 

 ation of ling, I have to say simply that it is a well-known fact that our min- 

 nows are decreasing while ling in a few of our lakes are increasing and my 

 suggestions towards a remedy in this respect is to limit the length of minnow 

 seines, raise a revenue by licenses thereon and expend the same in destroying 

 the ling. You cannot take action too quickly in this matter. 



The patrol boat "Eva Bell" did excellent service last year and her officers, 

 like others, have been acquiring knowledge from experience, and it is widely 

 known and admitted that the chain of water over which she patrols is rapidly 

 increasing in quantity and quality of fish, and the utmost confidence is expressed 

 that through her agency these lakes will be kept in the best possible condition. 



There is still another matter I wish to refer to, and implore your discon- 

 tinuance, namely, the extension of fishing season with hoop nets to first of 

 May. In my opinion this is unwise. Indeed, instead of extending this season 

 you should shorten it to April 1st, for the reason that in the spring bass are 

 moving and will lead into hoop nets in greater numbers than at any other season 

 of the ye^r. The fishermen know this well and I am suspicious of their design 

 in soliciting such extension. 



