The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1865-11-03
Preservation Of Fish I'm Vermont.

Preservation Of Fish In Vermont.
Perhaps no person in the valley OF
Lake Champlain has given to the sub
jet of the propagation and preserva-
ton of Fish more attention than the
Hon. Giles Harrington, of East Al
burgh. Ia a recent communication to
the Argits d Patriot he han presented
bis views in regard to the necessity Of
some law by which fishing in the fall
months shall be interdicted The
whole article is an interesting and
practical one and We make no apology
for copying it and commencing it to
the thoughtful attention OF our read
crs-all of whom ought to feel an in
terest in a subject Of such great impor-
lance.
1t is to be regretted that the State
of Vermont has paid 80 little attention
not only to encouraging the cultiva-
ton OF fish, but also TO preserving the
choice species with which the lakes,
ponds, and streams, originally abound
ed. What | have in my mind as n
much neglecte | subject, IS that fish in
Lake Champlain called shad They
are not shad but much superior to the
shad o. Connecticut River, North River,
or the River St Lawrence They are
n faA .tiSh, and deposit their oya in
the Fall, mostly in October, and are
taken with seines on their passage
from the deepest waters Of the lake TO
the spawning beds during their spawn
ing season, and as fishermen know ex-
actly their routes, and apply them
selves with SO much vigor, it seems
strange that they are not entirely do
stroyed. Though these fish are so
much easier taken in the Fail, they are
then of all seasons in the wear the
poorest, and least valuable: those TAX
en- in the Spring being far the best,
and comparing favorably with the best
fish in the world, either fresh or salt
ed. Now true economy requires that
this wholesale destruction of this spe.
cies of fish in the Fall should not be
allowed.
Could these fish be allowed to de-
post their oya in peace during their
spawning season, in very short time
there would be far greater quantities
taken in the Spring fishing, than arc
now taken in the Fall, and of mucl
superior quality. These While fsh
for such they are-are yet taken il
the general Spring fishing, but not a
abundantly as formerly. They inhabi
the shoal waters during the cold par
of the year, but when the water be
comes warm they retire to the deepes
parts of the lake, and there remain
until the early frosts Of Autumn whei
they leave FOR the spawning grounds.
To prevent this unwise destruction
of these choice fish, requires the Join
action of this State, New York, an,
Canada, and rs orr Legislature la
convened, and that of New York vii
in January, why should not Vernon
pass an act prohibiting the taking o
shad, or white fish, in September. Octo
Der, and NoccmbT? to take effec
whenever New York and Canada shal
pass like acts of prohibition. This t
be made known by proclamation c
the Governor and that official to furn
ish copies of the act to the executive
of New York and Canada, and invit
these two Governments to pass net
to cooperate in this measure a?
The greater number Of these fish AZ
taken in Missisquei Bay-pari in thi
State, and a part in Canada -and a.
thou IA this kind of fish have bee
gradually reducing both in numbers
and size, yet the rare quality, with tn
high price they command, stimulate
the fishermen to let none escape tina
come within their reach. Henc
they run their seines day and nigh
during the spawning season. | ca
we'll remember when these choice ifs
were taken IN many places along Tia
shores OF the Lake early in the Sprin
by spears, but the Fall SEEMING has pu
an end to that sport, Twenty or TWEEN
ty-five years ago they were taken wit
half the skill now practiced, and neai
ly double the size. If the legal reli.
/ have suggested should not be intei
posed for the preservation Of thos
choice fish Of the Lake, they, like III
Salmon, which once stocked all th
rivers Of the Lake, will be remembers
Only as the things that are DO more.
IA