64 THE EEPOET UPON No. 14 



Overseer C. G. Gaudaur, of Atherley, reports that during the month of 

 November, 1913, the whitefish in the north end of Lake Simcoe were quite 

 numerous and might be seen in great numbers on shoals and in shallow places 

 frequented by this species of fish. Bobbing for whitefish during the winter was 

 profitable sport. Groups of fish houses could be seen oil whitefish and herring 

 grounds in his district and the catches made were above the average. 



Spearing for salmon trout through the ice was about the average and some 

 fishermen reported good catches. The spring run of trout which begins on the 

 opening of Lake Simcoe was exceedingly good, and fishermen who troll at the 

 " Deep Hole " say that the trout caught in that particular place were larger than 

 previous years. 



The fall run of salmon trout during the month of October was later than 

 usual. As a rule it begins about October 8th, but this year it was well on to the 

 20th before any fair catches were made with the troll. From then until the Slst 

 all anglers enjoyed good sport in catching plenty of trout. 



Maskinonge in Lake Couchiching during the open season far exceeded previous 

 years in number, and all anglers reported a good average catch during the season. 

 One man from Orillia had the pleasure of landing thirty, all of a good size. 



Overseer J. H. Laughlin, of New Lowell, reports that he went over his territory 

 several times last season and found that d'eer were increasing very rapidly. Par- 

 tridge are increasing also. He thinks it would be au improvement if the rabbit 

 and partridge season opened at the same time, as people go out to shoot rabbits 

 and shoot everything they see. 



The fishing was very good last season. 



Overseer Robert Leadley, of Barrie, reports that bass were scarce and small, 

 while whitefish were fairly plentiful, and the trout increasing in size and number. 

 He heard of only three maskinonge being caught. 



Deer are becoming plentiful in the north-west portion of the Township of 

 Vespra, but it is hard to protect them from dogs. He shot five hounds in Sep- 

 tember and October. 



There were a lot of partridge last fall and the hunters obtained good bags. 

 On account of so much bush having been burnt, they are being driven into a 

 smaller space and are easier to get at. At the rate they are being shot at the 

 present they will soon become very scarce. 



Muskrats are plentiful around Little Lake, which is a good breeding ground for 

 them, as the lake is shallow and the shore very marshy. 



Overseer William McGinn, of Orillia, reports that bass fishing in Lakes Simcoe 

 and 'Couchiching was very poor during the summer. In September and October 

 the black bass seemed to collect in large numbers on the limestone rocks in the 

 lower end of Lake Couchiching. He has seen as many as fifteen gasoline boats 

 at this spot, laden with people, all of whom were procuring large catches. Bass 

 are taken out of the waters in the fall of th^ year, and that is why the summer 

 fishing is so poor. There are plenty of small fish in the lake, such as rock bass, sun- 

 fish and perch. Maskinonge are plentiful this year. One man caught thirty-three 

 in Lake Couchiching during ,the season. Salmon trout and whitefish are very 

 plentiful in Lake Simcoe and are becoming better every season. 



The Patrol Boat Naiad has done good work in keeping the nets out of the 

 water, especially in the far end of the lake. 



Game of all kinds is scarce in Simcoe. 



Mink, muskrats, black and red squirrels are very scarce. 



