...2!.J 1... .J. J!

j btl

Great Lakes Gill Net

AUG1;) 1968

UNITED ST ATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVI CE
BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Fishery Leaflet 606
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES

Great Lakes Gill Net

By

WILLIAM G. GORDON

FISHERY LEAFLET 606

Washington , D.C.
June 1968
 CONTENTS

In troduction

Vessels used 2

Twine and cordage 2

Synthetic twines. 2

Cordage . 2

Mesh size 2

Gill net construction 4

Fishing operations . . 5

Setting the gill nets . 6

Lifting the gill nets 6

Care of nets . 7

Terminology 7

References . .. . . . .. . . .. . 8

Cover photo.- Typical Great Lakes gill net tug.

III
 Great Lakes Gill Net
By

WILLIAM G. GORDON ,t Fisheries Biologist

Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Exploratory Fishing Base

Ann Arbor, Mich. 48103

ABSTRACT

This report on present methods of setting and retrieving gill nets in the Great Lakes has
illustrations of equipment, techniques, and materials commonly used throughout the industry.

INTRODUCTION
LEGEND
.N>.AJN FISHING AREAS
The Great Lakes was an important fishing center O of U.S. GILL NET FISHING
OPERATIONS
long before the white man reached the area. Fish
were the principal food for the Indians living near the
shores of this vast internal waterway. As the white
settlements grew, commercial fishing became an
important industry. Today from the five principal
Great Lakes, with a combined Canadian-United States
area of 95,000 square miles, American fishermen
produce about 60 million pounds of fish annually.
The basic characteristic of the fishery follows the
OHIO
original established trend of the small individual pro-
ducers dispersed over a widespread area. Some 3,800
fishermen with over 1,600 boats make up what are
Figure I.-Map of the Great Lakes showing gill net fishing
known as day fisheries. Vessels up to 75 feet overall areas used by fishermen.
fish over comparatively short distances and return to
port each night. The fishing season, generally 9
months long, often extends into winter when ice-free
conditions prevail. The gill net was one of the first gears introduced
Most of the forms of gear and methods now used to the Great Lakes and still takes almost half the total
in the Great Lakes were well established by the late annual catch. These nets are fished throughout the
1800's. In the 1920's, the deep trap net was added to lakes in waters of 1 to 120 fathoms but are used
the shallow trap net , gill net, pound net , set hooks , principally in Lakes Superior , Huron, and Michigan,
and seine. Since the early 1900's, the Great Lakes for catching chubs , lake herring, common whitefish ,
area has seen remarkable technological and industrial and yellow perch; and in Lake Erie, for yellow pike,
development. Although somewhat mechanized and yellow perch, common whitefish , and white bass (fig.
modernized, the lakes fishing industry , in general , has 1). One reason for the popularity of the gill net is
not kept pace with other major fisheries . that it can be readily fished from small vessels with

1 William G. Gordon is now Fisheries Administrator , Program Planning Staff, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Washington , D.C.
nummum investment in equipment. This report de- Synthetic Twines
scribes the present me thods of setting and retrieving Multifllament nylon processed into threads i.
gill nets by Great Lakes fishermen. classified by the term denier, which is the weight iIi
grams of 9 ,000 meters (29,5 38 feet) of a given yarn
Ny Ion twine is coded according to this standarc
VESSE LS USE D dire ct system of measurement. Nylon twine for use ir
mesh of gill nets ranges from Nos. 34 to 693 , bUi
Nos. 34, 40, and 42 are widely used in the Greaj
The lake fisheries have been carried out by Lakes. An alternate system for classifying the largeJ
increasingly efficient vessels. At first, gill nets were nylon twine is to code with numbers correspondin!
fished from small open boats. With the coming of the to the same size of cotton twine , such as No. 6 threac
traders, larger sailing vessels and small schooners were and No. 9 thread. Segments of the Great Lake!
fitte d out for fishing during 8 to 9 months when the fishing industry re cently have used monofllamenj
lakes were fai rly free of ice. With the advent of the nylon gill netting. The single fllament netting is code~
steam engine and later the gasoline and diesel engines , according to diameter or breaking strength.
a type of vessel known as the Great Lakes " tug" was Molin (1959) discussed the results of comparativ(
gradually evol ved (cover photo). fishing tests in Swedish lakes with gill nets made oj
These vessels now range from 30-foot, two-man cotton , multifllament nylon , and monofllament ny
boats, to the 75-foot vessel with five-man crews , and Ion fibers. He reported that monofllament nylon net!
are heavily built of steel or wood to withstand severe caugh t more than seven times as many fish as cottOIl
winter weather (Colvin 1960). Distinguishing features nets and about fo ur times as many fish as multi·
are the high closed-in superstructure with ports and fllament nylon nets. The transparent nature of the
hatches cut into the sides and stem for handling nets single fIlament is believed to be the reason for the
and lines. The vessels, of limited cruising range , greater efficiency of the monofllament nylon set.
generally operate within 30 miles of home port, to The drawbacks of monofllament are its stiffness
which they return each evening. Use of this particular slightly higher cost, and unique construction. As the
type of vessel has extended the fishing season, knots are either set by chemical action or secured
because some of the larger vessels serve as ice breakers with double knots, repairs on the net are more
for smaller fishing crafts. difficult than on the other types of nets. Some
fishermen believe that the increased effectiveness oj
monofllament more than offsets the disadvantages.

