16 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



The value of the Bureau's efforts to increase the supply of game and 

 food fishes in the interior waters has been strikingly illustrated in Col- 

 orado, where a number of nonindigenous trouts have been thoroughly 

 established. The principal fish thus introduced is the eastern brook 

 trout, which is widely distributed in the state and probably exists 

 there in greater abundance than in any other state. Colorado has 

 now become the Bureau's chief source of supply for the eggs of this 

 species, and nowhere else is it possible to collect such large quantities 

 of eggs from wild brook trout. 



The spotted catfish of the Mississippi basin, which was so success- 

 fully planted in the Potomac River a number of years ago, has become 

 more abundant, and is now caught in large numbers b} T anglers and 

 market fishermen. The fish attains a weight of upward of 20 pounds, 

 and is a general favorite on account of its excellent food and game 

 qualities. In 1905 the fishermen about Washington began to catch 

 another nonindigenous catfish, of which samples were submitted to 

 the Bureau for identification. The fish proved to be the great fork- 

 tailed catfish of the Mississippi, which was doubtless introduced at the 

 same time as the other species, the young of the two being much alike. 

 This fish attains even a larger size than the spotted cat, and examples 

 weighing over 30 pounds have been reported by local fishermen. 



An experiment that may prove of some economic importance is 

 the planting of salt-water animals from the Gulf of Mexico in a large 

 natural salt lake at Palestine, Tex. The lake was examined by the 

 superintendent of the San Marcos (Tex.) station, and was found of 

 such a character that an attempt to utilize it in this way was thought 

 to be warranted. Accordingly there were planted in it March 14, 

 1905, 57 sea mullet, 20 squeteague, 12 redfish, 30 croakers, and 38 sil- 

 ver perch, all adults, together with 21 blue crabs and 1 barrel of 

 oysters. 



NEW STATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 



At Mammoth Spring, Ark., a topographical survey of the property 

 acquired during the last year was made, maps were prepared showing 

 locations of ponds, pipe lines, buildings, roads, etc., and plans and 

 specifications for the necessary buildings were drawn. Actual con- 

 struction was begun early in the year and is now well under way. 

 Arrangements are being perfected to begin fish-cultural operations on 

 a limited scale at an early date without waiting for the completion of 

 the station. 



At Tupelo, Miss., a building for office and workshop and a barn 

 have been erected. Both these buildings are frame, one and a half 

 stories high, the former 30 feet by 30 feet and suitably divided for the 

 desired purposes, the latter providing accommodations for two horses 

 and necessary vehicles. Pond 6 has been nearly completed, pipe lines 



