GEEAT LAKES: LAKE MICHIGAN. 643 



The most productive season ever known to the fishermen of this shore occurred in the autumn 

 of 1876. A sufficient amount of fish was taken in seventy-six pound-nets to fill, when salted, 22,722 

 half-barrels. The catch consisted almost entirely of herring, a species which is also the most 

 abundant at the present time. Only 500 half barrels of whitefish -were taken. 



GREEN BAY CITY AND VICINITY. Green Bay City, situated on the Fox Eiver, near its entrance 

 into Green Bay, as regards its connection with the fisheries, is in some respects one of the most 

 important towns on the bay. A large amount of fish taken in the fisheries of both the eastern 

 and western shores of the bay is shipped through the town, and supplies of salt, twine, netting 

 and provisions are purchased there. The fisheries of the town itself, however, are quite insignifi- 

 cant when compared with those of the villages farther north. 



The number of fishermen permanently resident at Green Bay does not exceed twenty-five. It 

 is increased, however, during the fall and spring, by an addition of seventy-five or one hundred 

 semi-professional fishermen. Among seventeen of the twenty five men first mentioned, the follow- 

 ing nationalises were found to be represented: English, 2; French, 2; American, 2; Norwegian, 

 2; German, 3; Polish, 2; Swiss,!; Belgian,!; Swedish, 2. An equally remarkable diversity 

 prevails in many other localities on the lakes. 



A few of the fishermen are in comfortable circumstances financially, while one or two are 

 moderately wealthy. On the other hand", some are negligent and seem to have no tact in providing 

 for their families, although their gains are usually sufficient to enable them to live well. 



Several different branches of the fisheries are carried on at Green Bay, but only to a limited 

 extent. Gill-nets are set in the inlets which penetrate the marshy shores of the Fox Eiver, near 

 its mouth, and just beyond the delta four pounds are established. About one hundred and fifty 

 small fykes and some seventeen small pounds, technically known as ''baby" pounds, are also 

 employed. Five large seines, hauled ashore by means of capstans, are still in use. In spring the 

 number of nets is increased, seventy five or more being employed by fishermen from Oshkosh and 

 other inland towns, who fish h,ere at that season. 



The boats are small and not so well built as those used in the fisheries of the upper part of 

 the bay. 



The amount of fresh fish which passed through the hands of the dealers at Green Bay during 

 1879, coining partly from the fisheries of the city and partly from those of the upper portion of the 

 bay, was about 811,500 pounds, worth $32,500. In addition, 10,850 half-barrels cxf salt fish, worth 

 about $25,000, were shipped during the year. The fresh fish were of many kinds, whitefish, trout, 

 herring, wall-eyed pike, and catfish being, perhaps, the most important. Whitefish of different 

 grades, trout, and herring are the principal kinds salted. A large part of the salt fish is purchased 

 from the fishermen in half barrels and repacked in kits of different sizes. 



Probably fully one-half of all the fish received at Green Bay is sent to Chicago, the remainder 

 being sent to different cities and towns in the interior of Wisconsin. 



During 1879 the firms dealing in netting, twine, and cordage sold about $2,200 worth of those 

 commodities, while the salt dealers sold nearly 2,800 barrels of salt, worth about $4,000. 



The boat factory located at Green Bay city has only a small and local trade. The business has 

 decreased materially within the decade, so that that transacted in 1878 was scarcely more than 

 one-fourth the magnitude of that carried on in 1873. At present more repairing than building 

 is done. Three men are constantly employed, more being added when an increase of work 

 demands it. 



The firm of W. D. Britton & Co., manufacturers of barrels and other packages, during 1879 

 sold 10,000 half barrels, 10,000 quarter-barrels, and 500 caviare barrels for use in the fisheries. 



