THE SHAD STREAMS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 181 


of the Delaware might be able and willing to furnish interesting data 
in regard to the early shad fisheries in that river, a request for informa- 
tion was printed in the Milford Dispatch of November 5, 1891, and the 
only response received was the following communication: 
“Tn last week’s Dispatch is a request for information as to the earty 
history of shad fishing in the upper Delaware. Your correspondent can 
recollect assisting at the Yankee fishery as early as 1826, and other 
near-by fisheries down to 1868. During these years, we heard probably 
all about the early history of shad fishing on the upper Delaware, and 
from recollection we would infer that the Point fishery was the first. 
This was a ‘day fishery,’ that is, the fishing was done in the daytime 
and thousands were taken at a haul. The fishermen’s net (with ropes) 
reached across the river where they started, a half mile below where 
the Millford bridge now stands. The men on each shore walked down 
and a canoe that would hold five men, four to pole and one to hold the 
rope, was at each end, with smaller canoes to watch for hitches, and when 
opposite the point of the Minisink island the canoes left the shore and 
met on the point of the island. A haul over this fishery swept over what 
has been called the ‘ Yankee, Crooked Billet, Cabin, Streak and Barn’ fish- 
eries and covered about one and a half miles. It was established after 
1751. Then Pennsylvania purchased from the Indians, from the Dela- 
ware to the Susquehanna, but not to the head of the Delaware. 
“When it ceased to be used as a fishery I am not certain. I find a 
deed among my father’s old papers dated 1819, conveying one share, or 
one-fifteenth interest, in the Point fishery. This deed recites three trans- 
fers, beginning with Roger Clark. JTalsofound two old deeds for shares in 
the Yankee fishery dated 1825. This was part of the ground used by the 
Point fishery. Above this the shad fisheries amounted to but little. 
One at Holbert’s Eddy, half a mile above Milford; one at Lackawaxen 
and one at Mast Hope. Between Milford and Dingman’s were two, one 
at Conashaugh and one a mile above Dingman’s on the Jersey side called 
the Field fishery. . 
“Except at the Point, fishing has always been done at night when the 
shad come on their beds to lay their eggs. The Point and Yankee were 
company fisheries, the others were private and run by the owners of the 
shores. 
“Wm. C. CRAWFORD. 
“MaramMoras, November 9, 1891.” 
At the present day, important fisheries are located on the Pennsylva- 
nia side of the Delaware at the following points: Lambertville, Scud- 
der’s Falls, Titusville, Washington’s Crossing, Trenton, two near Bristol, 
one at Bristol, Torresdale, Tacony, Bridesburg, Tinicum, Chester and 
Marcus Hook; and it is said that 872,000 shad were caught on this side 
of the river during the season of 1891. 
By the introduction of fishways, the Lackawaxen, one of the larger 
