REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF FISHERIES, (JAME AND FORESTS. I93 



plantint^ fish in a territory so extensive as is comprised within the boundaries of the 

 State of New York, it is a most difficult matter to determine in advance what conditions 

 exist in all waters that the State is called upon to stock. 



Streams that were once natural trout streams may have become unfit for trout, 

 through lack of shade and the drying up of the fountain head during a part of the 

 season, caused by lumbering operations. A stream well shaded by forest growth may 

 pro\'ide water of a temperature for trout, and when the axe has opened the stream to 

 the sun the temperature of the water may rise to such a degree that trout cannot live 

 in it. Not one applicant in fifty who asks for trout fry gives the temperature of the 

 water to be planted with any positiveness. A stream that is a roaring torrent in the 

 spring during the melting of the snows, and is afterward a mere thread of warm water, 

 is not a proper stream for trout of any kind. As a matter of fact, I have seen a brook 

 absolutely dry in the month of August that was planted with trout the preceding May, 

 and probably it was planted in good faith by the person who applied for and obtained 

 the trout from the State. 



The State hatches a greater number of fish each succeeding year, but the applica- 

 tions for fish more than keep pace with the increase, and the applications have to be 

 sifted and examined carefully that the best results may be obtained by the Commission 

 in planting fish onl\- in suitable waters, judging from the information furnished. If 

 this information is defecti\e or unreliable, or the exact condition existing unknown, 

 the result of fish planting may be disappointing. 



To show what may be done in the way of stocking a pond intelligently with trout 

 fry, an illustration of five trout accompanies this article. Mr. W. C. Witherbee, of Port 

 Henry, obtained 5,000 brook trout fry from the State and planted them in a small pond 

 in Essex County. The pond had once contained trout, but was so thoroughly fished 

 out that no one thought of fishing it at the time. It contained an abundance of fish 

 food, with a fine inlet stream, spring fed, and an ample supply of water. In fact, all 

 the conditions were favorable, as the result shows. The fry were planted and allowed 

 to grow for several years and the pond was not fished for there was no boat on it, and 

 it was not generally known that it was restocked. Mr. and Mrs. Witherbee, concluding 

 that the pond had had time to recuperate, went there for a day's fishing and caught 

 the five trout reproduced from a photograph in the illustration, the weights being four 

 and one-half, four, four, four, and three and three-quarters pounds respectively, or a 

 total for the five trout of twenty and one-quarter pounds. The pond was, of course, 

 public water, and at once it was fished without ceasing. One trout of over eleven 

 pounds was taken from it, taken, too, without regard to the ethics of fair angling ; and 

 it is more than suspected that even a larger trout was taken from the inlet stream at 

 the spawning season, a trout of thirteen pounds and three ounces. Here are other 

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