TWINE AND COR DAGE Cordage

Float lines, lead lines, breast lines, cross bridles.
The materials used in gill net construction vary and anchor and buoy lines are usually made 01
from the small thread net fibe rs to the larger diameter heavier cotton, manila, or synthetic twine and cord·
anchor and buoy lines of cotton, linen, manila, and age, the smaller of which is called " maitre" cord.
synthetic fibers . Synthetic fibers were introduced to Nylon nets are commonly hung to maitre cord oj
the commercial fisheries following World War II. Nos. 96 to 120 thread. Re cently , Dacron , Nylon,
Various synthetic fibers of the polyamide group and Polyethylene, and Polypropylene have increased ill
other manmade fibers have revolutionized the fi shing popularity and have largely replaced cordage of
industry. Nylon 2 which was patented by the DuPont natural fibers . Anchor and buoy lines vary in size
Chemical Company in 1934, has become the most from one-quarter to one-half inch in diameter and
popular fiber for gill net construction an d has almost may be of manila , Nylon, Polyethylene , or Poly·
completely displaced natural fibers. Table I lists propylene .
~

specifications for several materials used in Great

Lakes gill net. Mesh Size
Of the many methods of measuring mesh size,
2 Tra de names referre d t o in this publication do not imply only the following are used in the Great Lakes area.
e ndorseme nt of commercial products. Mesh size may be measured and defined in terms of

2
 Table I.-Specifications of materials commonly used in the construction of Great Lakes gill nets

Stabilized multifIlament nylon Monofilament nylon Cotton

Length
Cord Breaking Twine Breaking Thread Length Breaking
size Construction per lb. strength no. strength size per lb. strength
(thread)

Feet Pounds Pounds Feet Pounds

25/ 2 70 denier X2X2 38,559 4.2 3 MF 3 90/6 hawser 35,280 1.75
39/4 70 denier X4 38,559 4.2 4MF 4 80/6 hawser 31,080 2.7~
140/2 70 denier X2X2 38,559 4.2 7 MF 7 70/6 hawser 28,140 3.0
34/3 100 denier X3 35,640 4.4 9 MF 9 60/6 hawser 23 ,520 3.5
100/3 100 denier X3 35 ,640 4.4 22 MF 22 50/6 hawser 18,900 4.25
39/5 70 denier X5 30,900 5.2 34 MF 34 40/6 hawser 15,000 5.0
140/3 70 denier X2X3 26,256 6.4 55 MF 55 36/6 hawser 13,050 5.5
46/2 210 denier X2 26,256 7.0 30/6 cable 12,075 6.0
210/2 210 denier X2 26,256 7.0 20/6 cable 7,800 8.0
210/3 210 denier X3 17 ,460 10.3 20/9 cable 5,175 15.0

Nylon maitre cord Nylon seaming twine Nylon cordage

Length Breaking Appro x. Length Breaking Approx. Length Breaking

Size No. per lb. strength diameter Size No. per lb. strength Size
diameter per lb. strength

