The Lobster Fishery of Maine | Page 5

pine plugs being boiled with it.
[Illustration: The steam smack Mina and Lizzie landing her cargo at
Portland]
[Illustration: Fleet of lobster boats in harbor at York Island]

THE FISHING-GROUNDS.
It is difficult to estimate the comparative value of the grounds in the

State, owing to the movements of the lobsters. In the early spring, in
April or May, as the waters in the bays and rivers warm up, the lobsters
come into the comparatively shallow waters. They remain here until
late in the fall, going back to the ocean or deep waters of the bays in
either October or November. They love to congregate on rocky bottom,
and pots set on such bottom will frequently make large catches, while
those on sandy or muddy ground will catch almost nothing. In the early
years of the fishery they came in very close in great numbers, and could
frequently be taken at low water in dip nets or by gaffs; but they are
now found in summer in depths of from 3 to 15 fathoms in the
numerous passages between the islands and the mainland, and the
lower reaches of the bays and rivers. For a number of years winter
fishing was not prosecuted, but now it is a very important business. In
winter the pots are generally set in the ocean at depths of from 15 to 50
fathoms.
As the greatest part of the coast line is cut up by numerous bays and
rivers, and these are dotted with large and small islands, they form
admirable breeding grounds for the lobster. Some of the best locations
are in Little Machias, Machias, Englishman, Pleasant Point, Chandler,
Narragaugus, Muscongus, Linekin, Sheepscot, and Casco bays, while
the fishing is especially good around the numerous islands in the lower
Penobscot and Blue Hill bays, and at Monhegan and the Matinicus
islands in the ocean. The Sheepscot River is also a favorite resort for
lobsters during the warm months, while in the winter they retire to the
waters of the bay, where the fishing can be carried on very easily. At
most of the other grounds the winter fishing is carried on in the ocean,
as the lobsters do not usually remain in the bays. Most of the fishing in
Casco Bay is carried on at the eastern end among the numerous islands.
The earliest fishing of which we have any definite record was carried
on from the township of Harpswell on this bay. This region has held its
own remarkably well, as in 1898 more than twice as many lobsters
were taken by fishermen from this township than from any other town
in the State.
The upper portions of Frenchman, Blue Hill, and Penobscot bays were
formerly very important grounds, but are now almost exhausted. These

regions were especially noted for large lobsters. In August, 1891, Mr. F.
W. Collins, a Rockland dealer, had 50 lobsters in his establishment
which weighed from 10 to 18-1/2 pounds apiece. About half of these
came from Castine, in upper Penobscot Bay, and the remainder from
Blue Hill Falls, in the upper Blue Hill Bay.
The grounds in York County, at the western end of the State, were
formerly quite prolific, but the excessive fishing of the last thirty years
has very badly depleted them.

THE FISHING SEASON.
In the early days of the fishery it was customary to fish only during the
spring and fall. When the canneries went into operation they usually
worked during the spring, early summer, and fall, and as they furnished
a ready market for all the lobsters that could be caught this came to be
the principal season. At that time it was not thought possible to do any
winter fishing, owing to the cold and stormy weather and the fact that
the fishing had to be carried on generally in the open sea.
In 1878 a law was passed limiting the canning season to the period
between April 1 and August 1. This season was frequently changed by
subsequent enactments, but rarely covered a longer period than that
fixed in the first law. As at certain places on the coast the canneries
were the only market for lobsters the fishery would cease as soon as the
canneries stopped. At other places, which were visited by the smacks,
some of the fishermen would continue fishing after the canneries closed,
selling to the smackmen. At various times a closed season was in force,
but at present there is no limitation as to season. The canning industry
in the State practically ceased to exist in 1895, and since then the whole
catch has had to be marketed in a live or boiled condition. The smack
fleet had been gradually increasing as the live-lobster trade extended,
and by the time the canneries closed permanently