Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1839-01-19
From The Cleveland Herald Gazette.

HE LAKE IlSHbhIES.-T eW. pGTEONS 6H-
cept those engaged in, or connected with the
business, are aware of the extent and value of
the Lake fisheries. They are a source of pro-
duction which ought not to be overlooked, in
estimating the resources of the country bor-
dering upon the Lakes. There are no publish
ed statistics of this trade, SO far Us we know,
nor any records, from which the quantities of
fish put up for market can be accurately esti-
mated. Estimates only can be given, and
these may be more or less correct, according
to the accuracy of the informatan on which
they are based.
Lake fish form a staple article ofprovisions
at all the Lake ports. The principal kinds
are White fish and Mackinaw trout. The lat
tel, delicious fish, resembles the Salmon
trout, and are possibly the same. They vary
in size, from five pounds or under, to fifty or
sixty pounds weight. Besides these, there
are pike, pickerei and different kinds of bass:
the cisquet or cisquevet Of Lake Superior,
fine fish, like the mackerel in appearance and
flavor, but larger; and the muscalonge, also
delicious fish, weighing sometimes fifty or
sixty pounds. The cisquef is scarcely known
In market, as they are caught onlyi in Lake Su-
perior, and few have been put up. The mus
calonge is not, in Lake Erie at least, caught
in very large quantities, and is generally sold
fresh. There may be other kinds of fish, but
those named are the chief, and the most valu-
able.
Very few white fish are taken in Lake Erie,
and we believe, no trout. Pike, pickerel, and
bass are caught in abundance about the ISL
ands in the upper part of the lake, and in the
Maumee bay and river These are salted in
i L. IL IL
same kinds are found as in Lake Erie, and
white fish are caught to some extent.
In Lakes Huron aud Michigan, and the
straits of Mackinaw, trout, white fish, and 9TH
er kinds are caught in abundance. The Thun-
der Bay Islands, group near Thunder Bay,
in Lake Huron; The Beaver, Fox and Mani
tou Islands, near the foot of Lake Michigan,
and Twin river, on the western shore, are
the principal fisheries ofthose two lakes. Fish
are caught however at other places in the
lakes. They are also canght in the vicinity
Of Mackinaw, in abundance; about the small
islands in the straits, and at Point st. Ig-
nance.
tbs supposed that these fish might be taken
in Green Bay. A year or two since, some per-
sons caught very large quantity of trout at
Sturgeon Bay, in winter, fishing with hook
through the ice. They piled up therStish, in
tending to carry them, frozen, to Navarino, to
to be salted. But a sudden thaw spoiled the
speculation.
In st. Mary's river, at and below the SSault,
the same kinds Of fish are caught in plenty.
But Lake Superior furnishes not only the lar
gest and finest favored. but the greatest abuud-
ance of fish. Until within two or three years,
4. 4 c IL |
we'd, f.not unknown; and it is supposed that
they are not half explored. Immense quanti-
ties have been taken upon Lake Superior for
two or three years past; it is said that these
are mostly caught about the group ofislands
known as the "Twelve Apostles" near the
head of the lake. But little is known about
this, however, as the trade of Superior is, in
act, monopohzed by the American Fur Com
oany and the Hudson Bay Company. There t
s no mode of going up this lake exceptin the
ressels of one of these Companies, and the !
American Fur Company does not permit ad-
'enturers passage in its vessel. K
Two schooners have been heretofore EN-
oyed upon LIKE Superior; one belonging to [
ach of these companies. A new one was i
ult the last spring by the American Fur
company, SO that there are now three. When
he canal around the Sault de st. Marie shall
e finished, it is likely there will be a rush Of
for the business of Lake Superior.
Whether the expectation of those who are
anguine, will be realized as to the extent and
alue Of the trade, thus to be opened, time will
etermine. Furs are growing scarce upon the
hore, it is said; fish are abundant, and wheth-
# there are minerals upon the shore worth s
lgging for, is disputed. But when that ship a
anal is completed, Lake Superior and the
country around it, will be mnutely explored,
nd its resources, whatever they may be, as
ertained.
But to return oifsh; a agentleman who has t
ood means of Judging, estimates the quanti ]
Y put UP for market upon the Lakes in 1887 s
/ i2, 900 barrels, and Of these he judges 1000