44 THE REPORT OF THE No. 31 



No sawdust or mill refuse is allowed to go in the rivers. 



There is one fishway, which was repaired by the Dominion Government last year. 



Overseer Stewart, Pelee Island, reports that the complaint is general among the 

 lull. rmen that the season has been % poor one. The spring and early summer catch 

 was very fair, but the fall fishing was very light, stormy weather very much inter- 

 fering with the operations of the fishermen. Some who continued their operations 

 late in the season nearly lost their outfits, and several sets of stakes were lost. 

 While .several more poundl net licenses were issued than in former years, the catch of 

 fish has not increased accordingly ; a comparison with the returns of the year 1902 

 shows a large decrease in Herring, Pike and Perch, while the catch of Whitefish in 

 IC03 was more than twice as much as that of 1902, and a large increase in the catch 

 of coarse and mixed fish. The depression in the business was improved, however, by 

 the good prices paid. The demand for fish was very active, several fish companies 

 nuking bids for the same. Practically all fish caught are exported. For this reason 

 he has great difficulty in getting early returns from the fishermen, as they depend on 

 the.buyers to keep account, and do not settle until the close of the fishing. 



Angling during the season was very good, and the number of persons domiciling 

 (Or that purpose were more numerous than formerly. Permits issued also show an 

 increase. 



j\o fishing is done during the winter months. 



The close seasons and laws generally were fairly well observed. 



He made frequent examinations of the fish caught. He also went aboard the 

 si diner "Louise" (engaged in carrying fish from this place to Sandusky), and ex- 

 amined the hooks of the company. He was kindly received, and every opportunity 

 afforded him for information. 



During the Herring gill net fishing the Ohio State Fish Hatchery and Fish Com- 

 mission had men here for the purpose of taking spawn. The weather, however, was 

 unfavorable for the gill net fishing this year, and the quantity of spawn obtained 

 not what was expected. 



During the early part of the season, in fact, as soon as the lake was clear to 

 the eastward, American tugs came close to the island and set gill nets. No means 

 were available here for getting after them, as the south bay was full of ice. Some 

 persons did, however, go out in a row boat, and picked up some of the nets. These 

 nets were afterwards turned over to the Captain of the D. G. steamer " Petrel." About 

 the last patrol this steamer made, some nets were found to the westward of Pelee 

 Island ^raong the islands there, and were confiscated. These are the only incursions 

 by the Americans known to him in that district 



In conclusion, he says that general satisfaction is expressed not only with the fish- 

 ing laws, but with the manner in which they are administered. 



Overseer Taylor, Westmeath, reports that the season just closed has been a 

 very successful one. All the anglers who delight in Bass fishing are very much "leased 

 with the season's sport. The many rapids in the river in that locality afford the best 

 all round fishing to be found anywhere on the Ottawa, and the scenery cannot be 

 excelled in Canada^. 



Whitefish are to be found in very large auantities all along the river. The close 

 seasons were well observed, very little, if any, illegalities having come to his notice. He 

 estimates <he catch at about 30,000 pounds, all of which is used for home consump- 

 tion. This is sn increase over any former year. All kinds of coarse fish seem to be 

 increasing r^idly, while Pike and Bass are not so numerous as formerly. He draws 

 a+rent : on to the matter of fisbways, which he thinks should be in every dam, to allow 1 

 the fish to ascend to their favorite spawning grounds 



Overseer Terry, Queensville, reports that during last winter the Whitefish furnished 

 pood sport for the residents along the east shore. In past years very few of these 





