62 THE REPORT OF THE No. 31 



the anglers to employ men with hoop nets during the months of January and 

 February to tish in places like Christie's Lake and other such lakes where ling 

 are plentiful, as they are looked upon as the most destructive fish that inhabit 

 our waters. The law as to close seasons, etc., has been well observed. 



Overseer Ogg, Hamilton, reports that in the discharge of his duties as 

 Fishery Overseer for Wentworth, he did not have to fine any person for violat- 

 ing the fishery laws and regulations. The fishermen see the advantage of fishing 

 with a large mesh, as they catch better fish. Especially is this true of the 

 herring, and consequently they realize better prices with less work. They have 

 observed styictly the law regulating the close season. The catch of whitefish for 

 this year was 12,625 pounds, a decrease of 6,525 pounds from last year; trout, 

 3,000 pounds, a decrease of 1,300 pounds ; herring 231,800 pounds, a decrease of 

 206,030 pounds ; pickerel 1,000 pounds, a decrease of 1,400 pounds ; and perch 

 6,100 pounds, a decrease of 3,969 pounds. Other coarse fish caught in Lake 

 Ontario have decreased 4,669 pounds from last year. The cause in a measure may 

 be attributed to a decrease in the number of fishermen who formerly fished in 

 his district. There were three licenses less, and three others which were not 

 fished. Considering the higher prices realized for their fish, it has, on the whole 

 been a satisfactory season. Licenses for spearing were issued for Burlington 

 Bay. There seems to be a carelessness, or disinclination on the part of the 

 fisherman who have taken out spearing licenses to give in their returns, as only 

 twenty-four returns were received to date. Carp in the Bay have become so 

 numerous that they are driving the catfish and other coarse fish out of the 

 inlets, their natural home. All the fish caught were sold for the home market. 

 He found no abuses. The close seasons were strictly observed. One small piece 

 of gill net was seized in the inlet. Messrs Tinsley and Graham seized a quantity 

 of net in what is known as Kerr's Pond, Burlington. The net was forwarded 

 to the Department. Complaints have been made by fishermen that the farmers 

 are dumping apples and grape vine brush in the lake, which wash into their 

 nets and almost destroy them. Acts of this kind in any division should be at 

 once reported to the Department. The angling in the bay was exceptionally 

 good, notwithstanding that the best place for angling was at the canal, which 

 was undergoing repairs. 



Overseer Oliver, Little Current, reports that fishing in his division has 

 been as good as last year, excepting the pound net fishing in the west end of the 

 North Channel in the vicinity of Cutler, Blind River, Cockburn Island and the 

 Ducks, which he says has not been quite so good as usual. The prices obtained 

 have been good. Whitefish were higher than he ever knew them to be before, 

 and trout and pickerel have also been much higher than in former years. 

 The gill net catch in the vicinity of the Bustards, Killarney, Squaw Island, 

 Fitz william Island, South Bay, Duck Island, Cockburn Island and Meldrum 

 Bay he reports as being good. The pound net fishing in the vicinity of Gore Bay 

 is about the same as last year. He reports that the fourteen pound nets east of 

 Little Current did very well, although it was well on in the season before they 

 got started. Fourteen nets were fished, although there had been licenses for 

 fifteen. The herring fishing at Bad River was about the same as last year ; and 

 at Sprague in the North Channel it was very good, although the season was 

 short. He commenced with the Government boat " Maud " on the 24th day of 

 April, and did good work in looking after illegal fishing ; he made a number of 

 seizures of nets that were being fished illegally, and collected license fees which 

 he would not have got otherwise. He reports having received great assistance 

 from Capt. McAulay of the steamer " Gilphie " and her crew. He seized a good 

 number of seines, and taught the parties who practice illegal fishing a severe 



