Titcomb. — A Permanent Stocking Policy 15 



acquisition to some waters of the state which, during the summer, 

 become too warm to meet the requirements of the native 

 species. 



In looking over the records of the past eighteen years I find 

 that one of the more important lakes in New York has been 

 stocked with thirteen different species of fish. Without enum- 

 erating the species, you all know that it is impossible to expect 

 successful results with so many species, and you also know that 

 many of these species must have been antagonistic to each other. 

 Undoubtedly there were applications for all of the species that 

 have been introduced. There is a tendency among anglers, 

 who do not give a thought to the serious results which may follow, 

 to ask for some new species which they have heard about, or 

 which they have enjoyed catching in some waters to which they 

 were native. It has been the habit of fish commissioners to cater 

 to the many tastes of the individuals. It is impossible, however, 

 to suit every individual in one particular water. The trout 

 fisherman must go to the natural trout waters and the bass fisher- 

 man must go to the waters which are naturally productive of bass, 

 in order to obtain good fishing. 



Lake Sunapee, in New Hampshire, is well known to anglers 

 from almost every state in the Union. This lake also has received 

 many species of fish. I wrote one of the former commissioners 

 of New Hampshire in regard to this lake. His reply was "Fishing 

 all gone to hell; not a salmon this spring. The Chinooks were 

 good for a time, but do not reproduce and have all been caught 

 out. They have dumped lots of fish in the lake, but they seem 

 to do us no good. " I might go on giving specific illustrations of 

 this kind indefinitely, but it is unnecessary. You all know the 

 conditions of your own waters and whether you are propagating 

 or protecting in the same waters species which are antagonistic 

 to each other. 



It becomes apparent that in order to obtain the best results, a 

 permanent policy must be established with regard to each stream, 

 pond or lake which is to receive attention. In other words, the 

 commissioners of the different states should have a survey made 

 of all the waters under their jurisdiction which are to receive 

 any attention in the way of restocking. The results of the survey 



