150 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



coast rivers north of Sau Francisco. In the vicinity of San Francisco 

 tbe principal part of the shad yiekl is obtained between February and 

 May, but the market fishermen of Sau Francisco take hirger or smaller 

 quantities during every month. San Francisco is the only city iu the 

 United States in the markets of which fresh shad just from the water 

 may be found at any time iu the year. 



All of the shad taken iu California are obtained with gill nets and 

 haul seiues used in other branches of the fisheries, no special apparatus 

 being used and no vspecial attention being given to tlieir capture. 



The following table is of interest as sliowing the rapid increase of 

 shad during the comparatively few j-ears which have elapsed since its 

 introduction on the Pacific Coast. The fish have not only increased 

 iu numbers, but also show a gain in average weight and size which 

 has been quite marked. While a few years ago the average weight 

 was only 2^ or 3 pounds, it is now somewhat over 4 pounds, and large 

 numbers of specimens weighing 8 pounds or more are taken. 



The striped bass of the Atlantic is justly classed as one of the best 

 of the food-fishes of that coast. This fish was unknown on the Pacific 

 up to its introduction a few years since through the agency of the 

 United States Fish Commission. During the i^ast four years it has 

 steadily and largely increased in abundance and size, apparently 

 thriving as well in its new home on the Pacific Coast as on the Atlantic 

 seaboard. The principal catch is from about tlie first of October up 

 to the middle of February, but a few are taken iu all of the otlier 

 months. Most of the fish are obtained from the salmon gill nets fished 

 in San Francisco Bay and its several arms, and near the mouth of the 

 Sacramento Piver. 



The only api)aratus used exclusively for strii)ed bass are a few small 

 purse seines. The seines are from 40 to 50 fathoms long, 3 fiithoms deep, 

 and cost $125 each. Each seine is operated by four fishermen and two 

 boats. The salmon gill nets, in whicli many bass are found, are 200 to 

 250 fathoms long, 4i fathoms deep, with a G to G.J inch mesh, and a 

 value of $150 to $225 each. INIost of the bass are taken in and near the 

 mouth of the San Joacpiin Kiver. 



The spawning-grounds of the fish are located in Middle Piver and 

 Old Piver, both arms of the San Joaquin, and only a few miles above 

 its mouth. These rivers have sandy and gravelly beds that are favorite 



