1904 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 43 



the whole the yield of fish is creditable, and an evidence that the waters 

 are not being depleted. Carp were not nearly as plentiful as in former 

 years. The run of herring was very good while it lasted, and the quality 

 good. These fish seem to increase in size each year. He weighed speci- 

 mens several times, and 3i lb. and 3f each was common, while a fisherman 

 informed him that he had taken one that weighed 5 lbs. Practically all 

 tne fish caught were exported, and while the fishermen are willing to ac- 

 commodate any person who may wish them for home consumption, the de- 

 mand is small. Prices have ranged about the same as formerly, herring 

 being, however, half a cent per lb. lower. Angling was very good, and 

 some very fine fish were caught. The close seasons were fairly well ob- 

 served, as were all other regulations; and, while the fishermen do not seem 

 satisfied, the season appears to have been a favorable one. The catch from 

 pound nets amounted to $6,285.89, employing, say, 13 men would average 

 $483 per man for, say, eight months. 



Overseer Taylor, Westmeatk, the Ottawa, reports that there is pro- 

 bably no finer place on the Ottawa than the famous Pacquets Rapids for 

 scenery and lovely fishing spots. The waters have plenty of bass, pike, 

 pickerel, whitefish, and all kinds of coarse fish, and can be easily fished by 

 boat or from the shores, which are well adapted for fishermen. All those 

 who have visited this part of the Ottawa during the past season are delighted 

 with their fishing, and have stated their desire .to return again. The catch 

 probably is about the same as last season's, say 30,000 lbs. of all kinds for 

 local use- There are no fish ways in his division, but there should be 

 fishways on all the waters, such as Pembroke, Indian River, the Chalk, Pet- 

 tawa, etc. There are two good hotels there, and fisheremen can easily 

 get to good fishing grounds in half an hour and procure boats, etc., on the 

 spot. 



District Overseer Th unite, Oshawa,ie\tOTte that the fishing in the dif- 

 ferent lakes in his district was not so good as in 1903, except in Rice Lake, 

 where from all reports angling has been above the average, and would be 

 much improved if mud cats and other coarse fish were taken out of the water, 

 as there are immense quantities of these coarse fish in the lake. He would 

 strongly recommend that a few hoop net licenses be granted in said lake for 

 8 few years. And he also recommends that a modern fishway be put in 

 the dam in Indian River, so that lunge and bass can pass into Stoney Lake. 



He regrets to report that nearly all the game fish in Scugog Lake per- 

 ished last winter on account of the severe weather and the very low water. 

 The principal cause of this is that the dam (68 years old) and locks are in 

 such a bad state of repair that a large quantity of water is wasted. He 

 understands the Dominion Government is taking control of the Trent waters. 

 This, no doubt, will include the Lindsay locks and dam, and he trusts that 

 tne Department will be able to induce the Dominion Government to put in 

 new locks and dam, and replace the ancient fishway by a modern one. If 

 this is done, he says, that in a few years Lake Scugog, for a small lake, will 

 be one of the best fishing waters in Ontario. He again urges the Depart- 

 ment to make the possession of spears illegal wherever found, as their use 

 is the cause of destroying millions of lunge spawn; in fact, he would make 

 it illegal to manufacture spears in the district. He would also recommend 

 that a fee of $5 per rod be charged non-residents of Canada. This would 

 produce a considerable revenue to the Department, which would enable it 

 to give better remuneration to the local overseers, who perform their duties 

 on the whole in a very creditable manner. 



In regard to a $5 fee on American tourists, it would only be carrying 

 out a fair trade principle, as they impose a fee on Canadian anglers who 



