1912 GAME AND FISHERIES. SI 



winter months, and are very destructive to the spawn of the sturgeon and all other 

 fish seeking deep water. 



Overseer II. B. Parher, of Bobcaygcon, reports that the niaskiuoiige were 

 again favoured last spring for spawning, as the water held its level very well on 

 these waters — Sturgeon, Pigeon and Ball Lakes. Although the ice was some later 

 going out of the lakes, the bass were through earlier than usual. They were olf 

 the spawning grounds before tlie 15th of June, earlier than they usually are other 

 seasons, and all the spawn seemed to hatch well. He thinks the fine warm weather 

 in the middle of May had a great deal to do with it. The bass fishing was not so good 

 there this season as other years, but the maskinonge fishing was better than for 

 some years. He would again call the attention of the Department to the need of 

 a fish hatchery on these waters to keep the fishing grounds replenished. 



Ducks are not so numerous this fall as other years. Partridge are on the 

 increase, as there are big fiocks to be seen. Deer and other game, muskrat, mink 

 beaver, etc., are about the same as usual. He can safely say that there has not been 

 so much illegal fishing, hunting, and trapping done this year. lie would lecom- 

 mend that all fishing through the ice on the Kawartha Lakes bo stopped ; that the 

 open season for bass be from 20th of June to 1st December on these waters; that 

 the open season for maskinonge be from 1st June to 1st December on these waters ; 

 that muskrat be from 1st March to 1st May; that there be no sale of duck or any 

 other game birds 



Overseer Charles W. Parlin, of Valentia, reports that maskinonge were quite 

 plentiful in his division during the past season, and the tourists seemed well pleased 

 with their catches. 



The bass is decreasing in numbers owing to the fact that so many are taken 

 out by fishing through the ice, which, in his opinion, is an unfair way of doi)leting 

 the lake, and he would therefore suggest that the fishing through the ice be pro- 

 hibited. This could be done by making the close season for bass and maskinonge 

 from the loth day of June to the 15th day of December. 



He did not sell any fishing licenses this season, owing to the fact that only a 

 few non-residents visited in his locality, and they did not care to do any angling. 



He states that the laws protecting the fish were well regarded. No 

 violations came to his notice. 



In regard to the catching of frogs for domestic purposes, he would suggest 

 tliat the close season be extended for at least three years. Owing to the demand 

 to supply the market, they are becoming almost extinct. 



Muskrats in his district, and in fact in the lake generally, were very plenti- 

 ful in the past season, they having been protected by the low condition of the water, 

 which did not give the trappers the same chance to secure them. 



As to the meadow larks, which do not now exist on the game list, he would // 

 suggest that this kind of game be put on the list, they being in the quail family ' , 

 and therefore should not come under the insectivorous list. 



The ducks are very numerous this season, and he thinks the open season 

 being fifteen days later benefits this kind of game. He had only three convic- 

 tions for illegal duck shooting, which goes to show that the laws in this respect 

 are well observed. 



He has kept a close watch upon his district during the past year and he finds 

 the laws protecting the different classes of game and fish have been respected 

 generally. 



