DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

225
BEaEN'S RIVER—LAKE WINNIPEG.
Guardian J. 13. Johnson reports having visited his district, extending from Big-
Grindstone Point to the mouth of the Little Saskatchewan River, on the west side of
Lake Winnipeg, and from Loon Sttaits to Beren's River, on the east side, and embracing
the following fishing stations: Humbug Bay, bulls Head, Rabbit Point, Pigeon
Bay, Beren's River, Swampy Island, Jack Head, Cat Head, Sturgeon Bay and Little
Saskatchewan River. Visited Meagan's mill at Humbug Bay in July, where he was
informed sawdust was escaping into the lake. Found milling operations had been
suspended, and gave orders to have the refuse collected and consumed. Next visited
Black Bear Island and Blood Vein River where Indians had been catching sturgeon
and selling them to 0. W. Gautbier & Co. At Beren's River, inspected the nets of
this firm, complaints having been iiisde that they were obstructing the channel at
the mouth of the river. Found ocly one pound net in use, and that one was at least
one mile from the mouth of the river. Visited Robinson's mill at Moose Creek and
found everything satisfactory there, as well as at Brown and Rutberford's mill at
Fisher Bay apd the Selkirk Lumbering Company's mill at Fisher River. At Cat
Read, found the Indians hostile, in regard to paying a license fee for the purpose of
eatcbing and selling fish to traders. The matter was explained at an Indian Council
held. A similar complaint was found to exist at the Little Saskatchewan River, but
the difficulty is being overcome, as the Indians now realize the difference fishing for
their own use and fishing for the trade. Reports Indians fishing freely at Sandy Bar,.
Cat Head and Rabbit Point. The winter catch of fih in his district by licensed
fishermen for the trade is estimated at 120,000 lbs. whitefish and 3,000 lbs. sturgeon,
valued at 85,000. The fall fishing by Indians at Beren's River, fiabbit Point and
Loon Straits, has been in every way equal to that of former years. At Ber en's River
Reserve, some of the Indians secured their stock of winter fish within one mile of
their homes. Fishing is also up to the standard, and notwithstanding the close
proximity of the reserve to the fishing stations of large traders, who do an extensive
business in summer fishing, there is as yet no depletion manifest in the supply. It
would be well if Indians were prevented from catching so large a number of whitefish
during the close season, as the wanton destruction by thorn during that season,
only tends to neutralize the effects of the stringent fishing laws now being enforced.
Reports six white men engaged in winter fishing, using four thousand fathoms of gill
net, valued at 560. There are besides 19 Intiians licensed to fish using three thousand
fathoms whose fees up to date, he had not collected, owing to Chief Beren advis.
ing his band not to pay. The Jack Head Indians did not fish this winter, neither did
those at Rabbit Point, except three, the others being engaged in trapping owing to
the great demand for furs. States that there are altogether in his district five bands
of Indians, and it was difficult to give an accurate statement as to the quantity 0
fish caught for home consumption, from the fact that they decline given information,
but thinks the estimate of last year, 200,000 lbs. about correct.
SHOAL LAKE.
Guardian J. A. Fraser reports having visited the different fishing stations on Shoal
Lake, a short distance north of Stonewall. Found only fourteen men engaged fishing
in the district, using 750 fathoms of gill nets, valued at $105. The boats used, skiffs
and canoes, valued at $100. The only kind of marketable fish found in Shoal Lake
is pike. The total catch is placed at 98,270 lbs., of which 67,270 lbs. were sold to the
trade at Reaburn Station, on the Canadian Pacific Railway, and at the town of
Stonewall.
FAIRFORD, LAKE MANITOBA.
Guarduin William Archer reports having closely watched the fishing trade of
his district during the past season. States that fishing was better at Fairford Narrows,
Lake Manitoba, than for several years past. The catch of whitefish at the Narrows
of Lake St. Martin, was less than last year, and is attributed to the shallow water
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