1915 GAME AND FISHERIES. 61 



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as plentiful as in former years. The catch of whitefish was not so good as the 

 previous year. Carp are becoming quite a nuisance, being very numerous in 

 Weller's Bay. 



Partridge and ducks were very plentiful. Muskrats appeared scarcer, and he 

 would recommend that the close season should be lengthened to January Ist. Mink 

 are v-erj scarce and there are very few black squirrels. 



Rainy Rivee Disteict. 



Overseer William Ay trier, of Fort Frances, reports that the fishing on Rainy 

 River was not so good as in 1913, especially for whitefish, but some good catches 

 of pickerel were made. Fishing on Namakan Lake was good,, some splendid white- 

 fish coming from there. The gill net fishermen seem to be doing the best, though 

 the pound nets on Namakan Lake have done fairly well. The American fishermen 

 fishing the boundary lakes east of Namakan Lake, on the Minnesota side, inform 

 him that their catch has been light. The small lakes north and east of Fort Frances 

 are well stocked with whitefish, pickerel and trout, though in most of them the 

 rough fish, such as ling, jackfish, and suckers, are increasing rapidly. 



Partridge are very scarce round Rainy Lake, but are plentiful in some locali- 

 ties off the lake. Prairie chicken are increasing in the western townships. Ducks 

 are numerous, mostly mallard and blue bill, but they are very wild and hard to 

 get at, though some have reported securing good bags. 



Moose and deer are increasing, especially the latter. The extension of the 

 open season was much appreciated last season. Rabbits are very scarce. The 

 trapping was good last winter, especially for mink, fisher and foxes; there were 

 also quite a number of lynx. caught. 



Brush wolves are increasing rapidly, they are very destructive to partridge 

 and fur-bearing animals as well as to deer. 



Overseer G. S. Gates, of Emo, reports that deer were not so numerous last 

 year near the international bouudary, but seemed to be more plentiful in the un- 

 settled part of the country, owing to the wolves keeping further south than in 

 previous years. 



Moose are plentiful a few miles back from the river. Wolves are becoming 

 very numerous, and quite a number of sheep have been killed by thera. One 

 farmer near Emo informed him that he had nine sheep killed this year, besides a 

 quantity of turkeys. Lynx are very scarce. Beaver are increasing fast, and in 

 some places are a nuisance. He believes mink, fox and skunk are increasing. 

 Partridge are not very plentiful. Ducks seem to be plentiful, as he has seen a 

 great many in places where he never saw any before. 



Renfeew County. 



Overseer Samuel Andrews, of Mickshurg , reports that he kept a close watci« 

 over his district and found the law well observed during the season, no infrac- 

 tions having taken place. There were therefore no fines imposed or nerts confis- 

 cated. The close season was strictly observed. 



Maskinonge and black bass are scarce, and not many were caught. Bull- 

 heads, suckers, and pike were plentiful, and a large number were taken. 



