DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

192
catches of salmon trout took place instead, where none had been caught for years
before, and vice versa. When one takes into consideration the enormous quantity of
nets used betweeu Kingston and Toronto, it is not to be wondered at that the yield
of former years has materially declined. Mr. Redmond suggests planting some fry
in the depleted waters of his division. The close seasons were well observd. TheY
total value of the fisheries of this division is set at $24,120.
LENNOX, ADDINGTON AND FRONTENAC DIVISION.
Overseer A. .D. Sills, who has charge of the fisheries of the Oounty of Lennox,,
Teports that, though the number of fishermen has fallen, there is still a surplus over
last year's catch. Owing to a vigorous surveillance, the close seasons were well
observed, and not a single violation of the law cam'e to his knowledge.
Overseer B. B. Finkle, who attends to that part of Lake Ontario fronting on the
1'ownship of Ernestown, states that owing to rough and unfavourable weather the
catch has been inferior to that of previous years. With the help of guardians he
can safely state that fishermen were compelled to respect the close seasons.
Overseer George Lake, who has charge of the inland waters of the County of
Frontenac, reports a fair catch of salmon trout and herring. Other kinds of fish are
scarcer, owing to the want of a suitable fish-pass in the dam at the foot of Bob's
Lake. Some complaints were made against mill-owners which failed for want of
viclence.
Overseer Robert Gilbert, who has charge of the upper waters of the County of
Frontenac, states that owing to the prevention of netting, fish are again becoming
plentiful. Occasionally one hears of good catches by angling or trolling; all used for
bome consumption. Several applications for licenses to use nets had to be refused..
Close seasons were well observed, and rio breaches of the law reported.
Overseer H B. Purcell, who has charge of the inland waters of Addington, states
that, generally speaking, fishing was not so good as in former years. This he
attributes to the low state of the water, which caused the growth of weeds and imipeded
angling and trolling. This dllcer seized and destroyed five sets of hoop-nets
and two small gill nets in lakes where netting is prohibitted. Sawmill owners, with
one exception, fairly complied with the regulations.
The total value of the fisheries of these divisions is set down at $14,135.
WOLFE ISLAND AND KINGSTON DIVISIONS.
Overseer T/ios. ff1 erritt, who has charge of the lake shore fronting on tbe County
of Frontenac, reports a decided improvement in all kinds of fish, except sturgeon.
A particularly large run of herring visited this coast late in the fall and proved of
excellent quality. Trolling and fly-fishing for bass on the shoals was good, and:
numerous sportsmen, especially from the States, visited these grounds.
Overseer F. Kiel attends to the fishing grounds around Wolfe Island. Fishing
is not carried on so vigorously as formerly. Thi great demand for labor at other
• industries, the low price of fresh fish, and the seemingly perceptible absence of fish
on our shores, explain the decrease in the catch. A great waste of young fish is made
by foreign sportsmen for bating hooks. Another plasible explanation of the scarcity
of whitefish and salmon-trout in the waters of this division, is that, their feeding and
breeding grounds are visited early in the spring by schools of pickerel, pike and
other ravenous fish who winter in the muddy bottom bays on the other side of the
boundary.
The total value of the fisheries of Wolfe and Kingston divisions is given at
$4,631.
LEEDS, LANARK AND RIDEAU DIVISIONS.
Overseers W. H. Johnston, Jas. Greer and Wm., flicks have charge of Charleston,
Gananoque and other lakes in County of Leeds. :No netting being allowed in these