REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XCIII 

 LAKE PEND D'OREILLE, IDAHO. 



The investigations begun on this lake in the latter part of June, 

 1806, by Messrs. Alexander and Cox were continued until July 16, 

 when the requirements of the work on Puget Sound necessitated the 

 suspension of the inquiries. The visit to this lake had for its object 

 the search for survivors of the plant of whiteflsh made by the Commis- 

 sion in 1889, and the determination of the physical characters and the 

 nature of the aquatic fauna. The results of the inquiries were not 

 altogether satisfactory, owing to the shortness of the time devoted to 

 them and to the unfavorable conditions then prevailing. The melting 

 snows and heavy rains caused the water in the lake to rise from 10 to 

 17 feet higher than normal, and retarded the work. 



An abundance of small crustaceans and insect larv* suitable for fish- 

 food was found, and the indications are that the lake is well adapted 

 to the common whitefish. Although no specimens of this species were 

 seen, and no reliable evidence was obtained showing that it has suc- 

 ceeded in establishing itself, further inquiries will be necessary in order 

 to settle the matter conclusively. A party could profitably devote an 

 entire summer and fall to an examination of this important lake. 



THE REDFISH LAKES, IDAHO. 



The studies of the spawning habits of the redfish or blueback salmon 

 and the chinook salmon begun in these lakes in 1891 and continued in 

 1895 were resumed in the j)resent year by Messrs. Evermann, Meek, 

 and Maddren. The observations were confined chiefly to Alturas Lake, 

 its inlet and outlet, and the ujiper course of Salmon Eiver, although 

 some examinations were made at Pettit and Big Eedfish lakes. The 

 work began July 10 and continued until October 5, the observations 

 after August 15 being made by Mr. F. C. Parks, of Sawtooth, Idaho. 



Among the most important facts established by the investigations of 

 1895 were the following: (1) Both the redfish and the chinook salmon 

 reach these spawning-grounds in excellent condition, showing no muti- 

 lations or sores of any kind; the mutilations appear later, and are due 

 to injuries received on the spawning-beds. (2) All of the fish of these 

 two species coming to the headwaters of Salmon Eiver for spawning 

 purposes die immediately after spawning. (3) The young of each of 

 these species remain in the vicinity of the spawning-beds for about one 

 year. (4) The eggs of the redfish laid in September hatch in the fol- 

 lowing March. 



The inquiries carried on in 1896 were, in the main, a repetition of those 

 of 1895, and resulted in a complete verification of the more important 

 points established that year. The season was unfavorable, however, 

 for the study of the chinook salmon and the large redfish ; only a few 

 of the former and none of the latter were seen. This is doubtless to be 

 attributed, in part at least, to their wanton destruction in these waters 

 by men and boys. The small redtisli were even more numerous than 



