REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 43 
for this purpose. No small fishes were observed in the lake proper, and 
the total number of species obtained from the Jake and its tributaries 
was only 7. 
Big Stone Lake is 35 to 38 miles long and 14 to 2 miles wide, with a 
maximum depth of 35 feet. The average depth is greater than in Lake 
Traverse, the water is clearer and purer, and it contains but little vege- 
tation. Invertebrates are also less plentiful, although occurring in 
sufficient quantities to constitute an ample food supply, and there are 
many small fishes, such as minnows and darters. In the variety and 
abundance of its fishes this lake presents a marked contrast with Lake 
Traverse, 25 species having been secured. [ood varieties are common, 
the most important being the pickerel, wall-eyed pike, black bass, rock 
bass, and crappies. From the Minnesota River and its tributaries, 
between Big Stone Lake and Montevideo, a total of 55 species of fishes 
was obtained, and from the James River, in North Dakota, 20 species. 
The Red River of the North presents many features of special interest. 
It is the only large stream within the boundaries of the United States 
which finds an outlet toward the far north, suggesting marked differ- 
ences in its faunal characteristics as compared with other water areas 
even within the adjacent region, conditions which were not found to 
exist, however, emphasizing the former connection of this river with the 
Minnesota and Mississippi. The course of the Red River of the North 
is northward down a long, gentle slope from a low watershed, which 
separates its basin from that of the Mississippi on the south, east, and 
west. Many of its tributaries take an opposite course, in keeping with 
the streams of the Mississippi system, trending southward until within 
the immediate valley or flood plain of the main river, when they bend 
abruptly. The narrow valley now occupied by this river is the product 
of erosion, and is cut down from 50 to 75 feet below the surrounding 
level country. Examinations were made at intervals along the main 
river and also on twelve of its tributaries, the most important of which 
were the Otter Tail River, Red Lake River, Sheyenne River, as far up as 
Valley City, N. Dak., and Pembina River, as far up as Minot, N. Dak. 
Thirty-eight species of fishes were obtained in this basin. 
IOWA, NEBRASKA, SOUTH DAKOTA, AND WYOMING. 
The sundry civil appropriation bill approved August 5, 1892, pro. 
vided for investigations in these several States for the purpose of 
determining their requirements from a fish-cultural standpoint and of 
ascertaining the most suitable locations for the establishment of such 
hatching stations as the circumstances may warrant. It was found 
impossible to begin upon this inquiry until early in October, and oper- 
ations for the season were suspended during the first part of November 
on account of inclement weather, which prevented the carrying on of 
many of the more essential observations, especially those relating to 
temperature and other physical conditions of the water.. The investi- 
gations were resumed in the middle of June, 1893, and were completed 
