1912 GAME AND FISHEEIES. 73 



on account of the construction of the dam and locks, which necessitate a consid- 

 erable amount of blasting and dredging. There was very little, if any, illegal 

 fishing done during the close season. The people are beginning to see that it is 

 necessary for them to preserve the fish in close season, if they expect to have good 

 fishing when the season opens. 



Eegarding game and fur-bearing animals, the law has been quite well observed, 

 but he would recommend that the season for trapping muskrats and mink be 

 changed, and the season be from the 15th day of October until the 30th day of 

 March, as from information which he has gathered, he is convinced that in April 

 they should be protected. 



Overseer George Hood, St., of Scugog, reports that during the past year 

 there were no violations of the Fisheries or Game Law to his knowledge in his 

 division. In regard to fishing, the conditions are much better than last year. 

 Maskinonge are becoming more numerous, and there is no difficulty in obtaining 

 a good catch. Many anglers caught their number this year in Scugog Lake. 



Th§ water in Lake Scugog is the lowest it has been for years, and if we have 

 a hard winter it will be bad for the fish. Bass are very plentiful. 



Ducks are very plentiful this season. There are lots of hunters around the 

 lake at present. 



Muskrats are very numerous; they are building their little houses now for 

 winter, but the water is so low he is afraid they will have a hard winter. 



There are lots of rabbits. Mink are not so plentiful as some years. 



Partridge are increasing. He has seen several this fall. The law has been 

 very well observed. 



He put up all the notices that were sent to him around the lake so the hunters 

 could see them. 



Overseer J. J. Irivin, of Dalrymple, reports that angling was especially good 

 in Mud Lake. Mascalonge and bass are plentiful. Pickerel are not so plentiful. 

 There are no carp in Mud Lake. There has been quite a number of tourists there 

 this season. Ducks are scarce in his district. Partridges are numerous this fall. 

 Deer are scarce. Muskrat seem to be a very good supply. Mink are scarce. In 

 the canal water, from the lift lock west, there are plenty of carp and rock bass, and 

 from the lift lock east, some mascalonge. No violations of the act came to his 

 knowledge. 



Overseer Charles JicJcling, of St. Paul's Station, reports that he has found 

 the laws to be very well observed, he only having had two cases of violations — one 

 for shooting a deer out of season, and the other for trapping muskrats out of 

 season. 



Black and gray bass are pretty well fished out of the small streams on account 

 of the streams being low. They gathered in deep places, which accounted for it. 

 There have been a great many caught in the Eiver Thames and Trout Creek. 

 The law seems to have been pretty well observed as to size. 



Brook trout seem to be scarce. He feels sure they are being taken' under size, 

 but it is a hard matter to get the parties. 



As far as he can learn, from information gathered, the partridge are rather 

 on the increase. The cotton-tail rabbit are extremely plentiful, a great many com- 

 plaints having been made to him about protecting them, as they are going to 

 become a nuisance. The black and gray squirrels. are holding their own. He has 



