ABUNDANCE OF WHITE-FISH. 539 



About the Charity Islands, Lake Huron, White-fish rank about third in importance. The best 

 time for fishing is in October; some are taken in May and June. Gill nets take them all the 

 summer. About Point Sable are the most profitable fishing grounds. The deeper the water, the 

 more abundant the White-fish appear to be. They spawn in large numbers about the islands 

 and at Gravelly Point. It is thought by old fishermen of this region that since 1865 the decrease 

 of this fish has been fully one-half. 



In Maumee Bay, Lake Erie, the White-fish are thought to be as abundant as they ever were, 

 though the facilities for capture are better and more extensively used than ever before. Within the 

 last two years a steady increase has been marked, due, it is thought, to artificial propagation. 

 About Toledo great numbers have been planted during the last few years, and the universal verdict 

 of the fishermen is that the White-fish are on the increase in that region. In 1875 forty tons were 

 in one day brought into the Toledo market. The spring catch is considered as of little importance. 



Between the mouth of the Detroit Eiver and Toledo, Ohio, the White-fish ranks first in impor- 

 tance. On this shore they are all said to be good-sized, mature fish. It is not thought. that they 

 are on the decrease to any perceptible extent. From Ottawa City westward to Port Clinton the 

 spring catch of White-fish is very light. The fall run usually commences about the first of October. 

 Around the Sister Islands and on innumerable reefs are excellent spawning grounds, where they 

 are caught in small numbers by wandering gill-netters. The catclr about Port Clinton for the last 

 five years is said to have been very poor. Gill-net fishing during their spawning season and over- 

 fishing generally are assigned as the reasons for this falling off. In 1876, Matthews & Bell, of Port 

 Clinton, had on their warehouse floor forty-seven tons of White-fish at one time, and the next day 

 thirty tons more. At Locust Point and Toussaint the White-fish are reported as scarce in spring. 

 They there rank about fifth in importance at that season. The runs are very irregular, some years 

 being fairly abundant and others very scarce. 



Since 1870, in the vicinity of the Upper and Lower Sandusky Bays, the decrease of White fish 

 has been alarming. Its decrease, however, has been irregular, for in 1874 there was quite a large 

 catch. Since then the decline has been greater every year. 



It is thought that the spawn is now, deposited in places where it becomes a prey to larger fish. 

 Some of the best spawning grounds at present are on the reefs off North Bass and north and east 

 of Kelley's Island ; the principal portion of the reefs are in Canadian waters. 



In 1846 Mr. Anthony was hired by Dr. Ackley, of Cleveland, to convey a party of students to 

 the famous Toussaint marshes for a hunting and fishing expedition. To their surprise, they hauled 

 up in their seine some White-fish. Further attempts were made by Mr. Anthony, aided by two 

 Frenchmen, and in the morning, after a whole night's work, he had taken nearly fifteen hundred 

 fine White-fish. They had never been caught on this ground before. The fish were taken to San- 

 dusky, but the people would not believe that they had been taken near their city. In the next 

 year a forty-rod seine was fitted out, and with it White-fish- amounting to twenty-five hundred 

 barrels when salted were caught; this was repeated the next year with a similar success. In 1849 

 the first pound (twelve feet deep) was set, and the result was so successful that the seine was dis- 

 carded. After four years' successful fishing they moved to the south point of Bass Island and set 

 in thirty feet of water; this attempt was successful. At that time the season lasted from Septem- 

 ber 15 to winter; now, at the same place, it only lasts for a few days in spring. 



During the best fishing days of the season — in the fall — in the vicinity of Huron, Ohio, a ton 

 of White-fish is sometimes taken from ten nets ; this is above the average. They are thought to 

 have decreased fifty per cent, since 1875. Before 1868 they appeared to be on the increase; after 

 that year their decrease has been continuous to the present time. The diminution in their 



