158 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



On the nortliern part of the coast the first fry were introduced in 

 1885, the number being 60.000. Of these, 50,000 were put in the Willa- 

 mette Eiver and 10,000 in the Snake River. In the following year 

 850,000 were introduced into the Columbia River, making a total of 

 910,000. 



The increase has been uninterrupted and rapid in California waters, 

 and the shad is now one of the most abundant fishes of that State. 

 As a result of the liberation of the first two consignments, consisting 

 of 45,000 fry, several thousand mature shad were caught in 1879, and 

 sold in the San Francisco market. In 1880 specimens of all sizes were 

 taken in the Sacramento River and Monterey Bay, and it was evident 

 that the shad had begun to multiply. Up to 1883 the increase was 

 marvelous. Prohibitory law did not prevent their incidental capture 

 in salmon nets, their abundance being thus indicated. 



The shad is most numerous on the west coast in San Francisco Bay 

 and its tributaries. It is not commoh above Sacramento, owing to the 

 low water-temperature. In the Columbia it is regularly found as far as 

 the Cascades, about 150 miles above the mouth of the river. Contrary 

 to their habit in eastern rivers, shad are found in the rivers tribntary 

 to San Francisco Bay and the coastal waters of that vicinity throughout 

 the year. 



