650 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
FISHERIES OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. 
The fisheries of the St. Lawrence River employed 69 persons, the 
investment amounted to $1,323, and the catch, consisting of sturgeon, 
minnows, and suckers, amounted to 81,900 pounds, worth $6,988. 
The minnows taken in these waters are sold to sportsmen for bait. 
Table showing, by counties, the persons, apparatus, etc., employed in the fisheries of the St. 
Lawrence River in 1899. 
St. Lawrence. Jefferson, 
| Total. 
Items. = — | ——__ — 
No. | Value. | No. | Value. | No. | Value. 
MISHELINGNis stew wsk sacs taeosccinoees cee ns temeeeeorsse AS.) 2. ee See ae 8S Eee Bee l'* 603 eee 
PSE S ents Oat See oa ee Sem anee nae fs cn <eiemys une come 13 $250 | 11 $110 | 54 $360 
SCINIOSE cmrecroveiscle Seer chew ce do. ciat Ce sisters SCR ER ESL aoe 3 60 13) | 234 | 16 | 294 
SG LNT) OS ie cre tere Sa eae ye a cascmtein oi sloiciw soe a afoieininrs os |lleeees 360) |< cae Qi ljeisaece | ‘69 
SS LOM GM LO PG NU Maetieserctatorosyateie (sieve etsistate arcyers ale iefereiie eleva =a BOO 3 cers saci asteesrs| tetera | 300 
Alo) #21) ee none noes Ser ne Re Res emer Serene PRP SAU ee esr B03 lecunce | 1,323 
Table showing, by counties, apparatus, and species, the yield of the fisheries of the St. Law- 
rence River in 1899. 
St. Lawrence. | Jefferson, | Total. 
Apparatus and species. 3 ae =s| = 
Lbs. | Value. Lbs. | Value. Lbs. Value. 
—_ = _ = = = ae) a oe S| : - ae 2 
. | 
Seines: | : | | ; 
IMITIN OWS a cerca anaac cers oc ecseceescse sass 800 $40 17,900 | $1,343 | 18,700 $1,383 
STG OS) telah cacti te rere ete ea | 14, 400 | 2)\ Sees cece ase ansaid 14, 400 72 
TO tales + See enc. ofood 5 cls cere ichemae scien | 15, 200 | 112 17,900 | 1,343 33, 100 1, 455 
Set lines: | 
So] F0 Se -10) eee ee re tet a eae | 48, 000 5, 400 800 | 133 48, 800 5,033 
FISHERIES OF NIAGARA RIVER. 
The fisheries of the Niagara River were of minor importance; the 
vield, consisting of perch, white bass, and sturgeon, was 13,170 pounds, 
valued at S616. Practically all of the catch from this river was taken 
in a form of apparatus known locally as a ‘* fishing machine.” The 
use of this unique device, which was prohibited for a number of 
vears, has recently been permitted by the State of New York, within 
the limits of the town of Lewiston. It consists of a framework of 
timbers extending out from the shore about 20 or 30 feet, which is 
heavily weighted with large stones to prevent its being carried away 
by the swift current. In the center of the covering of this frame- 
work is a well or opening enclosed on all sides except the one facing 
down the river. A square wooden box with sides about 8 inches in 
height and a bottom of fine-meshed iron screen, arranged to fit loosely 
in this space, is raised and lowered by means of a windlass. When 
in use the fish passing close to the shore to avoid the current enter 
the sunken box, which is raised to the level of the platform about 
every half hour. The apparatus is in use from about the middle of 
May until late in the fall. The remainder of the catch from this river, 
consisting of sturgeon, is taken by Indians with spears. 
The fisheries of this river are all to be credited to Niagara County. 
