1914 GAME AND FISHERIES. 46 



Bass fishing in Otty Lake was very good, this is the best lake for bass in the 

 district. Pike, pickerel and bass were good in the Tay Eiver. Pickerel were 

 'biting well at the lower end of Christies Lake. 



He thinks there should be a hatchery on the Eideau Lake, as they could furnish 

 pickerel spawn from the Tay Eiver, and salmon spawn from the Eideau Lake. 



There were quite a few deer seen at the end of the town. Ducks and partridges 

 are about average. Muskrats and mink were plentiful last spring. 



Very few complaints of law-breakers have reached him, and those which have 

 come to his notice have not resulted in convictions as he was unable to obtain any 

 evidence. 



Overseer Ephraim Deacon, of BolinghroTce, reports that the close season for 

 the fish was well observed, ' There have been no violations of the law this season. 



The fishing has not been so good as in former years. He cannot under- 

 stand why this should have been so. 



He sold quite a number of angling permits during the season, but many 

 of the visitors were provided with permits before they arrived. 



Muskrats seem to be plentiful, but mink were scarce. Partridges were more 

 plentiful than they have been other years. Ducks are quite scarce. Deer are 

 more numerous, which fact he attributes to the hunters only being allowed 

 one deer each. 



Overseer William Pepper, of LanarJc, reports that there have been no viola- 

 tions of the l&w during the year, of which he could obtain evidence, but several 

 rumours have reached him, which upon being' investigated, he could get no one 

 to swear to the veracity of their statements. 



With regard to the fish, the Mississippi Eiver seems to be becoming well 

 stocked with pickerel; they are now taken quite easily, whereas a year or two 

 ago, it was difficult to catch one. Black bass are gradually becoming more scarce. 



With regard to game, deer seem to be more plentiful this year than they 

 have been for several years. Partridges are also more plentiful. Whilst driving 

 along the road they are continually to be seen getting up in front of the rig. 

 Ducks are not so plentiful as they were a few years ago; only some isolated 

 flocks are to be seen occasionally. 



Overseer J. H. Phillips, of Smith's Falls, reports that during the month of 

 November he patrolled the Eideau Lake with a row boat, in order to see that the 

 laws regarding the close season for whitefish and salmon trout were observed. 

 Gill net licenses were granted from Dec. 1st to 10th, and during that time he 

 remained at the lake to see that no illegal fishing was done. It was reported 

 that few fish were caught in the deep water. It was a wise move on the part 

 of the Department to change the close season to Oct 5th to November 5th, as 

 this gives the salmon better protection. 



During February and March he spent his time taking lyng from Otty Lakfe. 

 In March, he made frequent trips to see that no rat houses were interfered with, 

 and during April he watched to see that no spearing was done or dip nets used. 



On April 16 th, he received a report that muskrat houses were being broken into, 

 and the rats shot. He went to Chesterville to investigate the matter, and secured 

 sufficient evidence to convict the offenders, who were fined $26. 



May was spent in the same way as April. 



