FISHERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES IN 1885. 193 



Reference to the above summary shows that in August when the catch 

 of whitefish was largest fewer trout were taken, and on the other hand 

 that in September when the trout were most numerous the whitefish 

 were least abundant. 



The gill-net crews fishing from sail-boats take their fish on Seven- 

 Mile Reef, and as far south as Fisher's Island and Norwood. Seven- 

 Mile Reef is about 7 miles in length and 4 miles wide, and is covered 

 by from 5£ to 20 fathoms of water ; it is the ground most frequented by 

 the boat fishermen. 



Set line fishery . — Set Hues are fished by the steamer Clara E. Elliott, 

 after the close of the gill-net season for steamers, which is earlier than 

 for the boats. The season continues duriug the winter until April 15, 

 being suspended only during the coldest weather. Fifteen thousand 

 hooks in three gangs were used in 1885; the hooks are 6 feet apart and 

 consequently 90,000 feet of ground-line were required. Sturgeon, trout, 

 and whitefish are the species taken, one-half the catch being sturgeon 

 and five-sixths of the remainder whitefish. Suckers and whitefish are 

 used for bait. The liues are set on clay and sandy bottoms, in 7 fath- 

 oms of water in the fall, gradually increasing to 30 fathoms in the spring. 

 The yield in 1884 was 10 tons ; in 1885 but 5 tons were taken. The roes, 

 swimming bladders, and refuse parts of the sturgeon were utilized in 

 the manufacture of caviare, isinglass, and oil. 



Trap fishery. — Four traps, costing $50 each, were set in Pine and 

 Round lakes in the spring and fall by the gill-net fishermen. The catch 

 was not large and consisted of trout, wall-eyed pike, and perch. 



Ice fishing. — This is followed without much regularity at Charlevoix, 

 owiug to the fact that in only about one year in five does sufficient ice 

 form. It is carried on chiefly by Indians, who use hooks and a few gill- 

 nets. The total catch in 1885 was 10,000 pounds. 



Species. — Trout is the most abundant species. The average weight 

 of the fish caught in 1885 was 5 pounds. About one-fifth of the trout 

 are of the local variety known as siscowet, although as many as one- 

 half of the trout caught in deep water by some fishermen are of this 

 variety. Whitefish rank next in abundance, and average 2J pounds in 

 weight. One-third are of the varieties called black-fins and long-jaws. 

 Suckers are very numerous, but are not esteemed for food and are 

 thrown away. Often when fishing on shallow grounds each steamer 

 takes as many as a ton daily. Sturgeon, herring, perch, etc., are not 

 taken in any great quantities. 



Fishing season. — The best months for whitefish are May and June, when 

 :hey constitute about half the catch, although in August the catch of 

 the steamers consists of more whitefish than at other times, as already 

 stated. Black fins occur all the year round in deep water; they are 

 taken in water from 30 to 60 fathoms in depth. In the fall the trout 

 >egin to outnumber the whitefish, and in October and November prac- 

 tically all the gill-net fish are trout. 

 H. Mis. 133 13 



