REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LV 



NoKTiiviLLE Station, Michigan (Frank N. Clark, Superintendent). 



The regular force of tbe station was employed during the summer in 

 assisting' in the various constructions, repairs, and improvements. Tlie 

 stock of tish on hand at the beginning of the year was as follows : 



The fish continued to do well until the excavations for the new 

 hatchery were commenced, when it became necessary to cut off a large 

 part of the water supply. This resulted in heavy losses, and by the 

 close of summer there remained on hand only 1,600 yearling fish. 



Lal<e trout. — The collection of eggs on Lake Superior commenced on 

 October 9, and was continued without interruption until jSTovember 20, 

 the total take amounting to 12,277, (iOO. Of these, 1,330,000 were 

 obtained in the vicinity of Caribou Island, Lake Superior; 2,171,000 

 near Alpena, Lake Huron, and the remaining 8,773,000 in Lake Michi- 

 gan, near Epoufette, Beaver Island, and Charlevoix. The eggs were 

 shipped as usual, on canton-iiannel trays incased in wooden boxes, 

 and arrived at the station in excellent condition. During the months 

 of November, December, and January 3,187,000 eyed eggs were trans- 

 ferred to other stations of the Commission, State fish commissions, 

 and private applicants, including one shipment to Germany. 



The fry commenced hatching early in January, and the distribution 

 was continued from January 21) to March 21, during which i)eriod 50,000 

 were furnished to private applicants, 1,400,000 were planted in Lake 

 Huron, 1,000,000 in the Straits of Mackinac, 2,3n0,ii;i() in Lake Michigan, 

 and 480,000 in Pine Lake, Michigan. Over 500,000 were placed in tanks 

 in February and fed, and 400,000 were liberated at Beaver Island, Lake 

 JNIichigan, on April 28. The balance of the stock was retained for dis- 

 tribution in the fall, and at the close of the year the 141,000 on hand 

 in the rearing ponds and troughs were doing well. 



BrooJi trout. — Very few of the wild brook-trout si)awners captured in 

 the Au Sable in 1895 remained this season, as most of them died from 

 lack of water at the time the improvements were being made. Between 

 October 17 and ITovember 25, 81,000 eggs were collected from the stock 

 at the station, and 100,000 eggs were purchased. Excellent results 

 were obtained in hatching, and during March and April 97,500 fry were 

 distributed. Two shi])ments of eggs were made in December, one con- 

 signment of 12,000 being furnished to M. A. Bigelow, Evanston, 111., 

 and one of 3,000 to Central Station. 



