18 THE REPORT OF THE g] 



ence of opinion. But it -a here to stay," and we must make the best of it 

 It has been shown that efforts for its extermination have been abortive Some 

 have suggested that the Government should offer a bounty to induce more 

 people to fish for it. But the best bounty that can be offered is the increas- 

 ing demand for it in the market. The demand that will make fishing for 

 carp a profitable business will provide the necessary incentive for its cap- 

 ture, and there seems to be an increasing demand in all large American 

 cities where there is a mixed population, and where the better kinds of fish 

 even for the wealthy are becoming a luxury. In such cities it will fill a large 

 and increasing want ; but it will be some time before the people of Canada, who 

 have been accustomed to our native fish, will cultivate a taste for the alien 

 The Department should afford every facility for carrying on the work of cap- 

 ture that it "is proper to afford, and authorize for that purpose the use of every 

 implement, the operation of which will not be a detriment to or assist in 

 the destruction of better species. When treating of the subject some years 

 ago, we held the view that nothing short of concerted action on the part of 

 the several jurisdictions surrounding the Great Lakes would have an appre- 

 ciable effect towards permanently reducing its numbers. But this was before 

 it had become to the same extent a mercantile product. The prices are 

 increasing, and in the wholesale market of New York four or five cents a 

 pound has been the average paid during the year, which would indicate 

 a good profit to the fishermen. At certain periods of the year, however, 

 prices are still higher, and by a small outlay provision may be made to retain 

 the take until such time as it can be more profitably disposed of. A simple 

 and effective enclosure could be provided to accommodate almost any num- 

 ber of fish by selecting some sheltered spot or bay and running from the shore 

 a picket fence (that which is manufactured and rolled in coils with wire if 

 closely woven would suit the purpose) in a square or semi-circular form, 

 the shore forming one side, the pickets being driven firmly into the ground, 

 and supported at regular intervals by stakes or posts driven more deeply. 

 A woven wire netting may where necessary be added to the top of the enclos- 

 ure to prevent the fish from jumping out, and with a view to reducing the 

 cost. It is not necessary to suggest that care must be taken to select a place 

 for the pen where the bottom is free from stones and snags so that the fish 

 when required to be marketed may be seined out ; and it would afford greater 

 immunity from damage to the enclosure from seas or floating debris if a 

 boom were strung around the enclosure ten or twenty feet therefrom. 



The net with which the carp may be taken most successfully is the seine. 

 The gill net, however, has its advocates, and may always be used to advant- 

 age where the carp has entered some place where the net may be set across 

 its one means of escape, or where it may be driven into the net. And it can 

 also be used in many places where it would be quite impossible, from the 

 nature of the ground, to use a seine. A fisherman of experience with gill 

 nets offers the suggestion that No. 35 thread is of the proper strength, that 

 a six inch mesh is the most profitable size to fish with, and that in making 

 up the net it should be hung five in three — an expression which practical 

 fishermen will understand. If taut, the fish will not enter- the net, but will 

 turn from it, it being very wary, "wise, knowing and cunning." 



Lake Manitou Lease. 



The company which has a lease of this lake, reports the operations at 

 their hatchery to be as follows: "In the spring of 1905 we deposited in 

 Lake Manitou two million fry, pickerel. Last year we placed in the hatch- 

 ery six million trout eggs, and twenty-four million whitefish eggs. The 

 latter eggs are now in proeess of hatching." 



2a f. 



