1912 GAME AND FISHERIES. 17 



Warden C. N. Sterling, of Kenora, reports : He has been over his whole 

 district three times, and finds a decided improvement regarding the observance of 

 the Game Laws. 



The farmers and settlers in his district are fully in accord with the Depart- 

 ment in this matter, as they see that it is to their best interests to keep the game 

 from being exterminated. 



The infractions of the Game and Fishery Laws have been almost altogether 

 committeed by the Indians and parties coming across the border from the United 

 States and Manitoba, killing game on or near the boundaries. 



Regarding the Indians, it is very difficult to get conviction, owing to their 

 being allowed to kill game on their own reserves. 



In regard to fishing, there has been a decided improvement in the whole of his 

 district, reported by the fishermen, particularly in the Western portion. 



He would strongly recommend that nothing smaller than five-inch mesh nets 

 be allowed to be used by fishermen. In fact the most of the fishermen operating 

 on the Lake of the Woods and Shoal Lake are using 5^/^ to 6-inch mesh, and 

 report better results both in catch and quality of the fish taken. 



Game Fish. 



The black bass, which were furnished by the Department and put into Long 

 Lake, liave proved a decided success, and many good catches have been made there 

 this year. 



He would recommend the Department to further stock some other lakes tribu- 

 tary to the Lake of the Woods, as it would prove a decided attraction to this great 

 summer resort area. 



Moose. 



He finds moose very plentiful, in fact more numerous than ever known before. 



Caribou. 



There is a slight increase this year over last in the number of caribou in the 

 district, but the big herd is north of the English River in Keewatin District. 



Red Deer. 



Red deer are much more numerous than they have ever been before, and can 

 be had by sportsmen at or near the Kenora town limits. 



Beaver and Otter. 



Beaver are certainly increasing very rapidly, and their number can easily be 

 determined by the number of dams which they have built. As to otter, it is diffi- 

 cult to get any definite information. 



Mink and Musk Rat. 



Mink and musk rat are also fully as numerous as last year, the latter probably 

 increasing. He would strongly recommend that the season for catching musk rat 

 be extended fifteen days to enable the trappers at a distance to market their fur. 



