DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

198
Mr. Gauthier, each operating about 10,000 yards of gill nets. They reported a fairY
catch during the summer; whitefish now getting scarcer, and salmon trout more
plentiful. They also reported a large catch of sturgeon. Fish offals were here
rendered into oil.
I next visited Mississauga River, where Mr. Gauthier has three licensed pound.
nets, all with undersized mesh. Men reported fair catch throughout summer, but
now getting scarcer. Examined pound-net fished by Mr. Gauthier, at Algoma Mills,.
and found the meshes undersized.
At Spanish River, 1 found a net set partially across the channel and less than
one mile from the mouth of the river. I ordered the men to take this net up
which they did.
Guardian Strain returned to Thessalon and the steamr proceeded to Killarney,
where Overseer Wilson distributed his licenses and made his collections. Here preparations
had been made for carrying fishery operations during the oose season, but
the presence of the "Cruiser" and other efforts to prevent it effectually baulked any
organized action.
At Manitowaning I met Overseer A. Brinkman, and we proceeded on the north
side of the island. 1 found four pound-nets owned by Mr. Gauthier, at Bayfields
Sound, their catch being pickerel, bass and sturgeon, with a few whitefish and trout.
Returns smaller than last season. These nets were all of undersized mesh.
1 next visited Rattlesnake Bay, where I found two pound nets owned by Mr.
Gauthier, to which the above remarks also apply.
At Meidrum Bay I found there had been no fishing this season, as well as at
Cockburn Island, next visited.
I then proceeded to Sault St. Marie, where I landed overseer Wilson from whom
I had received invaluable assistance.
I had intended calling at different points between this and Oollingwood, but bad
weather on the way down and consequent consumption of coal decided me to proceed
to that port.
From here I ran to Midland, calling at Penetanguishene on the way. At Midland
Overseer Samuel Fraser came on board and reported no fishing then going on
in his district. Overseer F. J. M. Fraser was away at the northern end of his division,
so I moved on to Parry Sound, and found all the fishing grounds on my way
up deserted except at Moose Deer Point, where there were two licensed boats
fishing. They reported a good catch and good prices; fish disposed of to Anderson
Vo., of Midland. They also stated that whiteflh and trout were then (14th October)
beginning to spawn, which I verified by personal observation.
On arriving at Mink Islands, I found no safe harbors and too much sea on toeffect
a landing, so 1 continued on to Point au Barril. This station was entirely
deserted, the fishermen having left for Griffiths Island and other fishing stations.
Ascertaining that Byng Inlet and Daffy Island fishermen had either left or were
about leaving for their homes at Collingwood, I started for Parry Sound. Heavy
winds and thick weather compelled me to make Shawanaga village, where I met
ex.Overseer James, who reçorted the season's fishing good; the catch being shipped
to Buffalo. I found that the trout were running in very thick and were then (16th
October) spawning on the shoals.
On my way to Parry Sound I noticed at the Mink Islands that all but two boats
had left the fishing grounds, and these were preparing to do so when their nets
eould be lifted. At Parry Sound I found several fishermen from Limestone, Bustard's,
Minks, and Point an Barril, on their way to Collingwood, Meaford, and Owen Sound,
apparently satisfied that the presence of the "Cruiser" and other risks would make
it worth their while to observe the close season. They reported the catch up to the
average during the season, and trout then (16th October) very plentiful on the
shoals, some having already spawned. I proceeded down the inside channel, north
of Parry Island, to Penetanguishene.
I was detained at Collingwood by stress of weather, and while there most of the
Lahing boats belonging to that port came in and stripped for the winter. I got