4 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS., 



to Acclimatize Fish and other Water Animals in the Pacific States," by 

 Dr. H. M. Smith, of the U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, a 

 gentleman who has made extended investigations throughout the State 

 and thoroughly examined all of our waters, making investigations of the 

 various branches of our commercial fisheries : 



"The zealous efforts of the Fish Commissioners of California to increase the quantity 

 and variety of food and game fishes of the State deserve special recognition. For more 

 than twentj'-five years the energies of the Commission have been almost constantly 

 directed to the acclimatization of desirable fishes inhabiting the waters of the Eastern 

 States. Their remarkable success when acting on their own behalf and in conjunction 

 with the New York Commission and the U. S. Fish Commission entitles them to the 

 great credit and praise which they have received both from the inhabitants of California 

 and from the people of other States and foreign countries." (p. 380.) 



This quotation is not made with the idea of self-congratulation or 

 laudation, but to show that the policy laid down by the State's first 

 Board of Fish Commissioners is the policy which receives the highest 

 commendation from the men who are the best posted in the value of this 

 work, and thoroughly able to express an opinion. 



It has also been our aim, so far as was in our power, to protect and 

 care for the game and game-fish interests of the State, believing that they 

 are of great importance; and, as the following pages will show, demand 

 more attention and better protection than has heretofore obtained. We 

 have, during the last two years, by watching the chief market centers 

 and sending men into districts where violations were reported, made 

 many arrests and put a stop to much illegal work. 



We have caused certain statistics pertaining to our fisheries to be 

 compiled. They are included in this report, and give much valuable 

 information regarding the catch of our commercial fishes. We also pre- 

 sent statistics, which will be found of interest, showing the value and 

 amount of game handled in San Francisco and Los Angeles markets, 

 during the season 1895-96. 



We have increased our fish hatcheries by the addition of the Battle 

 Creek, Tallac, and Wawona stations, and are now much better equipped 

 than ever before, and better able to carry on the work of re-stocking 

 and increasing the output of our streams and lakes. 



The splendid location of the Battle Creek hatchery makes it possible 

 to take and hatch an unlimited number of salmon eggs; and, although 

 obliged to stop last fall in the middle of the work for want of a place 

 to eye the eggs, we have placed to our credit in one year the largest 

 plant of salmon fry ever made b}' the State in any previous four 

 years— 14283,180. 



The location of the Wawona hatchery fills a long-felt want, and 

 makes it possible to reach the magnificent waters in and about the 

 Yosemite National Park without the long, tiresome, and unprofitable 

 trip from any one of our other hatcheries. 



