FISHERIES OF LAKE ONTARIO. 
185 
It is seen that in 1890 whitefish constituted about 27 per cent of the flsli imported 
from Canada, trout 4 per cent, and other species 69 per cent. In 1891 the proportions 
were 27 per cent, 5 per cent, and 68 per cent, respectively. Applying these figures to 
the entire lake it appears that the Canadian fisheries of Lake Ontario furnished to 
United' States markets in 1890 about 282,545 pounds of whitefi.sk, 41,859 pounds of 
trout, and 722,061 pounds of miscellaneous fish; while in 1891 there were 314,469 
pounds of whitefish, 58,235 pounds of trout, and 791,997 pounds of all other fish. 
The fish brought into the Cape Vincent and Oswego districts are chiefly obtained 
at the Duck Islands and in the Bay of Quiute, near the eastern end of the lake; they 
are collected from the various fishing stations by vessels sent out by the dealers.- The 
receipts in the Genesee district in 1890 were chiefly from Port Hope, and were landed 
by regular passenger and freight steamers. 
The greater prolificness of the Canadian waters at the present time in whitefish 
and trout, which is hereinafter alluded to in the chapter on the whitefish, is well illus- 
trated by the foregoing table. The difference in the output of the two sides becomes 
even more marked in view of the fact that the imports represent only a portion of the 
yield of the Canadian fisheries. 
NOTES ON IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL FISHES OF LAKE ONTARIO. 
The principal commercial fishes of Lake Ontario are reviewed somewhat in detail 
in this chapter. The information is not intended to include a life history of the species 
considered. Even if the circumstances incident to the collection of the data had per- 
mitted thorough study, such work would have been supererogatory in view of the 
elaborate biographies already extant. The species have been discussed primarily 
from an economic standpoint, although certain information concerning their habits and 
movements is introduced which has a bearing on the practical side of the question and 
is thought to add something to the present knowledge of the fish life of the lake. 
THE STURGEON. 
The sturgeon ( Acipenser rubicundus ), the largest and one of the most important 
and valuable of the lake fishes, has decreased in abundance since 1880. In that year 
545,283 pounds were taken; in 1885 the catch was 386,974 pounds; in 1890, as a 
result of increased demand, 490,000 pounds were obtained. At one time there was 
little value placed on the sturgeon, which was regarded as almost unfit for food, and, as 
on the other lakes, the fish was unnecessarily persecuted and often wantonly destroyed. 
Now it brings the fishermen the same price per pound as whitefish and trout. 
Under the name of u rock sturgeon ” the fishermen of the St. Lawrence River and 
Lake Ontario recognize the small fish caught almost entirely during the summer 
months, when the larger sturgeon are spawning and are only occasionally taken. It 
has very prominent scales and a long snout as its principal differential features, and 
is regarded by many fishermen as a distinct species. It weighs from 10 to 25 pounds. 
While it is known that the sturgeon is a bottom feeder, and that the shape of the 
mouth and the general anatomy must determine the character of its food, much yet 
remains to be learned concerning the food and the food habits of the fish. 
