INNER GROUNDS

Under this heading are listed those grounds of the innermost chain of

shoals, ledges, and "fishing spots", patches of rocky and gravelly

bottom, the deeper water between them being over the muddy ground, which

line the coast of the Gulf of Maine, making of it an almost continuous

piece of fishing ground. In the Reports of the United States Bureau of

Fisheries, on which all the statistics of the catch and value of the

various species quoted in this report are based, these figures are

grouped under the heading "Shore".

The larger and more important of these grounds are outcroppings along

the edge of the 50-fathom curve and lie at distances varying from 12 to

20 miles offshore; but there are many inside this line, and where the

deep water of the Gulf of Maine extends so far inshore some are close in

to the land. Thus, nearly all are within comparatively easy reach even

for the smaller craft (where these all now have power) and so furnish

productive fishing for a large fleet of gill netters and sloops (small

craft of from 5 to 10 tons net) and to the myriad of "under-ton" boats

(of less than 5 tons net), all these being enabled to run offshore,

"make a set," and return the same day.

With the uncertainties of the weather and the hazards of the winter

fishing, very often the large vessels also follow this practice on those

not too frequent "fish days" (when conditions permit fishing "outside ")

that intervene between the storms; and with the scarcity of fish in the

markets usual to the season and the consequent better price for the

catch, with ordinary fishing luck they are well paid for doing so.

The fish of these shore grounds, due perhaps to the greater abundance of

food here, are thought to be distinctly superior in quality to those of

the same species taken on the offshore banks. The cod and the haddock,

especially, of the Gulf of Maine are particularly well conditioned fish

and are noted for their excellence.

The figures presented in Table 2 show only a fraction of the catch from

the Inner Grounds, since they deal entirely with the fares of fishing

vessels of 5 net tons and over. There are literally thousands of the

so-called "licensed" or "under-tonned" boats, mainly gill-netters, that

take millions of pounds from these waters annually, principally cod and

haddock.

On the Maine coast and across the line in New Brunswick there are more

than 300 weirs which furnished to American smokers and canners during

the year 1923 (whose figures have been chosen as representing an average

season) 77,000,000 pounds of herring. On the coast of Massachusetts

there are 50 or more weirs and fish traps, and from the Isle of Shoals

to Pemaquid Point in Maine there are more than 50 floating traps in the

various bays, on the points of offshore islands, or even in the open

sea, and all these take a rich harvest from these waters. Then, too,

there is the lobster fishery, more important in the Gulf of Maine than

anywhere else in the United States.

Of these various branches of the fisheries industries few statistics are

available, yet we may say that the figures of the 1919 census showed

that the "under-ton" boats mentioned landed 5,324,426 pounds of fish at

the port of Boston, mostly of cod and haddock, and that the same type of

craft in 1923 landed at Portland, Me., more than 3,000,000 pounds,

principally of ground fish. We also know that every island, hamlet,

village, town, and city along this nearly 4,000 'miles of coast line

takes its toll from the sea.

Lukes Rock. This rock lies S. by E. 3 miles from Moosabec Light,

circular in shape, and about 1 mile in diameter. Depths are from 25 to

35 fathoms; the bottom is rocks, gravel, and mud. This is mainly a

small-boat fishing ground, but there is some vessel fishing. Hake are

taken here from June to September, inclusive; cod are present about the

rocks the year around. Pollock are here in spring and fall, and haddock

from December to February, inclusive. Fishing is by trawl and hand line.

Newfound Ground. A small rocky spot about 1/4 mile across with an

automatic buoy in the center for guidance into the Bay of Fundy. This is

a small-boat ground having depths averaging 18 fathoms. It lies about 3

miles S. by W. from Moosabec Light. Species and seasons are as on Lukes

Rock. Fishing is by trawl and hand line.

Henrys Rock. Five miles SW. by S. from Moosabec Light. 1/4 mile in

diameter, and 30 fathoms over a level bottom. Fishing is done by hand

line and trawl. Cod are present the year around, a few haddock in the

fall, hake in the summer but not in the fall, and pollock in spring and

fall.

Handspike Ground. Eight miles SW. by S. from Moosabec Light, nearly

circular in form, and ¼ mile across. It has a bottom of rocks and depths

of from 35 to 40 fathoms. Species and seasons are the same as on Lukes

Rock, but mainly cod and pollock are taken here by trawl and hand line.

Western Egg Rock. This is SW. from Moosabec Light, 8 miles distant,

lying in a NE. and SW. direction, 3 miles long by 1 mile wide. The

bottom is irregular, sharp, and rocky and has 25 to 30 fathoms. Fishing

here is mostly by hand line, the ground being said to be too rough for

trawling. This is a small-boat ground, and fishing is done mainly in the

summer season. Cod and pollock are taken in the spring, summer, and

fall; haddock are present in spring and fall; and cusk in 35 to 40

fathoms in spring and fall. This is not a hake ground.

Old Egg Rock. This rock is WSW. from Moosabec Light, 6 miles distant,

and running in a NE. and SW. direction. It is 3 miles long by 1 mile

wide; has a rocky bottom and depths of 25 to 30 fathoms. This is also a

small-boat ground, where fishing is done mainly by hand lines, but

trawls also are employed. This ground is fished by the larger vessels in

the fall months when the weather is too rough for fishing on the outside

grounds. Cod, haddock, and a few pollock are taken in spring and fall;

hake in fair number in the fall months.

Middle Ridge This is W. by S. from Moosabec Light 3 miles. It lies in a

NE. and SW. direction and is about 1 mile long by ½ mile wide. The

depths are from 18 to 25 fathoms and the bottom is rough and rocky. It

is a small-boat ground mostly and of little importance as a fishing

ground. Cod are present the year around haddock in late spring and

summer with a smaller number in the fall. Cusk are here the year around.

A few pollock are here in the spring and fall.

Broken Ground. This lies S by E from Moosabec light, 15 miles, whence

the ground extends WSW to within 4 miles of Mount Desert Rock with an

average width of 1 mile. The depths run from 15 to 100 fathoms. The

shallows are sharp and rocky; the deeps, clay and gravel. There are

places ½ mile long and others 3 miles long having depths of 70 fathoms.

Several of these spots have special names: Crawley's Rocks, Puzzling

Rock, The Ridges. The grounds mentioned here and those previously

mentioned are known to the fishermen as the Moosabec Ridges. All these

seem to be fishing spots cropping out upon the 50 fathom curve. On the

Broken Ground the fishing season is from June 1 through September.

Herring usually are abundant here from May to September. Cod are taken

outside of the grounds in spring and fall. Pollock and small cod are

taken on the shoals in summer and fall, and hake on the mud bottom in

summer and fall and hake on the mud bottom in summer and fall.

Tibbetts' Ledge. This lies east from Petit Manan 4 or 5 miles. The

marks are Schoodic Island over Green Island of Petit Manan and the Ladle

over Nash's Island. This ledge consists of two rocky shoals with depths

of 3 to 3½ fathoms, about one acre apiece in extent and 1/4 mile apart

lying NW and SE from each other. To the westward of these is broken

ground nearly to Petit Manan. These are favorite small-boat grounds. The

eastern ledge drops suddenly into the mud. In May large cod are caught

over the muddy bottom just E of the ledge in 27 to 30 fathoms. Hake and

haddock are taken in late spring (May) and fall. Fishing is by hand line

and trawl.

Ben's Ground. Lies ESE from Petit Manan 4 or 5 miles. The marks are

Petit Manan Light to northward of Middle Hill of Mount Desert and Humpback

Mountain on the west side of Trafton's Island or Pond Island Light to

the eastward of Jordan's Delight. The ground is circular in shape,

about 3/4 mile across, having 14 to 30 fathoms of water. The bottom is

of rocks and mud. This ground is of little importance except as a

small-boat ground in summer for cod and haddock. Hake are taken on the

muddy bottom near it, It is a winter haddock ground in calm weather,

these fish leaving it in the storms, the water being somewhat too

shallow for them to "ride out a blow" in comfort, Such at least is the

reason the fishermen give for the sudden cessation of their taking on

shoal grounds after a period of heavy weather.

Southeast Rock. This is a ledge, nearly uncovered at low tide on its

shoalest spot, SSE from Petit Manan and 4½ miles distant, The shoal

portions slope toward the NE a distance of 4 miles over an irregular

bottom, Depths vary from 17 to 30 fathoms, The shoals are rocky, and the

deeps are muddy, Cod and haddock are taken here in May and June, hake

from July to September, It is a good lobster ground, also, Fishing here

is by handline and trawl operated from vessels and small boats from

near-by Maine ports.

Broken Ridges aka Joe Roy Ground. This lies SSE from Petit Manan 7

miles to the center. It is 2 miles long NE and SW and one mile wide and

from 27 to 33 fathoms, and the bottom of rocks and mud is very uneven,

The shoalest portion is near the center. It is said to be a good cod and

haddock ground, and is mainly a small boat ground, although some vessel

fishing is carried on here in the spring.

Black Ledges Ground. This ground lies between Jordan's Delight and the

Halibut Ledges, or Black Ledges. It is a good haddock ground for a

brief season in the spring and early summer when the fish are following

the herring schools. In general it is a small-boat ground on which

chiefly hand lines and trawls are operated, A few cod and cusk are taken

here in the fall, and it is a good lobster ground.

Bakers Island Ridge. This is a narrow ledge making out from Bakers

Island E, by N. The eastern part bears S. by E. from Schoodic Island 3/4

mile distant The ridge is much broken, its average width being ½ mile,

and it has depths of from 20 to 25 fathoms over a rocky and gravelly

bottom. It is not much fished on the shoaler spots, but in 30 to 35

fathoms, on a muddy bottom, hake are abundant from July to October,

inclusive. Cod and cusk are found here in the spring and fall; haddock

from October to January, inclusive. Fishing here is done by small boats

and small vessels mainly from Bass Harbor and Southwest Harbor by trawl

and hand line. It is a very good lobster ground.

Martins Ground; Hillards Reef. The center bears WSW. from Schoodic

Point, distant 3 miles. It is a rocky patch of 4 or 5 acres and has

depths of from 15 to 25 fathoms. It is not important except for its

hand-lining for cod and haddock in the spring and fall months and for

hake in the fall. It is a good lobster ground.

