22 DEVILS LAKE, NORTH DAKOTA. 
It has been shown that the entire system of Devils Lake waters 
has been gradually diminishing, owing to deficient precipitation and 
the development of the surrounding territory. This lowering of 
the lake level and the consequent desiccation of lake areas has been 
especially marked since 1883, and at present the lake appears at its 
lowest known level. Records of former years indicate that the level 
of the lake fluctuates to a considerable extent and a substantial in- 
crease may occur at any future date, but in view of the deficient pre- 
cipitation disclosed by recent records for this section, the increasing 
development of surrounding territory, and the history of the lake 
for the past twenty-five years, it is extremely doubtful whether it will 
ever regain its former level. 
The excessive evaporation has caused the loss of vast spawning 
and feeding grounds for the pickerel that formerly occurred in the 
greatest abundance. The disappearance of these fish and the 
reason for their migration to the shallower northern lakes, where 
thousands perished, is probably connected with the loss by desicca- 
tion of the grounds formerly favorable for their spawning. Ex- 
haustive fishing and the increasing alkalinity of the water were | 
contributory factors. 
The stocking of Devils Lake with suitable food or game fishes 
under the existing conditions is not impracticable. Experiments 
conducted with yellow perch, black bass, and catfish were highly 
satisfactory. These species of fish were held in control in sections 
of the lake exposed to both favorable and unfavorable conditions 
for a period of two and one-half months and no deleterious effects 
were observed. It is therefore possible to introduce these or allied 
species of fish into Devils Lake with expectation of success, but care 
should be exercised to confine any introduced fish in the more favor- 
able sections of the lake until tangible results of their propagation be 
manifested. Mission Bay, for example, may be mentioned as favor- 
able. An effective dam and gateway can be constructed at the en- 
trance at a moderate cost, also a culvert or runway leading from 
Court or Spring Lake to convey fresh water from the higher 
altitude of that lake. Court or Spring Lake in itself offers a favor- 
able breeding pond for the selected varieties of fish. 
Wood Lake is a favorable source of supply for yellow perch, and 
can be seined without difficulty, especially in its northwestern 
portion. 
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