68 THE REPORT OF THE No 31 



Overseer Willis, Ontario, reports that the weather during the early part of 

 the season was very unfavorable for the fishermen, but on the whole they had a 

 very good season's business. The fish were all sold locally, except a part of 

 those caught at Pickering Harbor, which were sent to Toronto dealers. Both 

 whitefish and herring were considerably larger than last season, which was 

 partly due to nets of a larger mesh being used. There were no violations of the 

 Act reported, and he believes the laws were well observed. Suckers, pike, and 

 carp were very plentiful in the bay and creeks in the spring. Fishing with 

 hook and line in Whitby and Pickering harbors was better than it has) been for 

 some years, both in size of fish and in number taken. 



Overseer Willmott, Muskoka, reports that angling in the inland waters 

 during the past summer has been satisfactory, although in most places (the 

 Muskoka lakes principally) the experience of the majority has been that the 

 bass have been small. The efforts of the Government in continuing to introduce 

 adult fish into our waters has met with the approbation of all, both tourist and 

 settler. There is no doubt that the best way to re-stock these waters would be 

 to stop fishing altogether for the term of two years, the lakes being literally 

 swarming with small bass. These would in their time bring fishing to the 

 standard of many years ago. As this course would be most unpopular, the 

 next best method of re-stocking should be devised. This, in his opinion, would 

 be blasting out of passages round insurmountable obstructions between these 

 lakes and the Georgian Bay. This course, he believes, would be preferable to 

 fish ladders ; the latter being liable to accident, etc., whereas the former would 

 be a permanency. This could be accomplished at a trifling cost, as tourists 

 would gladly contribute to a fund for the purpose, which, with a little aid from 

 the Government, would be ample. Before, however, soliciting contributions for 

 this purpose, the netting licenses at present in the Muskoka lakes should be 

 withdrawn, as the issuance of these is most unpopular to all classes. Should 

 this suggestion be carried out, it would unavoidably introduce maskinonge into 

 these waters. This he would not consider objectionable, as these fish inhabit 

 the same waters as bass and pickerel elsewhere with no evil results. Should 

 the present netting licenses be removed he would recommend that settlers be 

 granted licenses at a nominal fee for herring only, and only during the month 

 of November, for their private use solely. The laws have been well observed 

 both by the mill owners and fishermen. 



Overseer Wonnacott, Elgin, reports a very small catch in comparison with 

 the two preceding years, owing partly, no doubt, to the unusual number of 

 storms, both of wind and rain. The pound nets suffered severely both spring 

 and fall. The most valuable fish, viz., the sturgeon, seems to be about depleted. 

 Whitefish and pickerel were quite scarce during the past season, and, owing to 

 the unsettled condition of the water, the herring scarcely came on shore during 

 the fall, but later in the season ; that is, after the pound nets were taken up, some 

 very good catches of herring and perch were made by the gill net men. It 

 appears to him that the only valuable asset left to the fisheries is the herring, 

 as far as his district is concerned, and that the day is not far distant when 

 3ome protection will have to be given them. Herring were caught in gill nets 

 as late as the 10th December which were still full of spawn. Nearly all the 

 fish caught were exported to the United States. Some high prices were realized, 

 which, in part helped the fishermen out for the short catch. The law was pretty 

 carefully observed, no illegal fishing coming to his knowledge. He says the 

 carp are getting very numerous in the larger streams, which has just about 

 destroyed the angling in the catfish stream at Port Bruce, and also in the Otter 

 Creek at Port Burwell. Some measures should be adopted. to try and exterm- 



