FISH AND FISHING
Detroit Gazette TO LET.
September 29, 1820.
A valuable White Fishery situate about six miles above town, together with two Seines.
In the year 1818 there were taken at said fishery at one haul of a Seine 3600 white fish.
JAMES ABBOTT.
Detroit, September 28, 1820.
Detroit Gazette VALUABLE FISHERY
September 8, 1820.
For sale, on reasonable terms, that well known fishery at Presque Isle, or Wind-Mill Point, as it is called, together with the farm which contains about 120 arpents of land. There is about 40 acres cleared: The situation is beautiful, and the fishery not inferior to any in the territory.
Likewise—A few improved valuable farms, on the Rivers Raisin and Rouge, and in the vicinity of the city of Detroit.
Also—ILLINOIS and MISSOURI LAND PATENTS.
Apply at the Land Agency Office of BALL & PETIT.
Detroit, September 1, 1820. 63tf.
Detroit Gazette
October 26, 1821.
White-Fish.—Great numbers of this excellent fish have been already taken. Sixteen thousand were taken at Gross-Isle in 12 hours, by two seines.
The practice that the fishermen have of throwing the fish from the net into a pile is very injurious to them. A bruised fish, certainly, cannot be said to be as good as a sound one; neither will it keep as well in pickle. It is to be hoped that a regard for the interest of our fish market, will suggest a different mode of taking fish from the net.
Lake Superior
See Also: American Fur Company
Source:
1. MINNESOTA HISTORY BULLETIN, IV (1921-22) P. 370- Ref to letters from Ramsey Crooks relating to establishment of fisheries.
FISH AND FISHING
Detroit Gazette
October 20, 1820.
We cannot but call the attention of such of our citizens as are disposed and competent to investigate the subject, to a department of natural history, the importance of which has not been sufficiently appreciated—we mean the history of the Fishes in these Lakes.
The different species which inhabit our waters, their peculiar habits and instincts, and the various objects to which they may be applied, furnish very curious and interesting subjects for speculation. There ought to be no necessity for transporting white-fish from the Saut of St. Mary’s to Dr. Mitchell, in order to determine their general characters and the specific place which they shall occupy in ichthyological classifications. A very slight attention to the Linnean alphabet, and a very superficial comparison of these white-fish with it, will easily enable us to do all that Dr. Mitchell, or any other learned man could do by mere inspection.–But this is not the knowledge which should satisfy us. It is certainly desirable to ascertain the distinctive characters of fishes agreeably to the different systems which natural historians have formed; but we must not mistake the shadow for the substance—the alphabet for the language. It is only by patient investigation, and by continued observation, that a collection of necessary facts can be made. The peculiar habits of each variety, the causes and periods of their migration, their food, the places which they generally inhabit, and the ages which they respectively attain, together with many other questions in their economy, are topics which must be fully considered before any successful effort can be made.
The importance of the white fishery is better appreciated than any other. It is carried on so immediately within the sphere of our observation, that we cannot be ignorant of it, and its product, compared with the labor and capital which are required, is so beneficial, that we cannot neglect it. We know that in the autumn of each year these fish ascent this river in vast numbers, and are caught at the different fisheries along its banks. But whether, like fish ascending streams of fresh water from the Ocean, this annual journey is for the purpose of depositing their spawn, we are wholly ignorant. At what time do they return, and what is then their condition? The superiority of the white-fish in the neighborhood of Michillimackinac is well known, but the cause of this superiority remains to be developed. The water communication between Lakes Erie and Huron affords the only fisheries in which any considerable quantities of them are caught. They do not appear to ascend any of the numerous streams which discharge themselves into these straits.
It would be an interesting inquiry to ascertain the amount and value of these fish, which are generally caught; not confining the inquiry to those which are exported, but extending it to all. We presume it would appear a very important article in our statistical tables; and although the estimate must be in great degree conjectural, yet it would be sufficiently precise to enable us to appreciate the general value of this fishery.
Besides the white fish, there are, perhaps other species that do not ascent the streams which discharge themselves into these straits, and are not to be found in those numerous and beautiful little lakes with which the interior of the country abounds; and it is believed that those small lakes and streams of the interior contain some kinds which were never found in the great lakes. Here then is an extensive field for the ichthyologist—In addition to the inquiries suggested in the foregoing remarks, he might direct his attention to the history of species not yet known, and to pointing out the difference which exists between the fish of the lakes and those of a similar species in the Hudson, Connecticut, and other rivers which communicate directly with the Atlantic.
Among other queries, we have often heard it asked, why eels are not found in Lake Erie and the upper Lakes?–they are numerous in Lake Ontario and the rivers which run into it; and is it a sufficient answer to the question to say, that the falls of Niagara alone prevents their appearance in our waters?
Detroit Gazette
October 27, 1820.
An act to prevent the cleaning of Fish in certain parts of the city of Detroit.
Be it enacted by the Board of Trustees of the city of Detroit. That from and after the passing hereof, it shall not be lawful for any person to clean and deposit the offal of any white, or other fish, within fifty feet of the brink of the river Detroit, and within the limits of the city of Detroit, or to throw, or in any manner convey the same, into the waters of said river this side of the ship channel, or to leave or deposit such offal in any of the streets, lanes, or alleys of said city; and if any person or persons shall offend herein, he, she or they shall, on conviction, be fined in a sum not exceeding twenty-five dollars for every such offense.
Made and published at the city of Detroit, on the nineteenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
JAMES ABBOTT, Chairman,
J.D. DOTY, Secretary
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