254 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 

 THE FISH TRADE OF PORTLAND, OREGON. 



The fisli business of Portland is of considerable extent and is one of 

 the most important branches of trade. In the wholesale trade, fresh, 

 pickled, and canned salmon, and fresh sturgeon are handled in large 

 (piantities, the fresh fish being shipped in refrigerator cars to points 

 east of the Missouri liiver. One salmon cannery is located within the 

 city limits, and several .others on the Columbia lUver and in other 

 places are owned by persons having their business headquarters at 

 Tortland. 



A good variety of fresh-water and salt-water fish may be found in 

 the markets of the city at almost any time in the year. German carp, 

 shad, and catfish, which were only recently introduced into that part 

 of the country, have wonderfully increased and are found constantly 

 in the markets. Their abundance is such that at times it is diflicult to 

 sell them at any price. Salmon is the favorite fish and is usually sold 

 at a very reasonable price. Any recent decrease in the quantities of 

 carp, shad, and catfish consumed in Portland may be attributed to 

 the increased use of salmon. Carp and catfish are plentiful around the 

 city docks and are also very abundant in the several streams adjacent 

 to Portland. 



The salt-water fish entering into the fresh-fish trade of Portland 

 come largely from Puget Sound. Native oysters are brought from 

 Willapa Bay and the Yaquina Eiver in sacks holding about 100 pounds 

 each. Crawfish are common and come from tlie sloughs of the Wil- 

 lamette Eiver, a few miles from the city. The crabs and clams which 

 are consumed locally are received from Willapa Bay and the mouth of 

 ' the Columbia Eiver. 



In the following table the extent of the fresh-fish trade of Portland 

 in the years 1889 to 1892 is shown. The values given represent the 

 prices paid by the dealers to the fishermen. 



Freah-Jish trade of Fortland, Oregon. 



Species. 



<Jiiltua-co(l. 

 Floniiders . 

 Hamnit... 

 Herriii^i . . . 



Porch 



Salmon 



Shad 



Smolt 



Trout 



other fish . 



Clama 



Oysters 



Crabs 



Crawfish... 



