18 THE REPORT OF THE No. 31 



Ycu are probably aware that the supply of Pickerel (Dore) is rapidly becoming- 

 depleted. It is alleged that this is owing not to the enthusiasm of the tourist, but 

 to illegal fishing, especially during the spring run to the rivers. It is interesting to 

 compare in this connection the relative abundance of Bass with the paucity of PickereL 

 Th-i former appear to seek the shallow places in any locality, so that they do not 

 congregate to any great extent at the spawning period in particular places. Moreover, 

 they possess sufficient cleverness to escape from traps. But although they are thus 

 naturallv protected, the main reason for their abundance is to be sought in another 

 way. Some years ago your Government justly prohibited the sale of Bass, establish- 

 ing thereby their correct status as game fishes only. The wisdom of this provision ha* 

 already made itself apparent. The question now is whether the Pickerel are any les=- 

 deserving of additional protection from the same standpoint. The difference in gaminess- 

 of th; two species is well known, but this does not determine their relative value. 

 In Muskoka Lake, where, notwithstanding the advanced state of depletion, the con- 

 ditions are more normal than in the Georgian Bay, the pickerel are much more staple 

 fishes from the tourists' and cottagers' standpoint than the other. 



It might be urged that the prohibition of the sale of Pickerel would be a hardship- 

 to certain fishermen, but these fish never have been and cannot be regarded as general 

 food fishes, such as the whitefish and herring, and a fishery based or dependent on 

 them is unnatural, and would be better abandoned. The region of the Georgian Bay 

 can have no great value to the fishermen unless the whitffish and herring fishery is 

 productive. On the other hand, it is becoming more and more valuable as a tourist 

 resort, and its value is greatly enhanced by the presence of game fishes. The latter 

 should be, therefore, strictly protected for this purpose, and their depletion from other 

 sources prevented. 



Destroying Coarse Fish. 



The work of destroying pike and other coarse fish in the Nepigon has been continued,, 

 and thousands were destroyed during the summer; tons of ling and suckers have been- 

 taken by hoopnet fishermen in eastern Ontario, and a marked improvement in the game 

 fish will soon be manifested. 



Legislation. 



The legislation extending the prohibition of the sale of speckled trout, bass and 

 maskinonge for a further period of three years has been universally approved. 



Specimens. 



A few additional specimens have been added to the collection of mounted fish. 



Asknowledgments. 



The Department desires to express its appreciation of the courtesies extended and 

 the assistance rendered by the Chief Warden of the State of Michigan, the Hon. Mr. 

 Chapman, to the Deputy Commissioner during visits to Detroit on public business ; 



And also by the railway companies, for without their co-operation it is needless^ 

 to say but little progress could have been made with the work of transplanting fish. 



Reports. 



The reports of the overseers which follow contain much information not con- 

 tained in the statistical tables, and they are, therefore, commended to the perusal of 

 those desiring a fuller knowledge of the condition and nature of the fisheries than the 

 tables impart. 



In conclusion, it may be superfluous to add that the work of the Department is 

 steadi'y growing as its field of usefulness increases, and as its operations are extended ^ 

 and that, having regard to the important and extensive duties to be performed, the- 

 expenditure has been as economical as possible. 



-All of which is respectfully submitted 



S. T. BASTEDO, 

 . 31st December. 1003 Deputy Commissioner. 



