1915 GAME AND FISHEEIES. 49- 



few woodcock. Wood hares are plentiful, but there are no black squirrels. There 

 are a few muskrats, while mink are very scarce. There are no beaver or otter. 



The overseer recommends that every persons who wishes to carry a gun 

 be obliged to take out a" license. 



MusKOKA District. 



Overseer F. A. Hanes, of Huntsville, reports that when going through the 

 different parts of the country and inspecting the different lakes, he took the 

 opportunity to find out how the bass were doing. They appeared to be increasing 

 very fast in some waters, while speckled trout were found in nearly all the creeks 

 and lakes some weighing from S^^ to 4 lbs. Salmon trout or lake trout were 

 more plentiful than they had been for some years. 



Partridge were increasing in some parts, but owing to the bush fires they were 

 scarce in places. He found beaver in all the lakes and creeks, but muskrats are 

 becoming more scarce each year. There seemed to be plenty of mink, and deer 

 were more plentiful last season than they had been for years. He would recom- 

 mend that otter be taken, for they destroy the fish in small lakes and trout streams. 



Overseer E. W. LocJcman, of Dorset, reports that the majority of lakes in 

 his division contain principally salmon and speckled trout; a few contain bass 

 as well. 



Hollow Lake provides the best salmon fishing and the adjacent small lakes 

 reasonable quantities of speckled trout. In none of the lakes in his division is 

 it possible to take more fish in a day than is allowed by law, except perhaps 

 in the early spring. 



With regard to game, there are deer, partridge, a few ducks and many 

 beaver. From recent observation, he does not think the deer are as plentiful 

 this year as last. Partridge are also scarce. 



Overseer William Robinson, of Kilworthy, reports that the law has been 

 fairly well observed in his district. The tourists had a good season and he 

 sold more angling permits than the previous year. 



Deer are increasing also beaver 'and otter, which may be found in almost 

 every stream in his territory. Partridge are more scarce than usual, but ducks 

 were fairly numerous. Muskrats are plentiful and mink are about the same as 

 last year. 



Overseer William Smith, of Gravenhurst, reports that he patrolled the Mus- 

 koka Lakes for five months — from May 15th to October 15th, and has found very 

 little violation* of the Fisheries Act. The close season was well observed as the 

 tourists and settlers are realizing the advantage of aiding the Department in 

 their efforts to keep the lakes stocked with game fish. 



There were not so many anglers as usual this season. August, usually the 

 best month of the season, was very wet, and consequently unpleasant for angling. 

 jSTotwithstanding this, he sold about the average number of permits, while a great 

 many sold at the border came to his notice. 



The fishing compared favourably with other years, although some people 

 say the contrary, but this adverse opinion he attributes to the fact that the fish 

 are not so anxious to bite as formerly as the waters are well stocked. 

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