feared they would become extinct in the rivers. Within the last three 

 years, however, there has been a marked increase, so much so, that they 

 are to be found at most any time of the year in our interior markets. Our 

 mountain lakes still hold them in great abundance, notwithstanding the 

 fact that in some of the lakes (notably Webber), tons of dead ones have 

 been beached, either destroyed by disease or by poisons. The chub is an 

 excellent fresh water fish, the flavor is almost equal to that of the Sacra- 

 mento River perch. The chief objection to it is that it is quite bony, yet 

 the meat peels well. The river catch this year has been heavy and an 

 ample future supply is assured. 



TRUCKEE TROUT. 



Two kinds of trout are found in the streams of the Truckee basin. The 

 silver trout is the finest of the trout variety in California. They are beau- 

 tifully marked, clipper built, gamy, and often pull the scales at twenty- 

 five pounds. This most excellent food and sportive fish is taken in large 

 numbers in Bigler, Donner, Webber, Independence, and other mountain 

 lakes. Appreciating the value of this species of trout, our Commission 

 has during its office-holding secured several hundred thousand silver trout 

 eggs, which have been hatched at the Shebley station, and fairly dis- 

 tributed in the lakes and streams of the State. 



The other kind is commonly known as the black trout. It is the opinion 

 of many experienced fishermen that it should be classed as a land-locked 

 salmon. They grow to a large size, often weighing from ten to fifteen 

 pounds. They are excellent spawners and breeders. Large numbers 

 come to our markets from the State of Nevada. 



Our friends east of our State line are unwilling to lose their traffic in 

 this kind of fish, and have barricaded their passage into California by 

 placing impassable dams across the Truckee River. Whilst regretting 

 the lack of good will and comity so manifested, our citizens are pleased 

 to pay their neighbors royal prices in the way of tribute for this excel- 

 lent table fish. 



RAINBOW TROUT. 



In the United States Commissioners Report, Section I, History of 

 Aquatic Animals, page 475, mention is made of the Rainbow Trout as 

 follows : 



This species is generally known as the "brook trout," "mountain trout," " speckled 

 trout," "golden trout," and other evanescent names are also sometimes applied to it. 

 It does not reach a weight of more than five or six pounds, so far as we know, and 

 most of them are tingerlings from four inches to a foot in length, etc." 



In California the name "rainbow trout" (sometimes called the Mc- 

 Cloud) is applied to what is regarded to be a distinct trout family, 

 coarse-scaled and distinctively marked. Mr. Rosevelt — a most careful 

 observer — says that " the distinction between the McCloud River and the 

 mountain trout are quite apparent to the eye," and " there are some differ- 

 ences in their habits;" that the mountain trout does not grow to more 

 than one half the size of the McCloud River trout, and that when cooked 

 there is a marked superiority in favor of the mountain trout. Certain it is 

 that but one kind of trout has been found in the ponds of the United States 

 Fish Commission on the McCloud. 



Rainbow trout are taken in great numbers in nearly all of the tributa- 

 ries of the Sacramento River. They seek spawning grounds high up on 