Feet Pounds Inch Feet Pounds Inch Inch Feet Pounds

96 175 904 0.158 3 9,840 20 0.017 3/16 100 930
108 150 932 .166 4 6,360 26 .022 1/4 68 1,350
120 137 1,054 .170 5 4,740 42 .027 5/16 40 2,200
132 125 1,224 .187 6 3,750 52 .031 3/8 28 3,000
168 105 1,440 .205 7 3,024 63 .035 7/ 16 19 4,200
210 75 1,738 .230 8 2,640 74 .037 1/2 16 5,000
9 2,244 84 .042
12 1,800 106 .046
15 1,500 126 .051
18 1,072 170 .058
21 860 210 .065
24 728 254 .073
30 630 295 .078
36 540 340 .085
42 486 372 .093
48 380 430 .103
60 295 558 .116
72 264 628 .125
84 218 772 .135

bar (or square) and stretched (or extension) measure knots. Many State statutes provide for an "inside
(fig. 2): Bar measure is the linear dimension of one measure" and thus exclude the knots. The wetting,
side of the square mesh including one knot. Stretched dyeing, or treatment of the gill nets may cause the
measure is the distance between two opposite knots twine to shrink or to stretch one-eighth of an inch or
when under tension and may include one or both more. The amount of shrinkage or extension for

3
 '''',fC"(O ,f T "IIt t! I V ... H • IY •
All "" QUA"Tllt' HAL' T N' " 0 '"' litO +

Figure 2.-Two methods for measure of mcsh size.

Figu re 4.-Examples of the form ation of mesh when hung to
differen t bases.
various materials and the strains exerted on them
while in use must be considered for efficient net
construction. The basic component is the strip of fine netting
Various mesh sizes are used throughout the 20 to 100 meshes deep with double twine or selvage
fishery of the Great Lakes. Mesh sizes from 1-1 /2- to at top and bottom. Gill nets are freq uently hung to
1-3/4-inch stretched measure are used in taking bait maitre cord from a half to a third basis. This may also
fish, smelt, and other small species. Mesh from 2-1/2- be expressed as being somewhere between 24 inches
to 3-inch stretched measure are used mainly to catch of mesh to 12 inches of maitre and 18 inches of mesh
lake herring , chubs , and yellow perch. Mesh of 4-1 /2 - to 12 inches of maitre fig . 4). The high efficiency of
to 6-inch stretched measure are u ed for lake trout , nylon and the tendency of nylon to entangle small
common whitefish, and yellow pike . Few nets have fish has led many fishermen to hang gill nets much
mesh sizes over 8 inches, and they are used princi- tighter or flatter; for example, less than 18 inches of
pally for carp and lake sturgeon in some areas. mesh to 12 inches of maitre . The mesh also may be
hung somewhat tighter at the ends of nets than in the
body to reduce tangling and tearing of the mesh.
GILL NET CONSTRUCTION earning twine is used to hand the webbing to
maitre cord . Although there is wide variation in
The construction of Great Lakes gill nets varies
practice among individual fishermen, the size of
with individual fishermen and the unique physical
seaming twine would rarely exceed the equivalent of
conditions of the individual lake. Factors such as
Nos. 9 or 12 thread cotton in size . At regular
depth of water, type of bottom, and habits of the
intervals , or phases, of 3 !o 6 meshes , the do uble
species sought must be considered when constructing
selvage is hung to the maitre with a knot similar to a
gill nets. Although wide vanations exist in construc-
clove hitch.
tion throughout the lakes , the same basic pattern is
Wood, aluminum , or plastic floats are commonly
followed and a description of one would approximate
attached to the maitre cord at regular intervals 6 to
most of them (fig. 3).
feet along the float line (fig. 3). The size an d spacing
3 M[SH HUNG TO 4~ 11[S Z-X!.· .I.LUJooIIHUI'I
of floats are influenced by weights (leads) use d at the
MAITR[ FLO AT LIN[
NO. 120 DAC.RON 'WITH 1'00.9 SP'VN HYlOl<l OR PLASTIC. FlO.-TS
bottom line . These weights are usually pipe leads or
split leads ranging from 1 to 4 ounces in weight. Iron
rings about 4 inches in diameter are sometimes use d
for weights on nets in Lakes Erie and Ontario.
Maitre cord extends aroun d the entire net and is
left in loop extensions at the four corners to permit
joining of nets. Choice of length of in dividual nets
vary with the fishermen and range from 100 to 600
feet . The nets are stored in net boxes, 3 t o 4 fe et by 2
feet by 12 inches, until set (fig. 5). A fishing unit
known as a "gang" usually consis ts of 8 to 12 boxes
of gill nets. At each end of the " gang" a short bridle
of one-quarter inch or larger manila or synthetic rope
"'A IlRE lE,.,O lIN[
ooueLE HITCH S ....... L~ TICS 3 TO 4 02. LUO
is attached to the maitre loop of the net. This bridle,
NO . 120 OACRON OR IRON W(IGHlS
2 M[ SH TO 3 i
varying in length with choice of the fisherman and
Figure 3.-Construction of a typical nylon gill net. depth of water, is attached to an anchor and buoy

