93 THE EEPOKT UPON No. 13 



the cheaper food question has become a problem, besides furnishing a source of 

 pleasure for the sportsmen. He regrets, however, to report that the trout and bass 

 are not so plentiful, and is still of the same opinion he held last ye,ar, viz., thafe 

 this lake should be restocked with these varieties, more particularly the bass. 



In regard to game, hares, squirrels and other small varieties of game are quite 

 numerous. There is a marked increase in partridges, thus proving the wisdom 

 of a closed season; but speaking of this locality alone, he thinks it would have 

 been preferable to have kept the season closed two years longer. Duck and other 

 waterfowl are sufficiently plentiful for any sportsman who has time and leisure 

 at their disposal. In fur-bearing animals a few mink and quite a number of foxes 

 were caught. Over fifty raccoons were caught within a radius of five miles from 

 home. 



Oversee?' Hector McDonald, of Beaverton, reports that during the months of 

 November, December and January he went his usual rounds and found the laws 

 well observed. On the 13th February he seized two spears on the north fishing 

 grounds of Thorah Island, also had one man fined for spearing; on the 18th, in 

 company with Capt. Carson, went to the fishing grounds at Sutton and seized two 

 spears; on the 28th went by ice boat with Capt. 'Carson to Sutton fishing grounds 

 and seized eight spears; on March 2nd went to Sutton, served some summons, and 

 had cases tried before CsJpt. Hunter. Cases were adjourned for further consid- 

 eration. During the months of April, May, June and July, he went his usual 

 rounds and found the law fairly well observed. There were some reports of illegal 

 catches of bass, which he investigated, but could not get evidence sufficient to con- 

 vict. 



In September he particularly looked after the protection of the ducks, and 

 found no illegal shooting. 



On the 7th October he went to Warren's Shoal and grappled and got some 

 300 yards of gill net, and sent same to the " Naiad " ; on the 9th he went on board 

 the "Naiad" until the 14th, then transferred to the "'Soucie"; on the 15th 

 James Shappee and he seized a boat and some hundreds of yards of gill net. 



During the season he put up all posters received from the Department. 

 Salmon are increasing very fast, as trolling never was better. Both spring and 

 fall anglers report bass fishing excellent this summer. 



Overseer William McGinn, of Orillia, reports that bass fishing in Lake Couchi- 

 ching has been very good, especially during the latter part of the summer. 



Bass fishing in Lake Simcoe in that section over which he has control has 

 been very poor indeed. He has taken parties out in his gas boat on several occasions, 

 and they have returned without a fish. For this state of affairs he cannot advance 

 an opinion. 



Salmon trout on tlie other hand have been very plentiful during both the 

 spring and fall fishing. One Indian caught on a trawl sixty-eight large salmon off 

 the point of Strawberry Island and Trout Shoal. 



He might submit that he thinks it a mistake to allow salmon to be taken 

 during the month of October in Lake Simcoe. Salmon spawn in these waters three 

 weeks earlier than in the upper lakes. 



He does not think there has been the usual illegal fishing this season, conse- 

 quently he has had less patrol duties to perform. He seized one net of three 

 hundred yards off Eight Mile Point. 



