DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

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are maskinongé, pike, bass and herring. Fishing is all done by angling and trolling,
and for domestic use only1
Overseer Fred. Webber looks after Lake Couchiching arid the Severn River. He
reports a steady improvement in all kinds of fish, excepting speckled-trout. In the
case of black bass especially, this gratifying result is due to the extension of the
close season and generally to the better observance of the fishery laws. Maskinongé
are still scarce in Lake Oouchiching, but the prevention of spearing in the spring
will soon cause them to attain their former standing. Old anglers and tourists, frora
the States who make the Severn River their favorite quarters, report it better than
ever. The decline in speckled.trout is due to extreme lowness of water during winter
months, causing the destruction of many young fish. A gentleman placed, last year,
a number of trout fry in Goldwater River and other parties intend to follow his
example. A novelty was noticed last summer in Lake Couchiching in the shape of
a large school of whitefish. The Indians say that these fish have only been noticed
since a year; they are, no doubt, the result of artificial fish breeding; some fry
having been placed in the above named lake by the officer in charge of Newcastle
hatchery a few years ago. The fishery laws were generally well observed. A case
of illegal fishing came before this officer, and the offender, a notorious poacher, was
committed to jail in default of payment. Information was also laid against twG
parties for similar offences, but the defendants have so far evaded service of the
summons. A gill net was seized, but the owner could not be found and it was destroyed.
Chippewa Indians gIve considerable trouble; a couple of seizures of speared whitefish,
brought to town by these Indians, had to be made. The whole catch of the fisheries
of this division is estimated at 54,000 lbs., the principal kinds being bass, pickerel,
pike and maskinongé.
VICTORIA COUNTY DIVISION.
Overseer J. B. Graham has control of the inland waters in the County of Victoria,
north of Sturgeon Lake. The principal kinds of fish are bass and maskinongé. The
former yielded 28,0U0 lbs. and the latter t0,000 lbs. Tao close season was generally
well observed and he received no complaints whatever. He inspected the different
saw-mills of his district and did not detect anything. to warrant proceedings. The
total value of the fisheries is given at $3,475, being a slight increase over last year.
PETERBORO' COUNTY DIVISION.
Overseers Geo. Qoclirane, of Lakefield, and J. Dauncey, of Minden, have charge of
all the lakes and streams in Peterborough Oounty. They report a good catch of
maskinongé and bass. All the fish caught in this division, valued at $16,000, is
disposed of on local markets.
SPECIAL REPORT OF CAPT. ALFRED F. IIOLMES ON THE F1SEERIE
OF GEORGIAN BAY, LAKE HURON, &c.
NAPANEE, 4th December, 1888.
HON. CHARLES H. TUPPER,
Minister of Marine and Fisheries.
SIIt,—Pursuant to instructions, I proceeded to Portsmouth on the 2nd July an.&
took charge of the steamer "Cruiser," thou undergoing repairs. On the 21st July
the steamer proceeded on its voyage to Windsor, where I found instructions awaiting
me, and in accordance therewith, sailed for Oolpoy's Bay, where I was joined by
Overseer Shackleton for a tour of his district.
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