Egg Rock Broken Ground. This is a rocky ridge making out S. by W. from

Egg Rock Ledges and is about 2 miles long by 14 miles wide. It has an

irregular bottom, with depths from 9 to 15 fathoms. This ridge, with

Martins and Seaveys Grounds, divides the western or Bakers Island mud

channel from Schoodic mud channel. Both these were formerly considered

very good hake grounds but, while still good, are not as profitable for

hake fishing as in past years. Haddock are taken on the ridge in the

spring and in October, November, and December. A few cod are taken in

the spring and fall. Fishing is by trawl and hand line. It is a good

lobster ground.

Inner Schoodic Ridge. This ridge bears SE. by S. from Bakers Island,

the center distant 12 miles. This ground is nearly circular in form,

about 4 miles in diameter, and has depths running from 18 to 60 fathoms.

The bottom is of rocks, gravel, and mud; the shoaler portions are sharp

and rocky. Vessels from Maine ports use this ground, fishing by hand

line and trawl. Cod and haddock are abundant here in spring and fall,

and hake fishing is good through the summer. It is a good lobster

ground.

Outer Schoodic Ridge. The northwest part of this ground bears SE. from

Bakers Island, from which it is distant 22 miles. It lies 7 miles

outside Inner Schoodic, has long been considered one of the best shore

fishing grounds of the Maine coast, and still seems to deserve the

reputation. The ridge is about 8 miles long in a NE. and SW. direction,

lying nearly parallel with the adjacent coast. Its greatest breadth is 6

miles. The bottom is broken and irregular and has depths from 22 to 80

fathoms over rocks and gravel on the shoaler parts and mud on the deeps.

Principally Maine vessels fish this ground, using hand line and trawl.

Cod, pollock, haddock, cusk, and hake are present here from June to

November, and a few large halibut, up to 300 pounds in weight, are taken

here in June and July.

Mount Desert Outer Ridge. This ridge lies SE. by E. from the Big Hill

of Mount Desert Island. From Schoodic Island to the center of this

ground is about 25 miles. Its length E. by N. and W. by S, is 2 miles;

its breadth 3/4 mile. Depths are from 45 to 60 fathoms; the shoals are

rocky, but on the sides sand and clay predominate. This is a

comparatively small ground, but it furnishes good cod fishing in the

spring (April to July) and fall. Cusk are taken in the spring and fall.

Virtually no haddock are taken here. Hake are found in the deep water on

the W. and SW. in spring, summer, and fall; trawl lines principally are

used here. It is a good lobster ground but is too distant for present

fishing methods.

Flat Ground. This ground lies between Mount Desert and Swan Island,

SW. from Long Island. In 50 fathoms, on a hard mud bottom, there is good

fishing for hake in the summer. Fishing is by hand line and trawl.

Enoch's Shoal. This shoal lies ENE. 3 miles from Great Duck Island.

This is a small hummock on the outer parts of a ridge extending out to

it from Great Duck island. It has a sharp, rocky bottom with depths of

about 18 fathoms. Hand lining and trawling are the methods employed to

take a few cod in early spring; haddock are here in small numbers in the

summer as well as a small quantity of hake. It is a good lobster ground.

Banks Ground. The center bears SE. by S. from Great Duck Island,

distant about 5 miles. It is about 1½ miles long in a NE. and SW.

direction by 1/4 mile wide and has a mud bottom with depths from 35 to

50 fathoms. It is mainly a small-boat ground, fished mostly in the

summer, when hake are fairly abundant and there are a few haddock and

cod. It is a lobster ground, also.

Shell Ground. This lies SE. from Long island Head, from which the

center of the ground is distant 6 miles. It is 2 miles long, in a NE.

and SW. direction and about ½ mile wide. In the middle portion is a

shoal of 25 fathoms, its bottom sharp rocks. On all sides of this shoal

the bottom is quite irregular, consisting of pebbles and mud. The

greatest depth, near the edge of the bank, is 50 fathoms. Cod and

haddock, together with a few cusk and pollock, are taken here in June,

July, and August and even into the late fall, but it is mainly a hake

fishing ground for small boats and an occasional larger craft, all using

hand line and trawl. It is a good lobster ground.

Abner Ground. This ground is SSE. from Gott's Island, distant 8 miles.

It extends 1½ miles in a NE. and SW. direction and is about 1/4 mile

wide. The bottom is broken, rocks and mud, with depths of from 25 to 50

fathoms. This is principally a haddock ground, the best season being in

July and August, and is resorted to mostly by small craft.

Grumpy. Extends from SE. 4½ miles from Eastern Ear of Isle au Haute to

SE. 1/4 E. from the western head of Isle au Haute, distant 7 miles. This

ground is 2½ miles long by 3/4 mile wide and has a small shoal of 14

fathoms on the northeast part. Over the rest of the ground the average

depths run from 35 to 40 fathoms over a gravelly bottom. Though not of

great importance of late years, this was formerly considered one of the

best inshore grounds for cod for the entire year and for haddock in

winter. Hake usually are abundant just off the southeast edge in summer.

This bank is mostly fished by craft from ports of eastern Maine--small

boats as a rule--and the principal method is by trawling, although

there is considerable hand-lining for cod in 25 fathoms in June and

July. Marks: Big Camden Mountain over the Eastern Ear of Isle au Haute;

Fog Island in Jericho Bay, touching on the eastern part of Big Spoon

Island; Brimstone between Isle au Haute and the Western Ear.

Hatchell Ground. This ground lies SE. by E 3/4 E. 9½ miles from the

western head of Isle au Haute. Marks are eastern Mount Desert Hill in

the Middle Saddle of Long island, and Little Spoon Island in the great

or center Saddle of Isle au Haute.

Blue Hill Ground. This ground lies approximately E: by S. ¾ S from the

western head of Isle au Haute, distant 7 miles. The bottom consists of

gravel and pebbles. Marks: Brimstone Island out by the western head of

Isle au Haute and Blue Hill on the west side of Marshall Island. These

marks lead to a depth of 25 fathoms on the northeast part of the ground,

deepening southwest to 40 fathoms in 1 mile from the shoaler part, which

is about ½ mile wide, part of the ground, deepening southwest to 40

fathoms in 1 mile from the shoaler part, which is about ½ mile wide.

This is a good ground for cod in the spring and fall but is best for

haddock during the entire winter. Hand lines and trawl are used.

Inner Horse Reef. This reef lies SE. ¾ E 1½ miles from the eastern ear

of isle au Haute. There is a shoal here of 25 fathoms about 1/8 mile in

diameter. From this the water gradually deepens to NE. for ½ mile, where

it drops off into the mud. Depths on this northeast portion are about 35

fathoms. The bottom is of pebbles and gravel. In spring and fall this is

a good cod ground. Hake are found close to the edge in summer. Fishing

is by small craft, generally, using trawl and handline. It is a good

lobster ground. Marks: Bring Blue Hill Mountain in the saddle of White

Horse; Brimstone showing between Western Ear and Isle au Haute.

Outer Horse Reef. This is a short distance SW. from the Inner Reef,

with only a narrow gully between. The small shoal falls off rapidly on

all sides. It has a depths of 30 fathoms. Over a space 1/4 mile in

diameter the bottom is gravelly. Seasons and species are as on Inner

Horse Reef.

Hake Ground. North of Monhegan island lies a patch called the Hake

Ground or Mud Channel, the first name because of the abundance of hake

taken here during June, July, and August. It extends from just outside

White Head to abreast of Monhegan Island on the northern side. The

depths vary from 20 to 45 fathoms, and the ground is still considered

one of the best hake grounds alongshore. It is fished by small boats and

vessels when the dogfish are on the outer grounds. This is a good

haddock ground in December and January, as well as a good lobster

ground.

Southwest Ground. This lies 2 miles SW. from the western head of Isle

au Haute. It is circular in form, ½ mile in diameter and has a gravelly

bottom with depths varying from 35 to 40 fathoms. It is a cod ground

from April to June and from September to November, inclusive. A few

pollock and haddock are taken with the cod. Hake are abundant in summer

close to Isle au Haute. Handlines and trawls are used in the fishing. It

is also a good lobster ground.

Barley Hill Ground. This ground lies NNE. from Seal Island and SSW from

the western head of Isle au Haute directly in line between the two,

about 3½ miles distant from each point. It is circular in form, has 28

to 30 fathoms of water, and the bottom is mixed mud and rocks. This is a

ground much resorted to by sloops and larger vessels, and the fishing is

by hand line and trawls. It is a good cod ground in spring and fall and

a hake ground on the mud and rocks in summer. Occasionally a few halibut

are taken here during June and July. It is also a lobster ground.

Gilkey Ground. This bears S. from the western head of Isle au Haute.

4 miles distant. It extends ENE. and WSW about 1½ miles long by 1/3 mile

wide. The bottom is rocky on the shoals where depths are about 23

fathoms sloping to 35 fathoms on the southwest part., where the bottom

is gravelly and comparatively smooth.

This is a cod ground in spring and fall, a haddock ground in winter, and

hake are taken on the edges in summer. Vessels fishing here are mostly

from Maine ports. It is also a good lobster ground.

Rock Cod Ledge. This ledge lies NE. of Seal Island 1 mile. It has a

depth of 3½ fathoms on the shoalest part, deepening gradually on all

sides for a considerable distance. The bottom is of sharp rocks and is

broken in places. Rock cod area present in fair numbers in spring and

fall, and this is a mackerel and herring ground in their seasons.

Haddock are abundant in the fall close in to the rocks of Seal Island in

6 to 15 fathoms. This is not a hake ground, although there are a few

cusk to be had here on the deeper parts and an occasional small halibut

is taken in the kelp on the shoal in June and July. It is a good lobster

ground.

Gravel Bottom and Southeast Ground. These lie S. of Seal Island.

forming an extensive piece of fairly level ground extensive piece of

fairly level ground. The western that bears a little E. of S. and the

eastern part about ESE. from the island. It is about 5 or 10 miles in

diameter. While this is really but one piece of ground, the eastern part

is called the Southeast Ground and the western part, from the nature of

its bottom.

The Gravel Bottom. The eastern portion is muddy and has 40

to 60 fathoms. The western has 35 to 40 fathoms. It is a good cod

ground in winter and spring. Haddock are present from November to March,

inclusive; hake in summer. Fishing is done mainly by trawling by sloops

and vessels.

Laisdells Ground. This is a small, rocky spot outside the Brandy

Ledges. It is about 1/4 acre in extent and has a sharp rocky bottom with

20 fathoms of water over it. It is the best cod and haddock ground in

Isle au Haute Bay. This is chiefly a small boat ground and is also a

lobster ground.

