16 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



such meals can be used to constitute up to 60 per cent of the diet of 

 larger fish at a cost per pound of about 5 cents delivered at the hatch- 

 ery. We are, therefore, using- these meals in considerable quantities 

 at Hot Creek and at Mount Shasta. The large amount of fresh meat 

 required even when meals were used made it imperative that some 

 reduction be obtained in the cost of liver. This was done through 

 working out arrangements whereby the State could obtain condemned 

 fluke livers for use. Under the requirements of the State Board of 

 Health these livers, which are not considered suitable for human con- 

 sumption, are frozen at relatively low temperatures to kill the flukes 

 and then dyed with a green vegetable substance which indicates that 

 they are not suitable for human use. Practically our entire liver sup- 

 ply has been obtained from this source during the past year at a cost 

 of about 8 cents per pound delivered at the hatchery. It can thus be 

 seen that the cost of our food supply has been reduced by about one- 

 half and we are now in a better position from that standpoint to under- 

 take the rearing of more fish to a larger size. 



One other problem that required solution was that of transporting 

 fish of larger size safely and at less cost. During the past two j^ears we 

 have developed aeration equipment which is used on all pickups and 

 trucks which permits safe handling of fish over long distances and also 

 makes it possible to carry more ounces of fish per pound of water. 



The solution of these two major difficulties now places the Bureau 

 of Fish Conservation in a favorable position to develop a supplementary 

 hatchery program which will make it possible to supply catchable sized 

 fish to several of the more heavily fished and accessible areas. The 

 present hatchery system can not readily be changed to make it satisfac- 

 tory for the rearing of these larger fish. The hatcheries are located at 

 points where water temperatures are not satisfactory throughout the 

 year for such work and their actual rearing facilities for the most part 

 consist of troughs which are only suitable for smaller fish. It, there- 

 fore, seems apparent that such expansion as is to take place in our 

 hatchery system should be of a different type to supplement the work 

 now being done. 



On the attached map, hatcheries and rearing stations have been 

 indicated in three categories; first, existing hatcheries and rearing sta- 

 tions ; second, hatcheries recently abandoned due to flood damage, and, 

 third, recommended development for rearing ponds and hatcheries. 

 By referring to the numbers and comparing them with the list given 

 on the accompanying sheets, the names and locations of the various 

 hatcheries can be obtained and also information as to their relative 

 size. Productive capacity is indicated by the number of troughs, tanks 

 or ponds which are available at each station for the rearing of fish. 



On the third sheet of this list will be found a section entitled 

 "Recommended Developments." Included therein are the stations or 

 localities in which we believe our program for development should be 

 concentrated. In some instances such as Hot Creek and Fishing Creek 

 proven satisfactory waters now exist, but in most of the others the 

 locations are only tentative and should by all means be proven by the 

 establishment and operation of experimental stations for a period of 

 at least one year before any extensive development is undertaken. 



