the comparatively level bottom
along the western and southwestern edges of the ground in 70 fathoms and
more from February 1 to May 1, and in most years a certain amount of
this species is taken on this area. In May this school seems to have
moved on to a piece of bottom about 20 miles long lying SW. from the
Northwest Light and having depths averaging 27 fathoms. With fair
fishing for cod on the Western Bank during most of the year, they seem
to be most abundant from the first of March to June. The winter school
here appears to be smaller than that on Georges, but apparently this
species visits this ground in considerable numbers during the spawning
season. In winter the cod are mainly found upon the western part of the
bank, moving into the shoaler waters toward Sable Island as the spring
advances (during March and April), the "Bend" of the island and the
neighborhood of the bars in 2 to 4 fathoms, where they can be seen
taking the hook or can be "jigged." being favorite grounds. The ground
lying W. from the Northwest Light, on and about the Northwest Bar (18
miles W, from the light), is a favorite cod ground in May and June. The
shoal water over the rocky bottom WNW from the Northwest Light furnishes
good cod fishing from June 10 to July 1. This piece begins just outside
the 3-mile stretch of breakers running out from the land and extends
offshore in a generally westerly direction to 24 fathoms. Much
hand-lining is done here.

In the shoal water, in April and May, the fish seem to be feeding on the
"lant," (Ammodytes americanus). It is said that the fish taken on the
bottom close to the island are smaller than those found farther west.
The shoal water of the northern shore of the island is said to have good
cod grounds and favorite spots for "dory hand-lining." The cod schools
seem to arrive on the Northern Peak (SE. from the Northeast Light 40
miles to SE 1/2 S. from same point 28 miles) in late March and the first
of April, moving N. and W. to the island. The cod of Sable Island are
said to be fine, firm fish, perhaps due to the abundance of the "red
clams" (bank clams) on these grounds.

The cod and haddock fishery is carried on by American and Canadian
sailing vessels and otter trawlers, an increasing number of English and
French vessels of the latter class engaging in the fishery of this
ground each year.

Halibut are found on the Western Bank virtually all the year at depths
varying with the seasons. As a h