166 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



FISHERIES OF LAKE ONTARIO. 



The commercial fisheries of this lake, after several years of decrease, 

 now show a gratifying increase, the products being, in quantity and 

 value, nearly three times as great as in 1897, the year when last inves- 

 tigated. The same increase is shown in the amount of capital invested, 

 and the number of persons employed is much greater. Fish-cultural 

 operations here are apparently giving good results, the plantings of 

 white-fish and pike perch having been noticeably beneficial. 



The total number of persons engaged in the commercial fisheries 

 in 1899 was 391. The capital invested amounted to $80,350. The 

 fisheries yielded 2,407,132 pounds of products, worth $101,130. 



Among the products cat-fish are prominent in quantity and value, 

 518,423 pounds, worth $18,834, being taken. The yield of perch was 

 407,017 pounds, valued at $11,822. The catch of sturgeon was 189,955 

 pounds, worth $17,843. Pike and pike perch, 297,801 pounds, were 

 worth $16,127, and white-fish, 161,935 pounds, were worth $10,978. 



The figures for Lake Ontario include, however, the fisheries of the 

 St. Lawrence and Niagara rivers. In the St. Lawrence 69 fishermen 

 obtained 81,900 pounds of products in 1899, valued at $6,988; in the 

 Niagara River 7 fishermen procured 13,170 pounds, worth $484. 



I 



Table showing the persons employed in the fisheries of Lake Ontario in 1899, 



How engaged. 



No. 



On vessels transporting 



5 



In shore fisheries - .. - - - . 



373 



Shoresmen '. 



13 



Total... 



391 







Vessels, apparatus, and capital employed in the Lake Ontario fisheries in 18 



99. 



Items. 



Vessels transporting. 



Tonnage 



Outfit 



Boats 



Apparatus: 



Seines 



Gill nets 



Pound nets 



Trap nets 



Fyke nets 



No. 



3 

 23 



287 



24 



1,187 



1 



144 



451 



Value. 



$1,000 



90 



8,482 



420 



18, 674 



60 



5,790 



5,412 



Items. 



Apparatus— Continued. 



Dip nets 



Set and hand lines 



Spears 



Fishing machines 



Shore and accessory property 

 Cash capital 



Total 



No. 



Value. 



I,a55 



7 



400 



18,440 



30,200 



80,350 



Table showing the species and yield of the fisheries of Lake Ontario in 1899. 



\ 



Products. 



Black bass 



Cat- fish 



Carp >. 



Eels 



Herring 



Long-jaw or bloater 



Minnows 



Perch, yellow 



Sturgeon 



Rock bass 



Lbs. 



Value. 



48,046 



$3,133 



518, 423 



18,834 



1,000 



50 



133,840 



6,163 



85, 478 



3.736 



1,300 



77 



22,700 



1,593 



407,017 



11,822 



189,955 



17,843 



102,968 



2,323 



Products. 



Sucker 



Sun-fish 



Trout 



Pike and pike perch 



White bass 



White-fish 



Frogs 



Total 



Lbs. 



278, 738 



148,449 



15,432 



297, 801 



2,300 

 161,935 



1,750 



2,407,132 



Value. 



$5,101 



2,099 



853 



16,127 



92 



10,978 



306 



101, 130 



