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