DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

187
APPENDIX NQ 6.
ONTARIO.
SYNOPSES OF FISHERY OVERSEERS' iEPORTS IN THE PROVINCE OF
ONTARIO, FOR THE YEAR 1888.
LAKE SUPERIOR DIVISION.
Overseer W. C. Dobie, appointed in the place of Mr. James Dickson, resigned, has
charge of that portion of Lake Superior extending from Pigeon River to Slate Island.
fle states that fishing was very light during part of the summer, so ,much so, that
several fishermen actually raised their nets ; profits being insufficient to pay for
the wear and tear. Fishing was more remunerative on the other side of the boundary..
Fishermen were however fully compensated by the lateness of the fishing season,.
which beats all previous records. The catch of whitefish is given at 30,000 lbs.
fresh, and 810 barrels pickled. That of trout at 187,200 lbs., and 630 barrels. The
total value of the fisheries of this district is reckoned at $67,346, exceeding that of last
year by EO,000.
Overseer J08. Wilson's district extends from Slate Island, on Lake Superior, to
Co1lin's Inlet, on Georgian Bay. He reports a considerable increase in whitefish and
salmon-trout in all the waters of his district excepting at St. Mary's Rapids. Prices
ruled higher than last season. During the month of June, Mr. Wilson visited Spanish
River where he found pound net stakes in the channel, and ordered them to be removed.
Calling about the same time at Squaw Island, he collected fees on forty-three
boat licenses. Guardians Strain and Cameron rendered good service during the close
seasons, which on the whole was fairly well observed. American fishermen were
noticcd fishing on the spawning grounds at Parisienne and Sandy Islands during the
close time; but Mr. Wilson was powerless to act, being unable to procure a tug at
the time, Mr. Wilson urges the adoption of a close season for sturgeon, from 1st
May to 15th June. The total value of both divisions under his charge reach the sum
of $114,924, viz., $91,892 for Lake Superior, and $3,032 for the Manitoulin division
to Spanish River inclusive.
MANITOULIN ISLAND DIVISION.
Oversei'r John Marks, of St. Joseph's Island, and Atex Brinkman of Manitowaning,
appointed in paee of D. Cameron resigned, have charge of the waters around Mani
toulin and adjacent islands. They report a large increase in the yield of trout
arid whitefish, and a decline in sturgeon. In order to judge of the importance of
these fisheries, it is only necessary to notice the enormous catch of fish at some of the
Ishing statioib. For instance at Squaw Island, six tugs with over 100,000 fathoms
of nets, taking one million and a half pounds of fish, valued at $120,180. The fisheries
f the Ducks Islands come next in importance, reaching 600,000 lbs. of fish of all
kinds, valued at $l5,200. The total value of the fisheries of this division is given at
$349,201; being double that of last year. No less than 19 tugs, 120 boats, 275,00Grn
fathoms of nets, 48 pound nets, sere employed in the fishing industry during the
aeason.