68 THE REPORT UPOX Xo. 13 



resort for tourists, who come from all parts of the United States, as well as 

 from, our own province. He does not think the fishermen would mind paying 

 more for their angling permits if they had better fishing, as they seem delighted 

 with our lakes. 



They have not had as many fishermen this year as in former years, as they 

 seem to go farther up the lakes. Then a number of Americans get their permits 

 on their way to Canada, but with the tourists and people of our own province 

 there are a great many people on Stony Lake. 



He thinks it would be a good thing if arrangements could he made with the 

 Dominion Government in regard to keeping the waters as nearly one height as 

 possible during the 'gpawning season in the spring, as a large amount of fish 

 spawn could be saved by a little care in regulating the height of the waters in 

 the spring. 



He would again suggest that the close season for bass and maskinonge be 

 from the first of April to the 15th of June, as the fish run as soon as the ice 

 disappears. 



The Game Laws have been fairly well observed during the past year, particu- 

 larly in regard to deer hunting, in his district. Partridge are plentiful this 

 season. Ducks are not so plentiful. Trappers have had a good season, particularly 

 trapping muskrats. Mink are veiry scarce. 



He would again suggest that the carrying of firearms be proliibited as much 

 as possible in his district in close season, as there are so many people on the 

 water in the summer, it is very dangerous, and there is no necessity for carrying 

 such. If this could be done it would be ibetter for tourists and all parties on the 

 waters. 



Overseer John McFarlane, of Keene, reports that the game and fish laws 

 have 'been very well observed in that district. The majority of the people are 

 interested in the preserviation of game and fish. Rice Lake never had a better 

 chance to be restocked with fish than it had this last spring, as the marshes were 

 flooded until late in the summer, and the small fish were in ajbundance 

 along the shores. Bass fishing has been excellent this year — ^but longe 

 fishing was not so good, although there seemed to be plenty of them in the spawn- 

 ing season. When thei time came for fishing they did not seem to take the bait, 

 except at the mouth of the Otonabee river, and Trent. Longe fishing was very 

 good at these two places. Muskrats were plentiful, and a fairly good number 

 were trapped, considering the amount of trapping that has been done every year. 



Rice was a fair crop this year, but the season was short for gathering it, as 

 the wind blew a a lot of it off when it was time to harvest it. 



Ducks are plentiful this 3"ear, but 'sometimes hard to get as they raft out 

 in the middle of the lake in large flocks. At times shooting was good and a good 

 number has been taken. Most of the shooting was done on points along the lake, 

 and on islands; very little blind shooting was done. It is reported there was 

 some shooting from a gasolene yacht on a Sunday, tbut there was not much of 

 it done. He was told some of the hunters ordered them to stop. There were also 

 some wild geese on the lake at times, but they did not remain long. The hunting 

 season needs a lot of attention from an overseer, especially on Rice Lake where 

 there is so much hunting done, and there are strangers coming and going all the 

 time. A good number came from Toronto this fall, and stopped at Jaimes Ash- 

 burn's summer resort, and took home a good supply of ducks. 



