PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1921. 25 



APPLEGATE (OREG.) SLTBSTATION. 



At the other substation in southern Oregon, on Applegate Creek, 

 the rainfall was excessive, and while higher water stages are fre- 

 quently witnessed in the stream than occurred at any time during 

 the season of 1921 still the amount of water carried during the year 

 was unusually large. Placer mining at points on the creek above the 

 station has resulted in large deposits of gravel at the fish barrier 

 which will necessitate some changes before the next spawning season. 

 Egg collections were unusually light, as most of the spawning fish 

 escaped over the racks. The results of the season's e<i:<i: collections 

 were 8(),()()U chinook salmon, 36,000 silver salmon, and 55,000 steel- 

 head salmon. 



WASHOUGAT. RR'ER (WASH.) SI^BSTATIOX. 



The substation on "Wa.shougal River was opened on April 15, and 

 359,000 eggs of the steelhead salmon were obtained. High water and 

 the lumber work on the river were both sources of trouble and in- 

 terfered with the egg-collecting work. From the collections ship- 

 ments of eyed eggs were made to the New York Conservation Com- 

 mission, to the Clarke County (xame Commission at Vancouver, 

 Wa.sh., and to the Montana Fish and (iame Commisison in exchange 

 for blacksj)otted trout eggs. 



Some unusual features liave been observed in connection with the 

 work at this point. Last season it was noted that tlie fisli remained 

 quietly in the pools below the dam, showing but little inclination 

 to ascend the river. Furthermore, tlie eggs secured were of poor 

 quality, only 29 per cent of them producing fry. It is doubted if 

 eggs of first quality were obtained from any of the female fish 

 handled. Tlie cause of this unsatisfactory condition was not ascer- 

 tained, but the theory was advanced tliat the newly erected dam which 

 stops the (isli many miles below their wonted spawning grounds was 

 responsible. In view of the excellent quality of the steelhead eggs 

 taken at other jjoints under very similar conditions, this theory is 

 not altogether tenable. During the season of 1921 the quality of the 

 eggs obtained was much better, tiiough a considerable number of 

 fish were taken in which small undeveloped eggs were distinguishable. 

 There was nothing in the ajipearance of the fish to lead one to 

 suppose they would spawn during that season. It is a condition not 

 previously observed at any point, and it is more or less jjcrplexing. 

 It may i)e analogous to recorded instances of Atlantic salmon seeking 

 their s]iawning grounds in fresh-water streams a full year in advance 

 of the time they were ready to perform the spawning function and 

 remaining there until that purpose was accomplished. 



SALMON (IDAHO) SUM.STATION. 



The results of the season's work on the Snake River were very 

 satisfactory. The racks were installed in Lemhi Creek before the 

 end of the fiscal year 1920, and a good run of fish apjjeared early in 

 July. S|)a\vning iicgan on August 14, and between that date and 

 Sepleiiilii'i- ]. G.OOO.OOO eggs were secured, filling all a\ailal)le space 

 in the rveing station troughs. Tninicdiately after this the racks 

 were removed, and the fish remaining in the stream were permitted 



