1915 GAME AXD FISHERIES. 21 



Fish: Black bass fishing was about the same as in 1913 in Long Lake, and 

 a number have been caught in the Lake of the Woods. 



With regard to commercial fishing in the Lake of the Woods, the catch was 

 the best for three years, although that of the inland lakes was not so good. This, 

 he thinks, was largely owing to the mild fall last year, and the waters were late 

 ixx freezing up, as mostly winter fishing is carried on in these lakes. 



Moose: Moose are very plentiful all over the district. 



Caribou : There has been a slight increase in caribou, which came down from 

 the north last season. It is a well-known fact that the big herds are in Patricia 

 and work southward during the cold weather. 



Red Deer. — Red deer were fully up to the standard of the previous year; but. 

 the brush wolves, which are very plentiful, have been killing off the young favms in 

 the spring and sumfner, and unless something is done to diminish their numbers, 

 he expects to see a decrease in these animals. 



Beaver and Otter: Beaver are increasing very rapidly, and there is ample 

 evidence of this in the number of dams which have been built by them. In some 

 cases they are a nuisance to the railroads and lumbermen. 



He has seen many indications of otter throughout the district; but it is rather 

 difficult to form any opinion as to their increase or decrease. 



Mink and Muskrat: Mink and muskrats are fully up to the standard of last 

 year. The principal difficulty he has is preventing the Indians from breaking 

 open the muskrat houses in the close season as well as in the open season. 



Grouse and Partridge ; Partridge are very scarce and he does not know why 

 this should be so, as in places where no shooting is done the same condition prevails, 

 and those that are killed are principally old birds. 



Grouse or prairie chicken are about the same as last year, but they are only 

 to be found in the western part of the district. 



Ducks and Geese: These birds are scarce on the Lake of the Woods. This, 

 he thinks, is principally due to the higher water which has flooded the rice fields. 

 There probably will not be any increase until the wild celery which has been planted 

 has a chance to grow. In other parts of the district they are about the same as 

 usual. 



Wolves: As intimated above, he finds that brush wolves are very numerous, 

 and, in fact, are a menace to the children of the settlers who are going to school 

 in outlying districts. 



In conclusion, he would suggest that a bounty of Five Dollars per head be 

 paid on brush wolves, as he thinks that this would be^ a sufficient Inducement for 

 trappers and others to go after them. There is no doubt but that they are a serious 

 menace to the increase of the game in his district. 



Warden J. H. Willmott, of Beaumaris, re'ports that at the commencement of 

 last season anglers did not meet with very good success, but as the season advanced 

 there was a marked improvement, and during September he saw several strings 

 of bass taken in the Muskoka Lakes which compared very favourably with the 

 catches of thirty or forty years ago.' 



Those interested in the hatchery at Port Oarling had very poor success in the 

 propagation of pickerel this year. He believes that it would be most advantageous 

 if the Department could see its way clear to take over this hatchery and remove it 

 to Bracebridge, at which place spawn could be procured on the spot and the fry 

 shipped to any point by rail. One great advantage would be that at Bracebridge 



