REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS 29 



1st. While it may be true that in two or three of the coastwise coun- 

 ties this law would encounter some opposition, it would meet with the 

 approval of a large majority of our people. In most of the counties in 

 Southern California, the taking of trout has been forbidden by local 

 ordinance until June 1st. It ought to be clear to any person of intel- 

 ligence, that a fish just through the spawning period is not a fit article 

 of food; in other words, a sufficient time should be given to allow the 

 fish to fully recover from that drain on its vitality. It would also 

 result in larger and stronger fishes, affording better sport to the angler. 

 It would shorten the open season from seven months to six, which in 

 our opinion is an important factor of safety when our rapidly increas- 

 ing population and ever-increasing number of anglers are considered. 



In many of the mountain counties of this State the trout should not 

 be taken before the 1st of June, but as the tourist travel to the moun- 

 tains does not begin until the 15th of May, and does not reach the 

 higher altitudes before the 1st of June, these sections will not be 

 seriously affected. 



During the past summer we have conferred with the honorable 

 Board of Fish Commissioners of the State of Nevada, and are pleased 

 to find that it is strongly in favor of changing the opening day for 

 the taking of trout in that State from the loth of March to the 1st or 

 15th of May. We could then have a uniform law in both states, which 

 is of the greatest importance when the fishery interests of Lake Tahoe 

 and the Truckee River are considered; otherwise it is difficult to prevent 

 violations on one side or the other of the line, especially on Lake Tahoe, 

 which is traversed by the State line. 



We are pleased to report on the excellent results following the change 

 in the weight of trout that could be legally sold, which was raised at 

 the last session of the Legislature from one-half pound to one pound, 

 and would strongly recommend that the present law be maintained. 

 In many of the states of the Union the sale of all trout is prohibited, 

 but the conditions in those states are unlike those in California. 



We have the steelhead trout, a fish of commercial importance, and, 

 as we have recently begun their artificial propagation, we believe the 

 supply of these fishes will not only be maintained but increased, espe- 

 cially as we were able at the last session of the Legislature to secure an 

 amendment to the then existing law (which permitted the capture of 

 steelhead trout with a 7^-inch mesh net under certain conditions), 

 prohibiting their taking other than with hook and line. As we 

 see no reason why the artificial propagation of steelhead trout should 

 be less successful than our salmon work, we feel that we can with 

 safety allow the sale of any trout above a pound in weight, which 

 permits the hotels in the mountains to furnish trout in limited quan- 

 ties to their guests, adds much to the attractiveness of these resorts, and 



