Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-12-20
THE MAINE FISHERIES.
Twelfth Annual Report of the Commis-
siOners.

+. NJ. Stlwell and Henry o. Stanley, the Com
mssioners of Fisheres in this State, have made
their annual report TO the Governor and Council,
and we give abstract of the same. There has
been continued prosperity in this depaI ment, and
there has been an increasing demand for fish to
stock exhausted waters, for fshways to open up
rivers to migratory fishes. They have been
somwhst hampered by the inadequate appropra
ton.
The last lingering hold Of the salmon of New
England ,s now the two great river of Maine,
the Penobscot and Kennebec rlev are fast
dying out of the ST. Croix and Denn>'s rivers
The outrages attempted on the salmon IN the Pc
nobscot well known. The dam built across
the river at Treats fall about a mil. above the
city of Bang or is nine hundred feet long, and has
a gateway Of hut sir feet. Is it any wonder the
fish become frightened, while seeking current to
guide them through this narrow place ? A fence
was built out mo the river to intercept the cur
rent from the ii'hway gate to prevent the fish
from finding it, and nets were strung across the
river below the dam. Could better trap be in
vented for taking eveiv salmon, shad and aewive
in the Penobscot riveri We need a stringent law
that there shall be no fishing OF any kind what
ever excepting with single baited hook and line
or hy hook, between the Water Works dam at
Treats Falls on the Penobscot river at Bangor,
and the toll bridge. and a similar law for the Ken
nebec river at Augusta. No fishing should be al
lowed with hook and line within one hundred yards
bred yards should be restored to the State law.
The results of our salmon planting have been
most satisfactory as exhibited on the PeDobscof,
Apdroscoggin, ST. Croix and Medomac. On the
Penobscot the yield has been very large. There
was a time early in the season when they reached
the remarkably low price of eight cents per
pound. On the St. Croix the yield was large for
that river In 1873 the Commissioners transport
cd 10000 salmon fry to VaBceboro', which they
turned into the st. Croix at that place. In 1874.
naulm mi M Wer ~ NJ m Ig.
sioners in the Matching house of the Dohss Club,
and turned into the st. Croix tributaries. The
inference is fairly deduced, that these conttbu
tons have materially ad ed TO the stock Of the
river. On the Androscoggin, good many sal
mon have been taken the last two OF three years
Numerous applications have been made for sal
mon fry, but the Commissioners have been unable
to procure them for the last three years and it is
recommended to the legislature to authoize the
taking yearly of sufficient number OF salmon
eggs at the Bucksport works to put into the Pc
nobscot, Kennebec, and all such rivers of Maine
are furnished with good and sufficient fshways,
at least 200 900 salmon fly.
The product of our lakes can be more than
quadrupled by careful and judicous stock
The blue back trout cannot be too highly rated
Is food supply for other fish. At least half a
million eggs of these should annually he turned
into the waters of Moosehead lake and the land
locked salmon introduced; as the lake has been
fshed in autumn on the spawning beds. in winter
through the ice, in spring and at all times with
hook and line and net and spear and grapnel.
There is no fish warden there, no one dares to
take the Office and fulfl its requirements.
A desire is expressed to stock many a. posi-
BILE of our large inland lakes with the superb ish
known rs the land locked salmon Of Sebago lake.
Prof. Baird has joined with the Commissioners in
establishing works for taking the spawn of these
fish, on Songo river, Mr.. Atkins having charge of
the same. The Commissioners have distributed
from Grand lake this year. in different sections of
our State 100000 fry. OF these. 10000 were
present from the United States Commissioner.
Prof. Baird, and were placed as follows 40 600
were taken charge of by j: Coolidge Coffin, ESQ.,.
of Pembroke, to be matched and distributed in
the Penmaquan, and tributaries; 10000 to DIR. In