2 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



was made for their care imtil read;s' to be turned into the waters. 

 Arrangements were also made with Mr. 1:^. W. Clark, and Mr. H. F. 

 Dousman, of Waterville, Wis., for the care of the salmon-eggs furnished 

 for the States of Michigan and AVisconsin. 



A correspondence was opened with gentlemen of Wisconsin, who used 

 their influence in obtaining a sufficient appropriation from the State for 

 the expenses attending the introduction of salmon into its waters. Dr. 

 J. W. Hovt, Dr. I. A. Lapham, Hon. L. J. Farwell, and Mr. H. F. Dous- 

 man cordially assisted the movement and obtained the required aid. 



During the legislative session of Michigan, by invitation from those 

 interested, I visited the capital, and afforded such information as had 

 been obtained with reference to the fisheries, and at the request of the 

 chairman of the house committee drew up a bill for the appointment of 

 commissioners of fisheries for the State. During the session an ap- 

 propriation of $15,000 was made to defray expenses of propagating food- 

 fishes in order to increase their numbers. 



xin attempt was made to interest all the States bordering on the lakes 

 in the matter of protecting the fisheries, most of them having had the 

 subject presented in some form previously. Letters addressed to the 

 Governors were referred to the proper committees in the legislatures. In 

 Ohio and Indiana the question came up in one form or another during 

 the winter session. Illinois, though possessing a small extent of lake- 

 coast, and having a large interest in the fish-sales of the Chicago market, 

 has not jet taken the matter into special consideration. 



The fish-dealers of the lakes were addressed, either in person or by 

 letter, and as full statistics of the catch of 1872 obtained as possible, in 

 order that the importance of the interest might be better understood. 



2, — ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF ASSISTANCE RENDERED. 



I desire to refer to Mr. William D. Palmer, of Chicago, and Capt. Sam 

 uel Clement, of Waukegan, 111. ; Capt. E. Butlin and Mr. William Wright 

 of the Goodrich steamer-line; Dr. 1. A. Lapham, of Milwaukee, and 

 Mr. H. F. Dousman, of Waterville, Wis.; Mr. George Clark, of Ecorse? 

 Mr. J. P. Clark, of Detroit, and Mr. N. W. Clark, of Clarkston, Mich., 

 "for various assistances and traveling-passes, materially lessening the 

 expenses of the work; to Mr. E. W. Blatchford, of Chicago, 111., for the 

 use of instruments for deep-sea work and a complete set of nets; to 

 Capt. David Evans and his officers, of the revenue-marine service, for 

 their cordial assistance during the dredging-trip : to Mr. J. L. Ingalls, 

 of Waukegan, 111., for valuable aid in obtaining information through a 

 long extent of shore that would otherwise have required a jiersonal 

 visit; and to many others who ati'orded information and support to this 

 work. 



In the following pages will be found the statistics of the catch of one 

 year, conclusions with reference to the decrease of the food-fishes, the 

 methods to be adopted for their restoration, the economical and natural 



