206 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



were taken. In the same county, in 1890, 730 pounds of whitefish were taken; in 

 J 893, 45,380 pounds were taken; while in 1897 the catch amounted to 138,549 

 pounds. Whether there is any connection between the almost total extinction of one 

 species coincident with such a great increase of another species from almost nothing, is 

 a matter the fishermen are unable to explain. 



The following three tables show the main features of the fisheries of the lake for 

 the year 1897. 



The first table shows the number of men engaged in the fisheries in different 

 capacities, also the number and value of vessels and boats, the quantity and value of 

 apparatus, and the shore property in the different counties. The vessel fisheries of 

 this lake have always been insignificant. In 1897, five men were engaged in the 

 vessel fisheries and five in the transporting trade. The shore and boat fisheries were 

 prosecuted by 238 men. Jefferson county had the largest number of men engaged in 

 the fisheries, 103, followed by Niagara county with 51. 



The vessel engaged in the fisheries in Wayne county only made one short trip, 

 when the business was abandoned. The total investment in the industry was $35,998, 

 of which sum Jefferson county is to be credited with $13,845, over one-third of the 

 total investment. The most important form of apparatus was the gill net, of which 

 289,420 feet, valued at $7,354, were employed. The next most important form of 

 apparatus was trap nets, of which 1 1 1, valued at $3,850, were in use. 



The quantity and value of each important species taken in 1897 are shown in the 

 second table. The aggregate catch was 920,996 pounds, valued at $34,295. The 

 principal species taken were the whitefish, sturgeon, perch and bullheads. Jefferson 

 county caught more than all the other counties combined. Niagara county occupies 

 second place. 



The third table shows the quantity and value of the species taken in each principal 

 form of apparatus. Gill nets occupy first place with 451,011 pounds, valued at 

 $20,899, which represents nearly one-half of the total catch, and over one-half the 

 total value. The principal species taken were whitefish, perch and sturgeon. All but 

 11,625 pounds of the total catch of whitefish were secured in gill nets. Trap nets 

 come next with 218,899 pounds, valued at $4,952. The principal species taken in 

 trap nets were eels, perch and bullheads. Fyke nets, seines, hand lines, set lines and 

 spears follow in the order named. 



