€ 
THE FISHERIES OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER. 651 
We are informed that to-day the shad manage to get over the Columbia dam, only to be 
received in nets spread for them at the head of the sluice-way by a pack of scoundrels, among 
whom, if we hear correctly, are parties connected with our State fish commission; if it were not 
for this we would have shad in small quantities as far up as the next dam at all events. The 
cutting off of this staple of food from tens of thousands of people in this section of country could 
not but be a great loss, and it has been questioned if it was not greater than the benefits derived 
from the great internal improvements. Some slight improvements in the sluice-way of the lower 
dams and a regular ladder-way in that of the Nanticoke dam, good protective laws, well enforced 
(with a double-barreled shot-gun for Columbia dam), certain days set for fishing along the river, 
and one good stocking with young shad, would, we believe, give us shad in fair quantities all the 
way up the river. 
We do not believe the expense would be very great, whereas the benefits would be incalculahble. 
There is no doubt that the experiment is well worth trying. 
Luzerne County will contribute her share towards the necessary improvements. 
All of which is respectfully submitted. 
HARRISON WRIGHT, 
‘ Chairman of Committee. 
WILKES-BARRE, May 27, 1881. 
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE FISHERIES. 
LIMITS OF THE FISHERIES.—The present limit of the upward movement of shad in this river 
is Columbia, situated about 40 miles above tide-water. ‘The dam at this place, about 6 or 7 feet high, 
constitutes an effectual barrier to the passage of the fish. To this point shad still ascend in large 
numbers, from 30,000 to 40,000 being annually taken at the dam or in its immediate vicinity. 
Herring now ascend tie Susquehanna only as far as Bald Friar, a few miles above tide-water, 
nor have we any information of their ever having pushed their migrations beyond this point. 
SEINE-FISHING.—Rock and perch are taken in large numbers in haul-seines during the spring 
months. In summer and fall these fish are taken exclusively with gill-nets and small drag-nets. 
Catfish are taken in great quantities for the Philadelphia market, where, dressed, they com- 
mand a price per pound not much below that for perch and rock. 
The most important fishing industry on the Susquehanna is the gill-net fishing, though twenty 
large haul-seines are operated at various points, in what is termed the “ head of the bay,” the North- 
east River, and in the Susquehanna itself, a short distance above Havre de Grace. In consequence 
of the peculiar natural characteristics of the fishing grounds of this river, the landing of the seines 
is provided for by special constructions. In some places large floats are used on which to land 
the seines. These are fully described in the section relating to the apparatus used in the capture 
of fish. In other cases, instead of floats, a “ battery” is built of logs; this is filled in with earth 
and stones, and upon it the seine is landed. i 
GILL-NET FISHING.—In the gill-net fisheries, which are frequently conducted in very rough 
water, boats larger and far more seaworthy than those used on other rivers are here employed. A 
complete outfit for a giller is one round-bottom boat, costing, when new, $140; one scow with house 
and reel, $40; and four or five 100-fathom nets, costing about $25 each, making a total value of 
about $300. ° 
The following graphical description of the mode of fishing these nets is from the pen of the 
late Professor Milner : 
“The ‘gilling ground’ extends.from Havre de Grace, Md., eastward and southward, to 
the mouth of the Chester River. Between Havre de Grace and Spesutie Island a shoal extends 
with the navigable channel to the westward, and to the eastward an old partially filled up chan- 
