26 THE REPORT OF THE No. 31 



He also recommends that the clause on the back of the license that it 

 shall be the duty of every fisherman to make returns to the overseer not 

 later than 31st Jan. be changed to read not latter than 5th Jan., as then 

 it would be possible for overseers to get in their reports earlier. 



In regard to circular sent out by the Department to all commercial 

 fishermen in his district with reference to selling fish in Canada, they all 

 declare that responsible buyers in Canada will have the preference if they 

 contract for a year's fishing at ruling prices, and have agents in the dis- 

 trict who are responsible for the payment of prices agreed upon. Some of 

 the fishermen have sent fish to Toronto, and have not received any remun- 

 eration for them whatever. 



All of the fish caught fresh have been sent to the Buffalo markets, 

 with the exception of fish sold to peddlers on the wharf. Geo. Elliott of 

 Port Dalhousie, and Frederick Depew of Jordan Harbor have shipped 

 large quantities of herring smoked in twelve quart baskets to Toronto and 

 Hamilton, and received large profits. 



A. J. Hunter, Rainy River, Special Guardian appointed to 

 co-operate with the guardian appointed by the State of Minne- 

 sota to protect the sturgeon fisheries of the Rainy River, reports 

 that on May 15th they seized a trap net, and on the 17th 

 they confiscated several night lines. On May 16th they broke 

 up a camp on the river, which was dealing largely in caviare and 

 buying sturgeon from the Indians. On May 23rd they caught an Indian 

 fishing illegally and confiscated two gill nets; on May 27th they confiscat- 

 ed 1 keg caviare; on June 17th they seized 75,000 hooks; and on June 14th 

 they seized 4 kegs of caviare — about 600 lbs. This is worth about 75c 

 per lb. The seizure would total $450, adding the seizure of 1 keg on May 

 17th it would make a total value of about $550 of caviare seized. He re- 

 ports fKa^ there was more work to do on the American side, as most of the 

 parties engaged in the curing of caviare resided on the U. S. side of the 

 river. They had about 80 miles of river to cover, and found considerable 

 difiiculty in breaking up the illegal fishing, as the Indians were constant- 

 ly on the watch for them, and the Captain and crew of the American 

 steamboat plying on the river were bribed to watch all their movements 

 and report. He says that from experience gained this year they will be in 

 a better position to carry on the work successfully another year. 



Overseer Johnson, Parry Sound, Georgian Bay, reports that 

 the fishing has been good, and the fishermen have been 

 successful in their operations during the season. The angling 



has been splendid, and the tourists are well satisfied with the 

 wa'y the regulations are being carried out. The law has been 

 well observed, no poaching in the inland lakes, and less net fishing than 

 usual. The Indians have abandoned the selling of bass and other fish 

 prohibited by law, and the farmers are doing their utmost to protect the 

 fish in the inland lakes. Every person is satisfied with the present regu- 

 lations for the protection of fish. 



Overseer Johnson, Brantford, The Grand River, reports that 

 the angling in the waters tributary to the Grand River has 

 been very good, but in the river there has been no angling 

 on account of it being stocked and fishing therein prohibited 

 until the month of August, 1905. The indications are that 



the fishing will be much improved; as the waters seem to be full of fish, 

 thanks to the attention of the Department Wilkie's dam has now a good 



