FISHERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES IN 1885. 293 



to strike a fish rolling upon the bottom in the manner hereafter mentioned, the line 

 is quickly gathered in and the sturgeon drawn to the surface, where the first 

 struggles begin. The flounderiugs of the fish arc apt to disengage it from the hook aud 

 the gaff-hook has to be driven with alacrity and dexterity into the sturgeon's head. 

 The fish is then drawn aboard, and the fishing continues until the boat is loaded or 

 the school disappears. The quantity of fish taken in this way is usually quite 

 enormous, and though necessarily difficult to compute with accuracy, can be safely 

 estimated at 3,000,000 pounds during the fishing period of fifty days. 



The sturgeon caught iu the vicinity of Buffalo vary in length from 3 

 to 9 feet. They are sometimes taken weighing 180 pounds, and will 

 probably average 120 pounds. Mr. Williams thinks that a sturgeon 

 loses very nearly two-thirds of its weight in dressing, the female wast- 

 ing a little more than the male, because of the roe. Roes weigh from 

 30 to GO pounds each, the average weight being about 40 pounds. 



Writing ou the habits of sturgeon during the spawning season, the 



observer above referred to states that — 



They (the sturgeon) always run in schools or droves, and deposit their spawn along 

 the seams occurring in the rocky ledges, so peculiar to our shores at this end of the 

 lake, especially at the head of the Niagara River. I have often watched the female 

 sturgeon running her spawn, closely followed by the male, which seemed to milt over 

 the spawn as fast as it was run by the female. Frequently in the male sturgeon have 

 I found parts of the spawn which he had evidently eaten. A peculiar habit of the 

 sturgeon is observed after spawning. They are noticed rolling over aud over on the 

 bottom, faster than one can count ; then suddenly spouting to the surface, they leap 

 completely out of the water, falling back with a loud splash, which betrays their 

 presence to the fisherman who may be trolling for them. 



About seventy-five men are engaged in the grapnel sturgeon fishery 

 in the vicinity of Buffalo. The fishing grounds are from 8 to 12 miles 

 from the shore. 



Many fishermen and observers are inclined to the opinion that this 

 fishery should be discontinued, taking the ground that sooner or later 

 it must result in the serious decimation of the sturgeon, if not in their 

 complete or practical extermination. Aside from the fact that a very 

 great many fish which the fishermen never secure are maimed aud 

 fatally wounded by the trolling hooks, a far more important cause for ap- 

 prehension exists in the fact that this fishery is carried on only during the 

 spawniug season, when, of all times, the fish should be unmolested and 

 protected. That there is cause for thoughtful consideration of this 

 matter is shown by the annual diminution in the quantity of sturgeon 

 taken. 



Other fisheries. — Sturgeon are caught in the spring and fall in gill- 

 nets, which are set to the number of thirty or more in suitable places. 

 Gill-nets are also used for whitefish during the spring and autumn 

 months. A few seines are hauled for catfish, herring, mullet, yellow 

 pike, and bass. Angling for bass and pike is indulged in from June to 

 October by many people from Buffalo and inland towns. The use of 

 pound-nets in New York waters is prohibited, and fishing with nets and 

 seines is not allowed in the rivers. There is a law in force forbidding 

 the use of nets the meshes of which are less than 4J inches. 



