1905 DEPARTMENT OE FISHERIES. 33 



They fully realize the commercial value of the privilege they enjoy, taking 

 fish from the waters of the Bay of Quint©, and while as a class they are gen- 

 erally adverse to informing on either anglers or net fishermen who fish in 

 open violation of the law they are becoming very much alive to their own 

 interests and are awaking to a strong sense of self-protection which must 

 have a salutary effect in a better observance of the law^ in coming seasons. 



The stocking of these waters from the Government hatcheries with fish 

 fry is greatly appreciated by the fishermen and is yearly showing increased 

 benefits to them. 



This country from every view point, is clearly the premier spot for an 

 angler's paradise. Taking Picton as a centre, tourists have easy access 

 within an hour's drive or a half hour's run by rail to some of the finest fish- 

 ing reserves on the continent, including Weller's Bay, with fine hotel accom- 

 modation at Consecon on the Bay — west and east lakes with first-class hotel 

 accommodation at Wellington on West Lake and Lake Ontario, and at the 

 famous Sand Banks hotel — while from Picton the whole scope of the Bay 

 of Quinte, Smiths Bay and South Bay, are easily accessible by skiff, sail 

 boat or steam craft, and in each of these waters pickerel, pike, bass and 

 maskinonge are to be had for the catching. 



Overseer Kerr, Hamilton, reports that whitefish show an increase of 

 10,320 pounds over last year's catch, and without doubt they are becoming 

 more numerous in this part of Lake Ontario. Trout shows a decrease of 

 1,807 pounds in the catch compared with last year. The catch of herring 

 shows a decrease of 120,547 pounds as compared with last year's returns. 

 Owing to the frequent gales and rough stormy weather in November the 

 shore fishing for herring on Burlington Beach was a complete failure. The 

 lake was so dirty with moss, leaves, etc., near shore that the nets were choked 

 up shorty after being set and became useless, and the fishermen had to give 

 up fishing altogether on shore. The herring were there, but could not be 

 caught owing to the stormy condition of the lake, rough weather, etc. etc. 



The fishermen observed the law very well in Lake Ontario. 



He thinks the uniform size for herring gill nets should be two and a half 

 inches extension measure, and no net under this size should be permitted 

 to be fished in these waters. 



In Burlington Bay he seized several nets on different occasions, but 

 he could not detect the offenders. The nets were confiscated. He also seiz nl 

 several spears from offenders who were violating by spearing eels with jack- 

 lights. He seized the spears on each occasion, and in one case the boat, etc., 

 etc., and fined the offender five dollars on the spot, which he paid. The 

 other offenders were let off with a warning. 



He also observed that Sunday fishing with hook and line and by trolling 

 hook and line was carried on extensively all the summer in every part of 

 Burlington Bay by the rich and the poor, which looked bad in a Christian 

 land like our beloved Canada. He would suggest and recommend that an 

 Order-in-Council be passed that fishing or the catching of fish with rod and 

 line, trolling line and spoon hook, be prohibited on Sunday in the waters 

 of the Province of Ontario, and bring this fishing under the control of the 

 Fishery Department. 



The carp are getting plentiful in Burlington Bay, and he would suggest 

 and recommend that such means be taken by the Department as will destroy 

 this worthless fish. 



A few night lines were permitted under license in Burlington Bay, as 

 relurns show. 



3 F. 



