PROPAGATION OF GAME FISH. 69 



THE BENEFITS OF THE l»ROI'AOATION OF GAME FISH TO 



THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. 



F. B. DICKERSON. 



Micliigau spfiids annually about |35,0U0 for fish propagation, all of 

 which is expended in our inland lakes and streams for propagation and 

 planting brook trout, rainbow trout, small and large mouth bass, wall- 

 eyed pike, and one or two other species. Does it pay? It is a diflScult 

 matter to get at the actual benefits received, for the amount of money 

 expended by the thousands of fishermen who come from other states is 

 not get-at-able. In considering this question from its practical side, we 

 should not lose sight of the source of profit resulting from the stocking 

 of our inland waters with choice varieties of game fish. For years there 

 has been a constant and increasing stream of non-resident sportsmen 

 pouring into the State, seeking our lakes and streams for the sport they 

 afford the angler, and this class of ])leasure seekers leave annually vast 

 sums of money within our border. 



Some three or four years ago I was interviewed by a newspaper re- 

 porter on this subject, and I gave it as my opinion that the State added 

 at least one million dollars annually to its wealth — money brought into 

 and left in the State, by persons living in other states, on account of 

 the reputation our State has for its good fishing. This interview 

 attracted some attention, and I received several letters on the subject 

 from men Avho were in a position to judge, and some of them said that 

 my estimate was not half high enough. 



The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railway estimate that |300,0()0 is re- 

 ceived by their road during the fishing season alone each year, not from 

 tourists, but from people who go fishing. Other roads have given their 

 estimates also, so it is an easy matter to make a }>retty close guess as 

 to the amount our State is ahead each year on account of our beautiful 

 lakes and magnificent streams. Railroad fare is the smallest part of a 

 fishermen's expense, and while the railroads are greatly benefited, and 

 aid the work of the commission all they can, they receive but a small 

 portion of the money expended. For example, we will say that a man 

 from Toledo goes for a week's outing to the Manistee river. His fare 

 would be about |12.00, but his trip has cost him at least |60.00. all of 

 which, except |12.00, he has expended for teams, provisions, tents, boats, 

 guides, etc., so that the people in the vicinity to which he goes have 

 benefited to the amount of |48.00, while the' railroad got but |I2.00. 

 and I have underestimated the average expense. If, therefore, |30(),000 

 is expended annually for fare with the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railway, 

 it is safe to say that at least one million dollars more was left in the 

 State by patrons of that road alone. This, however, is but one of several 

 roads that distribute literature all over the country, advertising their 

 road as the "fishing line." Besides, the boat lines carry thousands of 

 people, so it is a conservative estimate to say that Michigan is the gainer 

 by at least four to five million dollars annually on account of its reputa- 



