38 THE REPORT OF THE No. 31 



A small license tee should be imposed on foreigners. If the revenue so derived 

 were expended in re-stocking the waters, it would tend to attract tourists to this 

 locality rather than drive them away. 



Overseer Norris, Bolingbrooke, reports that there has been very little net fish- 

 ing in his division during the year, there being very few lakes where it is worth 

 whii" setting a net. The angling for Bass and Pickerel in Christie's Lake has been 

 very good ; this lake is fast becoming a favorite resort for tourists. There is a 

 very small portion of Bob's Lake in his division, and as far as he can find out, there 

 has been a decrease in the catch compared with that of last year. He thinks this 

 lake is overfished, and that it would be wise to stop all net fishing for a term of four 

 or five years. The laws and regulations of the Department were well observed. 



Overseer Norquay, Manitowaning, reports that they have a number of good Brook 

 Trout streams, two of international reputation, the far-famed Blue Jay and Manitou 

 streams. The fishing in these has apparently not deteriorated to any great extent, 

 although there is no doubt a progressive decline owing to the greater fishing, lessened 

 volume of water and poaching (out of season fishing), unknown when the country 

 was unsettled. 



The wonder is that any fish are left. 



The 'hand of every man seems to be against the continuance of this species, as 

 they are fished for in and out of season, low water and high, spring, summer, fall 

 and winter, by fair means and foul, and the only period of exemption is the emigra- 

 tory one when the larger specimens strike for lake water, returning about July in 

 each year. Bass-fishing is most excellent in all the lakes hereabouts, most of these 

 bodies of water containing apparently inexhaustible quantities, still there is danger 

 of depletion, many fishermen not having the fine instinct of sportsmen, but striving, 

 one with the other, for the largest catch, neglecting to "play" their fish and give them 

 that chance for life to which they are justly entitled and which, while increasing the 

 enioyment, would tend to conserve the supply. A good deal of difference is noticable 

 in the gamey qualities of fish in the different lakes, those in the smaller ones being 

 the best fighters, owing, perhaps, to the greater competition necessary in the gather- 

 ing of food. The weight of those usually caught is from two to four pounds, with 

 occasionally a heavier specimen. 



Bass are taken by line and troll, as also the Salmon, but not as extensively. 



We find in Lake Manitou quite a number of large Speckled or half Speckled Trout 

 of excellent quality, up to four pounds in weight, and which seem to be a cross 

 between Salmon and Brook Trout varieties. They are quite red in color and owing to 

 the very deep, cold water seem to thrive in the lake as well as smaller ones do in 

 spring brooks. They are seldom taken by line or trowl, usually in the spring run 

 of suckers, and therefore in bad company. This district is very popular as a summer 

 resort for fishing purposes, and promises to be more so. Lake Manitou has long 

 been the Mecca of good fishermen, and the extensive improvements of the Manitou 

 Fish Co. must extend facilities for the exercise of this noblest of pastimes. The 

 company have in one year made the beginning of what should be a paying and instruc- 

 tive business, and in his opinion should be encouraged to the full extent permissible 

 by the Department. They have erected large dock accommodation, which permits 

 of the safe anchorage, not only of their own fleet, but of that of others, and in addition 

 to their hatchery, which, successful or not, will in experience prove to this Province of in- 

 estimable benefit, makes the habitation of the shores of this lake and its exploitation for 

 fishing and tourist purposes possible. They have also built large and commodious 

 boaixiing houses, ice and cold storage places, and the only bar in the way of their 

 success is the accumulation of Suckers and Eelpouts now in the lake and which must 

 be gotten rid of before their business of Trout breeding will have a chance of success. 

 He has seen tons of Pouts taken at a lift ; the lake should be thoroughly, frequently, 



