316 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Commercial fishing. — This is done with gill-nets and set-lines. The 

 latter were very extensively used at one time, but are now almost dis- 

 carded. Gill nets are fished chiefly for whitefish, there being no herring, 

 while the other species are taken on set-lines. A small steamer valued 

 at $300 is used to collect the fish on the grounds. 



Species. — Whitefish are the most important and abundant fish caught 

 in this section. There is a small variety called by the fishermen " sis- 

 cowet" and u silver whitefish," already mentioned as occurring in Mon- 

 roe County, which is quite plentiful. It weighs from 1£ to 2 pounds 

 and sells almost as readily as the common whitefish. Bass and pike 

 rank next as regards number and value. Eels, perch, mullets, and a 

 few shad are also secured. No sturgeon, herring, or bull-heads were 

 taken in 1885. The fishing season is the spring and fall, only anglers 

 fishing during the summer. 



Statistical statement. — Eighteen men were engaged in fishing in this 

 region in 1885, 8 of whom were professional fishermen. They used the 

 following apparatus : 1 collecting tug, 3 gill-net boats, and 10 other 

 boats; 93 whitefish gill-nets, 35,473 feet long; 20 herring gill-nets, 

 8,250 feet long; 36,100 feet of set-lines, with 2,160 hooks; together 

 with shore property and accessories. The total capital invested in the 

 fisheries was $1,362. 



The catch for 1885 was 13,595 pounds of whitefish, 12,990 pounds of 

 bass, 3,450 pounds of pike, 1,100 pounds of eels, 1,900 pounds of mul- 

 lets, 656 pounds of perch, and a few shad; 30,000 minnows were used 

 for bait. The total value offish taken was $2,375. 



111. OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK, BETWEEN NINE-MILE POINT AND 



PORT ONTARIO. 



General remarks.— Off the shore immediately north of Oswego there 

 is no fishing, and it is not until Nine-Mile Point is passed that any fish- 

 ing communities are found. The strip of coast included within the 

 above limits is 10 miles long, and marks the southern boundary of 

 Mexico Bay. Two. miles east of Nine-Mile Point is Point Pleasant, a 

 place somewhat noted for its bass fishing ; the bass spawn on the 

 gravel-beds just off the Point, and anglers, to the number of 700, visit 

 the place and fish mostly from boats. This is the only kind of fishing 

 carried on here. At the mouth of Little Salmon Creek are fishing 

 grounds that are worked by people connected with the life saving sta- 

 tion on the right side of the creek. Bass and pike are caught here by 

 pleasure parties, minnows being used for bait. On this creek, a mile 

 from the lake, is the village and post-office of Texas, with 200 people, 

 all farmers, who are not now engaged in fishing. The inhabitants of 

 Daysville, a small village 3 miles from the lake, fish off the mouth of 

 Grindstone Creek, fykes being the apparatus used; only one man at 

 this place is a regular fisherman, the others being farmers who depend 

 more or less on the water for their supply of food. 





