888 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
similar desirable localities for the production of the different species of | 
salmon, so arranged as to benefit all the streams on the Pacific Coast. 
As an experimental effort and the commencement of the system, a 
hatchery was established at Fort Gaston, Humboldt County, Cal.” 
This is the central hatchery, and has auxiliary or subhatcheries on 
the neighboring streams which empty directly into the ocean. These 
auxiliary hatcheries are used for taking the spawn and depositing the) 
young fry on or near the spawning-grounds, and are kept open only 
during the spawning and hatching season, which would be about four 
months of the year. Besides the auxiliary station at Redwood River, 
it is proposed to connect with the Gaston Station two others on the 
Mad and Eel rivers. There are other streams near by which could be) 
utilized in the same way, all emptying into the sea. In addition to 
stocking the waters of the Pacific with salmon and other indigenous | 
fish, the central hatchery at Gaston is provided with ponds used for) 
hatching and propagating eastern and foreign fish, such as landlocked | 
salmon, eastern and German trout. Breeding ponds are in use, filled | 
with the two last-mentioned fish, from which many will be distributed | 
in the streams and waters throughout the country. 
Other localities have been examined and suitable places inspected 
for hatcheries, those on the Colville Reservation near the head of the 
Columbia River and another at Lake Coeur d’Alene being particularly | 
favorable. Military or Government reservations were selected for 
several reasons, prominent among them being the assured protection 
of the young fish. For convenience it is also desirable that the hatch- 
eries should be located near the heads of the streams in the vicinity of 
the spawning-grounds, where fish are more likely to be found ripe and. 
ready for stripping of their eggs. While the system need not be con- . 
fined to Government reservations, such localities are preferable where | 
facilities for the work meet with the requirements. 
The streams should be stocked from the several varieties found on the 
Pacific Coast, preferably the indigenous or the kind of salmon which | 
visit the particular stream, Great danger attends the introduction in 
any stream of fish not belonging to the waters. A stronger and more 
rapacious strange fish is sure to destroy the weaker native occupants | 
of the stream, and give in return for the destruction probably an inferior | 
and less prolific salmon. 
The waters in Humboldt County, Cal., are also free from vagrant 
and predatory fish; consequently the young can be placed in the stream: 
at an early age without molestation except from the trout which inhabit 
all these waters. The yearling trout is the voracious enemy of the 
young salmon, and being small himself is capable of pursuing the 
little fish into shoal water, their haven of refuge from danger. The 
destruction of salmon fry by these active young trout is very great, 
Therefore it is not policy to stock the same stream with both salmon. 
and trout. Since there is no comparison in their commercial value 
its was 
