FISHERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES IN 1885. 63 



Statistics. — The products of tbe pound-nets in 1884 were three-quarters 

 wkitefish, one-twelfth inuskallouge, and the rest trout, but the gill-net 

 fishermen get two thirds trout and but one-third whitefish. The quantity 

 of whitefish was larger in 1885, while the trout decreased in number that 

 year. Two-thirds of the catch in 1884 and three-quarters of it in 1885 

 was salted, and the remainder was sold fresh. The total yield in the 

 latter year was 58,000 pounds, valued at $2,460. 



26. MARQUETTE, MARQUETTE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Description of the town. — Marquette, the county seat of Marquette 

 County, is on a good harbor, known as Iron Bay, on the south shore of 

 Lake Superior, about 170 miles from its eastern extremity. It was first 

 settled by miners, about 1845, and, being located in the vicinity of ex- 

 tensive iron mines, practically controls the trade in iron ore for northern 

 Michigan. It has three large ore docks, with furnaces and foundries for 

 utilizing the ore. In 1885 it had a population of about 6,000 people, 

 one railroad and several lines of steamers. 



Situated as it is, in the vicinity of excellent fishing-grounds, one 

 would expect to find the fisheries of considerable importance, but when 

 compared with other industries of the town they are quite insignificant. 



Extent and methods of the fisheries. — The fishermen are mostly Ameri- 

 cans, who have fished lor some years. The fishing is at present con- 

 fined to two small steamers and two sail-boats, fitted with gill-nets for 

 whitefish and trout, three seines used in the vicinity of the village 

 for herring and small whitefish, and five pound-nets fished for herring 

 and whitefish. The catch, which in 1884 amounted to 390,000 pounds, 

 was lauded fresh; 45,000 pounds being afterwards salted and the re- 

 mainder shipped to Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, and interior towns 

 of Michigan. The fishing is almost exclusively for whitefish, trout, 

 and siscowet; the first named, according to Capt. R. Peters, being most 

 abundant in May, and again in August and September, but disappear- 

 ing almost entirely when the trout arrive in October. 



There are no spawning- grounds for whitefish, except about Standard 

 Rock, where a few fish-eggs are taken. Trout occur in considerable 

 numbers during the spring and summer, but they are most abundant 

 in October, when they visit the shore waters for the purpose of spawn- 

 ing. Marquette is the only locality on Lake Superior where siscowet 

 are extensively sought by the fishermen. These fish are said to be 

 abundant during the entire year, on muddy bottom, in from 70 to 100 

 tathoms of water, where they spawn in December. The fishermen 

 usually keep one or two gangs of nets on these fishing-grounds at all 

 times, and in November and December, when other fish are scarce, 

 they set all their nets in deep water for this species. The whitefish 

 here average about 2J pounds each, netting the fishermen from 4 to 6 

 cents per pound. The trout and siscowet average about 3 pounds, and 

 bring from 3 to 5 cents per pound. 



