150 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



This fish lias not as yet distributed itself along the more northern 

 parts of the Pacific Coast. It is not known from the Columbia River, 

 and there are no records of its capture at any place in either Oregon 

 or Washington. 



An interesting fact disclosed by Mr. Alexander's inquiries is that the 

 striped bass feed largely on carp, which are very numerous in the rivers 

 frequented by the bass, and are by many persons considered of little 

 value. If farther inquiries show that car]) constitute an important part 

 of the food supply of the bass, they will doubtless rise in popular favor. 

 On November 22, of 9 bass opened in the San Francisco markets G con- 

 tained carp, and Mr. Alexander is convinced that 7 bass in every 10 

 will be found to contain carp. 



Black bass are well distributed in numerous rivers, lakes, and reser- 

 voirs in California, but are not taken in commercial fishing. The fish 

 have readily become accustomed to their new environments and are 

 rapidly increasing. 



Carp and catfish are very abundant in the Sacramento and San 

 Joaquin and Columbia rivers, and are also found in other waters of 

 the west coast. They do not rank high as food-fish, but considerable 

 quantities are taken and sold in the San Francisco, Sacramento, and 

 Portland markets. The catfish have failed to attain the average size 

 reached by the fish in their natural habitat, but the carp are as large 

 as those found anywhere in the country. 



Diligent inquiry was made by Mr. Alexander as to the possible exist- 

 ence of lobsters on the Pacific Coast as a result of the attempts to 

 acclimatize them made by the United States Commission of Fish and 

 Fisheries. Several reports of the capture of the eastern lobster had 

 from time to time been circulated since the experimental plans were 

 made, and in the summer of 1893 accounts of the taking of other 

 reputed lobsters in the vicinity of Monterey were published. Mr. 

 Alexander reported as follows on this subject: 



Reports are frequently circulated that lobsters have been taken by the fishermen 

 of Monterey, but each time the investigation which has followed has proved the 

 story false. Those not familiar with the lobster easily mistake the fresh-water 

 crayfish for that animal. During the past season a report was circulated through 

 the press of this coast that several small Eastern lobsters had been caught at Mon- 

 terey, and to add strength to the story it was stated that samples had been sent to 

 the Fish Commission for identification, and word had been sent back that the sam- 

 ples received were the genuine Eastern lobster. Such reports are very misleading, 

 and have caused considerable inquiry to be made concerning the lobsters planted on 

 the coast in 1888. 



The writer has had occasion to interview the fishermen of Monterey several times 

 during the past four years, but has never been able to find a man who Avas certain 

 he had caught a lobster. Prof. Charles H. Gilbert saw the specimens that were 

 taken this summer, and states that they were fresh-water crayfish. 



That several of tho lobsters planted at Monterey have'been caught, there is little 

 doubt. Captain Nichols, of the United States Navy, says that several years ago he 

 ate a lobster which was purchased at a market in Oakland; being an Eastern man, 

 and having taken an interest in the fisheries all his life, it is to be presumed that he 

 is correct in what he says. The white fishermen say they have never been guilty of 

 saving what they supposed to be lobsters, but are of the opinion that the Chinese 



