158 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The total catch of shad in 1890 in the Cape Fear below Dollison, in 

 Brunswick Eiver, and in Northeast Eiver below Three Cypresses, num- 

 bered 49,434, of which 21,316 were roes. The legal season extends 

 from January 1 to May 15, but actual fishing began January 21 and 

 ceased April 18, a close time operating from 6 p. m. Saturday to 6 

 p. m. Monday and from 6 p. m. Tuesday to 6 p. m. Wednesday of each 

 week. The length of the season is determined largely by the tempera- 

 ture and flow of the waters. A warm March and April shortens the 

 season and low water has the same effect, each causing the fish to pass 

 rapidly upstream. There were more shad caught in 1896 than in 1895, 

 the season being longer. There have not been so many shad taken in 

 this vicinity during recent years as formerly. The catch in 1891 was 

 55,976; in 1890, 60,695, and in 1889, about 70,000. In 1890 108 nets 

 were employed; 115 in 1891, and 125 in 1896. This gives an average 

 per net of 562 shad in 1890; 487 in 1891, and 363 in 1896. 



During the early portion of the season three-fourths or more of the 

 catch consists of buck shad. As the season progresses the proportion 

 is more evenly divided, and toward the end the roes greatly outnum- 

 ber the buck shad. During the season of 1896 roe shad constituted 43 

 per cent of the total catch. Bipe shad are not found until near the end 

 of March, and they are most numerous about May 1; consequently, the 

 fisheries yield few eggs suitable for fertilization, as they cease before 

 the end of April. One Wilmington dealer, who handled 15,007 shad in 

 1896, reports that not over 12 of them had spawned. 



Front Blade River to Smiley Falls. — In the second section of Cape 

 Fear River the bow net is the principal form of apparatus employed. 

 Indeed, this is the only apparatus used in the lower 35 miles, except 

 two 30-yard drift nets at Indian Wells, which took 200 shad during the 

 past season. Bow nets are used all along this stretch of the river, the 

 number operated in 18% being 124, which yielded 6,719 shad, valued at 

 $1,658. This is said to have been the smallest yield ever known. The 

 catch during 1895 was also extremely poor, the yield previous to that 

 time running from 100 to 400 to the net. A number of hickories are also 

 caught in the bow nets, the total yield in 1896 being 2,920. 



From Kelley Cove to Elizabethtown, a distance of 35 miles, drift 

 nets are used almost exclusively, the only exceptions being the two 

 bow nets at Browns Creek and one bow net at Elizabethtown. There 

 are also two drift nets at Indian Wells, and 61 between Harrison Creek 

 and Fayetteville. These nets are 20 to 45 yards long, 7 feet deep, 5£ 

 to 5| inch mesh, and cost about $5 each. The season begins a week or 

 more earlier than in the bow-net fishery and closes about the end of 

 April. The catch in 1896 was very small, only 5,375 shad being taken 

 by the 99 boats. The conditions of the water and river were favorable 

 for a good run, but the fish did not make an appearance. Drift nets 

 have been used iu this length of the river only during the last ten 

 years, bow nets being employed exclusively prior to that time. The 

 change in form of apparatus is due largely to the removal of snags and 



