28 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



tive program for study was outlined and Mr. Taft started work in 

 May, 1931. 



A preliminary survey of the State trout waters was made and a 

 great deal of information was gathered through interviews with sports- 

 men and those interested in the propagation of trout. This preliminary 

 work disclosed a great number and variety of problems which demand 

 an increase in knowledge before they can be properly settled. A great 

 many of these problems are purely local and of necessity must be sub- 

 ordinated to those which are more or less state-wide in their application. 



Study is being directed along three general lines as follows: The 

 conservation and protection of the present wild stocks of fish in order 

 that their natural propagation may further supplement the work of 

 the hatcheries; the development of brood stocks, both domestic and in 

 protected natural waters, to relieve certain heavily fished waters from 

 the present drain of egg-taking; the development of knowledge upon 

 which a stocking policy for the State can be based. This will include 

 a study of the relative mortality of fishes of different sizes planted 

 under various conditions and the determination of the more favorable 

 environmental conditions. 



As part of the foregoing program of study the following specific 

 projects have been initiated : 



A study is being made of the migratory movements of young steel- 

 head in our coastal streams and of the results to be obtained from their 

 protection through the closure of the lagoons to fishing during the sum- 

 mer months. This work is being carried on most intensively in the 

 Garcia River, Alder Creek, Scott Creek, and Waddell Creek. In addi- 

 tion work is being done at the egg-taking station on Scott Creek to 

 determine such facts in the life history of the steelhead as would aid 

 in the increase in the number of eggs taken at this station or a similar 

 station situated on one of the smaller coastal streams. This has included 

 a study of the egg production of females of different ages and the 

 tagging of all fish released after spawning at the Scott Creek station. 



An experiment is in progress on the Truckee River to determine 

 the results to be obtained by planting fish which have been held over 

 the summer in ponds. This will be done through marking the fish 

 released and data will also be gathered on the migratory habits of steel- 

 head when planted in such interior waters. 



Experimental ponds have also been built at Hot Creek, in Mono 

 County, where experiments are being carried out in rearing fish under 

 the unique conditions as to food and water which exist at that place. 



Of necessity, a great deal of time has been given to preliminary 

 work during the past year and plans have been laid for an enlarged 

 experimental program to be carried on during the coming year. 



