1912 GAME AND FISHERIES. 23 



Last fall the herring season was a heavy one. In fact never has there been 

 such a catch of these fish as during the season of 1910. Thunder Bay seemed 

 alive with the fish, and in some cases as much as twelve tons were taken in one lift. 



EosspoRT District. 



Eossport had a rather poor season. Upon questioning the fishermen they all 

 seem to be of the same opinion, that is, that the weather has been responsible. It 

 has been very rough on the lake in that section almost all season. 



Port Coldwell District. 



Here he found the season about the same as last, although the fishermen had 

 not expei'ienced the late runs, which had been usual. 



Close 'Seasons. 



This is one matter that should be given the earnest attention of the Govern- 

 ment. At Jackfish, for instance, the run of gray and black trout was on about the 

 15th of August, and right up to the 15th of September. These fish were then 

 filled with ripe spawn. The only fish, outside of the whitefish, of course, that the 

 present season protects, are the big salmon trout, which spawn about Nov. 1, and 

 which come in from the lake about that time. In fact, the extension of the season 

 of fishing, in his opinion, is asked for more for the purpose of netting these fish, 

 than because of any other reason. They are not caught during any other season 

 there. At Jackfish he found this to be the case. The Dominion Government had 

 men engaged at different points this season gathering the spawn, but owing to the 

 fact that the men were late on arriving because the hatchery was not in readiness, 

 a very small percentage of the spawn was gathered. 



Extension of the Season. 



He is of the opinion that the extension of the season for fishing should be 

 abandoned. The fishermen are seldom able to take advantage of this extension 

 because of the fact that the weather conditions are such that the fishing is done 

 at considerable risk, and reports have been made of losses, fishermen losing whole 

 gangs of nets. The only plea for the extension of the season in the future might 

 be for the gathering of spawn, but as a simple means of benefiting the fishermen 

 lie would strongly urge against such an action. 



Sawdust Dumping. 



There was one instance where the matter of sawdust dumping came to his 

 attention, and which would have proved to be damaging to the fisheries. This was 

 at the Big Pic Eiver. A sawmill had been erected there for the cutting of pulp- 

 wood. This river is the spawning grounds of the sturgeon. As soon as he learned 

 of the fact that the sawdust was being dumped into the river, he at once informed 

 the owners of the mill, the Northern Islands Pulp Co., that other arrangements 

 would have to be made to clear the sawdust. A conveyor was built and the sawdust 

 was then taken from the mill to the mainland, where it is burned. 



