SS REPORT OF -TATE BOARD OP FISH COMMISSIONERS. 



season, and we have granted them the privilege of eyeing their eggs in 

 our Sisson Hatchery. This arrangement will be of mutual benefit to 

 both commissions and insure a continuance of the harmonious relations 

 that exist between us. 



STRIPED BASS. 



During the past two years we have paid special attention to this 

 valuable food and game fish. Unquestionably the demand has largely 

 increased, and striped bass are being shipped in large quantities to the 

 states of Oregon and Washington, also to states as far eastward as the 

 Missouri River. In the prosperous mining towns that have sprung up 

 in the State of Xevada in the past few years, this variety of fish finds a 

 ready sale at prices sufficient to induce the dealers in this State to make 

 a special effort to meet the demand. The high prices have been an 

 inducement to the fishermen to direct their efforts generally to the 

 capture of these fish. 



At the last session of the Legislature a determined effort was made 

 by representatives of the fish dealers to reduce the legal weight at which 

 these fish might be taken and possessed — from three pounds to two 

 pounds — but we were able to convince our legislators that such a move 

 would be extremely unwise, pointing out that the fish must attain the 

 weight of at least three pounds before they are able to reproduce their 

 species. Many of the intelligent market fishermen believe that the 

 weight limit of the fish should be increased from three to six pounds, 

 and there is much merit in the contention. This, however, would not 

 meet with the approval of those who delight in taking the fish for sport. 



When striped bass first began to appear in considerable numbers in 

 the waters of this State, there were no restrictions as to the size of mesh 

 that might be used in their capture. It was soon learned, however, 

 that the fishermen would operate on the salmon grounds for them dur- 

 ing Saturdays and Sundays, and with smaller mesh nets than can be 

 legally used to take salmon. 



In order to protect the salmon, which are by far the more important 

 fish, considered from the commercial viewpoint, the words "shad and 

 striped bass " were, in 1897, on the recommendation of a previous Board, 

 incorporated into Section 634, which had previously referred solely to 

 the methods and time for taking salmon. This statute forbids the 

 netting of salmon during Saturdays and Sundays, or at any time with 

 a net less than 7^-inch mesh. Without this amendment, the fishermen 

 could lay out their nets, presumably to take either shad or striped bass, 

 but in the operation catch large quantities of salmon. They always 

 had a perfect defense when taken into court, that they were operating 

 for striped bass or shad, and accidentally caught the salmon, which are 



