THIRTY-NINTH BIENNIAL REPORT 41 



Two experiemental ponds set up at Owens Park, Stanislaus County, 

 were abandoned after two months of operation as the supply of water was 

 inadequate and too high in temperature. 



The following ponds were operated in cooperation with sportsmen 

 groups : 



Murphys pond, Murphys, Calaveras County, operated on an experi- 

 mental basis in 1945, June to November, wdth fair success and 

 again in 1946. 



Feather River ponds, Belden, Plumas County. 



Truckee River ponds, Truckee, Placer County, operated in 1945 

 and 1946. 



South Fork American River, Kyburz, El Dorado County. 



Hatchery and residential buildings suffered continued depreciation 

 during the war years when materials and labor were unavailable for 

 normal upkeep and this condition continued through the biennium. 

 Plans have been made for extensive repair and remodeling as soon as 

 passible. 



Increased production and the rearing of larger fish has created 

 problems in the distribution of the fish. The only new automotive equip- 

 ment available since 1941 were three Navy tank trucks designed for 

 hauling petroleum products. One of these has been remodeled and it 

 can transport in excess of 1200 pounds of trout in the 1300-gallon tank. 

 Aeration is dual, utilizing both the spray and air injection methods. 



Preliminary experiments in the planting of fish in high mountain 

 lakes by plane indicates that fish of small size can be poured safely in 

 the water containing them so long as the height from which they are 

 released is more than 300 feet. Larger fish are injured unless dropped by 

 parachuted containers. 



* RESEARCH 



The biological staff, reduced to four by the war at the beginning 

 of the biennium, began to increase in size with the return of men from 

 military service, and by June 30, 1946, numbered 15. Of the 11 addi- 

 tions, six were former full-time or part-time employees, two Were new 

 men, and three were seasonal employees. Operations, severely limited 

 during 1944 and 1945, expanded during the first half of 1946. A list of 

 publications and reports is given at the end of this section ; their titles 

 are sufficiently self-explanatory to give an idea of some of the activities. 

 Further description follows. 



Stream and lake surveys still remain the axis around which the fish 

 conservation work revolves. Certain long-range programs are under way, 

 including cooperative surveys with the Fresno County Sportsmen's Club, 

 the third and fourth of which took place during the biennium ; the Mt. 

 Eddy Lake unit survey in Siskiyou County; and an intensive study of 

 waters in Mono and Inyo Counties. In addition, surveys are carried on 

 by all members in connection with other duties whenever opportunity 

 offers. They provide important information used by the biologists in 

 making recommendations for stocking, for stream and lake closures, 

 for stream and lake improvements, and for regulatory or legislative 

 proposals. 



