GREAT LAKES COREGONIDS 



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and less are more extensive, and the maximum depth known is only 54 fathoms. 

 The bottom along shore is variable in character, consisting of rocks, bowlders, gravel, 

 sand, clay, and mud, irregularly distributed. The deeper waters overlie chiefly 

 clay and mud. 



Separated from the main body of the lake and wholly within Canadian territory 

 are the divisions known as the North Channel and Georgian Bay. Their water sur- 

 faces are approximately 1 ,500 and 5,000 square miles. From the junction of the North 

 Channel with the St. Marys River to the foot of Georgian Bay at Collingwood is a 

 distance of about 240 miles, while the greatest width of the district, from the mouth 

 of the French River to the junction of Georgian Bay with Lake Huron, is about 60 

 miles. The North Channel and the northern and eastern shores of the bay are 

 dotted with numerous islands and reefs, and the best fishing grounds are in these 

 Sections. The water in the North Channel deepens from north to south, with the 

 maximum depth of 29 fathoms off Manitoulin Island, which forms its southern shore. 

 The average depth is about 20 fathoms. The floor of Georgian Bay is tilted also, 

 but from east to west, so that the deepest waters lie hard off Bruce Peninsula. From 

 the east the slope is gradual, and the 40-fathom contour approximately bisects the 

 bay from north to south. The descent into depths of 60 to 90 fathoms is rapid. 

 The shores for the most part are rocky, but stretches of sand, gravel, and clay are 

 not uncommon. In the deep water the bottom is clay. 



Whitefish, herring, chubs, trout, wall-eyed pike, and suckers are the principal 

 species. The annual production has been in Lake Huron, about 15,000,000 pounds, 

 of which coregonids have averaged nearly half. In the North Channel and Georgian 

 Bay the annual production has been around 5,000,000 pounds, of which coregonids 

 constituted about one-third. 



Lake Erie 



Lake Erie has an area of approximately 10,000 square miles, exceeding in size 

 only Lakes Ontario and Nipigon. Its length is about 250 miles, and the average 

 width is about 45 miles. It is bounded on the north by the Province of Ontario, 

 on the west by the State of Michigan, on the south by Ohio and Pennsylvania, and 

 on the east by New York. Lake Erie receives the waters of the upper Great Lakes 

 through the Detroit River and drains through the Niagara River. The deepest 

 water occurs in the eastern sector, in that part bordered by Pennsylvania, New 

 York, and the portion of the Canadian shore lying eastward of Long Point. The 

 maximum depth recorded is 35 fathoms off Long Point. The stretch for 100 miles 

 between Long Point and Point Pelee is a nearly flat plain covered by no more than 

 14 fathoms of water. East of Point Pelee is a shelf with numerous islands and 

 reefs, having a maximum depth of 7 fathoms. 



Lake Erie offers most favorable conditions for the growth of fish, and in virtually 

 every census, in spite of its small size, it has led all the lakes in quantity of production. 

 On account of its shallowness, warmth, and diversified conditions, many species of 

 fish occur in its waters, and no less than 15 species have been important at one time 

 or another in the commercial catches. In late years the most important species 

 have been herring, whitefish, wall-eyed pike, perch, and saugers. The annual 

 production has ranged probably between 40,000,000 and 75,000,000 pounds, of 

 which the coregonids supplied about half. 

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