6 COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE STOCKING OF PONDS AND STREAMS WITH FRESH- 

 WATER FISHES. 



In view of the moderate amount of money that has been expended 

 in past years for restocking the lakes, ponds and streams of the State, 

 and for the enforcement of protective laws, your Commission believes 

 that the fresh-water fisheries will compare favorably with those of 

 adjoining states. Aside from the amount paid for the annual dis- 

 tribution of brook trout, no money has been expended in the purchase 

 of fresh-water fishes for many years. However, through the courtesy 

 of the United States Bureau of Fisheries in furnishing several con- 

 signments of black bass, and through the personal efforts of members 

 of the Commission who from time to time have transferred adult 

 fish from one pond or stream to another, other species besides the 

 brook trout have received wide distribution with very gratifying 

 results. 



Systematic Investigation of Our Fresh-Water. 



Your Commission beheves that the time has come when a more 

 systematic investigation should be made of the fresh-water fisheries 

 of Rhode Island with a view to the introduction into our ponds and 

 streams of such species as will furnish not only sport to the angler, 

 but will also provide a supply of food fish for the large and constantly 

 increasing army of working people to whom a few pounds of fish 

 caught after the day 's work is over, means, besides the pleasure and 

 recreation, a saving of the price of a meal for the family. 



A Fresh -Water Hatchery Needed. 



With the exception of Rhode Island, all of the New England States 

 own their hatcheries for one or more varieties of fresh-water fishes. 

 Your Commission does not believe it necessary, expedient, or a matter 

 of economy for the State to own and operate a hatchery for brook 



