660 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



were returned to the stream with the expectation that they would return later. 

 However, this proved disappointing, as the fish dropped downstream and spawned 

 in waters well below the dam. It is believed that if the usual method of retain- 

 ing green fish had been carried out the total take of eggs would have exceeded 

 the collection of 5,720,000 made two years ago. Nearly a thousand green females 

 were returned to the waters of Applegate Creek at one time. Eyed steelhead 

 eggs to the number of 545,000 were transferred to other points. Due to the 

 limited rearing facilities at this substation, the remaining eggs and fry were 

 transferred to the Butte Falls hatchery of the Oregon Game Commission for 

 incubation and rearing. 



Salmon (Idaho) substation. — At the opening of the fiscal year there were on 

 hand approximately 820,000 rainbow trout eggs and fry, the result of collections 

 made at Williams Lake during the previous year. The collection of chinook 

 salmon eggs commenced August 11 and extended to September 1, by which date 

 3,042,000 had been secured. To assist in perpetuating the run of this species, 

 2,000,000 eggs were transferred from the McKenzie River station of the Oregon 

 Fish Commission. In the course of the year 4,972,000 chinook fingerlings were 

 liberated in the Salmon, Pahsimeroi, and Lemhi Rivers. The State Fisheries 

 Department of Idaho cooperated with the bureau during the year in the collec- 

 tion of rainbow trout eggs at Williams Lake. JEggs numbering 1,020,000 were 

 secured, approximately 954,000 of which are on hand at the close of June. 



BAIRD (calif.) station AND SUBSTATIONS 

 [W. K. Hancock, Superintendent] 



Due to the small number of chinook salmon available for spawning operations, 

 only 160,000 eggs were taken in the McCloud River. A change was made in the 

 position of the upper rack during the year, and the presence of a group of large 

 salmon promises a greater egg production in the coming season. It was very 

 difficult to install this rack, as the water in some places where it crossed was 11 

 feet deep. Owing to the small number of eggs taken at Baird, arrangements were 

 made for the transfer of 2,000,000 eggs from the Battle Creek substation and 

 1,000,000 from the Mill Creek auxiliary. The young fish produced were fed beef 

 liver and salted salmon and were planted as advanced fry and Nos. 1 to 3 finger- 

 lings in the McCloud and Sacramento Rivers. The winter and spring of 1931 

 were the driest in years, and the consequent low water stage in the McCloud River 

 made it necessary to pump water into the hatchery and ponds up to the time the 

 fish were released. 



Two new rearing ponds were constructed in the course of the year. The 

 mechanical equipment was overhauled and repaired, and necessary rejiairs and 

 improvements were made to buildings. 



Battle Creek (Calif.) substation. — Racks were installed early in the fall and the 

 season's spawning operations began October 23. A large run of chinook salmon 

 had congregated below the racks; and on November 26, after 11,130,000 eggs had 

 been taken, the racks were opened and the considerable number of unused spawn- 

 ers remaining in the creek were released to spawn naturally. On attaining the 

 eyed stage 2,000,000 eggs were transferred to the Baird station. The young fish 

 resulting from the remainder were reared to as large a size as the facilities would 

 permit and then liberated as fingerlings Nos. Iji to 3 in Battle Creek. In the 

 course of the season, 1,200 pounds of salmon flesh were salted for use as fish food. 



One fairly large pond was built. Twenty old troughs were replaced by new 

 ones and 200 trough covers for replacement were made. Driveways were 

 improved; the hatchery, garage, mess house, foreman's cottage, and laundry shed 

 were repaired; and a refrigerator was built in the mess kitchen. 



Mill Creek (Calif.) substation. — Racks were installed in Mill Creek in August 

 and active spawning operations with the chinook salmon extended from October 

 30 to December 2. On the latter date seining was discontinued, the racks were 

 removed, and a large number of unspawned salmon held below them were 

 allowed to proceed upstream. After reaching the eyed stage, 1,000,000 of the 

 total season's collection of 5,137,000 eggs were transferred to Baird station. The 

 remainder were hatched and the resulting fish liberated in Mill Creek as fry and 

 small fingerlings. 



The Mill Creek substation is located on a stream whose waters are diverted 

 for irrigation during a large part of the year. In accordance with a previous 

 promise of the irrigation company, water was turned into the creek on October 

 15, two weeks earlier than last year, with the result that a much larger number of 

 salmon than usual were available for spawning operations. As the company 



