32 FISHINGGEOUNDS OP KOETH AMEEICA. 



to thirty-five fathomS; and the bottom is broken and rocky. Cod are caught during May aud 

 June with hand-lines. 



Ottee Island Eeef, Snippbe Shin, and Western Eeef. — These names are applied to 

 different sections of an irregular, broken piece of rocky ground, that lies about half way between 

 Viual Haven and Seal Island. Otter Island Eeef, by which name the eastern section is known, 

 lies about four miles west by south one-quarter south from the western head of Isle au Haute, 

 and has depths of from ten to twenty-five fathoms, with a rocky and broken bottom, on which 

 trawls can seldom be used. It is a favorite ground for cod and haddock during all the seasons 

 when these fish are in shoal water, but is best for cod in the spring and for haddock in the fall. 

 Snipper Shin is only a westerly continuation of the Otter Island Eeef, and lies between it and 

 the Western Eeef. The general direction of this ground is about northwest until it joins the 

 Western Eeef, which trends more to the southwest. It contains a shoal of seven fathoms, about 

 which the water is twenty-five fathoms deep in places. The general characteristics of the ground 

 are similar to those of Otter Island Eeef, but small halibut are occasionally taken in addition to 

 cod and haddock. The Western Eeef has the same depth aud character of bottom as the other 

 two pieces of ground. 



GEOXJNDS OFE AND ABOUT MATINICUS ISLAND. 



Bald Eidges. — Tliese ridges begin just outside of Wooden Ball Island, and run off in a 

 nearly direct line for Matinicus Eook. They are almost parallel with one another, and quite close 

 together, the distance between them not being over half a mile. They are from a fourth of a mile to 

 half a mile in width each, and have depths of from fifteen to thirty fathoms, with a broken, rocky 

 bottom. The shoalest part is distant about a mile from Wooden Ball Island, and from there 

 the depth increases toward the southern end. This is a good ground for cod at. all seasons when 

 they are on the coast, the shoal being a favorite resort of the rock-cod. 



Haert Marshall's Ground bears south by west from Matinicus Eock, distance, about 

 three miles, and has an area of not more than two acres. The shoaler portion has a depth of 

 thirty-five fathoms, with gravelly bottom ; on the edge the depth is forty-five fathoms, and the 

 bottom consists of rocks and mud. A good ground for cod in sj)ring and for hake in summer. 



The Bounties bears southeast by south half-south, distant six miles, from Wooden Ball 

 Island. It is about four miles in diameter, and nearly circular in shape, with depths of forty to 

 sixty fathoms. The bottom consists of gravel and rocks, and is somewhat broken. It is a good 

 ground for cod and cusk in the spring and fall and for haddock in the winter. 



Minerva Hub.— Thisis a small gravelly spot, not more than a fourth of a mile in diameter, 

 with a depth of thirty-five fathoms, and abounds in cod during the spring and fall. It bears 

 south-southeast from Matinicus Eock ; distance, nearly six miles. 



Skate Bank bears south-southeast, distant twelve miles, from Matinicus Eock ; is about 

 two miles in diameter, and nearly circular in shape, with depths of thirty-five to sixty fathoms. 

 The bottom is gravelly, but quite uneven. The best season for fishing on this ground for cod 

 and cusk is from April to July. 



Matinicus Sou'-Sou'vtest Ground.— This ground bears south-southwest from Matinicus 

 Eock, from which the inner edge is distant about six miles. It extends about nine miles north 

 and south, and has about the same width, being nearly triangular in shape, and broadest at the 

 northern end. On the northern part there is a shoal of about thirty fathoms, two miles long east 

 and west, and one' mile wide. Sharp rocks cover the shoal, but the ground is not broken and 

 drops off gradually to depths of fifty and fifty-five fathoms, and even to sixty fathoms on the 



