The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-25
Fish Protection.

To the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal:
see the Legislature IS very slow about
passing legislation in the interest of fish
protection. Some weeks ago a number of
gentlemen from Indiana, being representa-
tives OK the Northeastern Fish Association
and the fish convention OF Huntington. to-
gether with others interested in fish pro-
lection. met the joint committees of the
Senate and House which had the fish bills
I'm charge, and after a conference a bill
was agreed upon that provided for three
excellent features. which. IL Incorporated
into law, would go a long way towards
putting our fish interests on its feet These
three propositions are these:
First-Repeal the seining law.
6econd-Make a closed season during
during which time fish shall not be taken.
Third-Prohibit fishing through the ice.
This bill in this conference seemed to be
satisfactory, and each committee was TO re-
port IL, but it seems that instead of passing
q common-sense bill there must be a num-
Der of other matters attached 10 Ii until
the bill will be about like the one passed
two years ago. which no court has yet been
able to construe-
1t is unnecessary to urge the necessity
of repeating the seining law; that was one
of the most damnable proceedings ever
enacted. Under its provisions in two years
we have not enough fish in the upper Wa
cradle amount of fish for the next ten
years. In the second place. there must, If
the protection and propagation of fish is
cared for. be a closed season of at least two
months. during which time all fishing shall
cease. This is usually April and May and
Is during the spawning season. Nearly all
our fish largely spawn during that period.
II is a shame that Indiana, with her
splendid waters, Will not do as her sister
States have done In making a closed sea
son. New York. New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Ohio. Michigan and, indeed. nearly all our
States prohibit the taking OF fish during
some season which Is the spawning season
a mother bass VIII watch her nest spawn
and the young fry for some six weeks al
together, and she will not bite for food
but will strike at anything that comes
close 10 her bed or young. At this time the
drawing OF a spoon or bait over the nest
OF In that vicinity brings the old bass to IL
20 fight IL away just as hen will assail
any intruder near her chicks. I have
known mother bass 10 kill young musk
rat that yentured close 10 her nest and
have seen a bass cut a snake I'm two parts
that swan over her young. 1 have known
them to take minnow on hook and car
~ IL away from the nest The hog fisher
man takes advantage of this and drags
spawning season, taking them by the hun
dreds and at the same time destroying
thousands OF spawn and fry which are
eaten by turtles. frogs and other fish You
might as well think OF raising a brood of
young chickens or birds after killing the
mother the day they were Matched. Let US
have close season for at least April and
May.
Another means OF depicting our fine
waters. the lakes especially. is the per
nicious custom or taking fish through the
ice. Fish are dormant and hungry in win
ter. IL hole Is cut In the Ice the fish flock
20 IL and are taken by thousands Not less
than 1.00o pounds OF young bass weighing
about a half pound each were taken last
week of lakes I'm three DAYS
and shipped TO Chicago. The Legislature
ought 10 act promptly on these matters.
as we are far behind on our fish interests
1n this State. j. ID. KENNER.
Huntington. Ind. Feb. q.