490 XJ. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



Cold weather prevailed at the Natchitoches, La., station during the 

 bass spawning season with consequent curtailment of the output of 

 this species. The production of other pond species was hicreased and 

 the total production was in excess of that of last season. Experiments 

 in the propagation of spoonbill catfish were continued. The breeders 

 appeared to be acclimated and are occasionally seen taking food, but 

 no spawning activities were noticed. 



MISSISSIPPI RIVER TERRITORY 



The La Crosse, Wis., station is the headquarters for various activi- 

 ties of the Division in the Mississippi Valley. Rescue operations in 

 the Upper Mississippi Wildlife and Fish Refuge were continued from 

 Marquette, Guttenberg, Bellevue, Homer, and Fau-port. A total of 

 43,194,485 fish was salvaged. The output of fish from the semicon- 

 trolled ponds in this area was quite successful. The total production 

 from these ponds was 988,470 fish, of which number 975,795 were black 

 bass — the species that is most m demand. 



Approximately 1,000,000 large fingeiiing rainbow, brook, and Loch 

 Leven trout were distributed from the La Crosse station. Several 

 thousand of these trout were consigned to 26 Wisconsin and 11 Mm- 

 nesota cooperative nurseries and Forest Service rearmg stations. A 

 carload of specimens was collected m this area for the Bureau's 

 aquarium in Washington, D. C, and the aquarium m New York City. 



Construction activities were contmued at Genoa m cooperation 

 with the W^. P. A. In addition to the excavating of ponds, a one and 

 one-half story, five-room residence and garage Avere built. 



The Homer, Mmn., station is bemg developed as a supply depot 

 for stations in that territory and is also being equipped to render shop 

 service in the maintenance of automotive and vessel equipment. 

 This does not interfere with rescue operations which are of short 

 duration only. 



Production of pondfish at the Fairport, Iowa, station was on a level 

 with that of last year. Further experiments in the culture of spoonbill 

 catfish were undertaken at tliis point also, but the results were nega- 

 tive. In addition to the salvaging of fish from nearby waters, carp 

 and buffalofish eggs were obtained from commercial fishermen, fer- 

 tilized, and planted upon the spawning grounds. 



The Rochester, Ind., station established an all-time record in the 

 production of pondfishes. This was due partly to the creation of 

 additional pond space at this point as well as at the Argos auxiliary. 

 The total output of all species from both sources was 1,001,760 — an 

 increase of 582,945 over the previous year. A large number of these 

 fish were liberated in the waters from which the station had secured 

 its brood stock. Daphnia culture for fish food was quite successful 

 during the spring months. The office building was completed and 

 all buildings were painted. At the close of the year additional ponds 

 were being built and the creek riprapped, imder the auspices of the 

 W*. P. A. ^ 



The production of bass at the Lake Mills, Wis., station was approxi- 

 mately double that of the previous year. Trout culture was normal, 

 200,000 fingerlings being distributed for the stocking of waters in that 

 locality. Three large and seven small ponds were excavated and the 

 surroundmg grounds were landscaped. This construction work was 

 carried on with W. P. A. labor. 



