36 FISH—CULTURAL -ASSOCIATION. 
They think such fish as pike, black bass, trout, etc., have in- 
creased since the alewives came, and that the whitefish and cis- 
coes have greatly decreased.” 
From Lorain county, Ohio, Mr. Kumlein writes: “The gen- 
eral impression seems to be that the decrease among the white- 
fish for ten years has been very great. Ten yearsago there were 
not more than half as many nets as now, yet a much greater 
quantity of fish were taken.” 
Speaking of the vicinity of Green Bay, Mr. Kumlein says: 
“ Five years ago Chamber’s Island supported nine pound nets, 
doing a good business. Now there are but two, and these did 
not pay expenses the last year. In 1873 Mr. Minor alone sold 
to two firms, one in Chicago and one in Buffalo, $19,571.95 
worth of salt fish, and $700 worth of fresh fish. At the same 
time a Cleveland firm on Washington Island did more than 
double this business. Atthe present time noneat all are shipped 
from these same grounds which once yielded such a revenue. 
Prior to 1873 the average shipments per week, from Mayto July, 
was seven hundred half barrels, worth on an average four dol- 
lars. About 1874 the greatest decline was appreciable, and 
then the fishing suddenly dropped off entirely.” 
From 1870-1873 from sixty to one hundred tons were shipped 
from Fish Creek, and all taken within a radius of. ten miles. 
These were worth four cents a pound to the fishermen on 
the ice. 
V. The Crisis —If the facts heretofore presented establish the 
allegation that (1) the number of pounds of fish caught has been 
maintained, but (2) by enormously increased and effective fa- 
cilities, (3) that large fish are seldom caught, and that the small 
ones have not been allowed to survive, so that (4) already many 
fishing places have entirely failed us, it cannot be denied that 
a crisis has been reached such as seriously to alarm all who are 
interested in the lake fisheries. 
VI. Zhe Remedy.—The great efficiency of apparatus which 
has been reached will remain. We do not retrograde. Men 
will still use the powerful appliances which they have discov- 
ered ; but it is possible for the neighboring States to regulate 
