1916 GAME AND FISHEKIES. 67 



The season of 1915 was much the same as the previous year regarding the 

 quantity of fish and game taken in this section, with the exception that a great 

 number of larger fish were caught at the opening of the angling season. 



Bass and maskinonge are the principal game fish which are found in these 

 waters. There is a great number of coarse fish also here, such as catfish, suckers, 

 perch, sunfish and minnows, but with the exception of catfish the other species are 

 only valuable as food for bass and maskinonge, although suckers are taken in spring 

 by many who use them. 



A large number of people come from the principal cities and towns of this 

 Province, notably to Sturgeon and Scugog Lakes for the fishing season, and they 

 are generally rewarded by good sport. This year there has been a larger number of 

 such visitors here than usual. 



The employment of special patrols resulted in the maskinonge and bass being 

 allowed to deposit their ova in comparative safety. If the usual percentage reaches 

 maturity it will lead to a marked increase in the number of these fine game fish. 



The number of ducks was about the same as usual, though the high water 

 during their brooding season flooded the rice beds and caused them to change their 

 usual haunts considerably. 



Partridge, plover and snipe were in goodly numbers this season. 



Large numbers of mink and rats were caught by trappers in the trapping season 

 but the prices of the skins were not as high as usual. 



From Overseer C. Burtclieall, of Coloconh, for Balsam and Mud Turtle Lakes.. 



Game and fish are not very plentiful this season. 



There were not as many good catches this summer as last. Maskinonge in par- 

 ticular were very scarce and the bass were much smaller. 



Ducks are extra scarce around here, and partridge also. The latter were 

 beginning to increase until the last two years, but they seem to be very scarce this 

 fall. 



Mink, otter, beaver and muskrat are all very scarce, it being a rare thing to 

 see a mink at all. I think there should be a close season of a term of three or five 

 years. 



The deer are also very thin and scarce, and, as for moose, I don't think there 

 are any near here. 



From Overseer J. J. Irwin, of Sebright, for Township of Garden. 



In the canal waters carp and suckers are the principal fish, but maskinonge 

 are increasing. 



Bradford Fishing Co. shipped about twenty-six ton of carp from the Lift Lock 

 this season. 



Mink are increasing, but muskrats are not. 



Ducks are very plentiful in the vicinity of the canal. 



On Mud Lake angling was good for maskinonge and pickerel. Those fish are 

 improving. Bass arc not so good. 



Mink and otter are about the same as formerly, but muskrats have increased 

 in the Mud Lake district. Frogs also are more numerous. 



Ducks and partridge do not show any decrease. 



Deer are about the same as last year. 



Frojn Overseer C. W. Parkin, of Valentia, for Townships of Mariposa and Ops. 

 Fishing was unusually good both for maskinonge and bass. 



