WEST VIRGINIA (Cont. ) 



Statewide; began April 1952, continuing; E. A. Seaman and Jack Larmoyeux. Project 



Leaders; reports available. 

 Address correspondence to: E. A. Seaman, Chief, Div. of Fish Mgt. , Conservation 



Commission, Charleston, W. Va. 



5. Elk River Investigational Project. 



Elk River, a popular bass fishing stream, is being investigated as a result of numer- 

 ous reports indicating a continuous decline in fishing success over the past few 

 years. The river has been divided into six areas totaling 128 miles, each under- 

 going separate and detailed studies. This includes creel census, tagging and 

 marking studies of the native fish population, limited stocking of marked hatchery 

 fish, the extent of pollution, periodic floodings and drought conditions, and a 

 thorough check into the stream habitat itself. 



Covers three counties; began June 1952, to be completed December 1956; Paul L. 



Hooper, Project Leader. 

 Address correspondence to: E. A. Seaman, Chief, Div. of Fish Mgt. , Conservation 



Commission, Charleston, W. Va. 



6. Age and Growth Studies of West Virginia Fishes. 



A study has been set up for determining a standard growth rate pattern for various 

 fishes found in our State waters. Plastic impressions of scales collected during 

 annual surveys are being made and studied. Several waters throughout the State 

 are being selected as the basis for establishing an average growth rate pattern. 



Statewide; began January 1953, continuing; reports available. 



Address correspondence to: Harry Van Meter, Asst. Chief, Div. of Fish Mgt. , 

 Conservation Commission, Charleston, W. Va. 



7. Population Manipulation and Creel Census of Two West Virginia Smallmouth Bass 

 Streams (FA: F-l-R). 



This project involves investigation into the fundamental biological problems involved 

 in increasing the numbers and pounds of bass in Lost River. Attempts are being 

 made to manipulate the population to ascertain what effects such techniques will 

 have. The dominant fishes of the stream by weight ratios are suckers and fall 

 fish. These species are being reduced to determine the effects on game fishes. 

 Electrical shockers are being employed, as well as other population study tech- 

 niques. An intensive creel census is conducted to determine the angler harvest. 



Hardy County; began May 1952, planned for 3 years; $27,000; George D. Holton, 



Project Leader; progress reports available. 

 E. A. Seaman, Chief, Div. of Fish Mgt., Conservation Commission, Charleston, 



W. Va. 



8. Fishing Areas Investigation for Development (FA: F-2-R). 



The State of West Virginia needs more fishing waters. This project concerns (1) 

 Mapping new lake sites; (2) mapping and testing suitability of strip mines and 

 beaver ponds; (3) mapping and exploring the fish populations of large river lock- 

 and-dam backwater areas, as well as inaccessible trout and bass waters now not 



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