PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF POOD FISHES, 1926 325 



INTRODUCTION 



Probably the most popular and educational feature of the fish- 

 cultural work of the Bureau of Fisheries during the past fiscal year 

 was the development and extension of the fish-nursery project that 

 was inaugurated during the last half of the previous fiscal year. 

 This work is being enlarged as rapidly as facilities will permit and 

 at the present time provides not only for the rearing of trout but 

 also for the production of large fingerling black bass, crappie, and 

 bream on a cooperative basis. The most enthusiastic interest in this 

 undertaking thus far shown has been manifested by fishing clubs 

 and similar organizations in the States of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, 

 and Minnesota. 



The output of fingerling fish in 1926 was almost twice that of the 

 preceding year, due to the special efforts made to rear fish at every 

 point where suitable facilities for such work exist. The public 

 demand for fingerling fish is increasing rapidly, and it is doubtful 

 whether there is any way of meeting it except by arranging with 

 various fish and game organizations throughout the country to rear 

 a large proportion of the small fish incubated each year at the 

 Federal hatcheries. Such assistance would not only relieve the 

 crowded condition of these hatcheries during the spring months, but 

 it would enable the bureau to produce larger numbers of small fish 

 than heretofore. The greatest value of the cooperative nursery 

 work, however, doubtless lies in the increasing interest it is bound to 

 incite on the part of the general public in the protection of fish in 

 the open waters. In view of the fact that virtually all of the organi- 

 zations participating in such cooperation have memberships of from 

 1,000 to 5,000, the extent of this beneficial influence can readily be 

 realized. Each member of a cooperating association naturally will 

 be interested not only in the success of the work in hand but in the 

 protection of the fish after they are released. Some organizations 

 have decided to prolong the rearing operations, holding the fish for 

 from 15 to 18 months after receiving them from the bureau's hatch- 

 eries. If instead of being released as 3-inch or 4-inch fry in the fall 

 of the year, as will be necessary in many instances, the fish can be 

 held and fed until they are 18 months old and planted in October, 

 many of them will have attained their first spawning period and will 

 be of immediate benefit to the streams in which they are placed, 

 while at the opening of the succeeding fishing season they will have 

 reached the legal size for capture. 



Thus far the Central Pennsylvania Fish and Game Protective 

 Association has taken the lead in cooperative work. In connection 

 with its nursery project, located at Chapej Hille, Pa., this organiza- 

 tion has expended several thousand dollars in the purchase of equip- 

 ment, and it is now considering the construction of a hatchery capable 

 of handling from 500,000 to 1.000,000 trout eggs. If a hatchery 

 of this size can be established, it will greatly relieve the strain oh 

 the Federal hatchery at White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., which at 

 the present time is called upon to produce all fish required for waters 

 in Pennsylvania. 