Saddleback Reef. This reef lies S. from Saddle-back Ledge, 3/4 mile

distant. It is about 2/3 mile long N and S by 1/4 mile wide. Depths are

from 15 to 35 fathoms over a broken and rocky bottom. Cod are taken

here by hand line in May and June; haddock and cod by trawling in fall

and winter (November to January 1). It is a good lobster ground and

chiefly a small-boat ground.

Otter Island Reef; Snipper Shin; Western Reef. These are names applied

to different sections of an irregular, broken piece of rocky ground

about halfway between Vinalhaven and Seal Island. Otter Island Reef is

the eastern section, lying 4 miles W. by S. by 1/4 S. from the western

head of Isle au Haute. Depths here are from 10 to 25 fathoms over a

rocky bottom. The trawl, formerly not much used here, is now in general

use. This is a cod and haddock ground at seasons when these fish are in

shoal water, but it is best for cod in winter and spring and for haddock

in the fall, from November 1 to January 1.

Old Ripper. This lies S. from the Western Ground (Western Reef) and 10

miles WSW. from Criehaven or Ragged Island. Apparently this is a part of

the Western Ground. On the deep-water mud bottom between these (Ripper

and Western Reef) is good hake fishing in summer, and cusk are abundant

from May to the time when the dogfish strike the ground, usually about

July 5 to 10.

Crie Ridges. These lie 4 miles NW. from Matinicus Rock, 4 miles WSW.

from Criehaven or Ragged Island, and run SE. from Western Ground toward

Matinicus, distant 4½ to 5 miles. Cod, pollock, and cusk are here in

the spring, and haddock are abundant in the fall.

Bald Ridges. These begin just outside Wooden Ball Island and run off

in a nearly direct line for Matinicus Rock. They are each from 1/4 to ½

mile wide, are quite close together, the distances between them being

not over ½ mile, and they are almost parallel with each other. Soundings

show from 15 to 30 fathoms upon them, with a broken, rocky bottom. The

shoalest water is about 1 mile from Wooden Ball Island, the depth

increasing toward the southern end.

This is a good cod ground at all times when the fish are on the coast,

the spring school being the largest. The shoal is a favorite place for

rock cod. Haddock are present from January 1 to February 15. Hake are

abundant in their season on the mud bottom inside the Bald Ridges 1½

miles WSW, in 50 fathoms. It is a good lobster ground.

Henry Marshalls Ground. This ground lies S. by W. from Matinicus Rock

about 3 miles; its area is about 2 acres. The shoaler portion has a

depth of 35 fathoms and a gravelly bottom; on the edge the depth is 45

fathoms and the bottom is of rocks and mud. Cod are taken here in the

spring, haddock in January and February, and hake in the summer months.

It is a good lobster ground.

The Bounties (The Bowdies). This ground bears SE. by S ½ S distant 6

miles from Wooden Ball Island. It is nearly circular in form, about 4

miles across, and has depths from 40 to 60 fathoms. The bottom, of

gravel and rocks, is somewhat broken. It is a good cod and cusk ground

in spring and fall and a haddock ground in winter and is fished by

vessels and sloops, mainly by trawling but with a certain amount of hand

lining, in May and June. A summer hake ground extends from 3 miles

ESE. of Seal Island to 4 miles SSE of the Wooden Ball, thus it is about

7½ miles long by some 2½ miles wide. The depths here are from 35 to 60

fathoms.

Summer Hake Ground. A summer hake ground extends from 8 miles SE. of

the eastern Ear of Isle au Haute to 3 miles SE. of Long Island in 35 to

60 fathoms on a bottom of hard mud. This piece of ground is about 15

miles long by 4 miles wide.

Minerva Hub. This bears SSE. from Matinicus Rock, distant 6 miles. This

is a small, gravelly spot about 1/4 mile in diameter and with a depth of

35 fathoms, abounding with cod in spring and fall. It is a summer ground

for hake and cusk. Hand lines and trawls are used.

Haddock Nubble. This lies SE. ½ S. from Matinicus Rock, distant 16

miles, and has an average depth of 50 fathoms over a small, circular

patch some 2,000 feet across. The bottom is of gravel and rocks, and

"lemons" and marine growths of like nature are abundant. This is a June

cod ground, usually furnishing good haddocking, also, from November to

January, inclusive.

Skate Bank. This bank bears SSE. from Matinicus Rock, distant 12

miles. It is about 2 miles in diameter and nearly circular in form.

Depths are from 35 to 60 fathoms. The bottom is gravelly but quite

uneven. The best season on this ground for cod and cusk is from April

to July. Hake abound in July and August. Hand lines and trawls are used

here, fished by sloops and vessels.

Matinicus Sou'Sou'West Grounds. These grounds bear SSW. from Matinicus

Rock, from which the inner edge of the grounds is distant 6 miles. They

extend about 9 miles N. and S. and have about the same width, being

nearly triangular in shape, broadest at the northern end. On the

northern part there is a shoal of about 30 fathoms 2 miles long E. and

W. and 1 mile wide. Sharp rocks cover this, but the ground is not broken

and drops off gradually to depths of 50 to 55 fathoms or even to 60

fathoms on the southern part. Outside of the shoal the bottom is pebbly

and gravelly. This is one of the best cod and haddock grounds in the

vicinity. Cod are sometimes abundant here all winter; haddock are found

here from December 1 to February and are more abundant than the cod.

Hake are plentiful on this ground and in 60 fathoms on the mud off the

edge SE. of this ground during the summer season. Marks: The high

pinnacle on the eastern end of Wooden Ball, showing just out by

Matinicus Rock, SW. by S. from the rock, 5 miles.

Inner Breaker. This lies 2 miles W. of the southwest point of

Matinicus Island. It is a rocky shoal about 1 acre in extent and having

7 fathoms of water. From this shoal the bottom slopes gradually to

depths of 25 to 30 fathoms, and this slope furnishes good fishing for

cod in May and June, while haddock are here in December and January. A

good school of hake is found on the edge of the ground in summer. The

bottom is rocky and broken and, while sharp, is fished with trawls as

well as hand lines. It is mostly a small-boat ground.

Towhead Grounds. These grounds hear N. by E. ½ E. from Matinicus

Island, from which they are distant 2½ miles. Depths are from 12 to 30

fathoms. It is somewhat irregular in shape and has a very rocky, broken

bottom. The ground is from 2½ to 3 miles long and ½ to 1½ miles wide.

It extends E. by S. and W. by N. and is considered one of the best

inside shoal grounds for cod and haddock in the bay. Hand lines and

trawls are used here now, although in former times this and the

preceding grounds were considered too sharp for the use of trawls. Both

these are good lobster grounds and chiefly small-boat grounds.

Green Island Ridge (or Western Ridge) and the Pigeon Ground. The

northern portion of this ridge lies 6½ miles NW. by W. from Matinicus

Rock, from which the ground extends about 7 miles in a SSW. direction.

The greatest width is not over 1 mile. Depths are from 15 to 30 fathoms.

The bottom is broken and rocky. It is a good cod ground in the spring

and fall. Haddock are found here in June, November, and December. In

summer this is a good hake ground. Halibut are found on the shoals (10

fathoms) and about the northern part of Western Green Island, on the

sandy bottom during June and July.

Matinic Bank. This is an extension of the shore soundings that make out

to the southward and eastward of Matinic a distance of 2 or 3 miles,

with depths (outside of 1½ miles) of 23 to 30 fathoms. The bottom is

level, consisting of rocks, pebbles, and gravel, and the ground abounds

in cod in the season from March to June. Just off the edge, in depths of

from 40 to 50 fathoms, the bottom is soft mud, on which hake abound in

summer. Very few haddock are taken on this bank. Halibut are sometimes

abundant here in 10 to 15 fathoms during May and June.

Matinic Ooze. This is a flat bottom, composed of ooze and shells, that

makes off to the eastward of the Haddock Ledge and Shoal and bears about

S. from Matinic. The Haddock Shoal and the Ooze are really parts of one

ground, though they have been given different names by the fishermen.

The Haddock Shoal (3 miles S. by B. from the Seal Ledge: breaks in rough

weather) is thought to be poor ground and is but little fished, although

it is a fall haddock ground. The Ooze falls off gradually, reaching a

depth of 50 fathoms on the outer part. It is considered fair fishing

ground for cod and haddock in the spring and for cod and hake in the

summer and fall.

Freemans Ground. This ground lies 6½ miles E. from Monhegan Island

between Ornes Ground and Matinicus Western Ground. It is 3 miles long

and 1 mile wide and runs in a NE. and SW. direction. There is a shoal on

the southwest part having 20 fathoms over a sharp rocky bottom. The rest

of the ground has depths of 25 to 40 fathoms, the bottom of rocks,

gravel, and shells, in some places uneven and in others smooth. This is

a good spring ground for cod and for cod, hake, and pollock in the fall.

Haddock are not numerous on this ground, though a few are usually to be

found here in December. Herring are here May to August.

Middle Shoal, Pollock Rip, Allens Shoal, and Deckers Shoal. These are

small rocky patches lying to eastward of Monhegan Island and northerly

from the Outer Shoal. They have depths from 6 to 30 fathoms over a

sharp, rocky, and broken bottom. Middle Shoal is 2 miles from the

island. Pollock Rip 1½ miles. Allens Shoal 1 1/4 miles, having 5½

fathoms and breaking in rough weather; and Deckers Shoal 1 mile. Depths

vary here from 6 to 30 fathoms over a bottom generally sharp and rocky.

The principal fishing here is hand-lining for cod in the spring during

the herring season and in the fall in "squid time". A few pollock are

taken here also.

A number of small patches lie westerly from the Outer Shoal and close to

Monhegan Island. These are the Cusk Ground with a depth of 20 to 35

fathoms; Gull Rock Ledge (breaks in rough weather) 3½ fathoms;

Lobster Point Ground, 15 to 30 fathoms; Inner Spring Ground, 15 to 30

fathoms; Outer Spring Ground 25 to 30 fathoms. All these are fished for

cod nearly all the year, for haddock in December and January, and for

pollock in early spring and late fall. The Spring Grounds are near the

harbor and so are fished before the others. All are lobster grounds.

Small boats and vessels operate here.

Black Island Ground. This ground is ENE. 2 miles from Monhegan. 1 mile

in diameter, has a shoal of 10 fathoms, and sharp rocky bottom in the

center. The ground slopes gradually from this to the edges, where are 40

fathoms. Beyond the depths of 28 to 30 fathoms the bottom is gravelly

and smoother. This is a cod ground in spring, and cod and hake are taken

here on the edges in summer and fall. Pollock are found about the shoal

in summer. It is a good lobster ground.

