42 THE REPORT OF THE .No. 31 



Overseer Smith, Charleston, reports that the fishing in his division has besn as 

 good as usual. Bass fishing was better than last seaon, larger and more plentiful, 

 many of them weighing four and five pounds. Salmon fishing was good in the months 

 of May. June and July, then not as good the balance of the season, owing to the abund- 

 ance oi natural food in the, lake. The Trout have increased in size for the last four 

 or five years, many of them now weighing from ten to twelve pounds. 



The close seasons are well observed. There are no fishways in his division ; there 

 should be one at the outlet of the lake, as thousands of small Bass come up the 

 stream r.nd lie below the dam trying to get up into th\ lake all the latter part of the 

 seuson. 



This lake is a very popular resort, and the tourists are more numerous every season. 



A few cases of illegal fishing have come to his notice; the nets were confiscated 

 whenever found. 



The usual amount of Salmon fry was deposited from the Newcastle hatchery in 

 splendid condition. 



Overseer Smith, Kemptville, reports that tht catch as far as he can ascertain has 

 been about the same as last year. All the fish caught were used for home consump- 

 tion. The close season and other regulations were well observed, no cases of illegal 

 fishing having come under his notice. There are no fishways in his division. 



Overseer Smith, Gravenhurst, reports that the supply of fish in the Muskoka 

 waters during the past season has been quite equal to any of former years. Anglers 

 have been very successful, and although the two licensees have not had such large 

 catches as in former years, it is owing to the fact that through several causes they 

 have not pursued 1 the fishing as energetically as formerly, in fact, the latter part of the 

 season was so rough that scarcely any fishing was done by them. He has given care- 

 ful attention to the observance of the close seasons and to illegal netting, and is able to 

 report that the law is well observed. He has experienced more difficulty as to the 

 size of the fish caught, and in one case had the person in possession of such fish fined, 

 as reported to the Department at the time. All fish caught are sold for home con- 

 sumption, and none are sent to any outside market 



The close seasons are well observed, and all mill refuse is disposed of without 

 being placed in the water. 



He has had reports of illegal netting, but upon investigation said reports were 

 proved to be unfounded. 



The greatest enemies of our game fish are the large numbers of coarse fish (prin- 

 cipally Suckers and Ling), which are in the waters. The game fishing in this district is 

 improving, owing in a great measure to the efforts made to restock the waters, and 

 the district has been for a long time and is becoming more and more a popular resort 

 lor tourists and anglers. 



pverseer Steel, Uptergrove, Lake Simcoe, reports that the Bass fishing in the 

 waters under his supervision has been good, there having been some exceptionally fine 

 catches made, the fish being large and in splendid condition. The season could not be 

 called a favcrable one from the anglers' and tourists' point of view, owing to the very 

 rough weather that prevailed) throughout a greater portion of the season. Had the 

 weather been more favorable, no doubt there would have been a much larger catch. There 

 are six summer resorts in Ibis division, and numerous cottages for the accommodation 

 of tourists, and they were all well patronized. He thinks* he is safe in saying that in 

 Lakes Simcoe and Couchiching Bass and Maskinonge fishing cannot be excelled 

 in the whole of Canada. The fish are large, gamey, and of a delicious flavor. He has 

 been told by a number of tourists during the past year, sportsmen who have fished 

 all over America, that the above-mentioned lakes provide the finest Bass fishing they 

 have found anywhere. It is only a question of time till these waters become celebrated 

 throughout the whole United States as furnishing the finest Bass and Maskinonge 



