McLoughlin Brothers Improved Game of Fish Pond from 1890. The game has stacks of cardboard fish plus wood poles and metal hooks. Object of the game was to catch as many fish as possible. Each fish had as different value.

One edition of the game came in a large wooden box measuring 18 1/2" x 12 1/2" x 3". Components included The Fish Pond (box insert with slots to hold the fish upright), six fishing poles, and fifty-four fish ("numbered in multiples of 3, as - 3, 6, 9, 12, etc." and marked with the name of the fish.)

Another edition of the game came in a box measuring approximately 17 1/2" x 4 1/4". This edition had only two fishing poles and fewer fish.

Our example, by McLouglin Bros., 874 Broadway, New York, has "Magnet Fish Pond" and 7 or so children of a very old style playing the game. It states inside the lid: "Game of the Magnetic Fish Pond" "Any number of persons may play. Implements: The folding Well or Pond, Four Jointed Fish Poles with Magnet Hooks, and Thirty-six Fish, numbered in multiples of 3 up to 54.
Note.--Each magnet is provided with a keeper, or small piece of steel wire, and a paper case. When not in use, it is necessary to put the magnet in the case, with the keeper on the ends of the magnet. If this is not done, the magnet may lose its power. Their keepers are taken off when fishing." It goes on to describe the play.

We do not have the four keepers nor the paper cases.

I especially like the last instruction, "Note.--Should players like longer poles than it is practicable to put in the box, in order to carry out more fully the resemblance to real fishing, they can easily obtain them by cutting small limbs from trees or bushes, or by whittling them out of a stick."

There is no date on the box, the lid, the pond, or the fish. It is likely to predate the Improved Game produced in 1890. All the fish are present. All the sticks (8) and magnets (4) are present and no magnet has, as yet, lost its power. All the interior parts are clean and new looking with the exception of the four magnets which have lost paint.. The box measures 14.5"x14.5"x1.25".