PROPAGATION" AND DISTEIBUTIOX OF FOOD FISHES, 19 2 8 367 



that asceuded escaped through a hole iu the rack. Egg collections were negli- 

 gible, therefore. The small number taken were hatched in outside troughs fed 

 by a spring, thereby obviating pumping. Over 1,500,000 eyed eggs were trans- 

 ferred from the substations to make up the shortage. High water during 

 the winter washed out the intake dam. After part of the fish were planted, 

 preparations were made to take care of the spring run of chinooks by rebuild- 

 ing racks and traps. Shortage of water made the planting of the remaining 

 fingerliugs necessary. At the close of the season a few fish were in the traps. 



Battle Creek (Calif.) substation. — A new power boat and a shed to house it 

 were constructed during the year, and minor improvements were made. It 

 was necessary to replace the racks at this point almost entirely. Fishing 

 started October 2 and alternated between Battle Creek and the Sacramento 

 River until high water stopped operations. About 2,000,000 eggs were taken. 

 Late in November the racks were washed out, making further attempts to 

 secure eggs useless. As usual, muddy water during the incubation season caused 

 considerable difiiculty. Fingerlings' were planted intermittently until March, 

 when high water made it necessary to plant a large number and transfer 

 others to the rearing ponds. All of the stock was distributed by June. 



Mill Creek (Calif.) substation. — Racks were installed and fishing began on 

 October 29. Prospects were favorable until high water washed over the tops of 

 the racks and liberated most of the fish that had been taken. A total of 

 3.405,000 Chinook-salmon eggs was obtained, and it is probable that some 3,000,- 

 000 or 4,000,000 were lost due to the above-mentioned cause. Muddy water at 

 this point also necessitated constant attention to eggs and fry. By early 

 March over 1,000,000 fish were planted to provide room in the hatchery. During 

 the latter part of the month a storm clogged the water-supply ditch, and all 

 stock in the hatchery was distributed. Thereafter, until the close of the year., 

 the station was inactive. 



FISHES OF THE GREAT LAKES 



In this field the number of whitefish and lake trout taken was 

 smaller than ever. However, there was a considerable increase in 

 the number of lake trout handled. Conditions in Lake Erie have 

 changed so in recent years that the Put in Bay (Ohio) station is able 

 to secure only a very limited number of eggs from what were form- 

 erly its most productive fields. Pike perch, yellow perch, and carp 

 also are handled in conjimction with the propagation of the more im- 

 portant varieties at the four stations in this field. 



DuLUTH (Minn.) Station 



(S. P. Wires and Ward A. Cook, in charge) 



In addition to painting the hatchery building and outbuildings, considerable 

 work was done in replacing fiumes, drains, etc., which had rotted. A new 20- 

 horsepower tubular boiler was installed. Fish-cultural operations were con- 

 (Uicted on a somewhat larger scale than previously. Due to a misunderstanding 

 with the State fish warden, arrangements for the collection of whitefish eggs 

 were not made until bad weather had affected the fish, and as a consequence 

 the collections of eggs from this species did not meet exioectations. An attempt 

 was made in an experimental way to hatch a few lake herring. Satisfactory 

 results were experienced with lake trout, over 27,000,000 eggs being collected 

 and a fair hatch secured. A number of shipments of lake-trout eggs were made 

 to other stations. A few fingerlings were being held at the close of the year. 

 The usual cooperative arrangements were made with the State of Minnesota 

 tor the propagation of pike perch. The eggs were collected at the field station 

 near Bemidji, Minn., and the bureau's share amounted to over 11,000,000 eyed 

 eggs. A very good hatch was secured, and the resulting fry were distributed 

 in local waters and to applicants in various parts of the State. The station 

 also received 450.000 brook-trout eggs. A considerable number of fry died, 

 but over 200,000 fingerlings were distributed and more than 15,000 were on hand 

 at the close of the yeai*. Reports received indicate that the work of stocking 

 with lake-trout fry and fingerlings is showing effective results and that more 

 small trout are being seen each year. 



