VIRGINIA 

 Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries 



1. Fisheries Management Investigations of Impoundnnents 



The objectives of this project are to evaluate the application of various 

 nnanagement techniques and regulations changes. Under this segment of the 

 project five activities are being investigated: (1) The effects of drainage and 

 subsequent population nnanipulation on growth and population composition of 

 selected ponds. In most instances, the ponds are completely drained and all 

 fish weighed according to specified size groups. Only those size groups and 

 species throught desirable are returned. (2) The effects of year-round bass 

 fishing on the creel and influence upon growth rates and population composi- 

 tion. (3) An evaluation of the effectiveness of threadfin shad in increasing 

 populations of predator fishes such as largemouth bass in situations where 

 no other plankton feeding forage species is present. (4) An evaluation of chain 

 pickerel introductions in reducing the numbers and thus increasing the growth 

 rates of panfishes. (5) An evaluation of the effectiveness of brush shelters in 

 attracting panfishes. 



Statewide; began July 1954, to close June 1957; $33,000; Robert G. Martin, 

 Leader; reports available. 



Address inquiries to: Robert G. Martin, Fish Division, Commission of 

 Game and Inland Fisheries, Seven North Second Stree, Richmond 13, Virginia. 



2. Survey of Trout and Smallmouth Bass Streams 



The ultimate objective of this project is to collect sufficient biological, 

 chemical, and physical data from trout and smallmouth bass streanns to enable 

 the formulation of general management recommendations. Likewise, short 

 term investigations of specific problems are to be undertaken as the need arises. 



The survey is to procede systematically, treating each watershed as a 

 single unit. It is expected that three years will be required to complete the 

 survey. The bulk of the survey activities will be concentrated during the 

 summer months with seasonal labor. Present short ternn investigations 

 include: (1) an evaluation of post-season trout populations in selected streams, 

 (2) an evaluation of winter carry-over in selected streams, (3) studies to de- 

 termine the relationship between time of pre-season stocking and recovery 

 of stocked trout, and (4) studies to determine the effects of in-season stocking 

 carried out on an isolated closed-pool plan. 



Statewide; began July 1955, June 1958; $29, 700; Jack M. Hoffman, Leader; 

 reports available. 



Address inquiries to: Robert G. Martin, as in No. 1 above. 



3. Scott County Pond Construction 



This project is one segment of a statewide program designed to provide 

 additional public fishing waters in areas devoid of adequate facilities. 



Scott County; began September 1956, to close January 1957; $53, 980; 

 G. W. Buller, Leader; reports available. 



Address inquiries to: G. W. Buller, Comnnission of Game and Inland 

 Fisheries, Seven North Second Street, Richmond, Virginia. 



Virginia Fisheries Laboratory 



1. Inventory of Saltwater Sport Fisheries 



The project is concerned with the sport fisheries of the tidal waters of 

 Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in Virginia. The species composition of 

 the catch and the total annual catch of each species are determined. Data on 

 length, weight, and age are collected also. Information is gathered by 



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