172 REPORT OP COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



important, for, altliough bass sometimes build nests where there is no 

 shade, in most instances they select places under overhanging" grasses, 

 lily-pads, stumps, and logs. The artificial nests should be located 

 several weeks in advance of the expected spawning, and undue dis- 

 turbance of the pond should be avoided. They must be examined 

 often, and all containing young tish removed to the rearing ponds. 



Prom the time the bass commence nest-buikUng the attendant keeps 

 the pond and its contents under constant surveillance and maintains a 

 close watch for fish-hawks and herons. A record is kept, as nearly as 

 practicable, of the date when each lot of eggs is laid, so that it may 

 be known when to expect the young to hatch. If artificial nests are 

 used, the observations can be made more carefully, and numbers can be 

 l^ainted on the shade board to designate the j)articular nests, and the 

 records of hatching and spawning can be kept with greater accuracy. 



STOCKINa THE BREEDING-PONDS. 



Whenever procurable, domesticated fish are to be preferred to wild 

 fish for this purpose, as they are less liable to injury in handling and 

 transportation. A disrupted scale, lacerated fin, or a bruise on head 

 or body i'requently causes the death of wild bass, and the conditions of 

 their native surroundings make it difficult to collect any considerable 

 number of them. Moreover, adult fish captured from their native 

 waters frequently fail to spawn in the year or season in which captured, 

 on account of fright. 



Bass not over 2 or 2^ pounds are recommended if the work is carried 

 on in ponds which are to be frequently drawn off, but larger fish can 

 be used advantageously if they are to be but rarely transferred to other 

 ponds. Very large bass are more liable to injury when the ponds are 

 drawn and the fish transferred, as they are more difficult to handle 

 safely, and bruise and injure themselves in the tubs. Males and females 

 sho-uld be in equal proportion, as an excess of males is liable to prove 

 a disturbing element at spawning time, and, later in the season, a 

 source of loss from their preying on the fry. The sexes of the black 

 bass are not as easily distinguishable as of the trout. The number 

 of adult fish for breeding-ponds depends upon the food supply. For 

 several years past at Neosho an average of 30 breeding bass to the 

 acpe of water has been allowed, but that number might be increased. 



SPAWNING HABITS. 



When the nests are prepared and the spawning time arrives, the 

 parent fish — especially the male — show considerable excitement and 

 swim back and forth over and around the nest. In the act of spawn- 

 ing they cross the nest, their bellies close together, the male a little 

 behind the female, and simultaneously void the eggs and eject the 

 milt, the real act of spawning occupying a comparatively short time — 

 aminute or less. The eggs, when laid, are viscid, and as soon as voided 



