8 COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



STOCKING FRESH-WATER PONDS AND STREAMS. 



Owing to the protracted drought in the summer of 1912, the 

 streams and ponds throughout the State were very low and for this 

 reason your Commission did not deem it advisable to expend much 

 money in distributing trout and other fresh-water fishes. But late 

 in the fall after the commencement of liberal rains a number of trout 

 were secured and carefully distributed during the open winter. 



The Commissioners take great pleasure in noting a revival of 

 interest in the fresh-water fishes on the part of citizens of the State, 

 as evidenced by the large number of communications which were 

 received through the year. This revival is not confined to this State, 

 but is wide-spread throughout the country. In Kansas, the State has, 

 at great expense, constructed a mammoth hatchery capable of 

 furnishing a great quantity of young fishes. Nearer home, Massa- 

 chusetts is erecting large black bass and trout hatcheries. 



In response to this demand your Commission has decided to give 

 greater prominence to the fresh-water stocking. The ponds and 

 streams of the State which are capable of supporting fish life are 

 numerous and varied. In order, therefore, that the fewest mistakes 

 may be made and the greatest good accomplished in stocking these 

 fresh-water areas, a systematic investigation of the ponds and streams 

 of the State has been started. A determination will be made of the 

 kinds of fish contained and the possibility of further stocking them 

 with both food and game fishes. 



In connection with this work, the establishment of a hatchery for 

 the rearing of black bass and a probable extension to the rearing of 

 other fresh-water fishes, has been undertaken. 



With the inauguration of these methods your Commission hopes to 

 be able to accomplish more in the development of the fresh-water 

 resources of the State. In the past, the efforts of the Commission has 

 proven very successful in a great many cases. Especially note- 

 worthy is the effort to stock the Pawcatuck and its tributaries with 

 large-mouth black bass. One day in last July (1912), a black bass 