Franklin Ground. This ground is NE. by N. midway between Monhegan and

Burnt Island, distant 4 miles. Cod and haddock are found here from April

to June and pollock in summer. In summer and fall hake are taken by

night fishing with hand line about the rocks in 20 to 30 fathoms on the

broken ground. Fishing here is by hand-lining in summer and trawling in

fall and winter. It is a lobster ground.

White Head Ground. Depths on the shoal (the White Hub: Bring Budd

cottage out by White Head, Black Head. and Allens Island touching) are 7

fathoms, thence to 20 fathoms on the edges about it. This ground extends

NE. and SW., 2 miles long by 1/4 mile wide. The bottom is chiefly

broken, of rocks, and with spots of coarse gravel and sand. Fish and

their seasons are as on Franklin Ground. Marks: Bring Black Head, White

Head, and Gull Head in range on the east side of Monhegan Island.

Burnt Island, Inner Ridge aka Andrews Shoal. This is NE. by E. from

Monhegan, distant 5 miles. It is a broken ground with depths from 15 to

20 fathoms, the bottom rocky and gravelly, with occasional mud holes. It

extends NE. about 4 miles, nearly to Roaring Bull Ledge, and is ½ mile

wide. There are strong tidal currents here, the flood being NE., the ebb

SW. It is a cod ground from April to June, and cod and hake are taken

from September to November; haddock in December. It is a good lobster

ground.

Burnt Island, Outer Ridge. This ground is parallel with the Inner

Ridge and at a distance of 3/4 mile. Depths are from 5 to 25 fathoms,

the bottom being rather less broken than on the Inner Ridge. Fishing

seasons and species are as on Inner Ridge. Hand-lining is done mostly

because of strong tides. It is a good lobster ground.

Ornes Ground. This ground bears E., distant 4½ miles from Monhegan

Light to the center. It is 1 mile long. E. and W. and 1 mile wide.

Depths are from 30 to 45 fathoms. On the shoal parts the bottom is of

sharp rocks and broken. On other parts it is generally pebbly and quite

level. The shoal lies toward the eastern part of the ground and is a

good spring cod ground; also a pollock ground in the spring and fall. It

is a night fishing ground for hake, by hand lining close to the rocks

during September and October. Herring are abundant here usually in May

and June. It is a good lobster ground. Fishing is done by hand lines and

trawls.

Outer Shoal. This ground is ESE from Monhegan Light about 2½ miles. It

is circular in form and about 1½ miles across. Depths are from 10 to 38

fathoms. There is a small rocky shoal in the center of the ground; the

remainder of this piece has a gravelly bottom. This is a cod ground from

spring to fall and a good pollock ground in September. A few haddock are

taken here about the edges in December. Hake are abundant on the edges

on the mud in 45 to 50 fathoms during the spring, summer and fall.

Monhegan Inner Sou'Southeast Ground. This ground is SSE from Monhegan

Light. It is circular in form and 1/14 miles across. The center is 5

miles fro the light. Depths are from 30 to 50 fathoms, the shoalest

water being on the eastern part, the shoal has a broken and rocky

bottom, but the rest of the ground is gravelly and muddy. The principal

fishes taken are cod and cusk in the spring, summer and fall. Very few

haddock are found here. Pollock are numerous in the fall, when they are

taken by hand lining. Hake are abundant in September and October. June

is the best fishing month, except when the squid strike the ground in

the fall. This is mainly a small boat ground, fished by trawls, hand

lines and an increasing number of gill nets.

Monhegan Outer Sou'Southeast. Three miles outside the Inner Ground on

the same bearing and similar in size and form. The bottom is rocky and

muddy or of hard clay. The depths are from 35 to 55 fathoms. The same

species are found here as on Inner Sou'Southeast and at the same

seasons, and in addition, hand lining is done for cod in August and

September.

Blue Ground. This is SE 1½ E from Monhegan, distant 14 miles; E 1½ S

from Portland Lightship 45 miles, and SW from Matinicus Rock 9 miles to

southern Edge. Fishermen usually take the Monhegan bearing [12] for their

starting point. This ground has a small shoal in the center, having 28

to 30 fathoms, from which the bottom slopes off to 45 and 60 fathoms on

the edges. The shoal is broken and rocky, bu the deep water is over a

level gravelly bottom. This ground is circular in form and about 2 miles

across. It is both a small-boat and vessel ground, larger craft

operating here mainly in the fall. Hake are found here in large numbers

in summer and fall; cusk are taken in the deep water the year around but

are most abundant in January. Cod are here the year around, the largest

school occurring in February and March.

Monhegan Southeast Ground. This ground lies SE from Monhegan Island,

the center distant 12 miles. This is nearly circular, 3 miles in

diameter. The bottom is so broken that depths may vary much within a

short distance, but depths are from 35 to 75 fathoms over a bottom of

rocks, gravel and mud. Fishing is by trawl and handline. It is good cod

ground from April to July; haddock are taken in December and hake in

summer on the edges in 50 to 60 fathoms.

Hill Ground. This ground is SSW 9 miles from Matinic: between 3 and 4

miles long NE and SW and some 2 miles wide. The shoalest part has 35

fathoms and a rocky bottom. From this it slopes gradually to a depth of

50 fathoms over a bottom of mixed gravel, rocks and mud. Its best

fishing is for hake, using both hand lines and trawls.

Monhegan Inner Sou'Sou'west Ground. this ground takes its name from its

bearing, lying SSW from Monhegan light, distant 5 miles. Its width is

1½ miles, its length NNE and SSW is 1 1/4 miles. It has a sharp, broken,

rocky bottom, including a small shoal of 20 fathoms and some hummocks of

rather greater depths. The deepest water is in the neighborhood of 50

fathoms. Fishing here is from May until July for codfish and pollock:

hake and cusk are in the deep water in the spring months and halibut on

the shoal in July and September. This ground is principally fished by

trawls, but there is considerable hand lining in September and October.

Gillnetting, too, has become more common of later years.

Harris Ground. From 15 miles S ½ W from Monhegan island to 6 miles

SSW. It has 40 to 50 fathoms over a bottom of sharp rocks and mud--a

"blistery" bottom. Cod, cusk and hake are found here the year around.

Halibut are here in June, July and August. Fishing is by trawling and

hand lining, with very little gillnetting.

The 45 Fathom Bunch. Sixteen miles S 1½ E from Monhegan. This is a

great ground for June hand lining for cod. Thence 1 mile ENE to 70

fathom depth, which leads to a piece of ground leading to the Inner

Fall, on which, on a hard bottom and mud where there is an abundance of

"lemons" and similar forms, are found cod cusk and pollock in June. The

ground is about 6 miles long, WSW and ENE by 1 mile wide.

Another Forty Five Fathom Bunch lies 22 miles S ½ E from Monhegan. This

ground is 4 miles long by 1 mile wide, running ENE and WSW, and has

depths from 45 to 75 fathoms. This is likewise a great cod hand lining

ground in June.

Another of the same name lies 26 miles S 1½ E from Monhegan. It has a

49 fathom shoal and the species and seasons are much the same as on the

other grounds of the name. This is probably the ground known to other

vessel captains as Toothaker Ridge.

Monhegan Outer Sou'Sou'West. This ground is SSW from Monhegan Light.

the center distant 9 miles It is 4 miles long, NNE and SSW and about 2

miles wide, and has 45 fathoms on the shoalest part but the depths

generally are from 60 to 80 fathoms. The bottom generally is gravelly

and quite level. The ground is fished by both boats and vessels using

hand lines and trawls.

This is a cod ground in spring and fall. In summer hake are abundant

here, and halibut are quite plentiful in July on the shoalest part.

Old Jeffrey. An exceedingly good ground. It is said that better

fishing may be had here than on any other ground of its size in the

vicinity. This piece of bottom bears SE from Pumpkin Rock, from which

the center is distant about 6 miles. It is about 3 miles long NE and SW,

and about 1 mile wide. The bottom is broken, of gravel and mud, with

depths from 25 to 50 fathoms. Fishing here is by trawling and

land-lining. In spring cod are most abundant, in late summer and fall

hake, cod, and pollock are taken. Halibut are found on the shoaler parts

in July.

Little Jeffrey. A small piece of broken, rocky bottom, roughly

circular in form. Depths average 35 fathoms. Species and seasons are as

on Old Jeffrey, from which it lies about 4 miles NE by E.

Monhegan Western Ground. This is a somewhat extensive ground lying

about 4½ miles WSW from Monhegan Island. The depths range from 22 to 45

fathoms. Its length is 4 or 5 miles, and its greatest breadth is 2 miles

on the eastern portion, gradually narrowing westward to about 1 mile.

The ground runs SE and NW. Pollock are found here in September and

October. It is fished by hand lines, trawls and gill nets. Marks: Bring

houses on New Harbor over the white cliff on Pemaquid 6 miles from New

Harbor.

Broken Ground. The center bears nearly S. from Pumpkin Island (at

entrance to Boothbay Harbor), distant 7 miles. It extends 4 miles in an

ENE. and WSW direction and has an average width of 1¾ miles. Depths are

from 35 to 50 fathoms on a bottom of rocks and mud. Cod are taken here

the year around; hake from June to September. Cusk also are found here

all the year in 40 fathoms depths. It is fair herring ground on spring

nights.

Great Ledge. Ten miles S. from Cape Newagen. It is about 4 miles long,

SSW. and NNE and from 1 to 2 miles wide. There is said to be a shoal of

14 fathoms on the northern edge and another of 22 fathoms near the

center. These are both broken and rocky, but the main part of the

ground, having depths of 30 to 45 fathoms, is mostly composed of sand.

is quite level, and slopes gradually toward the edge. It is a good

ground for cod and haddock in winter and for cod in the spring. A few

pollock are taken here, also. Halibut are found on the shoals in July.

On these, also, are good lobster grounds. It is chiefly a small-boat and

vessel ground, fishing being done by hand lines and trawls, with some

gill netting. Marks: Show the sawtooth of Morse's Mountain coming out by

Seguin on the western side; hold this until Pumpkin Island comes onto

White Island.

