PENNSYLVANIA 

 Fish Commission 



1. General Lake Survey. 



The project diagnoses factors limiting production and harvest of lake fishes 

 using common field and laboratory techniques. To date, 38 lakes have been 

 examined with management recommendations developed. Findings continue to 

 suggest that unbalanced fish populations underlie poor fishing. 



As a direct result of these studies and recommendations, fish toxicants are 

 now legal as a tool of fish management. 



Statewide; began June 1949, continuing; $15,000; DeWayne E. Campbell, 

 Leader; reports available. 



Address inquiries to: Gordon L. Trembley, Chief Aquatic Biologist, 

 Fisheries Research Laboratory, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, Bellefonte, Pa. 



2. Selective Breeding Prograrn for Trout. 



Partial completion of the Bermer Spring Research Station made available 

 facilities to start preliminary studies to genetically develop better strains of 

 brook, brown and rainbow trout. This will encompass research on growth rate, 

 reaction to domestication (sperm and egg viability under artificial propagation 

 methods, disease resistance, etc. ), survival of planted fish, and other qualities 

 which affect the tangible or esthetic value of trout. 



Incidental to the genetic experiments is exploration into the field of nutri- 

 tion, hybrid survival, and growth and vigor as gained or lost through species 

 crossings; use of an anesthetic (ethyl carbamate) on brood trout and recording 

 its effect on the eggs and sperm of these trout; and egg and sperm viability 

 studies after storage in different media over varying periods of time. 



Fisheries Research Laboratory, Bellefonte; began October 1952, continuing; 

 $15, 000; Keen Buss, Leader. 



Address inquiries to: Gordon L. Trembley, as in No. 1 above. 



3. Studies on Establishing Rainbow Trout Runs in Pennsylvania Tributaries of 

 Lake Erie. 



The project aims to determine whether a significant run of rainbow trout 

 into tributaries of Lake Erie can be established through plantings of fingerlings. 

 Runs of sexually nnature rainbows into several tributaries of Lake Erie occur 

 each spring. A test streann and several tributaries were stocked with marked 

 rainbow fingerlings in 1952 and 1953. Seining in streams stocked disclosed rain- 

 bow fingerlings migrated downstream into Lake Erie within a few months after 

 stocking. Recapture of marked rainbow fingerlings (planted in 1952) in commer- 

 cial pound-nets set in Lake Erie revealed excellent growth. Periodic seining 

 is conducted and records kept of number of individuals returning to spawn. 



Pennsylvania tributaries of Lake Erie; began August 1952, to close August 

 1957; $500; Alfred Larsen, Leader. 



Address inquiries to: Gordon L. Trembley, as in No. 1 above. 



4. Results of Experimental Trout Plantings in Lakes Holding Warm-water Fish 

 Species. 



Objectives are to determine survival and catchability of various sizes of brook, 

 brown and rainbow trout when planted in lakes containing warm-water fish species. 

 Legal-size trout up to 20 inches were planted in spring and fall of 1952 and in the 

 spring of 1953. Marked rainbow fingerlings were stocked in the fall of 1953. 

 A complete creel census is conducted on one lake. Test netting will continue. 



Six lakes, mostly in northern counties; began March 1952, to close March 

 1957, $2,500; Gordon L, Trembley, Leader. 



Address inquiries to: Gordon L. Trembley, as in No. 1 above. 



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