CHAPTER I. 



LAKE FISHERIES. 



Statistics of a couple of Fisheries on the Western Lakes. 

 As I have before stated that this is not a school-book, I will 

 add that it is not intended for the counting-room. The few 

 statistics given are mere glimpses at a branch of industry 

 which is a sealed book to the public. The lake fisheries of 

 the United States are confined to the southern half of the 

 range of lakes to which the River St. Lawrence is the outlet. 

 Later in the history of this country important fisheries will 

 be established on Lake Superior and at intervals far beyond. 

 At present the few fisheries are controlled by private indi- 

 viduals or companies, who have not cared for the publicity 

 which would enable reporters to make a correct estimate of 

 this industry. 



FOOD-FISHES OF LAKE SUPEEIOE. 



The catch of fish in Lake Superior averages about ten 

 thousand barrels, of which nine thousand are whitefish, and 

 the remainder ciscoquettes (ciscos) ; but this only applies to 

 the fish which are salted for an Eastern market ; for large 

 quantities are shipped while fresh, of which no correct ac- 

 count is kept. In Detroit one firm alone ships annually some 

 three hundred tons of whitefish, which, however, is a portion 

 of the harvest of Lake Huron. 



The largest whitefish are caught below Copper Harbor, in 

 Lake Superior, and weigh about 8 pounds, or 60 to a barrel ; 

 those caught above Copper Harbor average 1J to 2 pounds, 

 and about 130 to the barrel. 



From an estimate made in dollars by the dealers in Lake Supe- 

 rior fishes, the catch of last year, when salted, amounted to... $200,000 00 

 300 tons fresh whitefish, shipped by one house, at 10 cts. per Ib. 60.000 00 



$200,000 00 