Barnum Head Grounds. These lie SSE. from Damariscove Island and are

about 1 mile long by 400 yards wide. Depths are from 40 to 70 fathoms

over broken ground of sharp rocks on the shoals, with mud on the deeper

parts. This ground is fished by hand lines, gill nets, and trawls mainly

by boats and small craft. Cod, haddock, and pollock are found here in

the spring and fall months: hake in the muddy parts in summer. It is a

summer hand-line ground for cod and pollock also. Marks: Bring the peak

of Heron Island on Damariscove and the "Whistler" on Seguin, 7 miles

from Damariscove Island (this gives 21-fathom soundings) or Big White

Island's inner part just touching on Barnum Head; Morse Mountain (in

Kennebec) touching on eastern part of Seguin to make a sawtooth.

Peterson's Ground. Lies distant SW. from Monhegan 20 miles and SSE.

from Seguin 16 miles. This is about 3 miles long in an ENE. and WSW.

direction by about 1½ miles wide. The northern and western edges rise

sharply from the 85 or 90 fathoms of the muddy bottom about it to 60

fathoms over a bottom of rocks and stones. Easterly and southerly the

ground slopes away gradually over hard gravel to 90 fathoms. Cod and

hake furnish the best fishing here--at its peak during October and

November.

Cusk Ridge. It lies S. ½ E. 12 miles from Pumpkin Island, 3½ to 4 miles

long, NE. and SW., and 1/4 mile wide. This ground is somewhat difficult

to find. It has a bottom of black gravel and rocks with 30 to 60 fathoms

of water over it. A "blistery" bottom that is a cod ground the year

around, the best of the fishing occurring in the spring months. Hake are

abundant in the fall, and cusk fishing is exceptionally good in the deep

water in June.

Potato Patch. Three miles WNW. from Monhegan. A round nubble about 14

mile in diameter, of sharp, rocky bottom having about 40 fathoms over

it. Cusk and cod are taken on the shoal and hake from the muddy edges

about it.

The Apron. Four and one-half miles from Monhegan. Marks are the tripod

on Eastern Egg Rock over Franklin Island Light; Monhegan Light over the

middle of Manana. Its length is 5 miles and its width 3 miles. It is a

broken piece of ground with 10 to 45 fathoms. Cod are present the year

around and haddock all the year except for a few weeks in summer. Cusk

are here most of the year, but the season for pollock is September.

Henry Gallant Ridges. The inner one lies 16½ miles S. by E. of

Monhegan Island, extending in a NNE. and SSW. direction, about 1 mile

long by 1/4 mile wide. The outer ridge lies about 1¼ miles farther from

the island on the same bearing as the first and paralleling it and

apparently is about the same size. The bottom on both shoals is of

gravel and black rocks with depths averaging 45 fathoms but rising from

the 80 and 90 fathoms of the surrounding muddy ground. Both these are

year-around cod grounds, the spring months, however, having The largest

school. Cusk also are abundant on both shoals in the spring.

Mosers Ledge, also known as Middle Ground. This piece of shoal ground

lies about midway between Monhegan Island and Pemaquid and has a

3-fathom shoal on the eastern part where the sea breaks in heavy

weather. This shoal, called Mosers Ledge, is broken and rocky but slopes

gradually to the SW., reaching 48 fathoms, with a bottom of gravel and

mud on the deepest part. The ground is about 2 miles long NE. and SW.

and about 1 mile wide. It is good ground for cod and haddock in the

spring and for herring in June and other top-schooling fish In their

season. Mackerel occur in late August and September. It is a lobster

ground the year around.

Johns Head Ground. About 4 miles SSE. from Pemaquid Point. Depths are

from 25 to 15 fathoms over a sandy bottom, making a good cod ground in

April and May. The ground is of circular form about 1 mile in diameter.

Hand lines and trawls, together with some gill nets, are used on the

sand shoal.

White Island Ground. This is ESE from White Island, from which its

inner edge is distant ¼ mile and the outer edge about 4 miles. Of

triangular outline, it is widest at the outer end. It is very broken and

uneven and has depths from 6 to 30 fathoms. In some places the bottom is

gravelly, but on the shoal it is sharp, broken rocks. The small, rocky

spots are known by other names, such as Browns Head Ground (a herring

ground in June), where the fishermen catch a few rock cod. The sandy

bottom furnishes good fares of haddock in May and June. "Bobber

trawling" is the usual method used here in June. This ground is fished

mainly by small boats and sloops using hand lines and trawls.

Steamboat Ground. Seven miles WSW. from Monhegan Island; it is 3 miles

long, NE. and SW, and ½ mile wide. Its bottom is broken with patches of

rocks. Depths are from 25 to 50 fathoms, the shoalest 20 fathoms. This

is fished by hand lines and trawls mainly by craft from New Harbor. Cod

are found here the year around but are most abundant in the fall.

Haddock are present all the spring and fall; hake through the summer

months; pollock in the fall. Cusk are most abundant in the spring. A

certain amount of lobster fishing is done here.

Inner and Outer Boutens (Bootlegs). The inner ground lies 3 miles SW.

from Monhegan Island. It is about 1 mile long. NE. and SW., by 1/4 mile

wide. It has a sharp, rocky bottom, shoalest in the center, where are 25

fathoms, sloping gradually southwest and falling off suddenly on the

northeast side to the mud in 60 fathoms on the edges. Cod, haddock, and

cusk are here the year around. Hake occur in summer on the muddy edges.

It is a fairly good lobster ground on the shoal. The Outer Bouten lies ½

mile SW. of the Inner, separated from it by a deep, muddy channel. It

has a small shoal of 30 fathoms rising suddenly from the surrounding

mud. Fish and seasons of their presence are as on Inner Bouten. Fishing

on these grounds is mainly by hand line and trawl. Marks: The Tripod on

Western Duck Island on the eastern side of the big eastern mountain of

Camden: Black Head just out by White Head; White Head through the "Hole

in the Wall."

Hill Ground. This ground is SSW 9 miles from Matinic: between 3 and 4

miles long NE and SW and some 2 miles wide. The shoalest part has 35

fathoms and a rocky bottom. From this it slopes gradually to a depth of

50 fathoms over a bottom of mixed gravel, rocks and mud. Its best

fishing is for hake, using both hand lines and trawls.

Seguin Sou'Sou'West Ground. This ground lies SSW. from the western part

of Seguin Island, the center distant 4 miles. It is a rocky shoal, ½

mile long by 200 yards wide, with a ½-acre shoal in the center. Depths

are 7 to 14 fathoms. This is evidently a SSW continuation of the Hill

Ground. It is fished by small boats for rock cod by hand-lining.

Trawling is done in March for cod, and this is also a cod ground in

April. It is both a small-boat and a vessel ground and is a lobster

ground the year around. Marks: Elwells Rock touching the western side

of Seguin, and Fullers Rock touching the southern part of Bald Head.

Seguin Ridge. This ridge is SSW. from Seguin Island, distant 5 miles.

Four miles long. ESE. and WSW by ½ mile wide. There are a number of

small rocky spots--hummocks of 9 to 14 fathoms in depth. In general the

ground has from 10 to 40 fathoms over it, except as mentioned. Cod and

cusk are taken in the spring, haddock in May and June. and hake in

summer. It is a good cod ground in the fall and also a lobster ground. A

few pollock are seined here in the spring. Fishing is by hand lines,

gill netting, and trawling. Marks: Pond Island Light on the eastern spur

of Seguin; Wooded Mark Island on Bald Head (Small Point).

Seguin Ground. This ground is SW. by S. from Seguin Island, distant

about 7 miles to the center. About 4 miles long. NE. and SW., and a

little more than 2 miles wide in the widest part. There is a small

hummock called Bumpers Island Ground on the northern end with depths of

13 fathoms. The northern part is mostly rocky, but toward the south the

bottom is gravelly and sloping, so that on the middle and southern

portions there are depths of 35 to 45 fathoms. Cod, hake, and pollock

are the principal fishes taken here and furnish some of the best fishing

in this vicinity. Haddock are not common here but are abundant on the

sandy bottom to the westward in April and May. Trawl fishing and gill

netting are done in the spring for cod and hand lining for cod and

pollock in October. It is a small-boat and vessel ground and a winter

lobster ground.

McIntire Reef. This reef is SSW. from Bald Head (Cape Small Point). The

distance to the center is 4½ miles. This is 2 miles long. NE. and SW.,

by ½ mile wide. Marks are Yarmouth Island Hill over Mark Island and Pond

Island Light on the northern part of Fullers Rock. This reef is very

broken and hummocky and has a rocky bottom and depths from 14 to 20

fathoms. A shoal of 7 fathoms is on the northwest part, where there is

good hand-lining for cod. It is a good lobster ground. Just east of this

ground is a piece of bottom composed of hard mud and shells where hake

usually are abundant in summer.

Seguin Hub. This lies SSE. 5½ miles from Seguin Light. There is a

collection of half a dozen small hummocks rising from the 65 or 70

fathoms of the surrounding muddy bottom to 30 or 35 fathoms of rocky

bottom. These are hand-line spots. Species and seasons are as on Seguin

Ground, except that a great proportion of hake are taken here on mud

from 60 fathoms down. It is a cod ground in spring and summer. Marks:

Hunnewell Point Woods on Seguin; Damariscotta Hill over Damariscove

Island.

Cow Ground. Nearly SW. from Bald Head, the center distant 6½ miles.

This is nearly 4 miles long in a NE. and SW. direction and 1½ miles

wide. The northeast portion is rough and rocky and has depths from 16 to

18 fathoms. On the southwest part gravel and stones predominate, and the

bottom slopes off to 20 or 30 fathom depths. Trawling and hand-lining

are the principal methods employed here, but there is an increasing

amount of gill netting. Cod and pollock are the principal fishes taken

here, mainly in the spring. This is a lobster ground from November to

April.

Murre Hub. This lies WSW. from Small Point, the center distant 10 3/4

miles and 3 miles SW. from Seguin. This ground is 3 miles long. N. and

S., with an average width of 1½ miles. Depths are from 34 to 45

fathoms. The inner parts are shoalest, and the bottom there is sharp

rocks and broken ground. From this the ground slopes gradually to the

south, where the bottom is sand and gravel. Cod are here from spring to

October; hake from June to October; and haddock are present during the

winter season. Fishing is almost entirely by trawling.

Mistaken Ground. This ground bears N. from the center of New Ledge.

from which it is distant about 10 miles; from Portland Lightship SE.

