22 DEVILS LAKE, NORTH DAKOTA, 



It has been shown that the entire sj^stem of Devils Lake waters 

 has been gradually diminishing, owing to deficient precipitation and 

 the development of the surrounding territory. This lowering of 

 the lake level and the consequent desiccation of lake areas has been 

 especially marked since 1883, and at present the lake appears at its 

 lowest known level. Records of former years indicate that the level 

 of the lake fluctuates to a considerable extent and a substantial in- 

 crease may occur at any future date, but in view of the deficient pre- 

 cipitation disclosed by recent records for this section, the increasing 

 development of surrounding territory, and the history of the lake 

 for the past twenty-five years, it is extremely doubtful whether it will 

 ever regain its former level. 



The excessive evaporation has caused the loss of vast spawning 

 and feeding grounds for the pickerel that formerly occurred in the 

 greatest abundance. The disappearance of these fish and the 

 reason for their migration to the shallower northern lakes, where 

 thousands perished, is probablj'^ connected with the loss by desicca- 

 tion of the grounds formerly favorable for their spawning. Ex- 

 haustive fishing and the increasing alkalinity of the water were 

 contributory factors. 



The stocking of Devils Lake with suitable food or game fishes 

 under the existing conditions is not impracticable. Experiments 

 conducted with yellow perch, black bass, and catfish were highly 

 satisfactory. These species of fish were held in control in sections 

 of the lake exposed to both favorable and unfavorable conditions 

 for a period of two and one-half months and no deleterious effects 

 were observed. It is therefore possible to introduce these or allied 

 species of fish into Devils Lake with expectation of success, but care 

 should be exercised to confine any introduced fish in the more favor- 

 able sections of the lake until tangible results of their propagation be 

 manifested. Mission Bay, for example, may be mentioned as favor- 

 able. An effective dam and gateway can be constructed at the en- 

 trance at a moderate cost, also a culvert or runwaj^ leading from 

 Court or Spring Lake to convey fresh water from the higher 

 altitude of that lake. Court or Spring Lake in itself offers a favor- 

 able breeding pond for the selected varieties of fish. 



Wood Lake is a favorable source of supply for yellow perch, and 

 can be seined without difficulty, especially in its northwestern 

 portion, 



o 



