THIRTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 43 



REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF FISH CULTURE 



By W. H. ShebleTj in charge 



In compliance with the regulations and for the information of the 

 Division of Fish and Game of the Department of Natural Resources, 

 the Bureau of Fish Culture herewith submits a report on the operations 

 of the hatcheries, distribution cars, egg-collecting stations, biological 

 work, feeding experiments, and recommendations to improve the con- 

 ditions of the trout and salmon distribution works, as well as other 

 activities of the bureau. 



During the biennium from July 1, 1928, to July 1, 1930, the largest 

 number of trout has been planted in the history of the Commission — 

 62,000,000— as well as 10,500,000 salmon. Owing to the long drought 

 that has lasted for a period of approximately sixteen years, the best 

 results could not be obtained in all districts. We have on hand for the 

 1930 distribution 35,000,000 trout. 



The dry cycle or period of prolonged seasons of light snow falls and 

 light rains has caused a marked decrease in volume of many streams 

 and the lowering of the water table in the great central valleys of Cali- 

 fornia. Higher temperature of the water has been caused by the lessen- 

 ing flow each season for a period of sixteen years and by the storage 

 of water for power and irrigation. This condition has been a source 

 of anxiety to the employees of the Bureau of Fish Culture as it has 

 caused a complete physical change to take place in the amount of water 

 in many creeks as well as in the plankton and habits of the fish. This 

 we have tried to' meet in a practical and scientific way. We have 

 maintained good fishing in the majority of the lakes and streams, when 

 all conditions are considered. 



We feel that the Division of Fish and Game has accomplished remark- 

 able results in the number of fish distributed. The different species of 

 trout have been allocated to the waters to which they are best suited, 

 when the amount of water, temperature, and all the changes brought 

 about by irrigation systems, power dams, deforestation, shortage of 

 water, excessive fishing, etc., are considered. We have operated twenty- 

 eight hatcheries and fifteen egg-collecting stations. The output of the 

 hatcheries, amounting to 62,000,000 trout of the different species, have 

 been distributed with the assistance of the deputies, anglers, and per- 

 sons interested in the planting of trout for recreation and business 

 purposes. We have been ably assisted by members of fish planting 

 clubs and other organizations, as well as by the railroads who have 

 issued us free transportation for our distributing cars and crews 

 engaged in fish planting work. At many of the hatcheries trucks have 

 been used in making the distribution and, in the regions away from 

 the roads, pack trains have been extensively used in the distribution 

 work. With considerable gratification we have found that where the 

 conditions of the water were favorable the fish have actually increased 

 despite the heavy fishing. This is notable in Lake Almanor, June Lake, 

 Butte Lake, and the Klamath River, as well as in several other locali- 



