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 they had extended their visits to every
point where lobsters could be had in any number.
At present the majority of the fishermen usually haul out their
traps during July and August and put them in good order for the fall
fishing. During the excessively cold portion of the winter most of the
pots are taken out, but some fishing is done during every month of the
year.
The fishermen on Monhegan Island, about 12 miles southeast of Pemaquid
Point, agree among themselves to put no lobster pots in the water
until about the 1st of January. There is then no restriction on
fishing until about May 15, when all pots are hauled out and no more
fishing is done until the season begins again. During this season the
law in regard to short lobsters is rigidly enforced by the fishermen
themselves. Should any outsider visit this island during the close
time established by the fishermen, and attempt to fish, he is quietly
informed of the agreement and requested to conform to it. Should
he persist in working after this warning, his pots are apt to
mysteriously disappear. As lobsters bring a much higher price in
winter than in summer, the Monhegan fishermen reap a rich reward, as
the lobsters are very numerous, owing to the 7-1/2 months close time.
On the first day the fishermen hauled in 1900 one man secured 293,
for which he received 19 cents apiece. The smallest number secured by
anyone was 135.