While not considered a halibut ground, as compared with some of the other offshore banks, Georges can show a very considerable catch of this species.  Because of its nearness to the markets it is more intensely fished than any other ground of equal area and by a far greater variety of crafts, most of which take a greater or less amount of halibut.  The otter-trawl fleet, both here and in The Channel, takes a large amount of this species when its total catch is considered; and these fish are mainly small, of from 4 to 10 pounds in weight, with only rarely a larger one.  The salt fishers, also, and the rest of the market fleet combine to make an imposing total of the poundage of halibut from Georges and its vicinity.  The Georges halibut is esteemed by the trade above the halibut from other grounds.  Perhaps its flesh may be superior, though for what reason it is difficult to say, unless because, since the trips to this ground average fewer days in length, the fish are received in the markets in a fresher condition than are those from more distant banks.

The principal halibut grounds on Georges for the spring and summer months (April to July) lie between the Cultivator Shoal and the North Shoal in depths from 10 to 18 fathoms, and E., S., and SW. from the North Shoal in the same soundings.  This area is sometimes called Little Georges.  There are also a number of mussel grounds on the southwest part of Georges, having depths averaging 20 fathoms, all of which furnish good feeding grounds and a substantial catch of halibut in the seasons when these fish are in the shoal water.

During July and August the halibut are found along the Northern Edge, over a stretch of ground about 65 miles long in 60 to 100 fathoms; and from this time until the hard weather of the winter begins the fishing goes on about the Northeast Peak (about 42 deg. 00’ N. and 66 deg. 00’ W.) over the narrow area on the edge of the suddenly deepening water, beginning in from 60 to 70 fathoms, then out to 200 and even 300 fathoms.  The winter fishing on Georges is very difficult and somewhat hazardous, so that the halibut fishery in these waters is rarely carried on or, at best, by very few vessels after November or before March.

Mackerel are usually quite abundant on Georges in their season, generally being large or medium fish.  Herring also are found there in good number but are somewhat distant from market as fresh fish.

[Table 4—­Fishing grounds of the Georges Area, showing the principal species taken upon them.]

By far the largest percentage of the swordfish catch landed in the ports of Boston, Gloucester, and Portland comes from Georges Bank.  A considerable portion of the fish listed from this ground under the heading “Miscellaneous” is made up of this species.

The swordfish arrive on Georges on the Southwest Part and on the Southern Edge about June 5, and the traveling schools pass over the bank, northward bound, up to August 10.  In fact, all through the season when they are present in northern waters, even up to November, they may be found on Georges.  Probably the best area of the bank for this species is on the parallel of 41 deg.  N., where the shoal rises steeply out of “blue water.”