Nevin. — Changing Food Conditions of Trout 31 



numerous. Then too, there were not as many fishermen in the 

 early days to deplete the streams. With the automobile for 

 transportation, a fisherman can cast his line in many trout streams 

 during the day. 



The theory of some sportsmen that trout of fmgerling size 

 only should be planted to get the best results is not proven by 

 the results of experience. Brook trout are cannibalistic and are 

 not particular what variety of fish they eat. When fry are planted 

 under instructions in the smaller streams their natural instincts 

 prompt them to seek shelter from their enemies. If they are kept 

 in the ponds and fed by the hand of man until they have reached 

 some size and then turned loose, they have lost a part of their 

 instinct and will not seek shelter when in danger. Hence they 

 become an easy prey to their enemies. 



Twenty-five years ago the Wisconsin Commission planted 

 800 lake trout two years old and over, averaging in weight a 

 pound or more, in Lake Mendota. The morning following the 

 planting four of these trout were taken from the stomachs of 

 pickerel that had been speared during the night by Mr. I. C. 

 Troan. The trout taken from the pickerel were exhibited in 

 Dunning & Sumner's drug store, Mr. Dunning being at that 

 time president of the Fish Commission. 



BROWN TROUT. 



The brown, or Lochlevin trout, is not native to this country, 

 but was introduced some thirty years ago by the U. S. Bureau of 

 Fisheries. Through the Bureau of Fisheries various state com- 

 missions secured limited quantities of eggs from which to grow 

 a stock of breeders, these in turn to furnish a supply of eggs to 

 produce fry with which to stock public waters. 



The brown trout is a very hardy and gamey fish and grows to a 

 large size. As a table fish its eating qualities are surpassed by 

 none. For a number of years we did not make much of an effort 

 to propagate this particular species, as it was reported that the 

 brown trout was cannibalistic and destructive to other fish. Our 

 experience and observations do not bear out the report. They 

 are no more destructive of fish than the brook trout or other species 

 of trout. We have been planting from 100,000 to 500,000 each 



