66 THE EEPORT UPON No. 13 



game fish are increasing year by year. In order to better understand the situation 

 he went up by launch to the head waters of Scugog Lake ; all the way up to Port 

 Perry, the weedy condition of the lake is a drawback to free navigation, and were 

 it not for the buoys placed to indicate channel and deepest water, the trip would 

 be a very difficult one. It is to be hoped that the fall rains will raise the water in 

 Scugog Lake to its normal, height, and thereby protect the fish from the eifects of 

 heavy frosts in winter, if such conditions prevail this coming winter. Frogs are 

 not increasing as they should in these waters. He is of opinion that frogs ougbt 

 to be protected absolutely for three years, and then in their banding season at all 

 times; if this were done he believes frogs would become a valuable asset to tho 

 Province. Mink are increasing under the timely protection given them, and they 

 will in the near future increase and become of great value to the people who live 

 in tliat part of Ontario, and derive a large part of their living by trapping and 

 hunting. Muskrats were not caught in as large numbers last spring by trappers in 

 that section ; the prices were not as high as last year for rat skins, but some local 

 trappers did fairly well and seemed satisfied with their catch, for when a trapper 

 is lucky enough to secure mink also he makes a good amount in a short time, for 

 which cash is paid by buyers who vie with each other to secure the trappers' skins 

 at the close of the trapping season. Ducks were very plentiful this season; those 

 splendid game birds have increased wonderfully during the last few years. It is a 

 grand sight to see immense flocks of ducks feeding in the wild rice fields, which 

 afford them shelter and an abundance of food during brooding season. This in- 

 crease in the number of ducks is a direct outcome of strict and vigilant observance 

 of duly by those entrusted with protection of the game, for as long as the poaeliing 

 pot-hunters can be kept under proper control the ducks and other game will in- 

 crease. No true sportsman will molest or disturb them until permitted by the 

 law to do so. Partridge are said to be very plentiful all over the country where 

 conditions are suited to their propagation, and from all sections inumerable game 

 are found; they are said to have increased wonderfully during last year. The law 

 was fairly well observed during the year, only one breach of the Act upon which 

 to take action came to his knowledge, and this was illegal possession of deer skins. 

 The skins were confiscated and a fine of $5.00 each imposed by F. D. Moore, K.C., 

 and this case was reported to the Department at the time. Another case of tres- 

 pass under the Game and Fisheries Act came also before the County Magistrate; 

 in this case a fine was imposed by William Moore, and this he reported to the 

 Department at the time. There are a few changes which he is convinced would 

 be for tlie better if adopted : 



(1) That frogs be protected for the full period of three years in all the 

 waters of the Trent Valley Canal, and in the banding season at all times as they 

 are in Victoria County. (2) That fishing in winter through the ice or otherwise 

 be prohibited, and that the trawling season be the only time that bass and lunge 

 can be caught. (3) That muskrats be only trapped in spring, and all winter 

 catching of rats be discontinued; it should not be allowed. (4) That dogs should 

 not be used in hunting mink in winter. This is the most destructive manner in 

 which mink are killed; they should only be caught by trapping them. 



Overseer R. M. Brown, of Milton, reports : 



Speckled Trout — In that part they were very plentiful, but as no protection 

 has been afforded them they will soon be a thing of the past. 



Fish Passes — ^Much dissatisfaction is expressed about the dams at Oakville 

 and Zimmerman having no fish ladders, especially the one at Zimmerman, which 



