152 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FLSII AND FISHERIES. [2] 



Presque Isle, Sturgeon Point, HammoDd's Bay, Nine-Mile Point, Mil- 

 ler's Point, and Sugar Island ; Jind at Naubinway and Epouiette, north 

 shore of Lake Michigan. The tield work of Lake Erie was under the 

 immediate charge of Mr. S. Bower, and of Lake Huron and Michigan, 

 under Mr. S. P. Wires. The weather was very favorable during most of 

 the time of the spawning catch on Lake Erie, but on Lake Huron the 

 work was interrupted November (k\i by a heavy northeaster, which 

 destroyed or badly damaged most of the nets set on the west shore, 

 and drove the fish off the shoals. The twine was repaired aud replaced 

 to some extent, but the fishing was light, the schools having dispersed or 

 retired to deeper waters. This storm was scarcely felt on Lake Erie. 

 After the storm the supply of eggs for the Alpena house was derived 

 mostly from the fisheries of northern Lake Michigan and from the gill- 

 iiet fishing- on the reefs near Thunder Bay. 



The summer and fall catch of whitefish in Lake Erie was much larger 

 than for several seasons. The increase was due to some extent to the 

 favorable weather In the fall, but more to the work of propagation 

 carried on by the United States and State Commissioners, the benefits 

 of which are more apparent here than elsewhere on account of the 

 heavier i)lantings this lake has received. A large number of Lake 

 Erie fishermen, some of whom were before skeptical regarding the 

 vakie of propagation, have given testimonials relative to the increased 

 supply of whitefish aud expressing their conviction that the increase 

 is simply the legitimate result of the plantings. There is a decided 

 improvement in sentiment in the fishing circles of Lake Erie regarding 

 the practical value of the Commission's work. 



The increase in field work made a demand for increased facilities at 

 the Northville station, where the operations of the preceding year were 

 equal to the full capacity of the hatching room and the supply of spring 

 water available for incubating purposes. To meet the demand for 

 more room the equipments of the hatchery were rearranged so as to 

 accommodate more hatching jars, and a number of tanks were con- 

 structed and placed in the basement of a creamery building about 10 

 rods distant from the hatchery. Between the two was placed an ele- 

 vated reservoir constructed like those in use at railway stations, holding 

 about IGO barrels. This tank was filled with pure water from a small 

 stream about 20 rods distant by means of two steam pumps placed in 

 the boiler-room of the creamery. Suitable i^ipes conveyed the water 

 from the tank to both hatcheries, the elevated position of the tank giv- 

 ing sufflcient i^ressure to force it to the highest points in both buildings. 

 Two hundred jars of whitefish eggs were placed in the creamery, and 

 carried through to March, when they were transferred to the hatchery 

 after the losses and shipments had made room for them. 



The winter being an extremely severe one, the temperature of the 

 creek water sehlom rose more than 2 or 3 degrees above tlie freezing 

 point ; consequently the hal(;hing period was from 4 to weeks later than 



