Fishing Grounds of the Gulf of MaineRich, Walter H. (Walter Herbert)
History
Fishing Grounds of the Gulf of Maine
Rich, Walter H. (Walter Herbert)
Fisheries -- Maine, Gulf of
Green Island Ridge (or Western Ridge) and the Pigeon Ground. The
northern portion of this ridge lies 6 1/2 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 1 1/2 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 6 1/2 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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