1904 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 



The reports from tourists who have visited Lake Nipissing are that the bass, pick- 

 erel, and maskinonge fishing has surpassed all previous years. 



The speckled and grey trout fishing in the lakes along the Temiskaming and North- 

 ern Ontario Railway is said to have been excellent. Brook trout have been taken 

 in Pine. Goose, Anderson, Rabbit, Rib. Temagami and numerous smaller lakes, which 

 tipped the scales at from two to five pounds each. It is thought that Rabbit, Temagami 

 and Rib Lakes are the finest trout lakes in Northern Ontario, east of the Nepigon. 

 The grey trout readily accept bait, and specimens weighing from 20 to 27 pounds have 

 been taken with rod and line. Our American friends are already spying out locations 

 for permanent camping grounds. The adoption of strict measures with respect to angling 

 in these waters, and regulating camping parties — measures similar to those in force on 

 the Nepigon — are recommended. 



Th<- Department has often been asked the question, "Where shall I go for some good 

 fishing ?" and in order to supply this information more fully than it has been possible 

 to do hereto "ore. a circular letter was addressed to each overseer containing the fol- 

 lowing questions : 



ne the lakes, rivers and streams in your division in which good angling is to be 

 mentioning such waters only as it is known will afford good fishing.; 



'" St^te what fish are contained therein, whether bass, maskinonge or speckled trout : 



" State how waters may be reached; and 



" What accommodation there is for visitors." 



A synopsis of the replies- has been prepared, and will be found elsewhere under the 

 heading " Angling Waters." 



, Statistics. 



I 



Th<- statistics which are to be found in another portion of the Report have been pre- 

 pared with the utmost care, and are believed to furnish an accurate account of- the 

 season's operations. The usual difficulty has been experienced in impressing the fishermen 

 with the necessity of making their returns promptly, and this has made it absolutely 

 impossible to complete the Report as early as otherwise might have been done. 



Licenses to fish with 4.005,420 yards of gill net, 488 pound nets, 523 hoop nets, 100 

 seines, 32 dip nets, and three machines, besides several thousand hooks, were issued. 



The occupation has given employment to 2,443 men, and 24 gasoline boats, 109 

 tugs, an ; 1,370 other boats have been in use. , 



Ati estimated capital of $846,368 is invested in the industry. 



The aggregate catch amounts to 21. 104,205 pounds, as compared with 23.714.570 in 

 xr;02. a decrease of 2,520,365. 



The estimated value of the catch is $1,535,144. 



v list of overseers, with the territory under the jurisdiction of each, will' be found 

 at page 62, 



Statements have been prepared showing: 



T. The revenue derived from each division (p. 68) ; 



2. The number in detail of fishermen, tonnage and value of tugs, vessels and'boats, 

 quantity and value of fishing material, and the kinds and quantity of fish caught 



(pp. 70 to 87) ; 



3. The gross yield of the different kinds of fish in each division in 1902 and 1903, and 

 the increase or decrease (p. 90) ; 



4. The total quantity of each kind of fish taken, as compared with the quantity 

 taken : n 1902, and the increase or decrease (p. 88") ; 



-. The value of the different kinds of fish taken (p. 91) ; 



6. The number of tugs. men. boats, etc., engaged in the industry, the quantity of 

 ne t: licensed, and the value thereof fp. 01) : 



7. TJ»e ^alue of the Ontario fisheries from 1870 to 1903, inclusive (p. 92) ; and 



