488 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



of brook and rainbow trout, xit the close of the year 470,000 fingerliiig 

 trout were being reared in various ponds tlu-oughout the park area for 

 fall distribution. 



The Pisgah Forest, N. C, station, operated solely for the stocking 

 of waters in the Pisgah National Forest, reared the greater percentage 

 of its output of trout to legal size before releasing them. However, 

 considerable risk is taken in carrying fish through the winter at this 

 station because of the probability of their succumbing to the effects 

 of anchor ice. This station handled brook, rainbow, and brown trout. 



rONDFISH STATIONS 



The bass, sunfish, and other warm-water species are extremely 

 prolific, but even in areas of their greatest natural abundance there is 

 evidence of depletion. Intensive angling probably contributes most 

 to this depletion. Consequently the demand for these species of fish 

 is constantly increasing. In an effort to keep pace new units are being 

 constructed, and pond acreage at a number of the old establishments 

 is being extended. Additional pond space is the most essential factor 

 for increasing the output of the warm-water species. However, the 

 production is somewhat at the mercy of weather and other conditions 

 over whicli there is no control. 



Six ponds were constructed at the Marion, Ala., station, adding 22 

 acres of water to the pond system. Improvements were made in other 

 ponds by removing dirt from shallow areas and utilizing it to reinforce 

 levees. Three concrete pools were built for the purpose of propagating 

 daphnia and holding fish during the distribution season. The metal 

 tanks at the shipping shed were replaced with concrete ones. Weather 

 conditions during the bass spawning season were more favorable than 

 last year; consequently the output of this species was materially 

 increased. A total of 752,050 bass were handled. The number of 

 bream delivered to applicants was less than last year, but a greater 

 poundage of this species was distributed, as the fish were practically 

 twice as large. Efforts to propagate crappie and rock bass were 

 largely unsuccessful. 



There was no spring distribution at the Lyman, Miss., station. 

 However, several thousand black bass fry w^ere transferred to rearing 

 ponds for fall distribution. 



At the Tupelo, Miss., station a new drainage line was laid to four 

 ponds. Over one-half million fingerliiig black bass and bream were 

 distributed. This station's pond acreage is limited and the above 

 figures represent a production of approximately 31,000 bass and 21,000 

 fingerling bream per acre. 



The Division of Wild Life of the State of Georgia distributed most 

 of the fish produced at both of the Georgia stations. The total pro- 

 duction of largemouth black bass, sunfish, and catfish from these two 

 miits was practically the same as last season. Repairs were made to 

 pond levees at both stations. 



Despite the fact that the pond area at the Orangeburg, S. C, station 

 was reduced, due to the construction of the concrete canal through 

 the hatchery grounds and the reconditioning of pond bottoms, the 

 production of fish, although less than that of last year, was on a level 

 with the average yearly output. The greater portion of the crop was 

 largemouth black bass and bluegill sunfish, but a limited number of 



