FISH POPULATIONS 27 



able lakes where they have little competition, particularly from their 

 own kind. Well-balanced and abundant fish populations are what we are 

 seeking in order to provide the best fishing. But until methods can be 

 developed to utilize this growth-rate potential in our lakes, we shall no 

 doubt continue to suffer here and there from unsatisfactory growth 

 and size ratios. 



For maximum production fish crops must be watched carefully. A 

 good farmer would not think of having his grain too thick or allowing 

 weeds to take the place of the grain; the same is true of fish crops. The 

 quality of fishes is determined by the conditions of the fish population. 

 The total amount of fishes is limited by the productivity of the body 

 of water. It is possible to increase this productivity by improving the 

 environment; that is, by lake and stream management. 



