PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1&22. Ill 



4 to 6 feet, in such a position that its upper end projects about a 

 foot above the surface. Stretch a net around the pole on all sides, 

 except the one where the turtles would be most likely to crawl 

 out of the water, adjusting it to form a pocket under the slanting 

 end of the pole and fastening it with four or five stakes driven into 

 the mud. A sudden approach in a boat will cause the turtles to 

 drop off into the net, when they can be easily captured. Turtles, 

 however, with the exception of the snapping turtle, are not con- 

 sidered very destructive of fish life. The latter can easily be 

 captured by hook and line, baited with a piece of fish and secreted 

 in the weeds where the fish can not find it. 



Undesirable fishes. — Undesirable fishes that may gain entrance 

 into a pond can be removed by hook-and-line fishing. Eels are 

 caught in the same manner and also with special traps made like the 

 old-fashioned lobster pot. In removing carp, if the conditions 

 will permit, it is preferable to lower the water in the pond and 

 use a seine. Wliile this is being done the desirable fishes can be held 

 in a retaining tank and returned to the pond after it is refilled. 



RESULTS OF STOCKING INTERIOR WATERS. 



During the period extending from 1899 to 1915, inclusive, 15,294 

 reports from applicants were recorded, the general results being as 

 follows: Excellent, 1,581; good, 7,7^0; fair, 1,681; overflow, 428; 

 uncertain, 916; and poor, 2,741. Eighteen per cent of the reports 

 covering this period indicate poor results. This is attributable in a 

 great measure to the early methods, necessarily experimental, of 

 handling requests for fish. 



Within recent years the bureau has developed a system of distribu- 

 tion by which the liability of making unsuitable assignments of fish 

 is rendered remote. Many failures in the past have been due to 

 placing black bass in small ponds. It is found from experience that 

 this species will not produce satisfactory results in a body of water 

 of less than 2 acres in area. Crappie, bream, and rock bass are now 

 assigned for the smaller water areas, and it is evident from the re- 

 ports received that such assignments are productive of very favorable 

 results. 



COMPARATrVE RESULTS FOR CERTAIN PERIODS. 



The following table shows the comparative results of plants made 

 during the periods from 1899 to 1915 and from 1916 to 1917. The 

 improved method of handling requests for fish is believed to have 

 been an important factor in the more successful results obtained in 

 1916 and 1917. Explanations, with comments, of terms used in this 

 table and in the table below it follow. 



Excellent means that the fish increased in size and multiplied. Good is used 

 where the applicant was satisfied, the fish having attained a large size and the 

 number apparently being on the increase. Fair means that the results were 

 only ordinary, many of the applicants using this word merely to express the 

 results of the plants. Overfloio is used where the dam of the pond broke and 

 the fish escaped. This does not mean a loss of the fish, as in manv instances 

 the statement is made that certain streams were stocked by the breaking of 

 dams. Uncertain is used where the applicant is undecided as to the results. 

 Most of the reports classified under this heading cover plants of fish made in 



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