X96 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



The total output of the White River and tributaries in 1922 amounted 

 to 14,662.413 pounds, valued at $405,860. Buffalofish and catfish 

 were far in the lead in value of catch among the fish, that of the two 

 combined amounting to S95,477. Paddlefish and drum or sheepshead 

 were also important, but the value of all of these species combined 

 was less than one-half of that realized by the fishermen from mussel 

 shells. Included with the White River, as a tributary, is the Black 

 River, which is quite an important mussel stream. 



The Ohio and minor tributaries follow the Wliite River and tribu- 

 taries in importance. The persons engaged numbered 1,720, and 

 the investment was $656,212. The wholesale fish trade of Cin- 

 cinnati contributed materially to this investment. The total pro- 

 duction of this river in 1922 was 7,458.157 pounds, having a value of 

 $379,089. Among the more valuable species, in the order of their 

 importance, were^catfish, carp, drum or sheepshead, suckers, quill- 

 back, and buffalofish. The total value of these species is about 

 72 per cent of the river's entire output. The value of the mussel 

 shells, including pearls and slugs, amounted to $97,773. and was 

 greater than that of any single species of fish. 



Among other tributaries of the Mississippi River worthy of mention 

 were the Wabash, with an output of 9,112,600 pounds, valued at 

 $275,835, made up mainly both in quantity and value of mussel 

 shells; and the Red River in Arkansas and Louisiana, with a total 

 output in 1922 of 3,286,860 pounds, valued at $152,143, buffalofish 

 contributing more than one-half of this value. 



The Atchafalaya River, in Louisiana, was canvassed in 1922 for 

 the first time since 1894. Though not strictly a tributary of the 

 Mississippi, this river was found to have substantial communication 

 with the latter and forms a part of the Mississippi River system. 

 Its products in 1922 amounted to 4,579,220 pounds, valued at 

 $254,651. Catfish and bullheads were the most important con- 

 tributors to this total, followed in order by buffalofish, drum, and 

 frogs. 



Summaries of the statistics, by principal tributaries and by States, 

 are shown in the following tables : 



