42 THE REPORT OF THE No. 31 



Great care lias been taken in disposing of all refuse to prevent the pollu- 

 tion of the waters. 



Overseer Steed, Samia, River St. Clair and Lake Huron, reports that 

 the past season was one of the most severe and disastrous to all 

 engaged in this calling in this part of the Province for years. 

 There is a slight decrease in the catch when compared with last season in the 

 number of pounds taken, but, as this was principally in coarse fish, the 

 others more than made this up, considering that the price paid for all kinds 

 was almost $4,000 more than the former seasons. Two causes for this decrease 

 might be mentioned, viz., the lateness of the spring owing to the severe 

 winter, and the ice being piled higher than ever on the lake shore with 

 windrow after windrow outside, thus making their start almost a month later. 

 The month of November was a record breaker for northwest gales of wind, 

 when the fishermen had hardly a day to get out nets or stakes before the 

 ice windrows were formed again on the beach. The result was that at 

 least 30 per cent, of the twine, and the most of the stakes, were lost. 



In regard to the run of fish, he states that on the lake shore the herring 

 came in such large numbers that the fishermen had to dump them back into 

 the lake, as they could not handle them, and they were small in size. 



The close seasons were well observed, owing partly to the restrictions 

 having been less rigid than usual. Cases of illegal fishing were as follows : 

 In March one party had fish in his possession at a time prohibited by the 

 Fishery Act, and a fine of $10 and costs was imposed; during the month of 

 May Americans came over and fish, from boats on the bay, when he made 

 a raid on them, getting two boats containing two men and a boy, fining the 

 men $10 and costs each, and dismissing the boy, who was with his grand- 

 father; and in June a party fishing without a license was fined $10 and 

 costs. 



He says the mill owners have not yet learned the art of rafting saw 

 logs, as the fishermen complain sadly of the damage done by logs to their 

 pound nets, and wonder why they do not get the protection asked for. 



Overseer Stephens, Chatham, River Thames, reports that there has been 

 a small increase in the number of fish taken in his district this last year, 

 owing to the rapid increase in the number of carp in Lake St. Clair; they 

 are the largest source of revenue the fishermen have in that district. Nearly 

 all the fish taken are exported to the United States, only a few being used for 

 home consumption. 



The close season was very well observed, no case of illegal fishing having 

 come to his notice. 



There is one sawmill on the river. No sawdust or other refuse is thrown 

 into the water. 



There are no fishways in this district, and none are necessary. 



Overseer Wm. Stewart, Pelee Island, hake Erie, reports that the sta- 

 tistical return which accompanies his # report shows a large increase in the 

 quantity of fish caught as compared with the year 1903. This increase, 

 however, may not, he says, arise from the fish being more plentiful, but 

 from a more vigorous prosecution of the fishing, 23 pound nets being in oper- 

 ation during the fishing seasons, while in 1903 there were 11 pound nets 

 during the spring season, and 20 during the fall season, which commences 

 about the first of September. So that there is an apparent decrease in the 

 quantity of whitefish taken as compared with 1903 and 1902, had the same 

 number of nets been used, but again this may not indicate a decrease of this 

 kind of fish in these waters any more than an incorrectness in return. He has 

 been informed that this kind of fish was very plentiful in the markets. On 



