in the late fall.

The Channel. [14] The Channel marks the western edge of Georges Bank. Its
boundaries are somewhat indefinite, but the old Eldridge chart states
that for the fishermen the 30 fathom curve running southerly from Race
Point. Cape Cod, limits its western edge. This ground is much visited by
the Boston fleet, both sail and steam, line trawlers and otter trawlers,
the fleet of Gloucester, and the otter-trawl fleet that has developed in
New York in recent years. This area is all good fishing ground in the
proper season, but perhaps the most important is that part lying 25
miles E. 1/2 S. from Sankaty Head, Nantucket. Here is a level, sandy
bottom, where, during May, June, July, and August, the otter trawlers
operate successfully in 18 to 30 fathoms of water, making a catch that
consists principally of haddock, with a considerable proportion of cod,
especially in June and July, and with a fair amount also of pollock,
cusk, and hake. Small halibut are fairly abundant here, also, these fish
being of from 5 to R pounds, rarely larger. Flounders are abundant, with
a good number of "lemon soles" and "gray soles," which are very popular
with the trade.

The sail fleet operates here also, but, as a rule, more of these vessels
are found on the ground lying some 10 miles farther eastward, on the
edge of Georges in somewhat deeper water (30 to 50 fathoms) on a rougher
and rockier bottom, where there is a greater proportion of cod in the
catch than on the western area.

The Sankaty Head ground is about 20 miles long by about 8 miles wide,
stretching from 55 miles SE. from Highland Light to 78 miles SE. by S
1/2 S. from the same point (the bottom of the Channel), and is bounded
on all sides by pieces of bottom less favorable to the operation of the
otter trawl because of the presence of rocks, sponges, or other
obstacles, which interfere with the free passage of the net over the
bottom but offer less trouble to the line-trawl fishermen. A good spring
haddock ground lies ESE. 65 miles from the Highlands in 70 fathoms.
best in March and April. As the cold weather advances the fish move away
in great part from these grounds, going into the deeper water, the
catches of the fall and winter months being taken mainly In depths of
from 60 to 100 fathoms. At this season and in these depths the vicinity
of the Corner of the Channel, Clarks Side. and the area N and W of the
Cultivator usually have a good winter school of haddock.