½ S 21 miles to the edge and 22 miles to the shoal water. It is 8 miles

long in an E. and W. direction and 5 miles wide. Depths are from 45 to

100 fathoms, both the shoalest and the deepest soundings being on the

western part, where the bottom is mostly rocks and boulders. There is

said to be a small shoal "peak" of 35 fathoms here. Over the greater

part of the ground the bottom is of rocks and gravel. In proportion to

its size this ground is nearly as important as New Ledge, being resorted

to by the same species of fish at the same seasons and being visited by

the same type of craft, with a larger number of the small crafts

operating here and the larger vessels fishing here principally during

the worst of the winter weather.

The fishing is by hand line, trawl, and gill netting, with a lessening

use of the hand line and an increase in the use of this ground by the

gill-net fleet. Cod and cusk are taken here from May to July and

through October and November, the cod predominating on the ridgy bottom

in the deep water, on the western and northwestern side. Hake are also

found here in the winter. Haddock are fairly abundant from December to

March. There are usually many pollock on the shoal in fall and winter.

Tag Ground. Between Broken Ground and Seguin Island, ESE. from Seguin,

distant 5 miles. A narrow rocky ridge 2 miles long, in a NNE. and SSW.

direction, with an uneven bottom and depths from 14 to 30 fathoms.

Principally a summer small-boat ground fished by hand lines, trawls, and

gill nets. Cod are found here the year around. Haddock are abundant in

the winter, hake in the summer months, and the pollock are here also in

the summer season when "top schooling." Cusk are found in the deep water

all the year.

Outer Kettle, also known as Kettle Bottom. The center of this ground

bears S. from Seguin Island, from which the northern edge of the ground

is distant 10 miles. Its length is 12 miles in a N. and S. direction,

and its width 10 miles, thus being roughly circular in forum. It is an

uneven piece of bottom consisting of rocks, gravel, and mud. The depths

range from 25 to 75 fathoms. This is one of the best fishing grounds on

this part of the coast. Cod are the most abundant fish and are taken the

year around. Haddock are plentiful in the winter months and cusk are

present all the year in the 50-fathom depths. Fishing here is by trawl,

hand line, and gill nets operated by small boats, sloops, and, in the

rougher weather of the winter, larger vessels, which visit it also,

generally to make one "set" at a season when a "fish day" (one on which

it is possible to fish) is the exception.

Murray Hole. A small circular piece of ground about 1½ miles across

and capable of taking about 40 or 50 lines of trawl: it lies between the

two kettles and heads S. by E. from Seguin. Depths here are from 42 to

60 fathoms over a bottom of pebbles and gravel. It is a good cod and

hake ground in June and July.

Inner Kettle. This is S. by E. from Seguin and distant 8 miles. The

depths here average 40 fathoms over a bottom of gravel and rocks.

Species and season of abundance are as on the Outer Kettle. Marks are as

follows: The Eastern Hawkwings (west side of the Kennebec River) on

western side of Seguin; Damariscove Mountain just touching the east side

of Damariscove Island.

Bantam. This ground lies off Seguin 6 miles E. by N. It has a bottom of

rocky broken ground. There is a buoy in the center over a reef that is

said to break at low water. Elsewhere depths range from 14 to 20

fathoms. The shoal is about 2 miles long in a NE. and SW. direction and

is about 1 mile wide. This is a cod and haddock ground in the spring,

and bake are plentiful in summer on the edges of the ground.

White Head Ground. Depths on the shoal (the White Hub: Bring Budd

cottage out by White Head, Black Head. and Allens Island touching) are 7

fathoms, thence to 20 fathoms on the edges about it. This ground extends

NE. and SW., 2 miles long by 1/4 mile wide. The bottom is chiefly

broken, of rocks, and with spots of coarse gravel and sand. Fish and

their seasons are as on Franklin Ground. Marks: Bring Black Head, White

Head, and Gull Head in range on the east side of Monhegan Island.

Green Ground. This is a hand-line spot for cod all the year, but the

fishing is best in the spring and continues good until the last of the

fishing for cod about the river mouths in June. There are two shoals,

one of 14 and the other of 16 feet, both of which break in rough

weather, but depths elsewhere on the ground about are from 13 to 20

fathoms. The bottom, both on the shoals and about them, is rocky and has

many starfish upon it, except on the north-western part, where the

bottom is of sand. Marks: The eastern end of Elmwood Rock on the little

high woods of Small Point: the Outer Sister on Lower Five Island.

Lambo. This lies B. by N. from Halfway Rock 5 miles. It has a buoy

upon it, marking a 5 fathom shoal that breaks in heavy weather. Good

fishing is to be had in all directions about it, with haddock in June on

the sand outside it, hake inside in August, and cod on the hard bottom

about it; but for these it is mostly a summer hand-line spot.

Bull Ground. This is an irregularly shaped piece of bottom of

indefinite area, being perhaps 3 miles long by 2 miles wide. It lies

between Lambo Ledge and the White Bull and at about 2 miles distance

from Ragged Island. The bottom here is of rocks and mud with depths from

20 to 30 fathoms. This ground furnishes hake fishing in June, July, and

August. Cod are taken here in good numbers in the fall by gill nets,

with a lesser amount also in the spring by the same method. In the

winter the cod are taken here by "bobber trawl." Haddock are taken about

the edges in August. mainly by hand line. This ground is visited

principally by small boats, the greater part of the catch being taken by

gill nets, although trawls and hand lines also are used here.

The Garden. This is a broken piece of ground lying outside The Elbow

and Eagle Island. It runs NNE. and SSW., is about 2 miles long by 1 mile

wide, and has depths running from 35 to 60 fathoms. This is a fall

ground for hand-line fishing for cod, while haddock, cod, and cusk are

found here in the spring. Hake are taken in May and June on the mud

about the edges.

Marks: Halfway Rock Light on the big field of Chebeague Island; Eagle

Island Woods on the woods in the Eastern Bay.

Sand Shoal. It is ENE. from White Head Grounds 4 miles. This has

depths of 18 to 20 fathoms and in species and seasons of their abundance

agrees with White Head Ground.

The Elbow. This lies NE. from the Sand Shoal 6 miles from the

lightship; S. by E. 4 miles from Halfway Rock. Depths on the shoal parts

are 26 fathoms, deepening to 40 fathoms on the edges. The bottom is of

rocks and mud. The species and seasons are as on White Head Grounds.

Old Orchard Ground, Wood Island Ground, Cape Porpoise Peaks. Extending

over a piece of bottom made up of blue clay with numerous rocky patches,

this ground has depths of from 20 to 50 fathoms. Bearing about NE. from

Cape Porpoise and distant from 4 to 5 miles, it lies in a N. and S.

direction and is about 5 miles long by 1½ miles wide. It is a good

spring and summer cod ground, a summer hake ground, and haddock are here

in April and May and in the fall and winter and cusk on the deeper parts

the year around. This ground is much resorted to by small boats and in

winter by some of the larger vessels of the vicinity. Fishing is by hand

lines, trawls, and a certain amount by gill netting over the smoother

parts. Marks: The eastern end of Wood Island on the bank at Old Orchard;

to the center 6 miles SSE. from Wood Island Light.

Drunken Ledge (Drunkers). Eight miles from Cape Elizabeth; 3 miles N.

of Tanta 4 miles S. by E. from the whistling buoy off Cape Elizabeth.

Depths are 18 to 40 fathoms on a bottom of sharp rocks. It is about 5

miles long N. and S. by 2 miles wide, extending SSW. and NNE. Cod and

cusk are taken the year around; hake in the summer on the mud at edges;

haddock from March to June. Fishing is by trawl, hand line, and gill

net. Marks: Western Light of Cape Elizabeth on eastern part of woods on

Cape until the lightship bears NE.

Eagle Island Ground. This lies S. from Halfway Rock 2 miles. It has a

rocky bottom with 20 to 25 fathoms. It is a good cod ground the year

around, fished mainly by hand line; there is little trawling here and

only a small amount of gill netting.

Flat Ledge; Temple Ledge. Two miles SW. of Bald Head, Cape Small

Point, rises a piece of rocky ground from the 20-fathom depths

surrounding it. Over the shoal in the center are 5 fathoms, and from

this the water deepens on all sides, there being 16 fathoms on the

deepest part of the ledge and an average of 20 fathoms about it. The

rocky bottom is about 1½ miles long, NE. and SW., by about 3/4 mile

wide. The ledge and the hard bottom about it make good gill-netting

grounds for cod in the spring months. On the ledge a considerable amount

of hand-lining fur cod and pollock is carried on in late May and through

June. In the normal seasons of the mackerel fishery this is a good

ground on which to seine these fish in June. July, and August. It is

also a good lobster ground and is a haddock ground in July and August.

Marks: Wallace House in Bald Head Cove on the western edge of Bald

Head; Flag Island and the eastern Brown Cow Into line.

The Gully: Mark Island Gully. Bring Seguin over Fullers Rock, 6 miles

from Mark Island. This gully lies inside The Elbow. The bottom is sandy

on the shoal parts, where there are 50 fathoms; broken and rocky in the

deep water in 70 fathoms; and muddy on the edges. It is a good lobster

grounds.

Haddock are taken here in the spring months by trawling; cod are taken

on trawl and in gill nets during February and March and from Augusta to

November. Hake are taken during June, July and August by the sane

methods as are used in catching the other species.

New Meadows Channel. West from The Gully; E. from Seguin. This is a

spring gill-net ground. Mostly a cod ground.

Pollock Hub. This ground lies SE. from the lightship 6 to 8 miles and

13½ miles S. from Cushings Island bell buoy. It is a rocky piece of

bottom, having about 29 fathoms over it. It is about ½ mile across and

is fished by hand line, trawl, and gill net, but is mostly a summer

hand-line spot. It is a good cod ground in the spring and good for

pollock in their season. Between this and Trinidad (SE. by S. from

Pollock Hub 3 miles) is a fishing ground for haddock in January and

February, on a broken bottom, in depths of from 40 to 60 fathoms. This

is both a small-boat and a vessel ground fished by hand line, trawl, and

gill nets.

Trinidad. Six miles SE. by S. ½ S. from the lightship off Portland.

It is about 2 miles long by 3/4 mile wide, lying in a NNE. and SSW.

direction. In general, the bottom is muddy and depths are from 40 to 50

fathoms, except for a shoal about 14 mile across on the northeastern end

of the ground, where there is a depth of 32 fathoms over a sharp, rocky

bottom.

Haddock are present here in good numbers in February and March. Cod are

taken here in gill nets during the summer months, and hake are fairly

abundant in the spring over the deeper parts; a few cusk are taken at

the same season and in the same depths as the hake are found.

