

FISHERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES IN 1885. 113 



The nets used in this fishery are 14 fathoms long and about 42 meshes, 

 or 6 feet, deep, with a 2J-iuch mesh, except in the case of one crew who 

 use a mesh of 2 J inches. The floats are made of cork and are not quite 

 sufficiently buoyant to keep the net exactly at the surface, as in that 

 case it would freeze fast to the ice. Formerly lead sinkers were in 

 vogue, but they have been replaced by little bags of saud which do not 

 become entangled in the webbing as the leads generally do. Twenty- 

 two nets constitute a gang, and about that number are usually fished 

 in a string, though the quantity owned by the individual fisherman 

 varies from six to twenty-five nets, averaging only about fifteen. 



The fishing begins in the fall as soon as the ice is strong enough to 

 admit of it, which is usually between Christmas and New Year, but is 

 very seldom delayed till the latter date. It lasts as long as the ice 

 remains firm and closes about the middle of March. 



The men go out a couple of miles from the shore. The depth of the 

 water in which they fish varies considerably. One crew had the inner 

 md of their string of nets in 12 feet of water, and the outside end in 

 18 or 20 feet, but most of the nets were set in water about 10 fathoms 

 deep. The run of fish is more steady and uniform in the deeper water, 

 but when they do come in to shallow water they are more numerous 

 than at a greater depth. 



Four or five holes about 2 feet in diameter are cut in the ice, which is 

 usually 3J to 4 feet thick, and these are alternated with an equal num- 

 ber of only half that size. Two nets are set from each hole, one run- 

 ning one way and one the other. The holes are made square, but are 

 apt to freeze into a circular shape. The small ones are allowed to re- 

 main round, but the large ones are kept square by cutting out the cor- 

 ners at frequent intervals. A string is run uuder the ice from one hole 

 to the other by means of a long pole. The nets are then placed in posi- 

 tion and a small cord attached to each, by means of which it may be 

 pulled up. A forked stick is cut in the woods, the principal arm of 

 which is 3 or 4 feet long. This crotch hangs down in the middle of the 

 hole and to it the net is fastened. The net is intended to be stretched 

 tight and is suspended at both ends. It is never set on the bottom, 

 though sometimes the middle of it sags a little and touches the bottom 

 when set in shoal water. Occasionally on account of too buoyant floats 

 the net is frozen fast to the ice, which must be chopped away in order 

 to release it. 



As a shelter, while setting and pulling the nets, the fishermen use a 

 shanty 5 feet long and 4J feet wide, costing $5 to $7. It has a hole a 

 foot and a half square in the bottom, and contains a little sheet-iron 

 stove. This shanty is moved from hole to hole, according to the con- 

 venience of the owners. Sometimes, instead of a shanty, a canvas slide 

 is used, 6 by 8 feet square and 5 feet high, worth about $3. 



Each man carries his nets to the fishing-ground on a hand-sled upon 

 which, after the fishing is over, he brings his catch back to town. The 

 H. Mis. 133 8 



