CXXXII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Under the most favorable conditions it seems tliat the number of 

 eggs obtainable under x^resent methods is so insignificant, when com- 

 pared with those which must be naturally hatched, that no effect on 

 the mackerel supply is to be expected. The necessity for extensive 

 operations suggests the possibility of securing the cooperation of the 

 mackerel purse-seine fishermen in utilizing the eggs of the ripe fish 

 caught by them. As is well known, the mackerel vessels frequently 

 meet with schools of spawning fish, all of whose eggs are lost. As the 

 artificial fertilization of mackerel eggs is very easily and quickly accom- 

 plished, and as the stripping of the fish might be carried on without 

 interfering with the vessel's fishing operations, it is thought that the 

 cooperation of the mackerel fishermen may be readily secured by provid- 

 ing each vessel with instructions as to processes, together with proper 

 pans for mixing the spawn and milt, the eggs after fertilization being 

 poured overboard. In this way many more eggs might be obtained 

 from a single school of fish than would be possible in years of ordinary 

 collecting operations. 



INVESTIGATIONS OF WESTERN LAKES AND STREAMS. 

 WALLOWA LAKE, OREGON. 



The importance of Wallowa Lake and vicinity as spawning- grounds 

 of several species of SalmonicUe^ and the great decrease in numbers of 

 these fish in late years, especially of redfish, made an investigation of 

 these waters desirable. The lake is in the extreme northwest corner 

 of the State, at the head of Wallowa Eiver, one of the tributaries of 

 Snake River, the principal branch of the Columbia. Eeference to a 

 preliminary examination of this region was made in the last report of 

 the division. In the present year the lake was visited and an extensive 

 investigation was carried on. A party from the Commission, consisting 

 of Dr. W. C. Kendall, in charge; Mr. Barton A. Bean, Mr. Hoffman Philip, 

 and Mr. C. M. Eowe, reached the lake on July 13, and remained until 

 November 14, two or three persons always being on the ground. 



As was ascertained to be the case in the Idaho lakes, two forms of 

 the redfish {Oncorhynclms 7ierka) inhabit Wallowa Lake and breed in 

 the inlets; but the Oregon fish differ in size and other respects from the 

 Idaho fish. The smaller fish, having a maximum length of 9J inches, 

 were abundant, and valuable observations on their habits were made. 

 No important observations on the large redfish were j^ossible, as they 

 were almost entirely absent from these waters, only four being seen. 



While the question of the migrations of the small redfish was not 

 absolutely settled, the evidence obtained is almost conclusive that these 

 fish have their permanent residence in the lake. 



In former years a seine was operated at the head of Wallowa Lake 

 for trout and the large redfish, considerable (piautities being taken 

 and salted annually. This fishery had to be abandoned, owing to the 

 scarcity of fish and the enactment of a law prohibiting seining. The 

 great diminution in the abundance of large redfish and other migratory 



