1916 GAME AND PISHEEIES. 11 



The catch of whitefish and herring was very fair last fall, in view of the 

 storms in the lakes. 



All the whitefish and herring spawn that the Hatchery could handle was ob- 

 tained, but I think there should be more hatcheries built, especially on Lake Erie. 



The whitefish have started to show good this fall in Lake Erie and there are 

 a few in the Detroit Eiver and Lake St. Clair. 



There has been a good catch of sturgeon, perch and white bass in Lake St. 

 Clair and part of Lake Erie, but there should be a regulation in regard to the size 

 of sturgeon, perch, white bass and blue pickerel. A great many of these fishes are 

 taken too small for the market. 



Black bass are reported plentiful around St. Clair Flats, Mitchell Bay and 

 Pelee Island, and the anglers claim to be making good catches. 



German carp are increasing all along different lakes and rivers. 



Quail are reported by the farmers and sportsmen more plentiful than in years 

 past. 



Hungarian partridge which were distributed by the Department a couple of 

 years ago are doing fine in the Counties of Essex and Kent. The farmers have 

 seen a great many young birds every season. Other partridges are about the same, 

 not increasing. 



Woodcock were very plentiful early in the season, but very few of them were 

 shot this fall. 



English pheasants are reported doing well along Peelee marsh. 



Snipe has only just started to make a show this fall. 



Black and grey duck Mallard were plentiful early in the season and a lot of 

 them bred in the marshes of Lake Erie, Detroit Eiver and Lake St. Clair. All the 

 species of ducks — canvasback, blue bill, red head — have not showed very much 

 this fall, but they were plentiful in the end of 1914, especially in Lake St. Clair, 

 Eondeau and Lake Erie. 



Wild geese are about the same as other years. 



Black and grey squirrels in Essex and Kent are scarce and there should be a 

 close season in these two counties for these squirrels. 



Muskrats are beginning to show up well in their building houses in the 

 marshes. Last fall they were plentiful and the catch was very fair, but the season 

 to catch rats should be February 15th to April 10th the same year. 



All the overseers and Deputy Game Wardens in my district have performed 

 their duties well and always readily assist me in enforcing the law. 



Warden G. M. Parks, North Bay: — ' 



I beg to; submit my annual report for the year 1915. 



I have travelled my district extensively during the past year, and am pleased 

 to say that I find a general improvement in both game and fisheries, with the ex- 

 ception of partridge, which are very scarce. I would like to recommend a close 

 season for 1916, the bad fires during the early part of the last two years having 

 destroyed the eggs and young birds. 



Wild ducks are reported plentiful throughout the district, and wild geese, 

 though scarce in this locality, abound in the north. Snipe and plover are also 

 plentiful. 



Moose, many of which have already been brought in by the hunters, and deer, 

 appear to be increasing. A number of caribou have been reported along the Trans- 

 continental Railway. 



