194 



FISH. 



Your Commissioners have to report that the subject of the protection and 

 preservation of fish, has been the most difficult presented to them for con- 

 sideration. 



Owing to the fact that the Province has not at present the right to control 

 all its waters, and as the Dominion and Provincial laws vary considerably, much 

 confusion is found to exist. 



The laws are not generally enforced, and although it appears that a few of 

 the Fishery Inspectors, endeavour to discharge their duties faithfully, it is equally 

 apparent that the majority of them, take little, if any pains to prohibit illegal 

 fishing and to protect the valuable stock entrusted to their care. 



The extent to which fishing is carried on in the close seasons is alarming, 

 .and the exposure of fish in the markets of the larger towns and cities of the Pro- 

 vince during the close seasons is open and defiant. 



The extent to which netting is carried on is also inconceivable and the 

 spawning grounds are stripped year after year, until in many places where fish 

 abounded formerly in large numbers, there is no yield now at all. If a force of 

 Game Wardens was appointed, this matter could be vigorously looked into, and 

 the slaughter and destruction could be very considerably lessened. 



The value of the fish yield is enormous, and too much pains cannot be taken 

 to preserve what should always be a cheap food supply for the masses. 



Your Commissioners are of opinion that a Whitefish Hatchery, as well as 

 a Trout Hatchery should be established in the Province by the Ontario Govern- 

 ment. This would be both useful and popular, and would pay for itself over and 

 .over again. 



The visit of your Commissioners to the trout hatchery of the State of Michi- 

 gan abundantly satisfied them as to this. 



A few years ago the streams of that State were depleted, and not a trout 

 could be found therein : the same waters are now teeming with fish. The farm- 

 ers and dwellers along the banks, readily, assist in preserving them, and the 

 Railway Companies furnish free transport for the Commissioner's car when fry is 

 being sent from point to point. No pains are spared to restock the streams, and 

 increase the supply of fish, and the State is now reaping the benefit of the wise 

 outlay made in the first instance. 



Your Commissioners found much to admire in the systematic course pursued 

 by the Fish Commission in the State of Michigm, in regard to its work. Every 

 lake and body of water in the State is regularly inspected at stated periods, the 

 .condition of the weather and water at the time of inspection are contained in the 

 Inspectors' report; the depth of the water, its temperature, the condition of the 

 bottom, the number and kind of fish taken, are all carefully noted, and the result 

 is that when the waters come to be re-stocked, only such fish are put in as are 

 supposed to be able to thrive there. The consequence bein^, that waste an I loss 

 is minimized, and much good accrues from the thorough and systematic labour. 



Your Commissioners regret that they c^nnot make any special recommenda- 

 tions as to the close season for the various fish founl in the Province. The evi- 

 dence taken, points to the fact that nearly all the waters in the Province are 

 more or less depleted. 



Saw-dust, dynamite, improper fish-slides, indiscriminate netting, and the 



