DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

173
Overseer Jos Gin gras, of the Yamaska River, reports a fair catch of coarse fish.
The total value of the above divisions is set at $1 1.376.
VERCHERES DIVISION.
Overseer John Morris, of the Montreal division, who attended to this district in
addition to his own, reports an average catch with the exception of shad, which.
shows a considerable falling off. The total value of the fisheries of this district is
given at $25,b80.
RICHELIEU RIVER AND IBERVILLE DIVISION.
Overseer .1. B. Chevalier, who has charge of Richelieu River from St. John to
Lake Champlain, reports a falling off in the catch. This is not attributed to any
scarcity of fish, Iut to restrictive measures in the time allowed for fishing, which
caused fishermen to seek other employment. Those who continued the business were
satisfied. Bels are the principal kind of fish caught in this division; the catch being
put down at 138,7th) lbs., most of which is exported to American markets, where
they command remunerative prices. Mr. Chev&ier reports no violations of the law.
The total value of the fisheries of his division is given at 10,76&
RIOHELIEU AND CHAMBLY DIVISION.
Overseer J. 0. Dion, who has charge of the lower part of the Richelien River
from Richelieu Village to Sorel, states that the prohibition of net fishing, b&,tween
15th April and 1st October, will do good. Ice in the spring as well as low water in
the fall will preclude excessive seining and afford fish ample protection. Bass is reported
as getting more plentiful, but pickerel scarcer. The catch of eels is stated at
35,OO lbs. The total value of the fisheries of his division is set down at $2,463.
CHATEAUGUAY DIVISION.
Overseer J. 1 aberge, who has charge of the Chateauguay River, rep Drts the catch
of bass inferior to that of previous years, owing to the water keeping so muddy; but
soft-fish, which thrive well in that kind of water, were plentiful and over 300,000.
lbs. were caught. About half a million lbs. of fish are returned fronii this district,
valued at $23,700. All these find ready sale on the MontreAl market.
BEAUIIARNOIS DIVISION.
Overseer John Kelly, who has charge of part of Lake St. Francis, fronting on the
Oonnties of Beauharnois and Huntington, reports an improvement in the cach of
eels anl pike, but a decrease in bass and maskinongé. The number of men engaged
in the fisheries of this division is stated at 90, and the total yield valued at $12,174.
MISSISQUOJ BAY DIVISION.
Overseer 1'. E. Luke, who has charge of the Missisquol Bay, returns a catch of
16,000 lbs. of shad, 33,200 lbs. of pickerel, and 27,000 lbs. of coarse fish, valued at
nearly $4,000. The close season was well observed. The fishway on Pike River
was kept in good repair, and three others are being built. A few salmon trout
fry from the Magog hatchery were planted in Selby Pond.
MA000 AND BBOME DIVISION.
Overseer T. A! archessault, who has charge of Brome Lake, returns the catch
of bass at fifty tons; still, he says it was not so plentiful as the year before. Pickerel
were abundant, the yield being given at 150 tons. Cold rainy weather during
the season greatly impeded fishing. The total value of the fisheries of this division
is given at $27,446.
SHERBROOKE AND MEGANTIC DIVISION.
Overseer P. W. Nagle, who has charge of the inland waters of the County
of Stanstead, reports the cittch of fish inferior to that of previous years. This ho