FISHERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES IN 1885. 177 



fishermen, while the fishing grounds for pound-nets and seines extend 

 north and south along the shore for 5 miles or more, the gill-net grounds 

 being about lh miles from shore in from 10 to 12 fathoms of water. 



Effect of sawdust on fishing grounds. — The fishermen appear to be con- 

 siderably hampered in their operations by the presence of great quan- 

 tities of driftwood and sawdust from the mills. At times this debris cov- 

 ers the lake for miles around and very seriously interferes with seining 

 and netting. The most disastrous effects, however, are seen on the fish 

 themselves, especially during the spawning season. Spawning grounds 

 formerly existed in this vicinity, but they have been deserted for some 

 years, owing to the deposits of sawdust thereon. 



Apparatus used at Muskegon. — Gill-nets for sturgeon, whitefish, trout, 

 and herring are in common use at Muskegon, but are being superseded 

 by pound-nets, of which eleven were operated in 1885 — an increase ^of 

 six over the previous year. There is a little seine fishing carried on, 

 but, as previouly stated, this is interfered with by the driftwood from 

 the mills. Set-lines are used rather extensively. Two steamers fished 

 gill-nets and set-lines from here in 1885, taking their catch fresh to the 

 Chicago market. 



Statistics of Muskegon fisheries. ^-There were 46 fishermen in this place 

 in 1885 5 of these 28 were professionals. About 96 persons were de- 

 pendent on the fishermen. 



The following is a detailed statement of the apparatus and capital 

 invested in the fisheries of Muskegon : 



2 fish iug steamers $5,000 



7 gill-net boats 400 



23 other boats 1,097 



444 sturgeon gill-nets, 106,490 feet long 2,086 



369 whitefish and trout gill-nets, 78,300 feet long 715 



81 herring gill- nets, 19,250 feet long 405 



11 pound-nets 3,250 



I trap-net 100 



II fyke-nets 112 



5 seines, 1,756 feet long 270 



557,000 feet of set-lines, 62,500 hooks 405 



Accessories -- 780 



Wharves, buildings, etc 500 



Total value of apparatus 15, 120 



The catch was valued at $10,456. It consisted of 94,054 pounds of 

 sturgeon, 39,252 pounds of herring, 31,252 pounds of whitefish, 43,790 

 pounds of perch, 17,000 pounds of catfish and bull- heads, 14,032 pounds 

 of trout, and 8,000 pounds of suckers. These were ail sold fresh, mostly 

 in Chicago. 



The secondary products derived from the fish w r ere 4,300 pounds of 

 caviare, 100 pounds of isinglass, and 60 gallons of oil, the total value of 

 which was $576. 



H. Mis. 133—12 



