1904 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 29 



that a guard be placed on such for strict protection and maintenance. On 

 the chain of Rideau lakes, there are three such, well known as the home 

 of bass, and are eminently adapted for such reservation. They lead to 

 other and larger lakes by a small outlet, and by holding them in reserve 

 it will be a continuous growing hatchery, and hence a continuous supply to 

 the other lakes- These three locations situate about equal distance apart 

 would supply, without re-stocking a chain of ten lakes, having a distance 

 of fifty miles. To guard these lakes would cost about $100 per annum each, 

 and in addition the overseers could be useful in protecting the waters in 

 the immediate vicinity of such reservations. The forest wealth of the 

 Province is being wisely protected by a reservation of millions of acres, 

 and a like policy of reservation of certain lakes for the propagation and 

 preservation of our valuable fish would meet the approval of public senti- 

 ment. 



Sixth, that no netting be allowed between the 1st April and the fall 

 fishing, as the spring hshing is without a doubt far more desctructive to 

 game fish than any other season of the year. 



The patrol boat "Eva Bell" did good service last season, and is in ex- 

 cellent condition for the coming season. She made no seizure, for the 

 reason she was always there to do so, and as reported before is indispen- 

 sable for the stretch of waters she patrols. 



The people are becoming more and more interested in the 

 protection of these waters. They never more realized the commercial 

 value of their fisheries and the annual acquisition to their trade. They 

 do not complain of the expenditure in consequence of sucE protection, but 

 on the contrary will sanction a larger expenditure that better facilities be 

 afforded. They well know that to guard this net work of waterways re- 

 quires close attention, determination and ample means. To maintain and 

 keep them from depletion, in face of the complex solicitation of trade and 

 the enormous drain by the summer tourists requires determined, well paid, 

 men to enforce the laws and regulations. In the inland fisheries the fu- 

 ture has in store the possibility of vast contributions of 'pleasure and of 

 wealth. It is a heritage worthy of the most energetic and mature con- 

 sideration. 



Overseer Labatt, Victoria Harbor, Georgian Bay, reports that the catch 

 of the different kinds of commercial fish was about the same as 1903. Game 

 fishing though was much better, maskinonge being very good, and are still 

 increasing rapidly. He does not know of any existing abuses. The close 

 seasons were well observed. The Act respecting the protection of navi- 

 gable waters was also well observed. He does not know of any mill refuse 

 being dumped in the water that would do any injury. 



Overseer Laird, Guilds, Lake Erie, reports that, owing to the 

 very severe winter of 1903-4, fishing did not commence as early 

 as in some previous years, not until the 15th May did the fish- 

 el men get their nets in the water; but taken as a whole the 

 season was better than that of 1903, both as regards the weather 

 and as to the catch of fish. There were not so many gales as in 

 1903, and there was a very substantial increase in the catch of herring and 

 whitefish as compared with some former years; in fact, the catch of white- 

 fish came very near to the catch in the year 1901, which was a record year, 

 the catch being 52,562 lbs., while for th,e past season it was 49,717 lbs. He 

 thinks this was due to the fact that they had a very cool season, free from 

 any heavy gales. The water did not get warm until late in the summeT, 

 and it was in the forepart of the sea-son that most of these fish were caught ; 

 in fact, there "were very few caught in the fall. The prices for all kinds 