Fire Ground. This ground is E. by S. from the lightship 10 miles. It is

a ridge of rocky and gravelly bottom having depths of 35 to 50 fathoms.

Its length is 2 miles and its width 1 mile.

Cod and cusk are here the year around, the cod being most abundant in

the spring. Haddock are here in February and March: hake are in the deep

water on the edges in summer. Fishing here is by hand line, trawl, and

gill nets operated by small boats and vessels, the larger craft visiting

this ground mostly in the winter, when offshore grounds may not permit

of the fishing because of weather conditions. Marks: Bradbury Mountain

on Jaquish: Long Reach Mountain (in Quahog Bay) just to westward of

Wooded Mark Island, "the length of an oar."

Cod Ledges. These are a succession of rocky patches extending 4½ miles

in an ENE. and WSW. direction, with a width of about ½ mile. The

southwestern end bears SE. 3/4 S. from Portland Head Light. distant 4

3/4 miles. The northwestern extremity lies 6 or 7 miles ESE. from

Portland Head light. The shoalest parts have from 14 to 18 feet of water

(Bulwark Shoal: the eastern is Round Shoal). On other parts the depths

vary from 5 to 22 fathoms. The bottom is irregular, of rocks and gravel.

A favorite small-boat ground for fishermen from Portland and neighboring

islands. This is a cod ground the year around and a winter haddock

ground.

In June and July a few halibut are taken in 14 to 18 fathoms on the

sandy patches between the ledges. We are told "Very many large halibut

are sometimes taken in some seasons in this small area. Sid Doughty. a

local small-boat fisherman, had $300 worth from half his gear for one

day's fishing here, being obliged to leave the rest of his gear until

the next day from his weariness in handling the heavy fish alone."

Hue and Cry Bottom. This ground lies W. ½ mile from the Portland

Lightship. It is about 2½ miles long by 1½ miles wide and extends in

a generally N. and S. direction. The bottom is mainly rocks, though

there is a sandy area lying inside it. Depths are from 4 fathoms, where

is a buoy and where it breaks in heavy weather, to some 35 fathoms over

much of the rest of the ground. Cod and haddock are found here In the

spring, and cod, haddock, and cusk in the fall months.

The Pasture. It lies ESE. from the lightship 10 miles: south from The

Cow (Small Point) 12 miles. This ground is 4 or 5 miles long by 2½

miles wide. It has depths of from 45 to 80 fathoms over a bottom of

broken ground, rocks, and mud. It is a cod ground the year around but is

best in spring. Cusk also are here the year around. Haddock usually are

plentiful during January, February, and March. Inside the Pasture (about

10 miles S. from The Cow) lies the Fire Ground, mentioned elsewhere.

The Klondike. This ground lies 15 miles S. by E. from Bald Head and

is 3 miles long by 2 miles wide. The bottom consists of ridges of

rocks--a "blistery" bottom (abundance of "sea pears", "sea squirts", and

other marine growths of a similar nature). It is a cod and cusk ground

all the year. Haddock are present from January to April and hake from

September to December. Depths are from 75 to 80 fathoms over mud and

rocks. Fishing on this ground is by hand line and trawl by small boats

and sloops, with an occasional trip by larger vessels in winter.

Sagadahoc. This ground is SE. by E. from Halfway Rock 22 miles and S.

½ W. from Seguin 17 miles. It has a broken bottom of rocks "blisters,"

and mud, and is 3½ miles long by 2½ miles wide, with depths from 50 to

80 fathoms. It is a cusk ground the year around as well as a year-around

cod ground, also, but this fishing is at its best in the spring. It is a

hake ground on the deeper soundings from September to December. Fishing

here is carried on by trawling, hand-lining, and gill netting.

Big Ridge, or Doggetts. These names are given to a piece of fishing

ground about 8 miles long by 2 miles wide lying 18 miles SE. by S. ½ S.

from the lightship at Portland or 14 miles SE. by E. from the same

point, according to which part it is desired to fish upon. It has from

45 on the shoal in the center to 80 fathoms of water on the deeper parts

over a bottom of rocks and gravel on the shallower portions and of mud

about the edges and in the deeper soundings.

Cod are abundant here in spring and fall on the shoaler parts of the

bank and are present the year around on the muddy edges and in the deep

water about it; the spring school, however, is the largest. Hake are

found in spring and summer on the edges in deep water. A few haddock may

be taken in the winter and spring, January to April, inclusive. Cusk can

be taken the year around, the best fishing being in spring and winter.

The February cusk school is the largest, and the best catches are made

in the deep water about the edges of the ground. Fishing here is

principally by trawling, but hand-lining and gill netting also are

employed, the latter method in continually increasing volume.

Lying off Cape Porpoise, between the bearings of SE. and SSE., and at

distances varying from 6 to 8 miles, are a number of small, rocky, or

pebbly bottoms having depths ranging from 18 to 25 fathoms. During

certain seasons these abound in cod and haddock and are visited by the

fishermen of the vicinity.

Tanta. This ground is S. from Cape Elizabeth, the center being distant

12 miles. It is 2 to 3 miles in diameter and has depths of about 40

fathoms over a bottom of broken ground of rocks and gravel. This is a

spring and summer fishing ground for cod. Haddock are present here in

winter, the best fishing being in January, With a few in the spring.

Trawls, hand lines, and gill nets are operated here. Outside of Tanta

(S. 3 miles), in 80 and 90 fathoms on muddy and broken bottom (a

"punkin" bottom), hake and cusk are abundant in February and March, the

hake remaining into the summer. Herring and mackerel usually are present

here in those years when their schools arc abundant in this locality.

Winker Ground. The ground lies in a NE. and SW. direction, about 2

miles long by 1/4 mile wide. The bottom is broken, of mud, rocks, and

sand, with depths from 35 to 40 fathoms. Outside of the 40-fathom depth

the ground is mostly of mud. This is a cod ground in the early spring.

haddock and hake being here from July 1 to September 1. Haddock are

found here also from March 10 to April 20. This is a small-boat ground,

fishing being done mainly by trawling and a certain amount of gill

netting. Marks: Run 5 miles SW. from the whistling buoy off Cape

Elizabeth. or until Ram Island Winker Light shows out by Cape Elizabeth.

Long Hill Ground. This lies SSE. from Cape Elizabeth, 9 miles to the

center. Marks: Bring the western light of Cape Elizabeth on the middle

of Johnsons Woods on the high land of the cape, which with the course

given before, will bring to the center. This lies in a SSE. and NNW.

direction and is a rocky bottom, having 60 to 70 fathoms. Haddock are

taken here from October to January 1 and from February 15 to April 1.

Cod also occur at about the same season.

Outer and Inner Bumbo. These are two small rocky ridges bearing SE.

from The Nubble and extending toward Boon Island. They begin near the

main shore and extend nearly to the island. Depths are from 8 to 20

fathoms over a broken piece of bottom, except for a mud gully about 3

miles from the main running NE. and SW. about 3 miles long. In general,

this is a small-boat ground, where good catches of cod and haddock are

made in spring and fall, especially in the latter season, with good

hand-lining for cod in July and August in 8 and 10 fathom depths. These

grounds are fished by trawl, hand line and gill nets. All the grounds

between Cape Porpoise and Boon Island are good lobster grounds.

Wells Bay. Beside a number of small, rocky patches of fishing ground of

less importance, resorted to chiefly by small-boat fishermen and by gill

netters from Portsmouth, Wood Island, and Cape Porpoise; this ground has

a good cod shoal for spring and winter fishing, which also furnishes

good haddocking from April to October. The depths on this are from 25 to

30 fathoms. These are fished by trawl, hand lines, and gill nets

(perhaps mainly by the latter) operated by the smaller fishing vessels,

chiefly from Portsmouth, Wood island, Cape Porpoise, and Portland.

Lightons. This ground is SE. by E. 8 miles from Cape Porpoise, 3 miles

long by 2 miles wide, with depths of 25 to 30 fathoms over a generally

gravelly bottom. This is somewhat more productive as a haddock ground

from January 1 to March, but cod and hake are numerous in the same season

also. A small amount of cod may be taken here in the summer. This is a

good lobster ground.

Tracadie; The Acre. This bears NE. by E. from Boon island, distant 5

miles. It is 1 mile in diameter and has a depth of 50 fathoms over a

bottom of rocks and gravel. It is a good haddock ground all the year; a

cod ground in August, when these fish are "jigged"; a hake ground from

April to October; and a cusk ground the year around.

Old Southeast. Extends from the shore soundings at White Island (one

of the isles of Shoals) 7 or 8 miles SE. nearly to Jeffreys in a long,

rather narrow point. It is a piece of broken ground with a hard bottom,

having depths running from 20 fathoms on the inner parts to 50 fathoms

farther out and deepening suddenly on all sides to the mud about it.

Fish and their seasons are as on Blue Clay, haddock being most abundant

on the eastern edge from January through March. This is growing steadily

in importance as a gill-netting ground.

The Prairie. This name has been given to a flat ground of generally

level bottom, lying E. by N. from Boon Island 7 miles. It has depths of

from 41 to 50 fathoms over mud and gravel, rising out of 60 fathoms

over the muddy ground about it. It extends in a generally ENE. by WSW.

direction, 2 miles long by 1 mile wide. It is a "blistery" ground, the

presence of these growths on a rocky or gravelly bottom usually meaning

good fishing. This is principally a haddock ground, with the best season

from mid March to the 1st of May. This is a small-boat and gill-netting

ground. It is also visited to a considerable extent by the larger

vessels of the Portland fleet in the severer weather of the winter and

early spring because of its accessibility.

Blue Clay Ground. also called Southeast Ground. This bears S. by E.

from Boon Island. from which it is distant 8 miles. The form of the

ground is roughly square and is from 4 to S miles across. Depths here

range from 30 on the shoalest parts to 60 fathoms, the bottom being of

tough blue clay. The water deepens suddenly on the muddy ground all

about it. It is one of the best winter haddock grounds in this vicinity,

particularly the eastern edge, which is much resorted to by haddock

trawlers from January through March, when this species is most abundant

here. It is a good winter cod ground, also.

