4 DISTRIBUTION OF FISH AND FISH EGGS, 1D19. 



which the Bureau annually rescues from these temporaiy waters is 

 returned to the original streams, but a small percentage is used to 

 supplement stock for distribution to applicants, and it is only in this 

 way that the heavy demands for pondfishes can be met. 



This work of conserving fish life in the Mississippi River Valley, 

 instituted on a small scale by the Federal fishery department many 

 years ago, has been gradually expanded as facilities permitted, so 

 that during the fiscal year 1919 the results of such operations aggre- 

 gated 55,818,817 fish rescued, of which all but 610,021 were returned 

 to their native waters. This latter comparatively small number was 

 transported for distribution in other sections of the United States by 

 means of the Bureau's distribution cars. 



Inquiries recently instituted by the Bureau show that remarkable 

 success is being attained in the stocking of interior waters with fish 

 furnished from its stations. Most of the reports received on this 

 branch of the work are favorable, but the results in the case of farm 

 ponds are especially encouraging. Thousands of such ponds, though 

 formerly destitute of fish life, are now claimed by the owners to be 

 yielding an abundant supply. 



ASSIGNMENT OF FISHES TO APPLICANTS. 



On receipt of a request for fish, the Bureau supplies a blank calling 

 for a complete description of the waters to be stocked, and when the 

 application is submitted the information contained therein is used as a 

 basis for determining the species to be assigned. 



SELECTION OF SPECIES. 



The experience of the Bureau has demonstrated that in nearly 

 every case it is preferable to introduce a species native to the locality 

 of the waters to be stocked, and in specifying his choice of fish the 

 applicant should bear this in mind. Nonindigenous fishes are 

 furnished only upon the recommendation of his State fishery 

 authorities, and, even with such indorsement, the Bureau reserves the 

 right to exercise its judgment in the matter. 



Predacious fishes like black bass and perch are not suitable for 

 waters inhabited by trout, and the Bureau refuses to entertain 

 applications for these or any of the other spiny-rayed fishes for 

 introduction into waters in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, or 

 the western portions of Montana and Wyoming, believing that their 

 presence in such waters might prove harmful to the important 

 salmon and trout fisheries of those States. Species belonging to the 

 Salmonidse are not supplied for waters which already contain fishes 

 that are Imown to prey upon them. In order to obtain carp for a 

 private pond or lake, an applicant must first secure the indorsement 

 of his State fishery authorities and must satisfy the Bureau that there 

 is no way for them to escape into public waters. The right is also 

 reserved to substitute a more desirable food and game species in 

 place of the carp if the description of the waters named in the appli- 

 cation indicates that they are suitable therefor. 



Eggs of certain species of fish are furnished to State hatcheries on 

 request and occasionally to applicants who have hatching facilities, 

 with the understanding that the product will be deposited in public 

 waters. 



