173 
were between 80,000 and 100,000 barrels of fish taken in 
that year, valued at $640,000. 
In 1885 the reports gathered by the Michigan State 
Board of Fish Commissioners show that the value of the 
commercial fish taken in the State was in value about 
$1,500,000 at wholesale price. 
In considering such statistics as we have, we must take 
into account the uncertainty and unreliability that must 
necessarily prevail in their collection because of the want 
of thoroughness and completeness with which the work 
was done in the earlier years. So, too, we must consider 
in comparing one year with another the varying condi- 
tions of seasons, which is a potent factor. Severe storms 
may prevail one year, while the next year may be an ex- 
ceedingly favorable one, and, therefore, their reliability 
is much impaired and the basis upon which we must 
make comparisons is at best unsatisfactory. 
CAUSES OF DECAY. 
Until about the year 1852 the fishing industry on the 
lakes was prosecuted almost entirely with gill-nets. Since, 
then the gill-net fishing has continually increased until 
now the length of the gill-nets fished in Michigan waters 
alone, according to the last reliable statistics within our 
reach, amounts to 1,725 miles. 
About the year 1850 the pound or trap-net was intro- 
duced into the Great Lakes. Its use conclusively shows 
that it has been one of the most destructive of fishing de- 
vices, and is responsible for the great decay of the fish- 
eries which has been observable during the last twenty 
years. 
Concerning the introduction of the pound-net into the 
Great Lakes, I am indebted to Mr. L. Anthony of San- 
dusky, O., for the following facts: 
Pound-net fishing was first introduced by Messrs. 
Spencer and Courtland, two Connecticut men, at San- 
dusky, O., in the year 1850. The fishing with these nets 
