DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

188
GEORGIAN BAY DIVISION.
Overseer F. M. G. Fraser agalu draws attention to the illegal practice of gutting
the fish on the fishing grounds. More illegal fishing was done cJuring close season,
than usual. The only way to check this poaching during the month of November,
is to have a suitable steam craft. This officer is informed on good authority that
30 tons of whitefish and salmon-trout were caught during the close season, and secreted
near Meaford, but with a sail boat he was unable to effect a capture. Corn plaints
that illegal trap nets were used, upon investigation, proved groundless. He failed
to discover them, although suspecting their existence. Herring were never known
to bo so plentiful as they werö this season on the north shore of Georgian Bay.
The tolal catch of this division is given at $139,143.
Overseer Samuel Frazer has charge of that part of Georgian Bay extending from
Victoria Harbor to Allenwood. He claims that some fishermen residing in his district,
but fishing in neighboring ones, often escape payment of license fees, and that
neither overseers get returns of their catch He is convinced that fishermen respect
the laws when closely watched, and then only. He was credibly informed that the
moment he left the Christian Islands, about the middle of November, no less than
twelve fishing boats were seen fishing on the spawning grounds. Indians fearing
retaliation from white men, did not inform on them. It is quite impossible to ascertain
who are going to fish beforehand; the only reliable way is to visit the fishing
grounds, and compel fishermen then and there to take out licenses. The Fishery
Officer depending on sail-boats to perform his duties, is placed at a great disadvantage
in having to compete with the well equipped steam crafts which are rapidly
superseding boat, especially as a means of transport. The alleged throwing of sawdust
and mill rubbish into the stream by a small steam mill, on the Wye River,
proved, upon investigation by this officer, to be groundless. The total value of this
division is given at $19,370,
Overseer G. S. .Mzller's division comprises that portion of the south shore of
Georgian Bay extending from Allenwood to Colpoy's Bay. He reports the catch about
the same as that of 1887. Whitefish were very scarce on the south shore of Georgian
Bay, which formerly was one of its best haunts this side of Killarney; on the
contrary, salmon-trout were plentiful, of a large size and superior quality. Gill-net
fishermen consider it a great boon that no pound-nets are allowed in Georgian Bay;
some complain that certain parties in Colpoy's Bay, underpretence of procuring ova
for the Government hatchery during November, manage to fish there, the best par1
of the season. Though many complain of the length of the close season, it was
generally well observed. Most of the fishermen depend on the fall run of salmontrout
for their winter supply, the best time for fishing would be the end of Noveinber.
The latter part of October was very stormy, playing havock with the nets and
inflicting severe losses. Over 40 boat fishermen in this division paid their licensea
to other Overseers. The value of the catch is given at $45,374.
Overseer J. Shackleion has charge of that portion of the shores of Georgian Bay
which extends from Colpoy's Bay to Cape Hurd, and thence on Lake Huron to
Stoke's Bay. lie states that whitefish are getting scarcer every year, still he returns
its catch at over 1,000000 pounds, and over 900,000 porinds of salmon trout. Fishermen
still persist in dumping fish offals on their way from the fishing grounds
Nearly all the nets used for summer fishing are of under sized mesh, being only 4
to 4 inches extension measure. All parties have been duly notified respecting the
prohibition of these illegal mesh nets, in accordances with instructions from headquarters.
This overseer seized one boat and several nets. The total vain e of this
division is given at $l82,9O.
The total value of all Georgian Bay is reckoned at $386,739.
LAKE HURON DIVISION.
Overseer R 11. Murray, who has charge of that portion of the coast of Lake
fluron extending from Stoke's Bay to Point Clark, returns over 300,000 pounds of
whitefish, 40,000 pounds of salmon-trout, and 1,575 barrels of herrings