A long, narrow strip of hard bottom, separated from the Blue Clay by a

narrow mud gully of somewhat greater depth, is called the Prong. Depths

here run from 30 fathoms on the inner parts to 70 fathoms offshore. This

piece furnishes a very suitable bottom for operating gill nets and is

much visited by this type of craft. The Prong lies S. by E. from Cape

Porpoise 17 miles. Marks: Bring Acre Hill in line, Notch of Agamenticus

at the distance from Cape Porpoise just given. From the Isle of Shoals

the Prong is distant 10 miles SE. by E.

Duck Island Ridges. These are two narrow rocky ridges running from

Duck Island (one of the Isles of Shoals) toward Boon Island. reaching

within I mile of the latter. Depths are from 25 to 30 fathoms. These are

good cusk and haddock grounds in the winter and spring, the cusk

remaining on the ground also from April to October. This is a cod ground

in winter and spring, the fish being taken on the "bobber trawl." which

is a trawl of the ordinary type buoyed to "set" 1 fathom or so from the

bottom. It is a hand-line ground in summer for cod and pollock. Both

small boats and vessels, line trawlers, and gillnetters operate here. It

is also a lobster ground.

Boon Island Rock Ground. This ground begins ½ mile eastward of Boon

Island Ledge and runs in an ESE. direction 2 or 3 miles from the ledge.

It has a bottom of sharp rocks and clay and depths from 40 to 60

fathoms. It is an excellent fishing ground for cod, haddock, and cusk

and is one of the best winter fishing grounds for haddock in this

vicinity. It is fished mainly by line trawlers but is not much used as

yet by gill-netters, being a somewhat difficult piece of bottom for

them.

Tower Ground. This is a winter haddock ground having depths averaging

50 fathoms over a ridgy and broken bottom. This is about 3 miles long by

2 miles wide and bears about SE. from Boon Island. Marks: Bring Boon

Island Light on the Peak of Mount Agamenticus, running off until the top

of the tower and the top of the mountain are level, perhaps 6 miles from

Boon Island.

Ten Acre or Nipper Ground. Extends S. ½ E. from Boon Island 6 miles

and E. from Isles of Shoals 7 miles. This shoal is about 1/4 mile wide

and has 18 to 20 fathoms over clay and mud, the ground sloping gradually

to 50 or 60 fathoms near the edge. This is a good fishing ground for

cod, haddock, cusk, and pollock in the spring, while on the muddy edges

hake are abundant in September. Marks: White Hills over Boon Island on

center (these cross bearings meet near the center of the ground); also,

the Black Hill W. of Portsmouth over the Star Island of the Isles of

Shoals leads to the small rocky shoal that is in the middle of the

ground.

Ipswich Bay. This extends from the north side of Cape Ann about to

Portsmouth and is resorted to in winter by large schools of cod coming

here to spawn. Shore soundings deepen here gradually from the land,

reaching 35 to 40 fathoms at 6 or 7 miles out. Within this limit the

bottom is mainly sandy, though rocky patches are numerous between

Newburyport and Cape Ann. Beyond 40 fathoms the bottom is mainly mud.

The principal cod-fishing grounds of Ipswich Bay lie off the northern

shore, from Newburyport to the entrance of Portsmouth Harbor, 1½ to 5

miles off the land In 12 to 25 fathoms. Cod are taken abundantly off

Boars Head, also. During 1923 and 1924 the cod fishing in these waters,

especially off Boars Head, was the best for some years. Fishing is done

by trawls and hand-lining, and of late years a large and increasing

gill-netting fleet has operated in these waters, especially from March

to June.

The muddy ground outside these waters Is a hake ground much frequented

by small boats and vessels from the Isles of Shoals and Cape Ann during

the summer and fall. "Flounder dragging" Is a considerable industry in

these waters, the craft employed being a small type of the otter

trawler, mainly operating out of Newburyport on a piece of shallow mud

bottom extending from NE. by E. to SE. of the Isles of Shoals and on

another ESE. from Thacher Island. Depths are from 4 to 14 fathoms.

Massachusetts Bay. The larger part of this ground, especially inside

Stellwagens Bank, has a mud bottom, on which large quantities of fish

are rarely taken. On the shore soundings between Boston Harbor and

Plymouth to Sandwich are many rocky ledges, which are favorite feeding

grounds for cod In winter and fall. Off Plymouth, in late March, there

is generally a large school of codfish, from which the gill-netters take

good fares. All over this ground in depths of from 10 to 40 fathoms.

netters from Gloucester and Boston operate in a codfishery In the months

of December, January, and February. There is a considerable hand-line

fishery for pollock in the fall. The gill-netters also take large fares

of this species on these shore grounds as well as about Gloucester,

their fares for a single month often amounting to nearly 4,000,000

pounds. November and December usually show the largest catches. These

vessels operate mostly between Boston and Gloucester, and their catch

goes principally to "the splitters." since the abundance of the fish

naturally operates to reduce its price. This pollock netting comes to an

abrupt end with the closing days of January, when the fish move

offshore.

Herring appear about Cape Ann in September in large numbers in most

years, the fishing lasting about two weeks, when the school moves slowly

inward toward the head, and the last catches usually are taken off Minot

Light, Boston. The mackerel, after leaving the coast of Maine in their

autumnal migrations, pass by Cape Ann and enter Massachusetts Bay during

October and November, where they are taken in great number by purse

seiners, netters, and pound nets, of which latter there are many in Cape

Cod Bay, and which take many mackerel and herring in their seasons.

Near the center of Cape Cod Bay, on a line between Race Point and Cape

Cod Canal, lies a rocky elevation on which cod are taken, known as Eagle

Ledge or Bay Ledge, and by Provincetown fishermen as Red Bank. It has a

depth of 13 fathoms. Cape Cod Bay has a considerable Industry in

flounder dragging, the fish being taken by a small type of otter trawl.

South and southeast of Thacher Island from 5 to 8 miles lies a stretch

of muddy bottom with patches of sand scattered over it, where a

considerable amount of this method of fishing is carried on during most

of the year.

Old Man's Pasture. This ground is due S. from Thacher Island, SE. from

Eastern Point Light. Cape Ann, and distant 5 miles. It is about 3/4 mile

long, NNE. and SSW. by 1/ mile wide. The bottom is rough and rocky, with

about 24 fathoms average depths. It is a cod ground for the entire year,

which fish are taken by gill-netters principally in November. Pollock

are taken here, also by gill-netters, from October 1 to December.

Apparently there are few haddock here in the fall, but there is good

fishing for these from February to April 1. It is also a lobster ground.

Harts Ground. This lies S. 1/4 E. from Eastern Point Light. distant

5½ miles. It is 3/4 mile long in an ENE. and WSW. direction by 1/4

mile wide, and is a small, rocky patch with a depth of 30 fathoms. It is

a summer haddock ground, visited mainly by small boats. There is little

or no gill netting here.

Eagle Ridge, sometimes called Little Middle Bank. This ridge is 7 2/3

miles S. by W. from Eastern Point Light, Cape Ann. and 1 mile long, NE.

and SW., by ½ mile wide. The average depths are 25 fathoms on a rocky

and uneven bottom. Formerly, with Old Man's Pasture and Browns Ledge.

this was considered the principal winter grounds of the cod, but not so

many have been taken here at that season in recent years.

Inside this area, at an average distance of 2½ miles from Eastern Point

Light and between bearings S. ½ E. and SW.. are a number of small, rocky

patches having depths of from 10 to 25 fathoms--Browns Ledge, Spot of

Rocks, Saturday Night Ledge, and Burnhams Rocks; SW ½ W. from Saturday

Night Ledge, 6 miles, lies Old Tillie. Farther in are two shoal spots

bearing nearly west from Eastern Point. one at 3/4 mile and the other at

2 miles distance, each having 11 fathoms. The first is called Eleven

Fathom Ground. the second, Kettle Island Ledge. This latter lies ½ mile

SE. of Kettle Island. These are cod grounds in winter and haddock

grounds in summer. Gill-netters operate from Kettle Island to Halfway

Rock and Italian boats trawl at all seasons off The Graves.

Western Point Ridge. This bears S. by E. ½ E. from Eastern Point

Light, distant 9 1/4 miles. Its length NE. and SW. is 1½ miles and its

width is ¾ mile. The depths average 29 fathoms over a broken and rocky

bottom. Small vessels and boats fish here for cod and haddock in the

summer. Netters take many pollock on all these shore grounds in the fall

runs, October to January furnishing the largest fares. Apparently these

are spawning fish that leave abruptly during January, working offshore

again.

The Dump. This lies inside the lightship at Boston, extending from

this to and well into Nahant Bay. On these inner grounds soundings are

from 12 to 15 fathoms over sand and gravel. This portion is a cod ground

from March to May. The outer parts of the ground have from 15 to 20

fathoms of water over a gravelly and muddy bottom, which usually

furnishes haddocking during the early spring. These are mainly gill-net

grounds.

Inner Bank. This lies SE. from Thacher Island 12 miles to the northern

end, whence it extends in a generally southerly direction for about 10

miles, having an average width of 2½ miles. Depths here average about

40 fathoms on a hard, gravelly bottom, where haddock usually are taken

in the spring, pollock in the fall, and cod in the winter months. This

piece of ground is much fished by the gill-netting fleet out of

Gloucester.

A large area of muddy ground lying E. of this and between it and Middle

Bank is much visited by the flounder draggers out of Boston and

Gloucester. Depths here are from 40 to 55 fathoms over a comparatively

smooth bottom.

A ridge that lies just S. of the Limiter Bank, and which may be a

continuation of it, extends from a point E. by N. from Scituate buoy to

a point SE. by S. from the same about 10 or 11 miles and furnishes cod

fishing in February, beginning at Brewers Spot, on the southern end of

the ground, and working northward with the schools to Si's Spot, at the

northern end of the ridge. The bottom over much of the ridge is of

mussel beds, with from 25 to 30 fathoms of water, but at the northern

end it is rocky and pebbly, with from 30 to 35 fathoms and on the

southern end the bottom is composed of stones, gravel, and pebbles with

20 to 25 fathoms of water over it. This ridge is flanked E. and W. by a

muddy bottom, which furnishes the flounder-dragging fleet with good

fishing during most of the year.

[Table 2--Inner Fishing Grounds, showing the principal species taken

upon them.]

[Footnote 12: Again, Captain Smith (1614): "At the Ile of Manahigan, in

43 1/2 of Northerly latitude . . . The remarkablest isle, and mountains

for landmarks, a round high isle, with little Monas by its side, betwixt

which is a small harbor, where our ships can lie at anchor."

(Transcriber's note: "Ile" is as spelled in the footnote, despite the

other spellings of it in the footnote as "isle.")]