THE FISHERIES OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER. 651 



We are informed tbat to-day the shad manage to get over the Columbia darn, only to be 

 received in nets spread for them at the head of the sluice-way by a pack of scoundrels, among 

 whom, if we hear correctly, are parties connected with our State fish commission ; if it were not 

 for this we would have shad in small quantities as far up as the next dam at all events. The 

 cutting off of this staple of food from tens of thousands of people in this section of country could 

 not but be a great loss, and it has been questioned if it was not greater than the benefits derived 

 from the great internal improvements. Some slight improvements in the sluice-way of the lower 

 dams and a regular ladder-way in tbat of the Nauticoke dam, good protective laws, well enforced 

 (with a double-barreled shot-gun for Columbia dam), certain days set for fishing along the river, 

 and one good stocking with young shad, would, we believe, give us shad in fair quantities all the 

 way up the river. 



We do not believe the expense would be very great, whereas the benefits would be incalculable. 

 There is no doubt that the experiment is well worth trying. 



Luzerne County will contribute her share towards the necessary improvements. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



HARRISON WRIGHT, 



Chairman of Committee. 

 WiLKES-BARRE, May 27, 1881. 



PRESENT CONDITION OF THE FISHERIES. 



LIMITS OF THE FISHERIES. The present limit of the upward movement of shad in this river 

 is Columbia, situated about 40 miles above tide-water. The dam at this place, about 6 or 7 feet high, 

 constitutes an effectual barrier to the passage of the fish. To this point shad still ascend in large 

 numbers, from 30,000 to 40,000 being annually taken at the dam or in its immediate vicinity. 



Herring now ascend the Susquehanna only as far as Bald Friar, a few miles above tide- water, 

 nor have we any information of their ever having pushed their migrations beyond this point. 



SEINE-FISHING. Rock and perch are taken in large numbers in haul-seines during the spring 

 mouths. In summer and fall these fish are taken exclusively with gill-uets and small drag-nets. 



Catfish are taken in great quantities for the Philadelphia market, where, dressed, they com- 

 mand a price per pound not much below that for perch and rock. 



The most important fishing industry on the Susquehanna is the gill-net fishing, though twenty 

 large haul seines are operated at various points, in what is termed the " head of the bay," the North- 

 east River, and in the Susquehanna itself, a short distance above Havre de Grace. In consequence 

 of the peculiar natural characteristics of the fishing grounds of this river, the landing of the seines 

 is provided for by special constructions. In some places large floats are used on which to land 

 the seines. These are fully described in the section relating to the apparatus used in the capture 

 of fish. In other cases, instead of floats, a " battery " is built of logs ; this is filled in with earth 

 and stones, and upon it the seine is landed. 



GILL-NET FISHING. In the gill-net fisheries, which are frequently conducted in very rough 

 water, boats larger and far more seaworthy than those used on other rivers are here employed. A 

 complete outfit for.a giller is one round-bottom boat, costing, when new, $140 ; one scow with house 

 and reel, $40 ; and four or five 100-fathom nets, costing about $25 each, making a total value of 

 about $300. 



The following graphical description of the mode of fishing these nets is from the pen of the 

 late Professor Milner : 



"The 'gilling ground' extends from Havre de Grace, Md., eastward and southward, to 

 the mouth of the Chester River. Between Havre de Grace and Spesutie Island a shoal extends 

 with the navigable channel to the westward, and to the eastward an old partially filled up chan- 



