SHAD FISHERIES OF THE ATLANTIC COAST. 255 



chusetts, while the small niesh in the following season caught 38,382 

 shad, nearly five times as many as during the previous year, the small 

 mesh permitting the capture of shad of all sizes. This resulted in a 

 greatly diminished catch during succeeding years. In 1882 tbe num- 

 ber of shad taken in that portion of tbe river was but 2,770, or less 

 than 8 per cent of tbe yield in tbe year previous, and tbe largest prod- 

 uct in any one season since has been but 3,591, or less than 10 per cent 

 of the yield in 1881. Since 1883 the product decreased annually, and 

 it does not appear that any shad have been taken in that portion of the 

 Connecticut since 1 90. Tbe average yield for the six years ending in 

 1881 was 16,100 annually, and during the fifteen years following 1881 it 

 has been only 852 shad annually. 



At present the Connecticut River shad fisheries extend from Long 

 Island Sound to Wetbersfield, a distance of 40 miles, but they are most 

 extensive in the reaches between Essex and Haddam. The yield in 

 1896 aggregated 45,851 taken in drift nets and 5,839 in seines. The 

 fishery by drift nets is most extensive from Essex to Higganum, the 

 principal centers being Hamburg, Chester, Hadlyme, Higganum, and 

 Haddam. 



The number of nets used in the river in 1896 was 48, of which 31 were 

 operated by men living in Middlesex County, 15 by men from New 

 London County, and 2 by Hartford County fishermen. These measure in 

 length from 140 to 350 yards, averaging about 290 yards, with 5^-inch 

 mesh, and cost about $70 each, each net requiring one boat, worth $20, 

 and 2 men. 



The season is dependent on the movements of ice in the river, but it 

 geuerally begins the first or second week in April and extends to tbe 

 third week of June. The legal season extends from March 1 to June 20 

 of each year, and fishing is interdicted from sunset on Saturday night 

 to sunset on the following Sunday night of eaeh week. 



Of the total yield in 1896, 22,197 were roes and 23,654 bucks, the price 

 received for the former being $5,200 and for tbe latter $3,044. Seines 

 were formerly the only apparatus used for taking shad in the Con- 

 necticut, but these have been gradually superseded by drift nets. In 

 1896 there were only 12 seines used, most of which were operated 

 between Haddam and Wetbersfield. These approximated 150 yards in 

 length, and several were used mainly for catching alewives. Their 

 yield of shad was tbe largest since 1880, numbering 5,839, valued at 

 $1,264. A seine at Wetbersfield caught 2,799 shad in 1896, against 730 

 in 1895. Another seine at the same place caught 1,894 shad in 1896 and 

 but 709 in 1895. 



The following compilation shows tbe number of shad taken in Con- 

 necticut Eiver during a number of years. Returns for years previous 

 to 1879 for that portion of the river situated in Connecticut are not 

 available. The South Hadley seine fishery, a short distance below the 

 Holyoke dam, was formerly the most valuable seine fishery above the 

 Enfield dam. The yield at that fishery is also noted in the table. 



