X KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



tliese waters, special attention being given to the salmon as the impor- 

 tant commercial fish of the region. The physical features, including 

 temperature, depth, etc., of the waters, have been studied because 

 of their bearing on fish life, and valuable data obtained. Collections of 

 the fishes, crustaceans, and the other inhabitants of the waters have 

 been made. Investigations were carried on in August and September 

 in the lower Columbia Eiver Basin, in order to determine on a suitable 

 site for an auxiliary hatchery to be operated in connection with the 

 station on the Clackamas River, and a point was selected. on the Little 

 White Salmon Eiver where salmon were observed in greatest abundance. 



At the request of citizens of New Orleans, an examination of the 

 waters at the mouth of the Pearl River, Mississippi, was made to 

 determine if anything could be done toward increasing the abundance 

 of food and game fishes. Similar investigations were also made in the 

 Sabine and Neches rivers in southeastern Texas, and in the Atchafalaya 

 River, Louisiana; and during the spring and summer months a study 

 was made of the food of the commercial fishes found in Lake Superior. 

 An account of these various investigations and inquiries, as well as of 

 other studies bearing on the subject of fish culture, is found in the 

 apijended report of the Division of Scientific Inquiry. 



The investigation already begun as to the condition of the coast 

 fisheries of Florida, more particularly the sponge and oyster fisheries, 

 pursuant to Senate resolution of February 15, 1895, has been com- 

 pleted. The report sent to the Senate January 28, 1897, and published, 

 gives an account of the inquiries and the conclusions reached. 



The work of the joint commission appointed to investigate the 

 fisheries of the contiguous waters of the United States and Canada, 

 on which Mr. Richard Rathbun, of this Commission, represented the 

 United States, has been completed. The report of the Commissioners 

 was transmitted to Congress by the President February 4, 1897, and 

 certain of the conclusions and recommendations therein are quoted 

 elsewhere in this report (pp. cv-cxvii). 



The laboratory of the Commission at Woods Hole was opened as 

 usual in the summer of 1896, its privileges being extended to a number 

 of representatives from well-known educational institutions. 



The Commission continues to receive, through its agents and from 

 others interested, reports showing the results of fish-culture, some of 

 which may be mentioned. 



While seining the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal during the month of 

 March, 1897, over 4,000 crappie, from 4 to 1 pound in weight, were cap- 

 tured between Little Falls, District of Columbia, and Seneca, Md,, and 

 liberated in the Potomac River. These resulted from plants made by 

 the Commission in 1894. 



The superintendent of the St. Johnsbury (Vt.) station reports the 

 capture of numbers of rainbow trout in Sleepers River in 1896-97. 

 One of the specimens, captured in May, 1897, was 1 inches long, weighed 

 ^ pound, and contained ripe eggs. Specimens over 5 pounds in weight 



