DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

191
have they become numerous, but they are of uncommonly large size, some weighing
over three pounds. In fact, they have become of such importance that Mr. Kerr is
in favor of having a close season for their protection during spawning time, and
limiting the size of the mesh to 2 inches extension measure. No contraventions o!
the law *ere noticed. The total value of the fisheries of this division is set down at
$85,000.
Overseer Chas. Gilchrist has charge of that portion of Lake Ontario coast front..
ing on the County of Northumberland, together with Rice Lake. He reports a
catch of 7,000 pounds of whitefish, while there was none in 1887. Maskinonge were
plentiful, 220000 pounds being returned, half of which were caught by Indians.
There were 508 angling permits issued in Rice Lake, 100 of which were to Indiana
and 32 to foreigners. The total value of the fisheries in this district is put down at
$23,730, being an increase of $7,330 over last year.
Overseer H. Simmons, in charge of the Trout River, reports an increase of fish,
especially coarse fish. The toial value of the fisheries of this division is given at
$ l0,580
Overseer Geo. B. McDermot has charge of that portion of Lake Ontario extend.
ing from Oshawa Harbor to Ashbridge's Bay, as well as of Lake Scugog. He reports
that the Lake Ontario portion is showing signs of renewed activity. Licenses were
granted to nine boat fishermen for ciscoe fishing, and it is expected that 25 boats will
engage in this fishery next season. As ciscoes are rapidly coming to the front as an
edible fish, and the demand is always exceeding the supply; Mr. MeDermot recornmends
the making of a close season to cover the spawning time, say, from 15th Novein.
her to 15th December. He saw 10,000 of these fish taken from nets on the 28th
November, and sixty per cent. were full of spawn, but not quite ready to flow. Ho
is gatherixtg more information on this point, so as to send a definite recommendation
at a later date.
LAKE SCUGOG.
Fishing at Lake Scugog was in excess of last season,especiaUy during the first part
of the year; immense catches of black bass and maskinooge being made. The In
dians of Scugog Island derive quite a revenue from the sale of their fish. The
close seasons were thoroughly enforced; twelve parties being fined for violation of
the "Fisheries Act." The only drawback in this division, is the annual lowering of
the water in the lake by the large mills at Lindsay, which spoils fishing during ibe
summer months, as it allows weeds to grow much quicker, making it mpossible to
troll during the laiter part of August, September and October. This lowering of the
water also destroys thousand' of bass and maskinonge fry which are lift high and
dry when the water recedes from the spawning beds. This evil threatens to destroy
all the benefits secured by six years of efficient protection, and should winter ba
prolonged and severe, thousands of black bass will be destroyed on account of the
water freezing to the bottom in certain portions of the lake.
PRINCE EDWARD AND BAY OP QUINT1 DIVISIONS.
Overseer Ohas. Wilkins, who has charge of the Bay of Quinté division, reports an
increase in the yield of all kinds of fish in his division, more especially in the finer
grades, such as whitefish. This he attributes to the stocking of the bay with fry from
the Newcastle hatchery. Whitefish made its appearance in Bay of Quinté earlier
than formerly. Coarse fish were also more plentiful than for many years past.
Mr. Wilkins complains of the reluctance with which fishermen give retur ns of
their catch. They always underrate it, apprehending that they would be charged
increased fees for their next year's license. The total value of the fisheries of thia
district is reckoned at $44,740.
Overseer Joseph Redmond, whose division comprises the coast of Lake Ontario
around the County of Prince Edward, reports a slight improvement over last year's
catch. In some localities known to be whitefish resorts, none were taken, but fair