The upper portions of Frenchman, Blue Hill, and Penobscot bays were formerly very important grounds, but are now almost exhausted.  These regions were especially noted for large lobsters.  In August, 1891, Mr. F. W. Collins, a Rockland dealer, had 50 lobsters in his establishment which weighed from 10 to 18-1/2 pounds apiece.  About half of these came from Castine, in upper Penobscot Bay, and the remainder from Blue Hill Falls, in the upper Blue Hill Bay.

The grounds in York County, at the western end of the State, were formerly quite prolific, but the excessive fishing of the last thirty years has very badly depleted them.

THE FISHING SEASON.

In the early days of the fishery it was customary to fish only during the spring and fall.  When the canneries went into operation they usually worked during the spring, early summer, and fall, and as they furnished a ready market for all the lobsters that could be caught this came to be the principal season.  At that time it was not thought possible to do any winter fishing, owing to the cold and stormy weather and the fact that the fishing had to be carried on generally in the open sea.

In 1878 a law was passed limiting the canning season to the period between April 1 and August 1.  This season was frequently changed by subsequent enactments, but rarely covered a longer period than that fixed in the first law.  As at certain places on the coast the canneries were the only market for lobsters the fishery would cease as soon as the canneries stopped.  At other places, which were visited by the smacks, some of the fishermen would continue fishing after the canneries closed, selling to the smackmen.  At various times a closed season was in force, but at present there is no limitation as to season.  The canning industry in the State practically ceased to exist in 1895, and since then the whole catch has had to be marketed in a live or boiled condition.  The smack fleet had been gradually increasing as the live-lobster trade extended, and by the time the canneries closed permanently they had extended their visits to every point where lobsters could be had in any number.

At present the majority of the fishermen usually haul out their traps during July and August and put them in good order for the fall fishing.  During the excessively cold portion of the winter most of the pots are taken out, but some fishing is done during every month of the year.

The fishermen on Monhegan Island, about 12 miles southeast of Pemaquid Point, agree among themselves to put no lobster pots in the water until about the 1st of January.  There is then no restriction on fishing until about May 15, when all pots are hauled out and no more fishing is done until the season begins again.  During this season the law in regard to short lobsters is rigidly enforced by the fishermen themselves.  Should any outsider visit this island during the close