30 FISHING-GIIOUNDS OP NOETH AMEEIGA. 



irregular, consistiug of pebbles aud mud. The greatest depth near the edge of the bank is about 

 fifty fathoms. This ground is especially good for haddock in July and August, during which 

 months it is resorted to by the small boats of the region, the fishing being carried on principally 

 by means of trawls. 



Abnbe Ground bears south-sontheast from Gott's Island ; distance, eight -miles. It 

 extends one and one-half miles in a northeast and southwest direction, and is one- fourth of a mile 

 wide. The bottom, which is composed of rocks and mud, is broken, the depth of water ranging 

 from twenty-five to fifty fathoms. This is a good haddock ground in July and August, and is 

 visited by the same class of fishermen that resort to " Shell Ground " and other similar places 

 in that vicinity. 



GROUNDS OFF ISLE AU HAUTE. 



Grumpy. — The Grumpy bears southeast from the western head of Isle an Haute; distance, 

 ten miles. This ground is two and one-half miles long, northeast and southwest, by three-fourths 

 of a mile M'ide, and has a small shoal of fifteen fathoms on the northeast part. The general 

 depth varies from thirty-five to forty fathoms, the bottom being gravelly. It is considered one 

 of the best inshore grounds for cod the entire year, for haddock in the winter, and hake, just off" 

 the edge, in the summer. Both trawls and hand-lines are used. 



Hatchell Ground bears southeast by east three-quarters east, about nine and one-half 

 miles, from the western head of Isle au Haute, the marks being as follows : Eastern Mount 

 Desert Hill in the middle saddle of Long Island, and Little Spoon Island in the great or center 

 saddle of Isle au Haute. This ground is but little more than a mile in diameter, and is said to 

 have a shoal of fifteen fathoms, which is so small, however, as to be difficult to find. The general 

 depth varies from twenty-five to forty fathoms, the shoalest part being in the middle of the 

 ground, whence the bottom slopes off gradually on all sides. The character of the bottom is sharp 

 and rocky on the shoal, but gravelly and pebbly toward the sides ; at the edge of the ground the 

 bottom consists of soft mud. Various low forms of animal life, the most of which serve as food 

 for fishes, are constantly brought up on the hooks of the trawlers. This ground, next to the 

 " Grumpy," is considered the best one inside of Mount Desert Eock ; cod and a few pollock are 

 caught here in the spring ; hake are taken on the mud near the edge of the ground in summer, 

 and haddock are abundant in winter. Both hand-lines and trawls are used. 



Blue Hill Ground bears east by south three-quarters south (approximate) from the 

 western head of Isle au Haute; distance, about seven miles. The marks for determining the 

 locality of this ground are as follows : Brimstone Island, out by the western head of Isle au 

 Haute, and Blue Hill, on the west side of Marsliall's Island. These marks lead to a depth of 

 twenty-five fathoms on the northeast part of the ground, from which the bottom drops off 

 gradually to tlie southwest, in which direction a depth of forty fathoms is reached a mile from 

 the shoaler portion, which is about half a mile wide. The bottom consists of gravel and pebbles. 

 This is a good locality for cod during the spring aud fall, but is best for haddock during the 

 entire winter. Both trawls and hand-lines are used. 



Inner Horse Eeef bears southeast three-quarters east, one and a half miles, from the 

 eastern ear of Isle au Haute. It contains a shoal of twenty-five fathoms, about one-eighth of a 

 mile in diameter. Prom this shoal the water gradually deepens toward the northeast for a 

 distance of a half mile, when it drops off into mud. The depth of the northeast portion is about 

 thirty-five fathoms. The bottom consists of pebbles and gravel. This is a good ground for cod 

 in the spring and fall, and for hake, close to the edge, in the summer. ' Trawls and hand-lines are 

 used. 



