646 GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



The loss of nets occurred generally during the last days of the fishing season, early in Dccem 

 ber, after the whitefish had deposited their spawn. 



The height of the prosperity of the gill-net fishery about Washington Island occurred between 

 the years 1864 and 18G7. After the latter date the decline became apparent. Fifteen years ago 

 between four and five thousand nets were in use on the grounds, and a yearly business of $100,000 

 was transacted there. 



Five years ago Chambers' Island supported nine pound-nets, in all of which large quantities 

 of fish were taken, but in 1879 only two were established there, and both proved failures. 



Between 1870 and 1873 not less than 60 tons of fish were shipped from Fish Creek, all taken 

 from within a radius of ten miles. 



TOKTE DBS MORTES, AT THE ENTRANCE OF GEEEN BAT, TO AND INCLUDING MANITOWOC 



The principal fishing stations on this shore are Jacksonport, Whitefish Bay, Clay Banks, Row- 

 ley's Point, Two Rivers, and Manitowoc, of which the last two are the most important. 



During the year 1879 about fifty-three men were engaged in fishing, being distributed as fol- 

 lows: Jacksouport, Cana Islands, and Whitefish Bay, eight; Manitowoc, four; Two Rivers and 

 vicinity, forty-one. These, with their families, comprising in all about two hundred and thirty 

 persons, derive their support solely from the fisheries. Besides those mentioned, ten or twelve 

 men, principally from Two Rivers, are hired, during a part of the season at least, as assistants. 



The fishermen north of Whitefish Bay are Americans, but from that point southward all, with 

 the exception of five or six Germans, are French Canadians. 



The French are all Roman Catholics. Their profession is handed down from father to son. 

 The boys assist in fishing when very young, and develop into good fishermen and skillful boatmen. 



At Two Rivers the fishermen and their families live in one locality, forming quite a colony, 

 which is known locally as " Canada." 



Most of the elder fishermen are in good circumstances, but when their business is very pros- 

 perous they are all apt to live extravagantly and expend a large part of their gains. Intemperance, 

 which was formerly quite prevalent here, has almost entirely disappeared. 



The fisheries differ in character at different points along the section of shore under considera- 

 tion. At Jacksonport and Whitefish Bay the pound-net fishery takes precedence, the grounds 

 opposite the latter station having been for a long time noted for their supply of whitefish. North 

 of Clay Banks the gill-net fishery is unimportant, but the fishermen of that village and of Stony 

 Creek, a few miles farther south, engage in that branch exclusively. At Two Rivers and Maul- 

 towoc both gill-net and pound-net fishing are extensively engaged in. 



Along the entire shore, in 1879, about 2,200 gill-nets and 40 pound-nets were employed, the total 

 value of which was about $26,000, according to the estimates of the owners. For the management 

 of these nets and for the preparation and storage of the fish taken, boats and other apparatus and 

 accessories, worth about $15,000, were employed. 



The yield of the fisheries for the year ending October 1, 1879, was approximately as follows : 

 Fresh fish, principally whitefish and trout, 550,000 pounds; salt fish whitefish and herring 

 355,000 pounds; smoked fish, about 10,000 pounds. The total value of these products was about 

 $33,300. 



The whole catch, with the exception of 20,000 or 30,000 pounds, is sent to Chicago by cars or 

 boats. One firm at Manitowoc carries on a strictly local trade, selling to the people of the town 

 and neighborhood. All kinds taken from their nets find ready sale, even lawyers, which are pur- 

 chased by the Germans and Scandanavians. 



The fishermen of Manitowoc and Two Rivers complain of the decrease in the abundance of 



