1904 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 41 



lakes in the Township of Anstruther. If the Department could see fit to 

 put aside a small grant for this purpose, it would be a great boon to the 

 settlers, and also extend the tourist traffic, which is a source of great bene- 

 fit to the settler financially. 



He has patrolled his district at different intervals during the year, and 

 found no actual cases of illegal fishing, the close seasons and other regu- 

 lat ons being observed. 



Overseer Skeen, Harwood, Rice Lake, reports that the season just past 

 on Rice Lake has been like the previous year, somewhat disappointing to 

 lovers of good sport, not he thinks owing to the scarcity of fish, for during 

 the spawning season fish seemed very plentiful, the marshes being literally 

 alive with them. No open violation of the law came under his notice during 

 the close season. He was pleased to note that the water this year was main- 

 tained at a higher level than formerly, thus enabling the spawn to hatch 

 before the water fell low enough to cause it to be lost. 



There was a larger number of summer visitors this year than the pre- 

 vious year, and though through climatic conditions, either wind or rain, 

 the catch of maekinonge was not what might have been desired, still there 

 were some good fish caught, several to his knowledge ranging beween 25 

 and 30 lbs. The bass fishing was not as good as last year either, through 

 some unaccountable cause. Still the various visitors went away well pleas- 

 ed with the time they bad had, expressing their intention of coming again 

 next year. 



He would strongly recommend that a change be made in regard to the 

 granting of permits to foreigners; as it is at present they are not required 

 to take one until leaving with their fish. The result has been that a good 

 number have left without taking one, and from what he could hear they got 

 away with their fish without being asked a question about them. He would 

 ask that they be made pay the fee before putting a line in the water, which 

 would save a lot of trouble. 



Overseer Smith, Kemptville, on the Rideau, reports that there has been 

 a decrease in catch of fish for the season on account of low water. The 

 Government are repairing the dams and have let the water out, hence the 

 fishermen were unable to use their nets properly. 



The catch is all used for home consumption. 



There are no abuses that he is aware of. 



The close seasons have been fairly well observed. 



There was some illegal fishing, for which he fined one party ten dollars 

 and confiscated his fishing implements and fish. He was unable to obtain 

 the names of some other violators of the law, but confiscated their fish and 

 fishing gear in the shape of nets, jacks and spears. 



There are no fisliways on the Rideau. 



Overseer Smith, Gravenhurst, Muskoka Lakes, reports that the supply 

 of fish in the waters under his supervision during the past season, owing 

 to the absence of netting, and the care and attention devoted to their pro- 

 tection, has in his opinion greatly improved. There were two cases of vio- 

 lation of the Fisheries Act before him, and a fine of $10 in each case was 

 imposed. One offence was fishing nets in Lake Joseph, and the other for 

 offering fish for sale contrary to law. He also confiscated a quantity of 

 Det. 



The efforts to restock the waters with bass and game fish are becoming 

 manifest, and he thinks that during the next season the effects of the work 

 which has been done will be even more apparent. 



The close seasons were well observed, and illegal fishing has practically 

 ceased . 