4
 in Lakes Erie and Ontario. Buoys (metal, wood, or
plastic) are attached with an identifying pole and flag
marker at each end of the " gang" (fig. 8).

FISHING OPERATIONS
In normal fishing operations the gill net vessel
may keep 2 to 5 or more gangs of nets in the water at
one time, rotating the lifting and setting with spare
gear aboard the boat, while other nets ashore are
being repaired and drying. As fish caught in gill nets
often suffocate and spoil, water temperature must be

CANVAS
PENNA NT
Figure 5.-Nets packed in boxes prior to setting.
line of one-quarter to one-half inch diameter rope.
Chains are commonly used as anchors for bottom
nets throughout the upper Great Lakes. Double 01
four-fluked anchors (fig. 6 and 7) are used generally

PLASTIC FLOAT
24 inches x 8 inches
diameter

r
Figure 6.-Double-tluked gill net anchor.
A LUMINUM TUBING
5/8 inc h O. D .
. , >' ---- /
..
... 0"- ......

~.:.. . . ,.;,. :"1>,.:

~"- ... ~"

C"')

WEIGHT
4 pound
/

" RING
1 inch J.D.

Figure 7 .-Four-tluked gill net anchor. Figure S.-Specifications for a marker buoy.

5
considered when the captain decides on the amount
of gill net to be set. In areas where water tempera-
tures of 65°to 78°F. commonly occur during sum- MARUR BUOY

mer, nets must be tended daily to reduce loss of fish

qUality. In colder waters, as much as 20 miles of gill
net may be fished by a single vessel that lifts 8 to 10
miles of nets per day. Daily catches usually range
from 100 to 3,000 pounds. Larger catches are made
during spring and fall spawning seasons when fish are WE IIiHTEO
DROP LINES

more concentrated.
Figure 1O.- Methods by which nets may be ftshed at
Setting the Gill Nets midwater levels.

The tugs may set gill nets anywhere from shallow

inshore shoals to deeper waters 50 miles or more regulated by the length of weighted drop lines
from the fishing port. The setting of gill nets us ally attached to the lead line (fig. 10). The end buoy and
follows some pattern determined by the tug captain anchor, similar to that used at the beginning of the
and by conditions on the fishing grounds. In typical set, are thrown overboard and released after a stretch
operations , when the fishing area and depth have is exerted on the gang of nets. During the winter, a
been selected, a marker and anchor are thrown buoy may be attached midway in the gang of nets.
overboard. Once the anchor is set, the vessel moves This serves as insurance in the event the other buoys
ahead in a predetermined direction at 3 to 5 knots. are carried away by high winds and ice.
The nets are guided into the water either through the
hands or over a roller (fig. 9) located at the stern
door. Nets may be set parallel to the shore, at some Lifting the Gill Nets
angle to the shore , or in combinations of these. Often
When the gill net tug returns to the area where
in attempts to "lead" fish, gill nets may be set at right
the nets were set during the preceding day or days,
angles to each other with one crossing over the top of
the skipper maneuvers the vessel to the downwind
another. For some species of fish the nets may be
buoy. The buoy is brought aboard, and the anchor is
"canned" or floated with metal or plastic floats
hoisted aboard with the net lifter. Next, the net is
connected to vertical support or drop lines at
predetermined distances below the surface. The dis- brought aboard over an outboard roller supported at
tance above the bottom in deep water may be the rail and started through the gill net lifter. The
lead line and float line are placed in a groove around a
variable speed rotating head with cam-operated grip-
ping lugs (fig. 11).

Figure 9.-Roller arrangement at stern door for setting

gill nets. Figure H.- Retrieving gill nets with variable speed net lifter.

