168 American Fisheries Society 



trout, for which there was no good reason or valid excuse, except 

 that applicants asked for brook, rainbow or steelhead trout, and 

 they were supplied. If the re-stocking had been done with the 

 native fishes inhabiting each stream, its condition would be much 

 better today. The cut-throat trout is a more desirable species for 

 those waters than the brook trout, being gamer, growing larger, 

 and is a better food fish. Fortunately these waters are too cold 

 for the brown trout. 



Even black bass, both species, were supplied to applicants for 

 waters too cold for their existence, some within a few miles of 

 Yellowstone National Park. I protested so strongly against this 

 indiscriminate stocking that eventually all black bass applications 

 were referred to me. The warmer water of lakes on the western 

 slope of Montana are very suitable for the large-mouth black bass, 

 and they have been stocked with great success. 



When in charge of the black bass station at Tupelo, Mississippi, 

 applicants were supplied with rock bass and yellow perch, both 

 species being unsuited to the warm waters of southern Mississippi, 

 and Alabama. In these cases such species as croppie, bream and 

 bluegills should have been supplied. Many applicants hear of 

 certain fishes, and without knowing anything about the proper 

 conditions of environment for them, or their habits, but on the 

 score, perhaps, of novelty, apply for them. 



A lamentable instance of inconsiderate stocking with an alien 

 species, and one with which we are too well acquainted, was the 

 introduction of the German carp. At that time the unfortunate 

 results of its introduction to our waters could not very well be seen 

 or anticipated. It was intended, primarily, for the stock ponds of 

 farms, as it was supposed that it would thrive in any kind of 

 water, muddy or stagnant. It was supposed to be herbivorous and 

 harmless to other species. In fact it was all supposition, and it was 

 planted without much thought or consideration. But like every- 

 thing German it proved to be a Goth, a Hun and a Vandal to all 

 our native species, though commercially it is somewhat of a 

 success. When President of the Ohio Fish Commission, in 

 1890-92, I had all the brood carp seined from the ponds and sent 

 to market, and replaced them with bull-head catfish, a good fish 

 for the table, and one that will thrive wherever a carp will. It 



