Fishing Grounds of the Gulf of Maine

Western Reef; Otter Island Reef; Snipper Shin -These are names applied to different sections of an irregular, broken piece of rocky ground about halfway between Vinalhaven and Seal Island.

Otter Island Reef is the eastern section, lying 4 miles W. by S. by 1/4 S. from the western head of Isle au Haute. Depths here are from 10 to 25 fathoms over a rocky bottom. The trawl, formerly not much used here, is now in general use.

This is a cod and haddock ground at seasons when these fish are in shoal water, but it is best for cod in winter and spring and for haddock in the fall, from November 1 to January 1.

Snipper Shin is a westerly continuation of Otter Island Reef, lying between it and the Western Reef. It has a shoal of 7 fathoms. and the water about it is 25 fathoms deep in places. The ground is similar in character to Otter Island Reef and is frequented by the same species at the same seasons. In addition, small halibut are taken here in June and July.

Western Reef is of about the same character and has nearly the same depths of water as the other two. All are lobster grounds.