REPORT OF STATE HOARD OF FISTT rO>rMISSIO\ERS. 57 



from live to nine pounds and was distinguished for its fighting qualities. 

 Specimens of these "landlocked" salmon were sent to Dr. Da\dd Starr 

 Jordan, of Stanford University, who immediately pronounced them 

 steelhead, which confirms the good judgment of Mr. La Motte and 

 establishes the fact that it is not necessary for the steelhead to go to 

 salt water. Judging from the success that has followed our experiments 

 with steelhead fry*at Sisson and from the fact that these fish are now 

 being caught in the Great Lakes, we liave every reason to anticipate 

 splendid results from the plants made in the Tahoe region and shall 

 be glad to continue our efforts in that direction. 



We have been able to materially improve the hatchery buildings and 

 grounds at the^Tahoe station. We have enclosed the grounds with a 

 substantial and attractive picket fence; a new foundation has been 

 placed under the hatchery; the old "shake" roof has been replaced with 

 a good shingled roof; the interior of the building has been ceiled through- 

 out and neatly painted, and sleeping quarters for the men were con- 

 structed in the loft of the building. The usual repairs were made at 

 the Tallac station, although the extreme high water of the past season 

 has damaged the foundation of the superintendent's cottage at the 

 mouth of Taylor Creek. AMth this work overhauled, which will be done 

 as soon as the water permits, both .our stations on Lake Tahoe will be 

 in the best possible condition. 



The general supervision of the egg-collecting, hatching, rearing, and 

 distribution of the fry has been under the direction of E. W. Hunt, an 

 experienced fish culturist. He was assisted at the Tallac station in 1903 

 by W. B. Hunt and in 1904 by F. F. Anderson. 



We are glad to report the strict observance of the ordinances of El 

 Dorado and Placer counties which prohibit the taking of fish in the 

 Tahoe region until June 1st. This close season gives thousands of 

 spawn-bearing fish an opportunity to deposit their eggs and permits us 

 to secure all that we need. Lake Tahoe is just beginning to recover 

 from the continuous drain to which it was subjected for many years in 

 the taking of spawn-bearing fish, beginning on the 1st of April of 

 each year. In that high altitude and low temperature the fish do not 

 mature before the 1st of May and spawning continues up to the 15th of 

 June. It has been frequently charged by market fishermen and others 

 that the scarcity of fish was due to our operations; that we destroyed 

 many fish; that artificial propagation was not a success, and that the 

 county ordinances should be repealed. That artificial propagation is a 

 failure is a statement so wild that it is not considered worthy of argu- 

 ment. Our total take of spawn fish does not exceed 4,000. If ten 

 per cent died through the operations of artificial spawning, which is a 

 liberal allowance, there would still be 3,500 fish returned to the water 

 in as good condition as they ever Avere, for food or for sport. If the 



