6 



of sturgeon has been satisfactory, and great numbers of very large size 

 have been taken, and that indications point to a heavy increase in the year 

 1887. The sturgeon is not only a cheap, but it is also a favored food with 

 all classes of our citizens, and is well advertised in " bills of fare" as the 

 '' steak of sole." 



PERCH. 



The Sacramento perch is regarded by many who claim to be good judges, 

 as the best flavored and most palatable fish found in the inland waters 

 of California. The following excerpt, from page 405 of Section I, Nat- 

 ural History of Useful Aquatic Animals, published under the auspices of 

 the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, relating to this deli- 

 cious fish, does injustice to it and to its epicurean friends: 



This species is known only by the name of "perch." * * * It has been thus far found 

 only in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and tributaries. It is abundant in the 

 lower parts of these rivers, large numbers being shipped to the market in San Francisco. 

 It is there bought and coTisunied mainly by the Chinese, who value it highly, paying for 

 it more than any other fish which they consume. Although it is an excellent pan-fish, 

 verj^ similar to the black bass, we have never seen any of them bought bj' Americans. 



In our last report we complained of the scarcity of this species of fish, 

 and attributed it in part to the covering of its spawn by sediment and to 

 the drain upon the supply by Chinese and other fishermen, and we recom- 

 mended the enactment of a law "to protect them from seine fishing for at 

 least two years;" albeit there has been during the last two years a steady 

 and gratifying increase in the catch of perch. During most of the time, 

 and especially during the months of August, September, and October, our 

 markets have been well supplied. The perch obtained from Tulare Lakes 

 have sized well, and have been of most excellent quality. In 1885, Mr,. 

 Flockman caught and sold from Big Lake, in Yolo County, over thirty 

 thousand pounds. Washington, Fisherman, and other small lakes are well 

 stocked and have yielded a good harvest. 



DACE. 



But few of this species are now caught in the lower Sacramento Biver. 

 This no doubt is owing in part to the fact that for several years past the 

 waters of the river has been heavily charged with slickens or debris. This 

 fish seeks clear water, and higher up the streams where the water is pure, 

 they are caught in large numbers. The dace is a native of our rivers and 

 waters. They are similar in shape to the pike, but different in color, being 

 of a yellowish brown on the back and a dingy white on the sides and 

 belly. 



PIKE. 



This fish has increased to a considerable extent in most of the waters of 

 the State. During the last two years the increase has been about forty per 

 cent, and promises to continue. They ascend the rivers higher than most 

 other kinds of river fish and thus escape the fishermen's nets and snares. 

 The run commences with the channel pike in the month of December, and 

 with the bar or school pike in the month of March. 



CHUBS. 



The chub, a strictly inland water fish, was captured in great numbers 

 until a few years ago, when they began to decrease so rapidly that it was 



