FISHERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES IN 1885. 305 



101. WILSON, NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Introductory statement. — Wilson is situated near the mouth of Twelve 

 Mile Creek, which here expands into a good harbor of moderate pro- 

 portions, on either side of which the coast is rough and rocky. The 

 people number 700, the larger part of whom are fanners. At one time 

 the fisheries were of primary importance, but of late years, owing to 

 the restrictions of existing laws and in a measure to the scarcity of 

 fish, they have fallen off considerably. In the fall of 1885, however, 

 there was a general revival of interest in the fisheries, and there was an 

 encouraging outlook for the spring of 188G. Nearly all the fishermen 

 are young men of American birth. 



Species and fisheries. — The catch consists of herring, sturgeon, white- 

 fish, trout, and bass; bull-heads and pike are also taken in small quan- 

 tities. Herring and sturgeon are the most abundant and important 

 species. The herring fishery is carried on chiefly during the fall months, 

 gill-nets, 165 feet in length and 3| to 4 feet in depth, with a 3-inch mesh, 

 being the apparatus used. Fishing for sturgeon begins as soon as the 

 ice has broken up and continues throughout the entire open season ; 

 there is also some fishing during the winter, set lines being put through 

 the ice for this purpose. Sturgeon gill-nets are 165 feet in length aud 

 5 feet in depth, with an 1 1 J-inch mesh, the latter being somewhat larger 

 than the average mesh on Lake Ontario. Whitefish are taken during 

 the spring and fall in gill- nets, with a 4£-inch mesh. Of late years 

 whitefish have not been very abundant. The fishermen, however, ex- 

 pressed the opinion that the autumn of 1885 showed a very perceptible 

 increase in the number. Trout of a superior quality are secured from 

 April to June in gill-nets with about the dimensions of sturgeon nets, 

 and having a 7-inch mesh. 



All the nets used in connection with the fisheries at Wilson are 

 bought iu New York and Boston, except those for sturgeon, which are 

 made at home by the fishermen. 



During the period from June to October about four hundred people 

 visit Wilson to take advantage of the fine facilities for pleasure fishing 

 which the place affords. Bass and pike are caught off the pier aud in 

 boats, and there is some trolling with minnows. 



Salt fish. — A very small percentage of the fish landed is salted. The 

 cause of this is that there is such a great demand for fresh fish ; and 

 it is only when a fisherman can not dispose of his fish in a fresh condi- 

 tion that he finds it profitable to salt them. The few that are thus 

 prepared are put up in half-barrels containing 100 pounds each. 



Local and outside trade. — Six of the fishermen own horses and wagons, 

 aud go through the country selling their fish. Peddlers buy many of 

 the herring, paying 1 cent a pound for them. The sturgeon, whitefish, 

 trout, etc., are shipped fresh to New York and Buffalo by way of the 

 railroad which runs within a mile of the village. 

 H. Mis. 133 20 



