1<H>4 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 31 



set lines in Canadian waters just west of Bois Blanc Island in the Detroit 

 River. He seized the fishing gear, but took precaution to know that he 

 was on safe grounds in doing so. The owners made protest to the American 

 or U. S. Consul at Aniherstburg, who notified him that they claimed seizure 

 was illegal, and made demand for compensation. He was enabled to con- 

 vince Mr. Martin, the U. S. Consul, that the seizure was legally made, and 

 the matter dropped. 



Complaints were made by fishermen on Lake St. Clair that their nets 

 were frequently robbed of fish by fish pirates from across the line. This 

 is a matter which does not come under the scope of a fishery overseer's duty, 

 according to the Book of Instructions to overseers. He made a seizure of 

 some gill nets (8) and fish, which were confiscated, in Lake Erie some two 

 or three miles west and north of Grubb's reef. The fisher- 



men in the different divisions have had varying success. Some have done 

 fairly well, while others have not. The fishermen in Kent have as a whole 

 done* better than in 1903. There has been a slight iiicrease in most kinds 

 of fish caught except yellow pickerel. The price received for the fish has 

 compensated in some measure for the small catch, as compared with catches 

 of former years. 



He would again draw attention to the necessity of the Dominion Patrol 

 Boat going into commission earlier in the spring, as the waters in Lake 

 Erie generally open from middle to last of March, with the result that 

 American gill net tugs seize the opportunity to get into Canadian waters 

 and enjoy from three to six weeks' good fishing in our waters before the 

 patrol boat gets out. They generally have three weeks' fishing in our 

 waters in the fall after the boat is laid up for the winter. He is still op- 

 posed to gill netting in the fall in the shallow waters of Lake Erie. There 

 is nothing more destructive, he thinks, to the herring of Lake Erie than 

 the taking of spawn herring in the fall by gill nets operated by American 

 and Canadian fishermen. Unless the Ontario Fishery Department and 

 American States bordering on Lake Erie secure uniform laws or action in 

 prohibiting all fishing from 30th Nov. to 1st April, the herring of Lake 

 Erie will cease to be a commercial factor in the fishery markets. 



Overseer Lamarsh, Wheatley, Lake Erie, reports that while there has 

 been a slight increase in the number of pounds of whitefish, herring, perch, 

 and soft and mixed fish, there has been quite a decrease in the other kinds 

 caught. Herring increased from 93,500 lbs. to 98,192 lbs. The herring would 

 have shown a great decrease but for the use of gill nets in the late fall by 

 some of the fishermen. Whitefish increased 27,408 lbs. over 1903. Perch in- 

 creased from 87,100 to 149,105 lbs. Soft and mixed fish increased from 

 152,600 to 214,945 lbs. Pickerel, pike, sturgeon, catfish and caviare show 

 a falling off from last year. The price of the fish has materially aided th0 

 fishermen in its financial part of the business. Fully 96 per cent, of all 

 i ue fish caught in his division is exported fresh to the United States. 



The close seasons have been well observed, so far as he could ascertain 

 by examination of shipments, etc. 



The fishing season closed in these waters about the 1st December. There 

 was very little loss of fishing gear in fall of 1904 as compared with 1902 

 and 1903, the fishermen being in that respect in better position than for 

 three years past. 



Overseer Loveday, Ottawa, reports that seven licenses were issued in his 

 division during the year. Visits were made at intervals throughout his 

 district. Four nets were seized, also five night lines. In May he visited 

 Carp River, where he found seven men at work spearing ; he seized their 



