1915 GAME AND FISHEKIES. 67 



opened, some very fine catches were made. He has no doubt that the work per- 

 formed by the special patrols appointed by the Department for the protection of 

 the fish whilst spawning, will have a very far reaching affect, and if continued for 

 a few years will materially increase the supply of these the finest game fish. 



At the opening of the shooting season ducks were not so plentiful as in other 

 years in some localities. He is of the opinion that this was caused by the great 

 number of motor boats and other crafts navigating between Lindsay and the lower 

 lakes. Later in the season the ducks seemed to be as numerous as in past years. 

 Partridge were very numerous. 



In the spring mink and rats were found in their usual numbers although 

 some of the buyers stated that they had procured more fur than in previous years. 



Overseer J. J. Irwin, of Dalrymple, reports that during the spring, carp and 

 an abundance of suckers are the main fish to be found in the waters of the canal. 

 Maskinonge are becoming more plentiful in those waters. The Brantford Fish 

 ( ompany shipped about twenty- three and a half tons of carp from the lift lock last 

 season. 



Angling on Mud Lake was good, especially for maskinonge and pickerel. Bass 

 were not quite so good. 



Mink and muskrats on the canal and Talbot Eiver were about the same as the 

 previous season. On Mud Lake, mink were about the same but muskrats were not 

 so plentiful. 



Otter appears to be about the sam^ as formerly. 



Ducks and partridge were plentiful. Deer are increasing. 



Overseer John Jones, of Fenelon Falls, reports that the coarse fish such as 

 suckers, carp, bullheads, ling and perch should be "taken out of Lakes Sturgeon, 

 Balsam and Cameron. Carp in particular which are coming in quickly by the lift 

 lock from Lake Simcoe. He has been so advised by other people and considers 

 himself that it would be a good thing to do. He understands there is a way by 

 which these fish can be taken out with hoop nets, but the Department should be 

 careful whom they license to do this work. 



He is of the opinion that the close season for trout should be from October 1st 

 to November 1st, as they are generally spawning from October 10th to November 

 10th. 



Fishing was very good this season. 



He would suggest that the bounty on wolves be raised, as they are doing con- 

 siderable damage and if this were effected many men, now out of employment on 

 account of lack of work in the lumber districts, would go out and hunt the wolves. 



During his trip on special patrol in the Haliburton District he found deer 

 very plentiful. Beaver and otter are apparently very numerous. 



Ducks, partridge, muskrats and mink have been fairly plentiful. 



Overseer C. W. Parkin, of Valentia, reports that maskinonge were more plenti- 

 ful last summer. Large bass were scarce ; the catches were small and a great many 

 jiindersized fish were caught and returned to the water. Only a few Americans 

 ime to this district to fish. 



The waters were so nearly depleted of frogs that it will take some time for 

 lem to become plentiful; but they are increasing slowly. 



Ducks were very plentiful. They are becoming more numerous every year; 

 ping to the good protection afforded them, a large number of red heads, blue bills 

 id blacks now hatch in the marshes. 



