24 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



direct benefit, though in others the good effects have been less ob- 

 vious. Among the more recent occurrences of this character may be 

 mentioned tlie successful introduction into certain Maine rivers of 

 the humpbacked salmon of the Pacific coast, which is referred to on 

 page 57 of this report. The introduction of the smelt in the Great 

 Lakes is also of interest. The bureau claims no credit and no respon- 

 sibilit}^ in connection with the latter, but it is referred to as an item 

 of interest to fish-culturists. The records show that eggs of the smelt 

 were furnished the State of Michigan from the Green Lake (Me.) 

 station during the fiscal years 1909, 1912, 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1921. 

 Information reached the bureau in the spring of 1922 that the spe- 

 cies liad been noted in considerable numbers in Ciystal Lake, Mich., 

 and also in points in Lake Michigan, notably in Grand Traverse Bay. 

 There seems to be considerable difference of opinion as to the effect 

 the smelt may have on the indigenous fishes. A number of persons 

 appear to hail the advent of the smelt in the Great Lakes as a cause 

 of rejoicing, although others are inclined to view the matter with 

 gloomy forebodings. Aside from their value as food for humans, 

 which is considerable, the smelt is recognized in many bodies of water 

 as a vahiable asset in the way of food for the game fish. In fact, it 

 seems to be fairly well demonstrated that certain species of game fish, 

 notably the landlocked salmon, do not attain to their highest quality 

 when introduced in waters where the smelt does not occur. The final 

 results of the establishment of smelt in the Great Lakes are, however, 

 problematical and will be watched with interest. 



COMMERCIAL FISHES. 



Of the 73 stations and substations operated during the fiscal year 

 1922, the work of 42, including the rescue stations, was addressed to 

 the propagation or conservation of fishes commercially important. 

 This group of stations produced approximately 99 per cent of the 

 entire output. The results of the season's work may be considered 

 fairly successful. The output was increased over that of the preced- 

 ing fiscal year, and the work was accomplished at a smaller outlay of 

 funds. Ilowever, this continued reduction of funds available for 

 fish culture iS* having an unfavorable effect, and it is preventing the 

 fullest development of many valuable fields. A discussion of the 

 more important details of the work of the stations handling the com- 

 mercial fishes during the past year follows. 



PACIFIC SALMONS. 



In the artificial propagation of fish perhaps no branch of the work 

 ranks higher in imix)rtance than that addressed to the salmons of the 

 Pacific coast. While it is difficult to check the actual returns from 

 the culture of the commercial fishes, which are distributed over wide 

 areas in tlie open waters, or to say positively that an increase in the 

 number of fish in a given locality is the result of hatchery work un- 

 influenced by other considerations, the evidence at hand indicates 

 that the Pacific coast salmon hatcheries are in most instances enti- 

 tled to high ranking from the standpoint of practical returns on the 

 effort ex])ended. balmon hatching during the fiscal year 1922 was 

 conducted at 20 stations, located in the States of Washington, Idaho, 



