Fishing Grounds of the Gulf of MaineRich, Walter H. (Walter Herbert)
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Fishing Grounds of the Gulf of Maine
Rich, Walter H. (Walter Herbert)
Fisheries -- Maine, Gulf of
Sandy Cove Ground. Lies offshore NNE about 7 miles from West Sandy
Cove. It has from 40 to 50 fathoms of water over a sandy bottom, lying
parallel with the coast, about 4 miles long by 2 miles wide. Cod are
abundant on this ground from May to July, hake coming somewhat later. As
were most of the grounds of this vicinity, this ground was mainly a
hand-line spot, but in recent years fishing here has been done mostly by
the trawl method.
Inner Sandy Cove Grounds. About 2 miles NNW. from West Sandy Cove.
These are 3 miles long NNE. and SSW. by 1/2 mile wide. Both hand-lining
and trawling methods of fishing are in use here, but the trawl is fast
displacing the older gear. Depths are about 35 fathoms over a sandy
bottom and 50 fathoms all about it. Species and their seasons of
abundance are as on the Outer Sandy Cove Ground. Almost anywhere
between Spencer Island and Cape Split there is good haddock fishing in
June and July and cod fishing in May and June. Depths are from 16 to 40
fathoms: the bottom is generally stony, with considerable areas of
gravel. The fishing is done principally by trawling, rather short "sets"
being made. Off Cape Split are considerable whirlpools, which, with
spring tides, are very dangerous. These sometimes run 9 knots an hour.
Spencer Island. Almost anywhere between Spencer Island and Cape Split
there is good haddock fishing in June and July and cod fishing in May
and June. Depths are from 16 to 40 fathoms: the bottom is generally
stony, with considerable areas of gravel. The fishing is done
principally by trawling, rather short "sets" being made. Off Cape Split
are considerable whirlpools, which, with spring tides, are very
dangerous. These sometimes run 9 knots an hour.
Isle au Haute. Lies far up within the bay 9 miles W. 1/2 S. from Cape
Chignecto. All about this island are good summer haddock grounds with
fair cod fishing. The latter are taken by trawling principally. Depths
about the island are from 9 to 14 fathoms, deepening offshore to 35, the
average depths being 22 to 27 fathoms. North of the island the bottom is
generally sandy; elsewhere much of the ground is rocky or stony, with
here and there a small patch of gravelly ground. To the S. of this
ground, toward the Nova Scotia shore and to within 2 miles of the coast,
the bottom is mainly muddy and of little account as a fishing ground.
Tides are very heavy on all the inner grounds of the Bay of Fundy.
Quaco Ledges. This ground lies about 10 miles SE, from Quaco Head and
is out at low tide, the water about the ledges having depths from 14 to
30 fathoms over a bottom of stones and gravel, There is a heavy tide rip
over these ledges when covered, These furnish good pollock fishing in
the summer months, and cod fishing is carried on here by hand-lining
from May to July.
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