266 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



In 1830 the only fish-dealers in the place were Messrs. J. and J. Hoi- 

 lister and William Townsend. At that time all the fishing of the vicin- 

 ity was confined within the limits of Sandusky Bay, and, apart from a 

 little line-fishing, was done with seines 30 to 50 fathoms long ; and the 

 fishing season did not extend beyond the months of April, May, and 

 June. The white bass, pike, grass pike, and catfish, which constituted 

 the bulk of the catch, were salted on the fishing grounds by those who 

 caught them; black bass and muscallonge were also very abundant, 

 and were sold fresh. 



In 1847, Mr. Charles Higg;r\s began shipping fresh fish in small 

 quantities to Cincinnati and the intervening towns, and after the intro- 

 duction of pound-nets others went into the business. 



Between 1870 and 1875 the trade of Sandusky was in the hands of 

 nine firms, the extent of whose operations in 1870-'72 is shown by the 

 following figures published by Mr. Klippart: 



Year. 



Spring trade. 



Fall trade. 



1870 



Pounds. 

 3, 024, 370 

 2, 897, 365 



1, 813, 055 



2, 578, 263 



Pounds. 

 7, 560, 550 

 4, 666, 580 

 5 585, 885 



1871 



1872... 





5, 937, 672 





Three of the most prominent firms began business in 1855, 1856, and 

 1857, respectively. One of the largest firms has since its origin shipped 

 over 50,000,000 pounds of fish. Two started in 1877 and two others in 

 1880. The other four firms had a less extensive business. Some oper- 

 ate their own fishing apparatus and hire the fishermen, others buy 

 much of their fish from independent fishermen, to whom they in many 

 cases, however, make advances of material, etc. 



Four steamers are owned by as many different dealers ; two are fittec 

 with gill-nets for fishing, and the others are used simply in collectiiij 

 fish. 



Two firms devote their entire attention to sturgeon and herring. Li! 

 tie use was made of sturgeon in this region until Simon Schacht cam< 

 here in 1866 and went into business. Since that time the value of the 

 species has been more and more appreciated, and 2,000,000 or 3,000,000 

 pounds are now handled annually. One of the firms purchases at least 

 50,000 or 60,000 sturgeon a year. At Erie, Pennsylvania, and at other 

 places whence are received regular supplies of sturgeon, several men 

 are kept at work dressing fish. The lake sturgeon which are used 

 range from 30 to 150 pounds in weight, but sometimes salt-water stur- 

 geon are received from Georgia, which often weigh as much as 400 or 

 500 pounds apiece. Some of the sturgeon are sold fresh, and some 

 frozen, but most of them are smoked, as are also all the herring handled 

 by the firm. The smoked products are shipped to all parts of Ohio 

 and to adjoining states, and are destined to take a high place in the 

 public favor. 



