1902 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 49 



prey to other kinds of fish. From April to October they are rarely seen in these 

 waters, and unless they be taken when inshore, they cannot be taken at all. A 

 herring outfit is a comparatively inexpensive one, and many a poor man who 

 has not the means to fish in the regular way would gladly engage in herring 

 fishing for a month or so before the long winter sets in ; in fact, if they are pro- 

 hibited from doing so, a real injustice would be done, and these men are entitled 

 to consideration. 



Whitefish and trout are of better size than usual, owing no doubt to the 

 regulations re small fish, and to more general use of a larger mesh net by fisher- 

 men. 



Maskinonge, our king of fish, are having a hard time to hold his own with 

 his twin brother, the pike, and he would recommend that special facilities be 

 given to pike fishers. 



He would strongly recommend that all common carriers be held liable for 

 the proper labeling of fish packages. 



District Overseer Thwaite, Oshawa, reports that he has been over his dis- 

 tricts many times during 1902, and found that the local overseers had performed 

 their duties satisfactorily. They report that there have been many complaints 

 of illegal fishing and netting, especially in lakes Simcoe and Couchiching. These 

 are large lakes and cannot be properly guarded with canoes and row boats. He 

 would recommend that a small steamer be purchased for this purpose. A patrol 

 boat on these lakes would, he thinks, deter poachers from netting, and stop this 

 illegal fishing. A better feeling is being manifested by both residents and 

 tourists towards the protection of fish. The people seem to be awakening 

 to the fact that reckless and continual trolling for maskinonge can have only 

 one result — the extermination of this highly- prized fish. Of all the lakes 

 Stoney Lake takes the prize for good trolling. This lake is noted for its beau- 

 tiful scenery and healthy atmosphere, and thousands visit it during the summer 

 months in search of rest and recreation. The female portion of the visitors seem 

 to enjoy the fishing as well as the male portion, and have made some big 

 catches. A plan suggested to re-stock Stoney Lake with maskinonge would be 

 to put fishways in the Indian River, which flows from Stoney Lake into Rice 

 Lake, where maskinonge are plentiful besides. These fish would no doubt have 

 a better chance to increase if the use of spears was prohibited, and it were made 

 illegal to have them in possession in, say, the Counties of Ontario, Peterboro, 

 Victoria, Simcoe and Haliburton. They are principally used during the spawn- 

 ing season, and maskinonge are the fish that suffer most from these instruments 

 of destruction. Great interest is taken in the work of re-stocking the back 

 lakes with parent black bass by the Fisheries Department, and the general 

 desire of all parties is that this good work will be largely extended this season. 

 He recommends that a fee of $5 be charged all non residents for the privilege 

 of fishing in our lakes. This small fee would not deter people from visiting 

 these lakes, when it becomes known that the fees would be expended in increas- 

 ing the supply and providing better protection. As the time draws near when 

 the Act expires prohibiting the sale of maskinonge and bass, he trusts the 

 Department will extend this prohibition indefinitely. As regards the number of 

 these fish to be caught in one day, he would suggest that the catch be limited 

 to eight bass and two maskinonge. No complaints have been received that mill 

 refuse has been allowed to flow into any of the rivers or lakes. 



Overseer Allan, Kent, reports that there was an increase in the catch in his 



division, and that the fishermen were well satisfied with the season's work. 



The fish caught were all exported to the United States. The close seasons were 



well observed. One case of illegal fishing came to his notice, and the offender 



4 F. 



