1SK>4 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 29 



two years. He seized and confiscated a number of gill nets during the season, and 

 in aii'OSt eveiy case they were, in his opinion, the property of Americans. 



Some little difficulty was experienced with parties from the United States using 

 seines for catching Minnows, and although no seizures were made, he succeeded! in 

 checking the practice. He apprehends, however, that this will be repeated next year 

 during the tourist season unless tihe river be carefully guarded. 



'i here was no dynamiting in his district, and the law respecting the pollution of 

 waurs was strictly adhered to. There are no fishways. Much difficulty is experienced 

 in getting returns of the catch from fishermen at the end of the season, and he would 

 recommend that an additional charge of $i be made in each license, and that such 

 amount be refunded at the end of the year on receipt of the return of fish taken. 



He would recommend that the limit for a catch of Bass for one day be made six, 

 and none taken under a length of twelve inches, and that a close season for Pike be 

 made the same as for Bass, and that spearing and shooting of Pike in the spring 

 on the marsh should be stopped, or in a few years the St. Lawrence River will be 

 cleared of that kind of fish. 



The Maskinonge fishing in the river is becoming very popular in the months of 

 October and November. The tourists have had good success, and report large catches. 

 This is a growing fad, and has only been taken up in the last two years. 



Overseer Goulette, Gananoque, reports that the Bass fishing has been very good, 

 but in size the Bass are much smaller than usual, which arises probably from over-fishing. 

 A great many American tourists visited the district during the season, and were well 

 pleased with their catch. Pike or Pickerel have been very plentiful. 



All the fish caught by the licensed fishermen in the back lakes were exported to 

 the United States. The catch of coarse fish was fully as good as in former years. The 

 close seasons and other regulations of the Department have been well observed, only 

 one case of illegal fishing having come to his notice. 



Overseer Graham, Fenelon Falls, reports that as far as he could learn the catch 

 of fish in his division was about the same as last year. 



There have been no complaints madle to him, either directly or indirectly, of illegal 

 fishing, and ro cases have come under his personal observation. 



The KawartTia chain of lakes as fast becoming popular as a summer resort, es- 

 pecially in the vicinity of Fenelon Falls, and the tourists who visit the waters are all well 

 pleased with the sport afforded. 



Overseer Hadgraft, Port Dalhousie, reports that the season has been very unsuc- 

 cessful one. The fishing for Herring and Perch was very poor all spring and summer. 

 In the latter part of October and November the Herrings are generally along that 

 shore in large quantities, but this year they were not nearly so plentiful as in former 

 years, and the very rough weather that prevailed prevented the fishermen from getting 

 but a very few lifts before the run was over. The large price that was paid by th« 

 American* buyers partly made up for the failure in the catch, three and four cents per 

 pound being paid for Herring in the rough. One tug secured as high as two hundred 

 and fifty dollars for one lift. 



The angling on the grass beds at 15 and 16 Mile Pond was better than last year, 

 owing largely to the appointment of two overseer on the spot to protect the interest of 

 the angler. 



The angling for Perch at Port Dalhousie was very good, while there was a notable 

 falling off in the number of Pickerel and White Bass caught in the Welland Canal. He 

 cannot account for the shortage. 



The commercial fishermen on the Niagara River complain of the new Order-in- 

 Ccnncil pissed by the Dominion Government regarding a close season for Sturgeon. 

 Grounds that were formerly fished by -both Canadian and American fishermen are now 

 open only to Americans. This, he thinks, should be rectified. 



