DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

18
Overseer J. A. Couse, who replaced A. U. M:cKinnon, of Goderich, has charge or
the division extending from Point Clark to Kettle Point. lEle returns an average
catch. Twenty-two pound nets were fished between Kettle Point and Blue Point.
Overseer D. lklcMaster, of Sarnia, sends no report.
Overseer Hugh McFayden is in charge of the Saugeen River. The catch of
speckled trout is estimated at 60,000 pounds, valued at 25 cents per pound. The
aeason was excessively hot and dry. However; numerous tourists from the United
States, as well as from remote parts of Canada, agaill visited this favorite stream.
The close seasons were well observed. Mill owners were not so troublesome as
formerly, only two being fined last season.
The total value of Lake Huron division, exclusive of Georgian Bay, is reckoned
at $89,751.
LAKE AND RIVER ST. OLAIB DIVISION, INCLUDING THAMES RiVER.
Overseer C. W. Raymond, who attends to the upper part of Lake St. Clair, reporta
that there was no fishing done in the division under his charge.
Overseer A. Quennevzlle, whose division comprises part of Lake St. Clair. in the
vicinity of the Thames Rtver, sends no report, but his statistical returns show an
average yield of fish, especially of the coarser grades.
Overseer T. Iilc Queen's division extends from the mouth of the River Thames to
Lewisville. Twenty out of twenty-three fishing stations in his district were fished
giving employment to 112 persons. Owing to the severity of the winter, which pro.
eluded open water fishing till late in the spring, there is a slight decline in the yield
of this division. More pike were taken than usual. The close seasons were invariably
well observed.
Overseer John Crotty, who has charge of the central portion of the Thames River
from Lewisville to Wardsville, reports a very poor ca'ch owing to the high water
and late spring.
Overseer P. McCann has charge of the upper portion of the Thames River. Ho
reports a fair catch. Bass fishing was very good on the upper reaches of the river.
No net fishing is carried on in this district. Some persons were suspected of having
speared fish, but the Overseer failed to catch them or to procure sufficient evidence
to prosecute. Two new fishways were built during the last summer to replace those
carried away by the ice. The total value of the fisheries of thn Thames River division
is reckoned at $21,268.
DETROIT RIVER DIVISION.
11fr. Joseph Boismier, who has charge of this division, reports an increase of 75
per cent. in whitefish. This he attributes to the millions of fry distributed in these
waters by Canadian and American hatcheries during the past few years. The
decrease in herring is as nOticeable as is the surplus in whitefisa. There was a
decline also in sturgeon and pickerel. The total value of the fisheries of this division
is given at $19,643, being a deficit of nearly $10,000 as compared with 1887.
LAKE ERIE DIVISION.
Point Pelée Island.
Overseer James Gummins, who has charge of the fisheries around Pelée Island
reports a decrease in the yield of whitefish of 50 per cent. In 1887 the catch of
herring was returned at 105,563 lbs. and this season at 566,7.0 lbs., a difference of
461,157 lbs. The catch of pickerel and bass was larger than for the last few years.
Sturgeon is on the decline. The total value of the fisheries of this district is estimated
at $37,956, being an increase of over 300 per cent. over last year, There were 26
pound.nets fished in this division.