1915 GAME AXD FISHEEIES. 43 



Muskrats seem to be plentiful, but mink are very scarce. Partrids^e have 

 been very scarce on account of their being hunted too closely. lie th'nks they 

 should have a close season for a few years, Ducks are very scarce. Dser are 

 quite plentiful this year. 



Overseer II. N. Covell, of Lomhardy, reports that the fishing on the lakes has 

 been very good. He thinks it is a good thing that the open season for salmon has 

 been shortened. 



No illegal fishing has come to his notice. 



Partridge, wild duck and muskrats are very plentiful this year, but mink are 

 very scarce. 



Overseer John Fleming, of Newboro, reports that in the discharge of his 

 duties as Master of patrol boat Navarch he patrolled the waters of Lake Ontario, 

 Weller's Bar, Bay of Quinte, River St. Lawrence, Eideau and Ottawa Rivers. 



He found the bass fishing better than in previous years, especially in the 

 waters in which hoop nets are being operated. He has been frequently informed 

 by the residents of such sections, and also by tourists, that the angling was never 

 so good as it was this year. 



The catch of muskrats in his district was about the average. He would 

 recommend that the open season for trapping be confined to the months of March 

 and April, as that would do away with the practice of setting traps in the banks 

 and houses. Partridge are not very plentiful, and mink are very scarce. Wild 

 ducks are about the same as former years, not very plentiful. 



The fish and game laws are fairly well observed, except in the Ottawa River. 

 He would suggest that a good man, who could devote most of his time to the 

 service, be appointed for the Ottawa River, fronting the Counties of Russell and 

 Prescott. 



Overseer John McGuire, of Jones' Falls, reports that last season was a very 

 successful one, while a little behind financially, the fishing was very good. He 

 did not sell so many angling permits on account of the boarding-houses and hotels 

 being filled with more residents of the Province than usual. 



He is of the opinion that it would be in the interest of the fisheries to limit 

 the catch of salmon to four each day, as formerly. If this is not done, there will 

 very soon be no salmon in the waters of the Rideau or any other waters in the 

 eastern part of Ontario. He also thinks that the catch of bass should be limited 

 to five instead of eight. He has been talking this over with the tourists and they 

 are, on the whole, in favor of this suggestion. He is satisfied that there would 

 be just as many tourists, and it would save the bass. 



He further advises that winter trapping and killing of muskrats be pro- 

 hibited. It is impossible to prevent the houses being cut open in the winter, as 

 it is the only way to get the rats, and the trappers will do it every time. If the 

 open season were from March 15th to May 1st it would be a great improvement. 

 The honest trapper is in favor of this, as it would save the rats. 



Overseer J. H. Stewart, of Brockville, reports that the fishing season was very 

 good, principally for black bass, pickerel, pike and maskinonge, in the St. Lawrence 

 River. 



Ducks were more plentiful last spring and this fall than they have been for 

 years, and only one conviction for illegal duck shooting was made. 



Partridge are very plentiful this fall. 



