654 EEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



attached to the main line about 8 to 10 feet apart. A number of these 

 short lines are fastened tog-ether, forming one long line of 500 to 

 1,000 hooks. These are anchored at distances of ever}" 50 hooks and 

 buoyed from 5 to 20 feet below the surface in from 75 to 100 fathoms 

 of water. Set lines are never used near the shore or in shallow water. 

 Troll lines with spoon hooks are employed from June 15 to August 1, 

 the fish at that time being near the shore. 



During the fishing season the fishermen and their families camp on 

 several of the numerous islands near the fishing grounds. Their fish- 

 ing boats, except 3 gasoline launches, are small, strong]}" built sail- 

 boats. The islands are not connected b}- cable with the mainland, the 

 onh' communication being by steamers and small boats. There are no 

 stores or post-ofiices. The mail is carried b}^ steamers and delivered 

 at the various fishing camps. A number of fishing clubs have camps 

 on the islands. Washington Harbor, at the southwest end of Isle 

 Royale, is a rendezvous for fishermen and summer campers. The log 

 houses of the fishermen and two hotels, one of which has several cot- 

 tages connected wnth it, form quite an attractive settlement during 

 the fishing season. In this section trout constitute the greater part of 

 the catch, wliite-fisli being taken only occasional!}^ in the fishing near 

 shore. A ton of fish caught in this vicinity usually consists of about 

 1,500 pounds of siscowet trout and 500 pounds of lake trout and bluefiu 

 white-fish. In August there is not much fishing by the shore fisher- 

 men, the fish being farther out in the lake than the fishermen care to 

 venture in their small boats. From the last of August to the first of 

 October the fish are near the island, and are then taken in gill nets in 

 from 1 to 30 fathoms of water. They will not notice the trolling hooks 

 at this time in the season. At the end of October the fishermen with 

 their families remove to their permanent homes, which are mostly at 

 Duluth. They usually spend the winter in preparing their fishing 

 apparatus for the next season, or at work in the mines and luuiber 

 camps. After the fishing season- closes no regular steamers visit the 

 islands, and they are deserted by all except a few watchmen who 

 remain to care for the hotels and property left by the fishermen. 



The following tables give, by states and counties, the extent of the 

 fisheries of Lake Superior in 1903: 



