The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-12-11
Commissioners of Fisheries Report.


The eighth report of the fish commissioner
will be found of interest to ali pisciculturists.
The report opens with pertinent remarks OF
the Importance of our inland fisheries. The
commissioners remark that our rivers are capa-
bic of being so stocked with salmon by yearly
contributions of young fry TO their waters, that
no protection will be needed, but simply fish
ways to allow the grown-up fish to ascend the
tributaries. The cost of setting up cheap hatch
ing houses on the Penobscot or Kennebee would
be but trifing. The cost of salmon oya is re-
duced to two dollars thousand The COM
inissoners propose to send salmon eggs in de
sired quantities to such as are willing to hatch
and turn them into our rivers at proper
places.
From 500 invested in the Bueksport Salmon
Building Works, two hundred thousand salmon
eggs we're the result 10 addition, the U. s.
government sent go, 900 eggs, making a total
of 100000 eggs. Ten thousand of these were
sent to Pembroke to be hatcbed and turned in
to Peumaquan RiveI; fifty thousand to the st.
Croix; fifty thousand to the Piscataqus; one
hundred thousand were divided between the
Medomak and Ge orges rivers; one hundred
thousand were sent to the Androscoggin; and
the remaining one hundred and forty thousand
we're distributed among the Pscataquis, Pleas
ant, Baskaheg9n, Schools and PenObscot. The
reports from these varOns localities are of the
most favorable character, but in some localities
great number of the young salmon have
been taken by men and boys, and there is
law to prevent it-a lack which the commission
ers think should be supplied BY speedy lesisla-
ton.
In the year 1869, Duck pond ia Falmouth,
Phillips pond in Dedham. Newport pond in
Newport, Cochnewagan pond in Monmouth
and Cobbosseecontee pond ia WIuihrOp were
stocked with black bass These fishes havs
grown aud multiplied to the fullest expecta-
ton, but the requisite supply could not be OBJ.
taned when desired. The most marked sue
cess has been at Duck pond, near Portland.
The citizens of Dexter, on their own account.
have stocked Dexter pond with these fish, and
have obtained legislation for their protection.
In their efforts to establish fSh-ways the
commissioners have met with considerable OPP
position. They have visited the PresumpscOt
river, viewed the dams and distractions, and
consulted with the owners with reference to
the proposed fish-ways. The parties interested
argued for more time and the commissioners
agreed to grant their an extension, provided
they would bind themselves to comply at the
close of that period This they iatly refused
to do, and the commissioners served upon them
plans and specifications, and also fixed the
time within which the ST ructures should be
completed. In order to gain time the owners
have taken ten appeals in cases before the
County Commissioners, to the Supreme Court.
A similar experience has been had at Augusta,
where the matter has been placed in the hands
of the County Attorney. Two tish-ways have
been completed in the Machias, and a
third is partially constructed.
The commissioners call attention to the ne
laws for the state The different dates at
which the close periods begin in different ponds
and lakes is a source of endless confusion.
The commissioners refer to the large travel
to this state induced by our inland fisheries, and
think the effect upon railroad travel il the fish
are not protected in breeding seasons, viii be
very considerable and ought not to be over
looked. In our state where but q few years
since an artificial fly for angling was Curl
osity. they re now regular article of manu-
facture and sale, even to the shores OF Sebec
Lake Bangor now supplies New York, Bos-
ton, California, even England and Scotland.
| with the most effective, luxurious and costly
| trodt and salmon rods. Our country stores,
| from Rangely to Moosehead, are now well
| supplied with rods aud flies as with ammuni
| ton.
The commissioners regard the law entitled
can Act TO regulate the taking OF trout in
Moosehead Lake and Brassau Lake, approved
February a. 1873, as emnently unwise, unjust
and partial BY this law the people Os Maine
are virtually told that if they will allow the
visiting sportsman to catch their trout in Moose
head until the 18th of October, when they are
notorously on the spawning beds aud crowded
up the rivers, that as compensation TO the people
| who own the lake, they shall not be allowed to
| catch their own fish until the 1st of March,
when they, the visiting sportsmen, are ready to
| come again.
The commissioners suggest that all fishing
for all kinds OF fishes, even pckerel and perch,
| should cease from the first OF October until the
| first of January.
The commissioners also suggest that the law
in regard to the use Of nets be strictly enforced;
| that appeals from them be made to the Supreme
NJ hot fha 10 w OD QdCinQg
| and sawdust into the rivers and streams be
more vigorously enforced.