REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF PISH AND FISHERIES. Ill 



Owing to the quantity of work in the distribution service these fish 

 could not be liberated with sufficient promptness, and the following 

 losses occurred: Brook trout, 100; tench, 3,872; black bass, 204; rock 

 bass, 548; goldfish, 553; carp, 36; total, 5,313. The losses among rain, 

 bow yearlings were very small, they being held in rearing-ponds under 

 normal conditions up to the time of delivery to car messengers. 



The 3,500 brook-trout fry brought over were diseased and continued 

 to die until the last of September, when the survivors suddenly com- 

 menced growing rapidly, and those remaining for distribution were in 

 fine condition. 



The distribution of rainbow trout occurred between December 23 and 

 March 31, the deposits being made chiefly in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, 

 Kansas, Illinois, and Iowa. The tench were shipped between Decem- 

 ber 3 and March 20, being placed chiefly in the waters of Missouri and 

 Texas. Black bass and rock bass were liberated between January 19 

 and March 15, these being sent chiefly to Kansas and Missouri. 



The distribution was as follows: Eainbow trout, 38,084; brook trout, 

 1,000; tench, 14,855; rock bass, 9,000; black bass, 1,968; carp, 634; 

 goldfish, 937; golden ide, 10; total, 67,088. 



In addition, 200,000 flngerling shad were liberated in waters tributarj'^ 

 to the Gulf of Mexico. Their number could not be ascertained exce^jt 

 by estimate, owing to the fact that tliese fish can not be successfully 

 handled. They were the product of 700,000 fry sent from Washington 

 in the preceding June. In preparing for their release the hatchery 

 branch was in October cleared of shoals, drifts, and aquatic plants for 

 three-quarters of a mile to a point where it empties into Hickory Creek. 

 Early in November, when the branch was swollen by rain water, the 

 6-months-old fish were allowed to pass through open gates. They were 

 some hours in escaping, a continuous silvery mass. These were the first 

 fiugerling shad planted in waters tributary to the Gulf of Mexico. 



The pond which contained the shad was infested with crawfish, 1,750 

 pounds being removed and destroyed between August 3 and October 

 31. These were estimated to be 70,000 in number. By some unaccount- 

 able means black bass of the large-mouthed variety were also present. 

 In i)rex)aring for receipt of the shad the pond hafl been drawn in Novem- 

 ber, 1891, and the bottom exposed for three weeks, and in the following 

 April the process was reiieated, all water connections with black-bass 

 X)onds having been broken and an independent supply being estab- 

 lished. On August 3, the intruding fish being observed, a hook and 

 line were brought into use, and on the first day 5, averaging li pounds 

 each, were caught, and by October 31 the catch had reached a total 

 of 152. It is believed that they burrowed in the mud, surviving the 

 absence of water during the two i)eriods mentioned. It is not definitely 

 known that the black- bass lived imbedded in the mud during tliese 

 periods, but the indications point to the correctness of this supposition. 



A large amount of material was furnished for exhibition at the 



