Comparatively few traps were necessary then, as when the weather would permit the fishermen to tend their traps they would catch from 20 to 30 lobsters daily, and frequently, when the traps were hauled, they would find several lobsters clinging to some part of the pots.  The bait was very plentiful and caught with spears.

The lobsters were placed in cars at that time, after having been “plugged” to keep them from injuring each other.  The plugs were almost 1-1/2 inches long, flat on one side, round on the other, and with a sharp point.  Plugging has since been discontinued, as the trifling injury the lobsters did each other was nothing compared to the value of cans of meat spoiled by one of these pine plugs being boiled with it.

[Illustration:  The steam smack Mina and Lizzie landing her cargo at Portland]

[Illustration:  Fleet of lobster boats in harbor at York Island]

THE FISHING-GROUNDS.

It is difficult to estimate the comparative value of the grounds in the State, owing to the movements of the lobsters.  In the early spring, in April or May, as the waters in the bays and rivers warm up, the lobsters come into the comparatively shallow waters.  They remain here until late in the fall, going back to the ocean or deep waters of the bays in either October or November.  They love to congregate on rocky bottom, and pots set on such bottom will frequently make large catches, while those on sandy or muddy ground will catch almost nothing.  In the early years of the fishery they came in very close in great numbers, and could frequently be taken at low water in dip nets or by gaffs; but they are now found in summer in depths of from 3 to 15 fathoms in the numerous passages between the islands and the mainland, and the lower reaches of the bays and rivers.  For a number of years winter fishing was not prosecuted, but now it is a very important business.  In winter the pots are generally set in the ocean at depths of from 15 to 50 fathoms.

As the greatest part of the coast line is cut up by numerous bays and rivers, and these are dotted with large and small islands, they form admirable breeding grounds for the lobster.  Some of the best locations are in Little Machias, Machias, Englishman, Pleasant Point, Chandler, Narragaugus, Muscongus, Linekin, Sheepscot, and Casco bays, while the fishing is especially good around the numerous islands in the lower Penobscot and Blue Hill bays, and at Monhegan and the Matinicus islands in the ocean.  The Sheepscot River is also a favorite resort for lobsters during the warm months, while in the winter they retire to the waters of the bay, where the fishing can be carried on very easily.  At most of the other grounds the winter fishing is carried on in the ocean, as the lobsters do not usually remain in the bays.  Most of the fishing in Casco Bay is carried on at the eastern end among the numerous islands.  The earliest fishing of which we have any definite record was carried on from the township of Harpswell on this bay.  This region has held its own remarkably well, as in 1898 more than twice as many lobsters were taken by fishermen from this township than from any other town in the State.