6 COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



The number of fishermen was consequently' greatly increased 

 since there was prospect of better fishing. In order therefor to 

 ensure a more satisfactory enforcement of the fisheries laws a larger 

 number of deputies were appointed throughout the State — in fact 

 wherever conditions seemed to warrant it — which resulted in an 

 increased number of convictions and a better respect for the law 

 generally. 



As mentioned many times in previous reports conditions within 

 our State with respect to our fresh-water fisheries have greatly 

 changed within the past few years. The rapid increase of automo- 

 biles and motorcycles and the extension of trolly lines have caused 

 a great increase in the number of fishermen and has constituted 

 thereby a great drain upon thje natural resources of our ponds and 

 streams. Previously those portions of our inland waters which were 

 easily accessible by road and rail and consequently were excessive^ 

 fished were continually restocked in a natural way from those 

 portions of the same water system which were more remote and there- 

 fore less fished. Today in our small State the presence of better 

 roads and motor vehicles have left no places from which over-fished 

 streams may replenish their supply. Indeed, scarcely a stream or 

 pond can truly be said to be remote since one or two hours ride is 

 sufficient to bring any pond or stream in the State within reach of the 

 fisherman's line. This factor taken in connection with two or three 

 dry seasons and extensive deforestation has gone far to deplete our 

 streams. Yet on the other hand this same factor has served to 

 increase the number and zeal of the fishermen who look eagerly for- 

 ward to a pleasant auto trip to some distant place with new scenes 

 and a chance to "try their luck" on the banks of some stream, new 

 or unfamiliar, to them and return with creel well filled with fish. Soon 

 these streams which at first teemed with fish are themselves depleted, 

 though admirably adapted by nature to support fish life. 



As a result your Commission has received through the mail and 

 in person a flood of applications for fish for the various streams and 

 ponds throughout the State. The number of these for which fish is 



