54 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Six old ponds with plank sides were also torn out with the intention 

 of replacing them with one large pond, which will cover more surface 

 than the old ones. 



About October 20 preparations for the collection of lake-trout eggs 

 were commenced. After the superintendent had visited various points 

 with the view of establishing field stations it was decided to confine 

 operations to Beaver Island and Manistique, on Lake Michigan, and 

 arrangements were completed for the conduct of work after the close 

 season, which began October 30, on practically the same lines as in 

 previous years, the fishermen agreeing to bear all expenses of catch- 

 ing the fish, and to receive the fish so caught in compensation for their 

 services after the eggs had been taken by representatives of the 

 Commission. 



At the Beaver Island group the tugs fished on the shoals within a 

 radius of 33 miles from the harbor of St. James, which is about 36 

 miles from the mainland, without telegraphic communication, and in 

 rough weather without a regular boat service. The most important 

 of the fishing-grounds were Boulder Reef, Skillagillee, West Shoals, 

 Trout Island Reef, and The Hat, the largest number of eggs being 

 obtained at Boulder Reef. All spawning fish were captured in from 

 3 to 26 fathoms of water, the earl}^ run being principally in water from 

 9 to 18 fathoms deep, and the last run, which were larger trout, in 

 from IS to 26 fathoms of water. The first fish were captured Novem- 

 ber 3, and the last on November 30. The collections were not notably 

 large until November 13, but from that time on to the close of opera- 

 tions the work was highly successful, the best results being secured 

 from November 18 to 26, inclusive. In all, 13,670 trout, weighing 

 103,716 pounds, or an average of nearl}^ 7f pounds each, were cap- 

 tured, and from them 1 4,804,000 eggs were taken. 



At Manistique all eggs were taken between November 5 and 27, the 

 season being a trifle later than usual owing to warm weather. At this 

 point 11,937 trout, weighing 72,796 pounds, were captured, which 

 produced 10,508,000 eggs. 



Of the 25,312,000 lake-trout eggs obtained at these two points 

 14,304,000 were shipped to Northville. The remainder were transferred 

 to the Alpena, Sault Ste. Marie, and Cape Vincent stations. After 

 the eggs sent to Northville were eyed, 5,305,000 were distributed to 

 various points and the hatching period of the balance extended from 

 February 17 to March 25. All of the fry, with the exception of 

 700,000 distributed in inland waters, were deposited in the Great 

 Lakes and were in excellent condition when planted. 



Brook-trout eggs to the number of 1,074,000 were purchased from 

 commercial hatcheries in Massachusetts, and in addition to these 41,807 

 were taken from the adult fish in the ponds at Northville, making a 

 total of 1,115,807 brook-trout eggs. Of these 1,055,000, or a little 

 over 93 per cent, hatched, the first fry making their appearance on 



