1902 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 55 



a clause be inserted in the licenses in his division restricting fishermen from 

 setting their nets within one mile of the grass beds at Fifteen and Sixteen Mile 

 Creek. He would also recommend that a fee for boat licenses be $10. All 

 others should remain as they are. 



Overseer Howard, Colling wood, reports that the catch was a little less than 

 last year, caused by the rough weather that prevailed, and the non-extension of 

 the open season for trout and whitetish (which had been granted in some other 

 years.) Fish were as plentiful as they have been any year since he was ap- 

 pointed overseer. The close seasons were well observed. The only report of 

 illegal fishing that came to his notice during the year was the fishing of a trap 

 net in Nottawasaga River ; this he seizad and destroyed. There are no fish ways 

 in this division. He would recommend that one be placed in the dam at Thorn- 

 bury, and also at Clarksburg on the Beaver River. The people are complaining 

 that the fish cannot get up the river. 



Overseer Huntington, North Bay, reports that there has been a consider- 

 able increase in the catch of fish by angling this season, maskinonge, pickerel, 

 bass and pike being very plentiful in Lake Nipissing and on the French River. 

 The increase in the numbers of the above fish he attributes to the taking of 

 sturgeon in such large numbers by the licensed fishermen. The sturgeon, with- 

 out doubt, were increasing in numbers for several years, and game and other 

 fish were decreasing, owing principally to sturgeon following up other fish in 

 spawning time and sucking in their spawn as it was deposited. He has made 

 personal observation of the above, and has watched the cleaning of sturgeon for 

 shipment, and has seen pounds of the spawn of other fish taken from their 

 stomachs. He has seen no German carp in those waters. The speckled trout 

 fishing has been very good in all the northern streams running into Lake 

 Nipissing. Lake trout fishing was good in the spring and fall. He would 

 recommend that the close season for lake trout begin on the 15th October, as all 

 lake trout in that district run to the shoals and spawn in the full moon of Octo- 

 ber and the greatest catches are made at that time, and everybody that wants 

 to fish will soon find this out in the new territory being opened up by the 

 Tamiscamingue Railway, where the waters are full of these fish The fishery 

 regulations were well observed. No fines were imposed or confiscations made. 

 The close seasons were strictly adhered to, and the Jaw respecting the pollution 

 of waters was not violated. The fish ways in his district were all found open 

 and working well. 



Overseer Johnson, Brantford, reports that the angling in the waters under 

 his supervision has been better than for some years. The anglers report some 

 very good catches, and the fish of a good size. The regulations have been well 

 observed, very few cases of illegal fishing having come to his notice. The efforts 

 of the Department to re-stock the river with the gamey bass have been much 

 appreciated by the local anglers, who would like to see the good work continue. 

 The fishways at Caledonia, Brantford and Paris should be put in repair, as in 

 their present condition they are absolutely useless. 



Overseer Johnson, Northumberland, reports that the fishing this season in 

 his division has been excellent. There was a very large catch of maskinonge, 

 but the rough weather last spring and the lowering of the lake was very des- 

 tructive of the spawn. He would recommend that something be done to keep 

 the water up at Hastings until the spawn is hatched. No illegal fishing came 

 to his notice. 



Overseer Johnson, Parry Sound, reports that the fore part of the season 

 was very cold, which made the season for tourists much shorter than usual, but 



