1904 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 45 



fi.-.h hi.ve been caught, as it was generally believed that they could be taken only with 

 a net or spear, and tihese implements of capture were prohibited. Now it has been 

 discovered that these fish take baited hooks readily it they are lying on the bottom. The 

 fish are plentiful, and many were caught in this way. Larger Lake Trout have been 

 caught by trolling this season than formerly. Tihe Bass fishing was not so good, 

 but >ome fine catches were made. The fish taken were somewhat smaller than usual. 



The number of summer residents and tourists are becoming greater each year; all 

 available places in boarding houses and cottages were taken, many finding comfortable 

 quarteis in the farm houses near the water. The number of summer visitors seemed 

 linr'ted only by the accommodation to be had. The beauty of the lake, good fishing, 

 pure air, proximity to Toronto, and easy railway communication, account fully for the 

 great numbers seeking rest and recreation here. 



More cottages are being built and more room provided in boarding houses. How 

 the fishing will hold out against this ever-increasing number of lines remains to be 

 seen. Artificial preservation of the spawn of some of the best game fish seems to be 

 the great remedy. 



The trolling for Maskinonge has afforded excellent sport this year, some very 

 large fish having been taken, while many lost baits and broken lines attesting the 

 heavy tugs of these lusty fellows. Some of the fish taken 'weighed over thirty pounds. 

 The great number of large fish is a very pleasing indication. 



There are comparatively few streams flowing into Lake Simcoe that afford any 

 fishing for Speckled Trout. Near the sources of some of those streams flowing south 

 from the Ridges few fish are now found where years ago they were plentiful. Two 

 mill ponds on these streams have been stocked by companies, and the fish have afforded 

 good ?port. There are several streams in the Township of Whitechurch which by a 

 small expenditure could be made into excellent preserves for Trout. It is only in the 

 uppe*- portions of these waters that these fish can live. 



It is with the greatest satisfactio'n that the sportsmen of this vicinity see 

 th t :he wil i rice is re-appearing in different parts of Cook's Bay. An unusual number 

 of ('ucks found here a resting place on their way south this fall. If the growth of 

 r ; ce continues to improve, there will no doubt be as good shooting here as formerly. 



Overseer Trotter, Bobcaygeon, reports that the season just closed has been a 

 poor one, in fact, the worst he has seen in years. The lake opened early, but the 

 weather was so roueh and stormy until the middle of July that the tourists did not care 

 to venture out. This, he thinks, accounts for the shortage in the catch. The catch 

 of MasVironge is estimated at 10,000 pounds, of Bass at 5,000 pounds. A great many 

 tourists from the United States and Canada visited the district during the season, and 

 say there would be a great many more if there was better hotel accommodation. 

 Twenty-eight men were engaged by the tourists as guides. We call attention to the need 

 of a proper fish slide in the Government dam, the present one being practically of no 

 us?, as the fish from the lower lake cannot make the ascent. The laws and regulations 

 h ive b' e - i well observed. 



Overseer Van Norman, Sault Ste. Marie, reports that it has been a prosperous 

 and T.rofitaVe ye-r for the fishermen ; that there is an increase in the catch of White- 

 fish, and hat /Trout and other fish will about compare with last season's catch, ex- 

 cept Sturgeon, which shows a decided decrease, owing to the change in the close 

 s •••son Nearly all the fish are exported to the United States ; very few are sold in 

 Canada. Th°re were a few illegal nets in the vicinity of St. Joseph's Island. He thinks 

 about three trap nets were set there. He seized one, and destroyed it. but could not 

 locate the other nets or the offendiing parties. They were taken 'to the American side. 

 No other abuses of the regulations came to his notice, and the several close seasons 

 were well observed. There are no fishways in his divisioh, and he is not aware of 

 any injury being done by millowners allowing sawdust and other refuse to be dumped 

 into the waters. 



