RANGELEY LAKES, MAINE: FISHES, ANGUNG, AND FISH CULTURE. 589 



Even if numerous in all the lakes the whitefish could be harmful only in a more 

 or less remotely indirect way — that is to say, by its effect upon the ultimate or imme- 

 diate food supply of some species. 



Protective laws are now about as restrictive as present conditions require, the 

 only exception being one relating to plug fishing." The opponents of such a law have 

 advanced as an argument that it would deprive women and children of the privilege of 

 fishing from the shore and piers. A law could be framed, which could be more easily 

 enforced than a general law against bait fishing, that would prohibit fishing in deep 

 water only; that is, those places already known or subsequently discovered where trout 

 and salmon can be caught in that way. Summer plug fishing and winter ice fishing 

 are most potent factors in the depletion of any lake. 



The writer believes that young trout and salmon should be planted in those places 

 affected by young fish under natural conditions, as has been previously discussed in 

 this paper. Too often young fish are planted directly in a lake and, as it were, into 

 the waiting maws of predacious fishes. Also, they should be planted at a season when 

 food is abundant, as they have been plentifully fed up to the time of planting, and to 

 liberate them in late fall or early winter is but to subject them to very deficient food 

 conditions. Late spring or early summer affords the most abundant food, especially 

 in those waters where the fish should be planted. 



At the present time there is a general State law (sec. 31, Chap. 33, Rev. Stat.; amended by Chap. 219, Pubhc Laws of 1917) 

 to prohibit advance baiting, a practice which consisted of depositing meat, bones, fish, etc., for the purpose of luring fish to 

 certain locaUties, also a special law (sec. 19) limiting the number of salmon and trout that can be taken by plug fishing in one 

 day by any person, party or occupants of any one boat or other conveyance, in Richardson, Mooselucmaguntic and Cupsuptic 

 Lakes, and making it unlawful for any person to fish for, take, catch or kill any kind of fish at any time in Rangeley Lake 

 (Oquossoc) by still or " plug ' ' fishing. 



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