710 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
in March prompted an early start on this work, but a return to normal conditions 
delayed the maximum run until about the usual time. A very low water level 
in the lake rendered the retaining of many fish in the old pens a dangerous 
procedure, so new floating crates were constructed hastily and used in deeper 
water. The premature warm weather and the inadequacy of the water apparently 
had an effect on the ripening of the fish, and many failed to mature their eggs. 
An unsatisfactory hatch followed, and the net result was an unsatisfactory pike- 
perch output from this point. Yellow perch also were propagated. 
Bryans Pornt-(Mp.) SuBsSTATION 
{[L. G. HaRron, Superintendent] 
An account of the results secured in the work of propagating shad at this 
substation may be found on page 712 under the heading ‘‘ Anadromous fishes of 
the Atlantic coast.’’ The initial work of the season was the preparation for the 
season’s operations in yellow-perch propagation. It was first necessary to dredge 
out Accokeek Creek to permit the floating of live cars. Approximately 20,000 
brood perch collected from the fishermen provided more than 177,000,000 eggs. 
A good percentage of hatch resulted, and the fry were distributed in near-by 
waters. 
RESCUE OPERATIONS 
La Crosse (Wis.) STATION AND SUBSTATIONS 
[C. F. CuULLER, in charge] 
The major function of this group of stations is the rescue work, and this feature 
did not attain the magnitude that was reached in previous years. While the 
record of 88,110,645 salvaged fish in 1927 is not so impressive as the 149,814,899 
of the preceding year, the situation really represents a gain for conservation. 
When conditions are such that a smaller number of fish are rescued it signifies 
that very few fish have been lost, and that high water has allowed them to escape 
from the sloughs or low water and prevented their migration to and entrapment 
in overflowed areas. The cost of rescuing fish in 1927 was 16 cents per thousand 
as compared with 1414 cents in 1926, when the larger number handled reduced 
the proportional overhead. It should be pointed out that only 0.017 per cent 
of the fish rescued were distributed away from their native waters. Such a 
cere of the stock can hardly be said to constitute a robbery of the Mississippi 
waters. 
The La Crosse station and its subsidiaries at Lynxville and the North Side 
have developed into an important trout station. Almost 1,000,000 fingerlings of 
three species were distributed, and there were 317,225 on hand at the close of 
the year. An increase in the number of troughs at the North Side plant brought 
the number to 48, which, together with 64 at the main station and the stock 
tanks at Lynxville, bring the total capacity of the station to over 1,000,000 
good-sized fingerlings. A feature of the work at this point has been the extensive 
development of cooperative fish-cultural projects. The La Crosse station has 
exercised supervision over and furnished fish for 34 nurseries within the past 
year. These include both trout nurseries and bass ponds. Cooperative relations 
were maintained with the Lincoln Park Aquarium at Chicago, the bureau furnish- 
ing eggs and fish and distributing the output therefrom. 
Homer (Minn.) substation; H. L. Canfield, in charge——As usual, this station was 
operated as a holding station and a base for rescue operations only. The latter 
work and mussel infection were interfered with seriously by heavy rains in 
September. Thus, a season that usually lasts until November was prematurely 
terminated. The improvement in river conditions, however, more than offset 
the handicap imposed upon salvage work. Supervision of cooperative trout 
nurseries occupied considerable of the superintendent’s time. At the Homer 
station much of the construction and overhauling of boats and other equipment 
for the entire group of stations was carried on. Surveys were made of various 
sites within the proposed limits of the Upper Mississippi River Wild Life and 
Fish Refuge, and when the property finally is secured it is believed that these 
areas can be made very productive of fish for stocking purposes. 
Lynaxville (Wis.) substation.—The same conditions that limited mussel infection 
and rescue work elsewhere were operative at this point. The greater proportion 
of the fish taken consisted of commercial species that were returned to their 
native waters. The taking over of certain areas by the State of Wisconsin also 
age wt) CEM 
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