FISHERIES OF LAKE ONTARIO. 
213 
There can be no doubt whatever that the waters of Lake Ontario are capable of 
sustaining fisheries of as great relative magnitude as those of any other of the Great 
Lakes. It is equally true that the creation of an abundance of fish necessary to main- 
tain these fisheries is entirely within the province of fish-cultural work. In the words 
of U. S. Fish Commissioner McDonald, u it is not only possible, it is entirely practi- 
cable, to restore and maintain these fisheries by adequate resort to means and agencies 
entirely within our control.” The “ means and agencies ’’consist of well-known and 
approved fish-cultural methods which, in other lakes and waters under similar condi- 
tions, have been successful. 
At comparatively small expense, one or more hatching stations could be established 
on the shores of Lake Ontario, the results of whose operations after a few years would 
be an increased supply of food-fish whose value to the State would be a profitable and 
perpetual return for the original outlay. At such hatcheries whitefish, lake trout, 
pike perch, salmon, and sturgeon should be artificially propagated. 
In connection with the fish-cultural work the question of temporarily prohibiting 
fishing for whitefish and trout during the spawning period, and of limiting the size of 
these and other species marketed, would come up for consideration ; but sufficiently 
large plants of fry would probably, after a short time, obviate the necessity for any 
restrictive fishery measures. 
NOTES ON THE ACCOMPANYING PLATES. 
Illustrations of all of the principal economic and game fishes occurring in Lake 
Ontario are presented with this report. It is thought that this feature of the article 
will contribute to a clearer knowledge of the lake fishes on the part of fishermen and 
others. The species figured are as follows : 
Plate xxi. Acipenser ruMcundus Le Sueur. Lake sturgeon. 
Plate xxii. Amia oalva Linnaeus. Dogfish ; Mudfish. 
This fish has no commercial value, and is only interesting because of its anatomical relations, its 
destruction of other fish, and its extremely tenacious hold on life. It reaches a length of 2^ 
feet and a weight of 15 pounds. It may he taken with a hook or trolling spoon. The young 
are considered excellent bait for pike. 
Plate xxiii. Ameiurus vulgaris (Thompson). Bullhead. 
This is one of the common catfishes of Lake Ontario, where it reaches a length of 18 inches. 
Although called bullhead, it is to be distinguished from the more abundant bullhead or 
horned pout (A. nebulosus), which has the upper jaw longer than the lower, while in the 
species figured the upper jaw is usually shorter than the lower. 
Plate xxiv. Catostomus teres (Mitchill). Common sucker; Brook sucker; Mullet. 
In the statistical tables the fish enumerated as suckers consist chiefly of this species. It attains 
a length of 2 feet and has considerable commercial value- in some places, but its edible qual- 
' ities are inferior. The fish ascends streams in the breeding season and is there taken in seines 
and with spears. 
Plate xxv. Moxostoma anisurum (Rafinesque) . Carp mullet. 
Distinguished from the redhorse, which also occurs in the lake, by the much larger fins and by 
the coloration of the lower fins. In the redhorse they are red or orange ; in this species, white. 
Plate xxvi. Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus. Leather carp. 
This fish has been introduced into Lake Ontario and has also accidentally found its way there by 
the breaking of dams. It appears to thrive well in the cold, clear waters of the lake, and 
some fine examples have been caught in recent years by net fishermen. 
