EEPOIiT. 



To the Honorable General Assembly : 



The Commissi oners of Inhind Fisheries beg leave respectfully 

 to present their third annual report. 



STATE HATCHING ESTABLISHMENT. 



It is with much pleasure that the Commissioners are able to 

 report that the hatching establishment at Ponaganset has met with 

 good success. Of the 30,000 trout spawn bought last year, about 

 DO per cent. Avere hatched, but owing to the extreme heat of last 

 summer, 10 per cent, more of the young fish were lost, making a 

 total of 80 per cent, hatched, or about 24,000 trout. The ponds 

 in which the young fish were placed were not properly constructed, 

 they requiring at least four feet of water and steep banks with 

 considerable shade. The young fish require a temperature below 

 72° Fahrenheit, above which point the fish die in large numbers. 



Of the number hatched, about 19,000 were placed in the Paw- 

 tuxet river. A jjart of this number having been carried into it 

 by a freshet, the Commissioners felt compelled to place so large a 

 number in this river as the ponds were not suitable for the fish. 

 The Pawtuxet river was chosen, partly because it w^as but a few 

 steps from the hatching establishment, and partly because of the 

 numerous small tri])utaries which are known to have been in for- 

 mer years full of trout, but at present perfectly depleted. The 

 Commissioners have on hand in ponds constructed for the purpose, 

 about 5,000 young fish. Out of this number they propose to 



