1904 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 39 



by tourists and sportsmen is just as decidedly on the increase, largely due 

 to the remarkable increase in bass and maskinonge. 



In his last annual report, he submitted that ''catering to the tourist 

 fraternity, especially in providing good fishing for them, is the largest 

 factor to be taken into consideration in making and carrying out fishery regu- 

 lations," and now another year's experience adds to the force of that con- 

 tention. But with the changing conditions comes the necessity for changed 

 methods and appliances for successful oversight, and it is now absolutely 

 imperative that fishery officers be equipped with light and speedy craft. The 

 territory to be covered is immense, yet, notwithstanding its immensity, the 

 tourist is to be found in all holes and corners of it for at least two months 

 in the year, and to a certain extent during the whole season of navigation. 

 The tourist class as a whole are inclined to observe the laws, but there is 

 always the sprinkling of the reckless and regardless who have to be kept in 

 check. 



A prospective cause of trouble lies in the fact that already, a few choice 

 localities are becoming congested with tourists during the season, and as the 

 bulk of them fish in the immediate vicinity, depletion of game fish is a natural 

 consequence. Then, a congestion of tourists in such localities, is followed 

 by the influx of the tourist hanger on, the guide, the caterer, the ne'er-do- 

 wcol, some of whom make permanent quarters in the vicinity, greatly to 

 the destruction of fish; and he respectfully submits that the Crown Lands 

 and Fishery Departments work in unison in this matter, so that none but 

 bona tide settlers be allowed to occupy public lands. 



Fishermen, as a whole, have not made money, although individually 

 have done well. He does not think that commercial fish are becoming scar- 

 cer, but they are changing their feeding grounds. This is borne out by 

 the fact that grounds pronounced worthless a few years ago gave good re- 

 sults this year, while a good many favorite places had to be abandoned after 

 the bulk of the season had passed. 



German carp, contrary to expectation, show no perceptible increase, 

 and he is of the opinion that the waters of the Georgian Bay will prove 

 unsuitable for them. 



His operations in the sailing cruiser "Maud" were carried on in the 

 usual way during the season of navigation. The Maud is a good boat of 

 her kind, but the changed conditions call for a totally different kind of 

 craft, and he would recommend that she be equipped with power, or else 

 sold and a power launch put in her place. 



He reports that illegal practices are largely on the decrease, and while 

 bis district furnishes unusual facilities for the would-be law breaker, he 

 is satisfied that continued vigilance with a proper equipment would even- 

 tually, if not totally, wipe it out, or at least practically eliminate it as a 

 factor to be dealt with. 



Overseer Roblin, Adolphustown, Bay of Quinte, reports that the catch 

 for 1904 was over 25 per cent, of an increase over 1903, and nearly 50 per 

 cent, over 1902, which plainly shows that the fish are increasing. 



The fishery laws are very well complied with, and fishermen are well 

 satisfied with the increase of their business. 



There is not much change in the angling from that of last year. 



The game fish seem to be on the increase. * 



There has been a large increase over 1903 in the catch of the different 

 kinds of fish. About 90 per cent, were exported, and 10 per cent, used for 

 home consumption. 



