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hundreds of spring brooks in this State suitable for the growth 

 of speckled trout where that fish was not native. A systematic 

 examination of all streams would in this State within a few 

 years secure the planting of trout only in waters entirely 

 adapted in temperature and food supply to trout. It would in 

 my judgment also result in our being able to establish black 

 bass in miles of water suitable for this admirable game and food 

 fish where now they are unknown. Definite and comprehensive 

 knowledge of the rivers and streams of the State, put into the 

 same permanent and accessible form as the reports Michigan 

 is getting of the lakes, is of importance just as the work on the 

 lakes is. 



Secondly, what co-operation can there be between State 

 Fish Commissions ? The most obvious points for co-operation 

 between States, are where they border the same waters, as on 

 the Great Lakes, or have a common boundary on a river, — as the 

 Ohio, Mississippi, or Missouri. And here we must touch upon 

 the regulation of fisheries, a subject pregnant with difficulties. 

 For the States bordering the Great Lakes, a uniform system 

 for every mile of the great waters ought to be established. Not 

 necessarily identical enactments; for the waters of a single 

 State, like Michigan, require a diversity in regulations to make 

 complete for all its waters the operation of a general system. 

 The objects to be sought by each State are the same, the 

 means to reach these objects will necessarily be somewhat 

 modified by local conditions. From our own experience, I 

 assume that it is a difficult thing to secure the passage of suit- 

 able laws by the State Legislatures for the preservation of 

 industrial fisheries. We have no difficulty in obtaining fairly 

 good laws for the protection of game fish ; but we have tried 

 in vain thus far to persuade the Legislature of this State to do 

 for the fisheries of the Great Lakes what must be apparent 

 to any man of common sense, who gives the subject any atten- 

 tion, is essential to preserve them, 



I think the common judgment of men, who are entirely dis- 

 interested but careful observers of the past and present con- 

 dition of our fisheries, accords with that which is always 

 expressed by the most intelligent and candid of practical 



