PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 19 30 1157 



fertilization over that previously attiiined. Throughout the season test lots 

 vf the eggs supplied by various lisheraien were kept with the view of determin- 

 ing the quality t'urnisiied by each man. The rate of fertilization of eggs from 

 ■one colleeting held, iiauH'ly, Leland. Mich., was found to run as high as 98 per 

 cent, while those received from other ports ranged from GO per cent to as 

 low as 7 per cent in fertiliiy. On completion of the tests each hsherman was 

 dnformed of the results, and it is hoped that all of them will hereafter exercise 

 care in taking the eggs in an effort to furnish spawn of superior quality for 

 the proi)agation work. For the seec^nd time since the work was inaugurated In 

 this held the station batteries were hlled to capacity w'ith whitefish eggs; and, 

 ;:fter installing all that could be cared for therein, a large excess on hand 

 was transferred to the Alpena hatchery. Incubation was completed at the 

 ■inuisually early period of February 20. and as the lake at that time was filled 

 with ice, the use of cars had to he resorted to for making the distribution. 

 The work was satisfactorily accomplished by means of the bureau's car No. 9 

 a.s.sisted by the Michigan State car " Wolverine." Among the more important 

 improvements during the year were the painting of the hatchery building and 

 the thorough overhauling and cleaning of the filtering plant. Two new fry 

 tanks were built, and at the close of the year the ntiuaria rdom was being 

 jilaced in condition for the maintenance of an exhibit during the summer. 



Alpena (Mich.) substation. — Tliree factors operative in this field, and nulli- 

 fying to a considerable extent the efforts in connection with the propagation 

 work, were the comparatively poor quality of the w^hitefish eggs received, un- 

 favorably low water pres.sure in the hatchery, and an injurious amount of 

 chlorine in the water supply at the time the pike-perch eggs were undergoing 

 incubation. Good weather prevailed at the opening of the whitefish spawning 

 season but unusually severe storms set in soon afterwards, practically wrecking 

 all fishing nets operating in the region. Taken under such conditions the 

 quality of the whitefish eggs could hardly be rated higher than fair. After 

 reaching the eyed stage 2,000,000 of the 71.000,000 secured were forwarded to 

 the Lincoln Park Aquarium at Chicago, 111. In connection with lake trout 

 propagation, encouraging results were attained in an effort to rear the fry 

 at a nursery located at Rogers City, Mich. An output of No. 2 and No. 3 

 fingerling lake trout numbering 268.500 and 170,000, respectively, was produced, 

 and at the close of the year 245,000 No. 1 fiugerlings were still on hand in the 

 nursery. During April 89,620,000 pike-perch eggs were received from a col- 

 lecting field operated by the State near Bay City, Mich. They appeared to be 

 of fair quality, but, owing partly to the low-water pressure and partly to 

 the presence of an unusually strong solution of chlorine in the city water 

 supply, the output of fry amounted to only 5,000,000. All of these were planted 

 in adjacent public waters. 



Material assistance was received from the Michigan Department of Consei-- 

 vation in connection with the distribution of whitefish and lake trout. As in 

 past years the Detroit «& Mackinac Railroad Co. cooperated with the bureau 

 in the carload shipment of fish for planting at various points. The fishermen 

 of the region also rendered valuable aid and hearty cooperation in connection 

 with the distribution and planting of the fish. The fishermen generally are very 

 optimistic concerning the fishing outlook for next year, as great numbers of 

 immature whitefish and lake trout are in evidence. A phenomenal catch of 

 whitefish was made late in June, 1930, one net operating about 6 miles from 

 Epoufette, Mich., taking 3,326 pounds. 



PUT IN BAY (OHIO) STATION 



[David Davies, Superintendent] 



The whitefish spawning season on Lake Erie opened on November 7 and on 

 November 29 was brought to an early and abrupt close by a sudden cold snap 

 which froze the surface of the lake and prevented further operations of the 

 commercial fishing nets. Nothwithstanding the unusually brief egg-collecting 

 period. 71.240,000 were taken, this amount slightly exceeding the take during 

 the fall of 1929. Very satisfactory results were attained in the propagation 

 (if ])ike perch during the spring of 1930. The aggregate egg collection 

 amounted to 316,275,000, being nearly three times the number secured the 

 previous year. Incidental to this work 1,250,000 yellow-perch eggs were taken 

 and incubated. Owing to high-water stages very few carp were taken at the 

 fisheries operated in the Portage River and Sandusky Bay, and while all avail- 



