REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 13 



I. The Stocking of our Ponds and Streams with Suitable 

 Fresh-water Fish, Through the Distribution of Eggs 

 and Fry. 



Trout. 



Your commission has purchased and distributed, in the various 

 lakes, ponds, and streams of the State, 40,000 yearling trout, and 

 the fishing has been better than for two years past. Among the 

 many reports of good fishing, which are traceable directly to the 

 stocking of the streams, is the following: 



On June 8, 1902, a string of fine trout were caught in St. Mary's 

 Lake (Water- works Pond), Newport, which weighed in the aggre- 

 gate 14 pounds, the largest specimen weighing 3^ pounds (see Fig. 6). 

 On July 30 of the same year another string was caught whose total 

 weight was 13^ pounds. One trout weighing 4^ pounds was taken 

 from this pond on another occasion. This body of water was stocked 

 about five years ago by your commission. 



Black Bass. 



Through the courtes}^ of the Hon. George M. Bowers, United 

 States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, your commission has 

 procured and distributed in various places several hundred large- 

 mouthed black bass. 



In order to promulgate a more general acciuaintance with the 

 regulations regarding the taking of fish, your commission has pub- 

 lished and distributed a convenient pocket edition of the fisheries 

 laws of the State, and we most urgently appeal to all true sports- 

 men to discourage illegal fishing, especially in the fresh water 

 streams and lakes. 



