REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 13 



fective. Freshets early in the spawning season, followed later by 

 low stages of clear water, inability to secure both sexes in spawning 

 condition in sufficient numbers at one time, were some of the diffi- 

 culties, but the chief obstacle to success, as with the shad, is the lack 

 of legislation to insure the ascent of a fair percentage of fish to the 

 spawning grounds. In view of repeated failures to propagate this 

 species in considerable numbers, it appears inadvisable to continue 

 the work. 



The propagation of the striped bass in California has been sus- 

 pended on account of recently enacted legislation prohibiting the 

 capture of the fish by commercial fishermen. The enforcement of 

 this law leaves the Bureau no recourse except to conduct fishing oper- 

 ations on its own account, and the expense of such a proceeding makes 

 it impracticable. 



The output of brook trout at the various stations is regulated 

 largely by the stock of eggs purchased from commercial dealers, this 

 course in the majority of instances having proved more economical 

 than dependence upon local waters for egg collections. At stations 

 located in productive fields, where the collection of wild eggs from 

 local sources justifies the expense, the results have been gratifying. 

 This is especially true as regards the operations in Colorado. 



Blackspotted trout operations were again undertaken on the 

 Truckee River at Derby Dam^ Nev., but owing to a small run of 

 fish early in the season and the difficulty of capturing them in the 

 swift currents — accomplished by means of dip nets from a platform 

 on the bank — there was a decided falling off in the egg collections 

 as compared with the previous year. A second run of fish appeared 

 late in May, but the high water made it impossible to resume opera- 

 tions. As a suitable water supply could not be secured in the 

 vicinity of the field operated in 1910, the station was moved to a 

 location near Sparks, Nev., where water from a spring is available. 

 It seems advisable to continue the work next season, as the indica- 

 tions are that from 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 eggs may be secured in a 

 normal season. 



The Yellowstone Park station, which has heretofore been operated 

 under the direction of the superintendent of the Spearfish (S. Dak.) 

 station, was this year placed in charge of the superintendent of the 

 Bozeman (Mont.) station. The object of making the change was to 

 secure a more economical administration of the station, which is in 

 the immediate vicinity of Bozeman. The collection of eggs in this 

 field was not undertaken until late in June^ because of the late spawn- 

 ing season and impassable roads; therefore the number reported on 

 July 1 was slightly below that of last year at the same date. The 

 indications at that time were, however, that the season's total would 

 be larger than that of any previous year. 

 9275°— 13 2 



