REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XI 



were also taken in Otto Creek during the spring of 1897. These are 

 generally lound in the lower sections of the streams in deeper water 

 than that usually inhabited by the brook trout. Lake trout were also 

 reported by the same authority as being abundant in Caspian Lake, 

 where plants of that species were made some years ago by the Com- 

 mission. In certain streams in eastern Tennessee, which have been 

 stocked with rainbow trout within the last few years, excellent fishing 

 is now reported. 



The probability of the steelhead trout becoming successfully intro- 

 duced in many waters of the interior and Eastern States is indicated by 

 the results already attained in some regions. In the spring of 1896 

 the Commission planted 35,000 fry iu Sucker and Frencli rivers, Minne- 

 sota, and 50,000 iu other streams in that State. Mr. S. P. Wires, super- 

 intendent of the station at Duluth, reports, under date of June 14, 1897, 

 that the number and condition of the steelhead trout in the two rivers 

 named warrant the belief that the species is well adapted to that section. 

 On June 13, 1897, 80 steelheads, from 6 to 8 inches long, were caught 

 in Sucker River. 



One of the most interesting attempts made by the Commission to 

 secure the introduction of food-fishes into new waters has been the 

 planting of joung Atlantic salmon in the Delaware River, in conjunction 

 with the Pennsylvania Pish Commission. In 1895, as shown in the last 

 report of this Commission, over 300 full-grown salmon were taken. In- 

 1896 record of the capture of 142 fish was obtained by the oifice; these 

 weighed 1,697 pounds. Others were undoubtedly taken and not reported. 

 The outlook for the season of 1897 was considered good, and at the first 

 haul of a large shad seine at Gloucester, X. J., a 15-pound salmon was 

 caught; but the record for the year was poor. 



The cod fisliermen of Massachusetts, with practical unanimity, 

 ascribe their successful fishing on parts of the coast to the work of the 

 Gloucester and Woods Hole hatcheries. The "rip fishing," which h:!S 

 a^jpareutly been established and maintained by the very large plants 

 of fry, continues jjrofitable. Many statements have been received from 

 fishermen as to the abundanceof cod in the inshore waters and their pres- 

 ence on new grounds, especially on the southern part of Massachusetts. 

 The following note is typical of a number of letters that might be quoted : 



Possibly it will interest you to kuow that the "rock" cod, as we call them, caught 

 along our shores within a mile or so of the coast and. from the hold shore itself at 

 times, have increased in number Avithin the last two or three years. The present 

 season the^' are remarkably abundant. Early in April (1897), when the herring 

 were in, they could be caught with hand lines by the dory load, and just recently 

 (May) have been caught from the rocky points along the shore, which has not been 

 the case to any extent for twenty-five or thirty years befoi'e. They weigh from 2 to 

 10 pounds. 



Reports from various localities along the coast of Massachusetts 

 indicate that young lobsters are abundant, and if the work is continued 

 on the same scale as in the past three or four years it is believed that 

 this fishery will be fully reestablished. 



