them over to our wardens to dispose of to some charitable institu- 

 tion, As a rule, too, the market fishermen are backing up our efforts 

 to enforce the law, and keep within the size limits when shipping 

 fish. 



The new steamer, Illinois, which has been such an important fac- 

 tor in the enforcement of the laws, has proved to be all we expected 

 of her, and her great speed has enabled our river wardens to hold in 

 check the irresponsible element that continually preys on the product 

 of lakes and streams. These men, who have no thought for anything 

 but the present need, destroy more than they take, and migrating 

 from one point to another, their stay only limited by the accessible 

 supply of fish, their depredations are the most serious with which 

 we have to contend. 



The output of the market fishermen for the season of 1902 has not 

 been of a satisfactory nature, the high water of the river making the 

 use of seines and nets impracticable. 



In a former report we recommended the adoption of smaller 

 meshed nets. We quote this paragraph on the subject herewith. 



"We are inclined to believe from such experience as we have had 

 after carefully noting the workings of the two-inch mesh all along 

 the Illinois river, that an inch and one-half mesh should be allowed 

 to be used during the season when it is lawful to use anything, and 

 a vigorous prodecution made, or rather a vigorous enforcement of the 

 law relative to size of fish which shall be ofiPered for sale. The waters 

 would be better for a greater reduction in the quantity of these fish, 

 they are marketable and found everywhere in the State of Illinois. 

 We believe there would be less illegal fishing with seines if the 

 meshes were reduced to the size sufficient to take the bull pouts. 

 The size limit of fish that can be legally offered for sale, has had a 

 thorough test and has proven to be one of the most successful and 

 practicable laws so far enacted." 



We are inclined to repeat the recommendation for these reasons; 

 the two-inch mesh is too large to take bull pouts, which abound in 

 the lakes along the Illinois river and which are not classified in our 

 list. 



They increase rapidly and should be utilized for food. Then, the 

 two-inch mesh will not hold the gar, which are also increasing fast 

 and are the most destructive of all the varieties. Provided we can 

 have such warden service as we recommend in this report, and can 

 enforce an adherence to the limit in size of fish offered for sale, we 

 would advocate a reduction in the size of mesh, but under no other 

 conditions would we favor such a reduction. 



The carp are proving very satisfactory in the large streams, and 

 are now, as they have been for years, the main dependence of hun- 

 dreds of men as a means of livelihood, and more than one town for a 

 business existence. We will note briefly in another part of this re- 

 port, under its proper head, some statistical information as to their 

 characteristics and value. 



LIBRARY 

 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 

 AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 



