REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS. 35 



Eastern to Cutthroat taken was two to one. We have retained speci- 

 mens of these fish taken from each place, and they can be seen in our 

 office. 



These positive examples have confirmed our judgment of the value 

 of these fishes, as expressed in our report of 1901-02,- and with the 

 splendid stock of "breeders" at Sisson, now rapidly increasing, we 

 confidently expect to have in two years' time an annual output of 

 1,500,000 fry. 



In addition to the plants made in the higher altitudes, we began to 

 test their adaptability to the head waters of some of the coast counties, 

 and while the exceptional growth in the Sierra have not been dupli- 

 cated, reports from plants made last year indicate that they have shown 

 as good results as any other variety of trout planted in former years, 

 with the distinct advantage that instead of drifting down stream to salt 

 water, they work up stream and remain in fresh water. Being "fall 

 spawners," which means that they spawn late in the year, beginning 

 generally in the early part of November and continuing into December, 

 they are in prime condition to take when the open season commences. 

 As they rise to a fly or take bait equally well, and will remain where 

 planted, no matter how small the brook, they fill an important place in 

 waters left vacant by Rainbow or Cutthroat trout, neither of which is 

 naturally found there, nor will remain when planted there. It is be- 

 lieved, however, that in streams subject to sudden rises during winter 

 freshets, they can not show an increase through natural propagation, 

 both the eggs and young fry being easily destroyed by torrential floods, 

 which are to be expected dviring the hatching and rearing periods; 

 therefore, we would not advise their planting to any great extent in the 

 Coast Range streams, except it be at the headwaters or in lakes and 

 reservoirs that are not subject to much change. 



STRIPED BASS. 



During the legislative session of 1903 our recommendations that the 

 weight limit on bass that could be lawfully taken be changed from one 

 pound to three pounds, and a continuous open season for their capture 

 be granted, became a law. We are pleased to report a decided increase 

 in the numbers of this fish. Not only is the striped bass one of the 

 most palatable and nutritious of our food fishes, but it is second in 

 value and importance to salmon. We are importuned by some dealers 

 to have the weight again reduced to one pound, this request usually 

 coming during the time of a prosecution for a violation of this law. 

 Some of the larger dealers go so far as to claim that unless the limit is 

 again reduced, striped bass will become as plentiful and cheap as shad, 

 which period, in our opinion, could not arrive too soon. It is a note- 



