REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS 95 



September, when it again decreases, there being a very few each month, 

 until the next spring run. 



The spawning seasons merge in the same way. The earliest salmon 

 go farthest upstream, and as the season advances they stop at lower 

 points. The localities and dates of the spawning of the earlier salmon 

 have not been determined except that Superintendent Lambson, of 

 Baird, reports having seen a pair of spawning salmon in the McT^loud 

 at the hatchery on the 20th of April, 1902. which is the earliest record 

 known. By the 1st of October, spawning fishes are found as far down- 

 stream as Redding, and as far as Tehama by the 1st of November. 



There is no way of tracing the passage of the salmon through the 

 bays, but from records made at Vallejo, Benicia, and Collinsville it 

 seems to require about a week to reach the mouth of tbe river after they 

 enter the Golden Gate. 



The spring run passes upstream quite rapidly, reaching their spawn- 

 ing grounds on the McCloud River in about six weeks after entering 

 1 he river at Collinsville. 



The fall run moves more slowly. They are about two months reaching 

 their spawning grounds, which are not so far upstream. The flood and 

 ebb tides are more nearly equal, owing to the smaller amount of water 

 coming from the rivers, making the passage of the salmon through 

 the bay a little longer. The nets of the fishermen also offer a greater 

 obstruction during the low water and in this way hold the salmon back. 

 In 1900 salmon were taken in abundance in Suisun Bay and in the river 

 as far up as Rio Vista by the middle of August, but were not taken at 

 Sacramento until after the 1st of September. The low water doubtless 

 made the movement slow, and the taking of from 2,000 to 10,000 daily 

 out of a slow run would account for their non-appearance at Sacramento. 



Upon reaching the shoals in the middle portion of the river they cease 

 their migration, having already found good spawning grounds. In 

 1898, 1899, and 1900 the water was normally low and a large propor- 

 tion of the salmon found spawning places in the main river. The early 

 high water and frequent fall rains in 1897 sent them into the tributaries. 



The latter part of September. 1901, 150 salmon were weighed and 

 branded with serial numbers and released in the river near Rio Vista. 

 Three of these were taken at the hatcheries the latter part of November, 

 just at the close of the season. The following is a particular account 

 of these three specimens: 



No. 8, a female, was branded September 20, when it weighed 13,930 

 grams. It was taken again at Mill Creek fishery November 23, when it 

 weighed 10,180 grams, having been 64 days on the road and having lost 

 26 per cent of its weight. 



No. 91, also a female, was branded September 24, when it weighed 

 s.470 grams. It was taken at Mill Creek November 20, when it weighed 

 7,160 grams, its time in passing up the river being 56 days and its loss 



