368 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



NORTHVILLE (MiCH.) STATION AND SUBSTATION 

 (W. W. Thayer, Sujjerintendent) 



At the maiu station a larger number of trout eggs was handled than in recent 

 years. During the year 2,104.740 brook and rainl)ow trout eggs were received. 

 The fry and tingerlings resulting from these were distributed to applicants 

 and to the cooperative nurseries oiJerated in conjunction with the Northville 

 station. These agencies alone received 408,000 rainbow-trout fry and fingerlings. 

 While the trout operations met with average success, the work with the pond- 

 fishes, particularly the smallmouth bass, was retarded by a heavy loss among 

 the brood stock. A number of these fish died during the ^^ inter, and virtually 

 every one of a shipment of 220 adults received in the spring perished. The total 

 distribution of bass for the year was slightly over 75,000. A few bluegill sun- 

 fish were distributed, and there is indication that the present season's hatch 

 will produce a larger number. 



Alpena {Mich.} substation.— In general, the operations in this field were 

 satisfactory, and an extension of the work is foreseen for the future. Favor- 

 able weather conditions, coupled with cordial cooperation by the State of 

 Michigan in allowing an extension of the fishing season and in detailing 

 wardens to assist in making the collections, permitted the taking of 32,117,000 

 whitefish eggs. It is reported that previous plantings of whitefish in the vicinity 

 of Alpena and Thunder Bay are showing satisfactory results in an abundance 

 of young whitefish in tliese waters. The State also assisted by incubating 

 surplus eggs at the Harrisville hatchery and in the distribution of the white- 

 fish fry. A new field station was oi^ened at Greenbush. The hatchery was filled 

 to capacity with lake-trout eggs, but a rather heavy mortality was brought 

 about by the chlorine in the water supply. The policy of planting lake-trout 

 fingerlings in Devil River at Ossineke Avas continued, and it appears that an 

 important fishery is being developed at that point. A lake-trout nursery with 

 a capacity of 300,000 fingerlings has been established by fishermen's organiza- 

 tions. The fishermen have also rendered material assistance by lending equip- 

 ment to be used in the distribution work. 



A limited number of rainbow-trout and brook-trout eggs was handled at the 

 station for distribution to nursery pools in the vicinity. Heavy losses were ex- 

 perienced with the rainbow trout, but the brook trout were placed in the ponds 

 with only a normal mortality. An attempt to hatch chub eggs (Leucichthys sp. ) 

 was unsuccessful, virtually none of them producing fry. Although a large num- 

 ber of pike-perch eggs was secured, the hatch proved to be almost a total failure, 

 due to very low water temperatures during the early part of the incubation 

 period. There is every indication that this branch of the work can be developed 

 to much greater proportions by assigning a larger crew for its prosecution. It 

 is probable that other field collecting stations for whitefish, pike perch, lake 

 trout, and cisco can be located in Lake Huron when the capacity of the 

 Alpena hatchery has been expanded sufficiently to care for all eggs that may 

 be secured. An attempt made to pen whitefish and lake trout was largely 

 unsuccessful, there being a tendency for both species to become badly fungused. 

 whether held in pens or in floating live cars in more or less open waters. 

 Only a negligible quantity of eggs was secured from this source. The white- 

 fish and lake-trout hatching equipment has been temporarily repaired so 

 that it may be used pending the completion of e:^tensive improvements to be 

 undertaken in the coming year. An addition 30 by 35 feet in dimensions 

 was made to the hatchery building, and a fresh-water supply pipe line was 

 extended out into the bay. It is evident that the latter will have to be ex- 

 tended somewhat farther to insure a satisfactory water supply. Several acres 

 of land adjoining the hatchery were leased during the year and will be 

 used to improve the appearance of the station and permit the construction 

 of auxiliary rearing facilities. 



Charleroix (Mich.) substation. — "While this station handled a large number 

 of eggs, the results of the season's work were not as satisfactory as might be 

 desired. Most of the 42.700,000 lake-trout eggs collected were of very poor 

 quality, and an inordinately low percentage of hatch was obtained. Eggs 

 from Lake Superior fields gave the highest percentage of hatch, although they 

 were shipped the greatest distance. It is probable that inexperience or unwill- 

 ingness on the part of the fishermen to take the eggs was responsible to some 

 iiegree for the poor success attained, as the bureau's employees and the State 

 wardens made every effort to improve the quality of the take. Eggs from 

 gill-netted fish apparently are much poorer than from those from fish taken 



