L\ REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Experiments were made in transferring eggs of diflerent ages, but 

 the loss among those uot showing eye-spots was very great. The eggs 

 at the temporary station were transferred in installment, up to Novem- 

 ber 3, when a heavy rise in the river, which waslied away the tiume and 

 floated some of the troughs, necessitated the immediate removal of the 

 remainder. It was found that eggs 16 to 18 days old could be trans- 

 ferred with but little loss; when younger than that the loss was very 

 great, while those under 10 days were all killed. About 500,000 eggs 

 were lost by transfer. The balance of the eggs hatched, with a loss 

 of about 10 per cent. The loss among the fry during the time they 

 were held in the hatching troughs was small, with the exception of 

 about 50,000 which were diseased at the time of hatching, some living 

 but a few days and others two or three weeks. The fry were all placed 

 in the Clackamas Kiver and Clear Creek, near the station, between 

 December 1, 1891, and February 27, 1892. 



On September 28, 25,000 eggs were placed on exhibition at the Port- 

 land Industrial Exposition. The water supply here was very poor, 

 sometimes stopping altogether, and the majority of the eggs were 

 killed. The few fry produced were afterwards brought back to the 

 station. 



On March 10, 1892, 20,000 eggs of the landlocked salmon were 

 received from the Schoodic Station, but they were all dead. 



In May, 1892, an attempt was made at the falls of the Willamette 

 Eiver, at Oregon City, to secure some eggs of the steelhead salmon^ 

 the eflbrt being based upon statements of the local fishermen that a 

 great many ripe-roed fish were caught there. On May 9 some hatching 

 troughs were taken to Oregon City and placed near a steamboat basin, 

 from which a supply of water was obtainable. Pens were built and 

 placed in the river for holding such fish as might be secured through 

 the fishermen. Just before preparations were completed the fishermen 

 were catching a good many fish, but few, however, wore ripe; after all 

 arrangements were ready no more fish were caught. At this time 

 occurred an unusual rise in the river, which permitted the fish to clear 

 the fall and ascend the river. In ordinary seasons the river is low and 

 the fish can not get above the falls, below which they remain till they 

 s]3awn. A spawn-taker was kept at the place for twelve days in the 

 hope that eggs could be obtained, but none being secured the attempt 

 was given up and the equipment brought back to the station. 



Towards the end of June preparations were commenced for the coming 

 season's work. 



