ILLINOIS (Cont. ) 



the bass without having to kill the fish was needed. The technique finally adopted 

 involved the useofannetal cone which forced open the mouth and pharynx and 

 nna.de possible observations of the stomach's contents. 



Department of Conservation cooperating; Impoundments in southern Illinois; 

 began May 1953, indefinite; William M. Lewis, Leader; reports available. 



Address inquiries to: Cooperative Fisheries Research Laboratory, as in 

 No. 1 above. 



4. Survey of the Fish Population of the Big Creek Drainage. 



The objective is to determine the species of fish present in Big Creek and its 

 tributaries, one of the few spring-fed streams in the Southern Illinois area. 



Department of Conservation cooperating; Big Creek Drainage; began July 1953, 

 to close Septernber 1954; William M. Lewis, Leader. 



Address inquiries to: Cooperative Fisheries Research Laboratory, as in 

 No. 1 above. 



Truax-Traer Coal Company 



1. Fish Population and Harvest Studies. 



All fishermen are required to fill out a creel census report for each fishing 

 trip. These reports are analyzed at the end of each season to determine what 

 each impoundment is producing and is checked with previous seasons' returns 

 for changes in fishing success and size of fish caught to see what effects man- 

 agement practices have on creels. 



Fulton County; began March 1953, continuing; $975; David E. Elder, Leader. 



Address inquiries to: David E. Elder, Aquatic Biologist, Truax-Traer Coal 

 Company, Fiatt, 111. 



2. Population Inventories and Age and Growth Studies. 



Periodic samples by various methods are taken from the various impound- 

 ments. The data from these specimens are recorded in order to have a complete 

 and constant record of the changes in the fish populations and their condition and 

 growth rates. 



Fulton County; began April 1952, continuing; $875; David E. Elder, Leader. 



Address inquiries to: David E. Elder, as in No. 1 above. 



3. Habitat Improvements. 



Plantings are being made on the lake shoreline and the watershed. Aquatic 

 vegetation is treated periodically to control it. Brush shelters are built in the 

 lakes lacking sufficient natural shelter, and spawning facilities are supplied for 

 some species. All this is aimed toward making the impoundments more suitable 

 for certain species and more productive. 



Fulton County; began May 1945, continuing; $925; David E. Elder, Leader. 



Address inquiries to: David E. Elder, as in No. 1 above. 



4. Limnological Investigations. 



An investigation is being made to determine what type of habitat is afforded 

 by strip mine innpoundments of this area. 



Fulton County; began May 1952, continuing; $350; David E. Elder, Leader. 

 Address inquiries to: David E. Elder, as in No. 1 above. 



5. Propagation of Game Fish and Minnows. 



A hatchery system has been set up in some of the smaller impoundments 

 formed in the spoil banks. Game and pan fish are being propagated for use in 

 the reclamation program and stocking new impoundments. Fertilization is being 

 tried to increase production and variations of treatment and materials are made 

 to determine best procedure. Minnows will be used primarily for forage in the 

 game fish rearing ponds. 



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