1902 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 63 



lesson. He says that the Indians on Wekwemikong Reserve give a good deal 

 of trouble with seines. 



Overseer Roblin, Lennox, reports an increase in the catch over last year, 

 and prices in some cases a little higher. There were no complaints of any 

 illegal fishing came to his notice in the last year, which is proof conclusive 

 that the fishermen are observing more closely the law. And there is also a very 

 friendly feeling towards the Department among the. majority of the fishermen. 

 Angling is becoming more popular each year in this district, no doubt largely 

 due to the increase in bass for the past two years. The total value of catch in 

 this district is $2,839.90, an increase over last year of $534.00. About 90 per 

 cent, was exported, and 10 per cent, used for home consumption. Fish dealers 

 do not heed the importance of the law requiring them to keep an accurate 

 account of fish bought from each fisherman. 



Overseer Sargent, Hal ton, reports that the season of 1902 has not been as 

 profitable for the fishermen as the previous year, but he is pleased to say that 

 the prices obtained were far better than those of former years. About one- 

 third of the fish caught were shipped to the United States ; the remainder were 

 sold in Toronto and local markets. He reports that the fish are increasing in 

 size each year. Owing to the stormy weather during the fall, the fishermen 

 were unable to go out for their nets, and consequently some of them lost con- 

 siderably. It was one of the worst seasons for stormy weather that he ever 

 experienced, and thinks that the cause of the decrease in the catch. The fish- 

 ermen devote most of their time to herring fishing, with the exception of one 

 or two who tished a little for trout, and some very fine herring were taken. 

 Bass in the Twelve and Sixteen-Mile creeks are decreasing. This, he thinks, 

 is caused by the German carp invading those waters. If the Government could 

 adopt some means of ridding the waters of this noxious fish, he would think 

 it would be of great benefit to the angling. The laws have been well observed. 



Overseer Skeen, Northumberland, reports that the close season on Rice 

 Lake was fairly well observed, no open violations of the law having come un- 

 der his own observation. Some reports of fish having been slaughtered in the 

 close season reached his ears late in the summer, but when investigated proved 

 to be nothing but heresay. He expresses his disapproval of allowing hoop-net 

 fishing in the lake except under the strictest surveillance. The fishing has 

 been good, the catch of both maskinonge and bass being equal to, if not better 

 than, that of last year. A desirable object to be attained is the regulating of 

 the rise and fall of the water in the spring ; if that could be regulated properly, 

 he thinks it would result in a great saving of spawn. 



Overseer Smith, Gravenhurst, reports that fish are increasing in his district, 

 and this he attributes to the enforcement of the fishery laws and regulations, 

 and to the better spirit shown by both settlers and tourists, who are now more 

 anxious to assist in carrying out the laws and helping the fishery officers to 

 enforce them. He thinks the increase in bass is due to the measures taken by 

 the Department to re stock the lakes with this desirable fish. No fish are ex- 

 ported from his division, the two licensees finding a ready market for all the 

 fish they can obtain in the home market. The fishery laws are well observed, 

 and the close season closely kept. He visited the several portions of his district 

 at various times during the year, and believes illegal netting has been scarce. 

 He has seen no signs of it himself, and with a few exceptions has had no 

 reports or complaints of same. The complaints, upon investigation, proved to 

 be without foundation. He inspected the various lumber mills during the 

 season, and found the law as to mill refuse carefully carried out. There are no 

 fishways in his district, but he thinks something should be done at Bala Falls 



