4 INLAND FISHERIES COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 



re-stock our streams with this fish (which were once so plentiful) have 

 been rewarded with a very satisfactory degree of success, and that the 

 present system of placing a few thousand trout fry of the various 

 kinds, which we can obtain from the IT. S. Fish Commission, from 

 other States, and by purchase each year, would be a judicious course 

 to continue to pursue. 



BLA.CK BASS. 



This fish continues to thrive and increase, and are being more 

 highly valued each year as a food and game fish. At the May session, 

 1886, on petition of citizens of North Scituate, all restrictions upon the 

 taking or fishing for black bass were removed from Moswansicut 

 pond, thereby allowing this fish to be taken at all times, not afford- 

 ing them any protection during the spawning season ; this oversight, 

 now that it is brought to your attention, should be corrected at the 

 present session. 



SHAD. 



Since the State, through your Commissioners, began the re-stock- 

 ing of her waters, this fish has shown the best results, as evidenced 

 by the increased catch each year. 



GERMAN CARP. 



It is still a matter of doubt with us whether the waters of the State 

 are adapted to their successful cultivation. The wide distribution of 

 the present invoice may enable us to determine this more satisfactorily 

 later on. 



BAY AND COAS;r FISHERIES. 



The important problem, whether the bay and coast fisheries should 

 be protected by statute, is one that is fast solving itself. 



With few exceptions (those of shad and rock bass) this kind of fish- 

 ing seems to be in a fair way of becoming extinct, or, at least, so 

 destroyed by the menhaden fishers and trappers that, instead of 



