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
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 1/2 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 4 1/2 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 2 1/2 miles. It
is circular in form and about 1 1/2 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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