6
 is large , as may happen during spawning season , the
. nets and fish are loaded into boxes. The fish are then
removed from the nets on the trip to port or by extra
help after the vessel arrives at home port.
NE"r liNE
When time and conditions permit, the fish may
be gutted, washed, placed in wooden boxes, and iced
by the time the vessel returns to port. The fish are
usually not iced except during the summer because
they are landed within a few hours after being
removed from the nets.
BOAT O I R£C TION
After the fish are removed, the nets are either
Figure 12.-Several methods of lifting nets aboard large reset in the fishing area or packed in boxes and taken
gill net vessel.
ashore . If the wet nets are taken ashore , they are
placed on reels to permit drying , repairing, and
The net lifters are installed to permit lifting the removing of debris .
net from a curve or blight trailing slightly aft while
running the boat parallel to the net (fig. 12). This
method assists in reducing strain on the income net CARE OF NETS
when the vessel surges and facilitates boat handling.
In shallow waters where the loop system might allow Although preservation is not required on nylon
the slack net to snag on the bottom, the net is hauled nets, some treatment is often used such as a dyeing or
over the bow in such a way that the lifter assists in cleansing agent. At regular intervals of from 2 to 14
moving the boat forward as the gear is run down. days , each gang of nets is dipped in a soap solution or
While the net is retrieved, the crew remove the fish hot water to kill accumulated algae and bacteria. The
from the meshes, sort them to size and species, and gill net is spread on a large reel for repairing and
place them in boxes or bins (fig. 13). When the catch untangling and is left to dry in a shady place until the
next use (fig. 14). Two men are usually assigned to
perform this task. The regular boat crew aids in the
work when severe storms prevent fishing.

Figure 14.-Gill nets spread on reels for drying and repair.

TERMINOLOG Y
An extensive synonymy of terms exists in the
Figure 13.-Removing fish from the gill nets aboard vessel. different Great Lakes fishing areas; however, it will be

7
of benefit to fUle the more importan t terms that REFERENCES
h4 'e been d 1Il this p per but not defUled in the
text. OLLINS J . W.
91 . essels and boats employed in the fish·
The bi t or curve refers to a trailing loop in a gill net eries of the Great Lakes. In Review of the
it is being retrie ed from a set. fisheries of the Great Lakes in 1885. U.S .
omm. Fish. and Fish. pt. 15, Rep. Comm .
orda e is a collective term for ropes, lines, and 1 87 , append . 1: 19-29 .
lIes . ordage is used to deflne the larger twines and COL YIN , 1HOMAS E.
ma.llre cord used to frame and anchor gill nets. 1960. Gillne t fishing : Deck design and equip-
ment. F ishing boats of the world : , Fish·
Gan, trin shot, shackle, an d strap are terms to ing News ( Books) Ltd ., London : 64-72.
ignify a specific set or section of nets . Gang HlLE , RALPH .
c mmonJy refers to eight boxes of gill nets measuring 1952 . Changes in the lake trout fishery in the
about, feet long. three u ppe r lakes. Fisherman (Grand
Haven , Mich .) 2 0(6) : 5 ,8 .
Lead refers to the phenomenon where flsh will follow KOElL , WALTE R .
netting or other underwater obstacles rather than 1926. Fishing industry of the Great Lakes.
attempt to swim through or ove r the object. [U .S.] Bur. Fish ., U.S . Comm. Fish ., 1925 ,
append . 11 (Doc. 1001) : 553-617 .
Le d line weight vary from 4 to 16 per poun d and MOFFETT , JAMES W.
may be plit or pipe leads. pacing of weights and 195 7. Recent changes in the deep-water fish
fl o at dLffers with choice of fishermen an d area p o pulations of Lake Michigan . Trans.
f hed . Amer. Fish. Soc. 86 : 393-408 .
MOLIN , GOST A.
altre or h nglng cord extends around the entire gill 1953 . Test fishing with nets made of monofIla·
net This cord forms the framework of the net; and ment nylon th read . ln st. Freshwater , Res .,
n o 1 • weight. and netting are fastened to this co rd . Drottingholm , Sweden , Annu . Rep . 1952 ,
It Ize i usually de ignated by manufacture r's code Short Papers, 34 : 7 3-77 .
numbers . MS . 164

Gil 0 .1 2