16 American Fisheries Society 



should be published in such a way that the successors of those who 

 establish the policy may have something to guide them in their 

 efforts with reference to the same waters. 



In New York State a beginning has been made along these 

 lines by investigation of the streams of Oneida County. This 

 county has an area of 1100 square miles and is drained by four 

 river systems. The fish producing power of these waters is 

 unusually large. During recent years several fish and game pro- 

 tective associations have assumed almost entire charge of the 

 planting of these streams with trout and in most instances it 

 has been the custom for these associations to apply for brook, 

 brown and rainbow trout for each public stream, notwithstanding 

 the fact that it has been conclusively proved that brown and 

 rainbow trout are very destructive to the native brook trout. 



The working plan resulting from this investigation has proven 

 most satisfactory. It has been found desirable to take the entire 

 river system into consideration; not merely individual systems, 

 for brown trout planted in one stream in the system will in time 

 work into the other systems, unless prevented by dams or other 

 obstructions. This change made as the result of these working 

 plans will tend to eliminate much waste of the state hatchery 

 products and to develop the streams of the country to their highest 

 efficiency as fish producers. It is hoped that similar work may be 

 done in other counties to the end that a permanent policy may be 

 made as a guide, not only to the state authorities who have to do 

 with the stocking of such waters, but also that the United States 

 Bureau of Fisheries, in response to applications for fish to stock 

 the waters of New York, may act in unison with the State author- 

 ities with reference to the treatment of these waters. 



In Vermont a step in the same direction has been taken by 

 using the State Highway Map on which the various lakes and 

 ponds have been brought out in strong colors and numbered. 

 A key to the map accompanies it, and opposite each number 

 information is given as to the name of the pond, its present 

 inhabitants, water area, whether the pond has been reservoired 

 or not and the future policy as to the kind of fish to be introduced. 

 If the state and federal authorities of the future adhere to this 

 policy, a great waste of good material will be avoided. 



