the release of young salmon into our watercourses. The present Commis- 

 sion was informed that four millions of young salmon were released in the 

 year 1881, from the United States salmon station on the JNIcCloud, into 

 the headwaters of the Sacramento River. If such was the fact, although 

 five years have elapsed, that plant has not yet made a showing. 



The salmon Spring run of the year 1885 was probably fifty per cent less 

 than the early run of 1884. The Fall run — owing in part to the low stage 

 of water — showed a falling off of about thirty per cent over that of the 

 preceding year. During the present year the decrease has been marked 

 and steady. The pack of 1885 diminished fully fifty per cent from that 

 of the year 1884, and has decreased during the present year. 



The Spring season of 1886 opened favorable for a good run. The river' 

 was high in December, and held well up into January. Notwithstanding 

 promising conditions, but few fish were taken in December and January. 

 February presented a slightly increased run over that of the same month 

 in the preceding year. March and April presented the same result. The 

 run up to the latter part of April seemed to be confined to the Sacramento 

 River below Rio Vista. In latter part of April catches were reported from 

 mouth to Sacramento City. In May the takes were notably small. June 

 (always regarded as a favorable month for a good run), opened with a 

 small increase, which lasted but a few days. During the last of this 

 month few fish were taken, and the fishermen, in disappointment, housed 

 their nets. The run below Rio Vista was quite good during the month of 

 August, and during the close season, "between the thirtieth day of August 

 and the first day of October," the run above Sacramento City, in the upper 

 waters of the river and its tributaries, was the best of the year. 



Our Commission will this year release from the State Salmon Hatchery 

 at Hat Creek into Pit River — the main tributary of the Sacramento — about 

 1,200,000 young salmon, and in the year 1887 over 5,000,000. 



Having reference to the run of former years, and to salmon eggs obtained 

 for propagation, and also Rainbow Trout eggs, we present the following 

 table: 



LAND-LOCKED SALMON. 



Our Commission, on the seventeenth day of March, 1884, received from 

 Mr. Atkins, Deputy United States Fish Commissioner, shipped from Brock- 

 port, Maine, a box containing 30,000 eggs of this species. The eggs reached 

 the State Trovit Hatchery at Shebley's Station in good condition, and were 

 hatched with a loss of only seven and one half per cent. They were 

 mainly distributed in the following lakes: 



Bigler 15,000 



Donner 5,000 



Webber 5,000 



Some small plants were made b}^ former Commissioners. The fish 

 increased and thrived. Many large ones have been captured during the 

 last and the present year. The Commissioners hope to be able during the 

 coming year to make generous plants of this much valued fish in other 

 favorable localities. 



SHAD. 



The Pacific Coast is amply stocked with this species of fish. The 

 increase in California has been marvelous. Millions are annually hatched 

 in the overflows or tule lakes. The supply equals, if it does not exceed, 

 the demand. Whilst as ah edible fish it may not rival its eastern relations, 



