and 10 gill nets took 4,395
salmon, weighing 65,011 pounds, valued at $11,356, and in 1896, 184
traps and 11 gill nets caught 6,403 salmon, weighing 80,175 pounds,
valued at $12,716.

Comparing 1896 with 1880, it appears that there was a reduction of 27
per cent in the number of nets used and a decrease of 36 per cent in
the number of salmon caught. A relatively large catch was made in 1887
to 1889, inclusive, and the decrease in 1896, as compared with those
years, was marked. From 1892 to 1895 the output declined nearly 30
per cent, and the general tendency for the past eight years has been
toward a decrease, 1896 presenting a very pleasing contrast, of which
the fishermen all make mention.

Following is a continuous record from 1874 to 1896 of two of the most
successful salmon weirs. These are located on the east side of the
river, in the town of Penobscot, a short distance from the southern
end of Whitmore Island. The number of salmon taken in 1896 was 20 per
cent greater than in any previous year and over 93 per cent greater
than the average for the preceding 22 years. Similar comparative
statements for other nets are at hand, showing the increase in 1896
over previous seasons.

TABLE. Record of two Penobscot River salmon weirs, from 1874 to 1896,
inclusive.

| Date | Date of | Date of | Total | Aggre- | Avg |
| when ice | catching| catching | number | gate | weight |
| ice left | first | largest no. | of |weight of| of |
Year | river | salmon | of salmon | salmon | salmon | salmon |
--------------------------------------------------------------------|
1874 | Apr. 20 | Apr. 30 | June 10 | 86 | 1,253 | 14.57 |
1875 | Apr. 18 | May 13 | June 15 | 70 | 908 | 12.97 |
1876 | Apr. 14 | Apr. 25 | June 17 | 68 | 1,027 | 15.10 |
1877 | Mar. 30 | Apr. 24 | June 9 | 72 | 1,002 | 13.92 |
1878 | Apr. 4 | Apr. 21 | June 26 | 151 | 2,052 | 13.52 |
1879 | Apr. 25 | May 12 | June 20 | 147 | 1,756 | 11.95 |
1880 | Apr. 9 | May 7 | May 31 | 86 | 1,111 | 12.92 |
1881 | Mar. 21 | Apr. 17 | June 9 | 85 | 1,480 | 17.41 |
1882 | Apr. 10 | May 1 | May 29 | 154 | 1,711 | 11.11 |
1883 | Apr. 13 | do | June 12 | 98 | 1,643 | 16.77 |
1884 | Apr. 9 | Apr. 29 | June 28 | 95 | 911 | 9.59 |
1885 | Apr. 19 | May 8 | June 4 | 91