REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



29 



streams flowing into Cottonwood Lakes. These operations are carried 

 on under extreme difficulties. The fi.sli commence "running" as soon 

 as the ice on the hikes commences to break up in the spring, which is 

 generally during the middli' of June. 'Hie remoteness of the site of 

 operations from railroatls, highways or, indeed, any human habitations, 

 the high altitude, and prevalence of snow .storms, make the trip into 

 this remote section at this season of tlic year actually dangerous at 

 times. Nevertheless the work has been continued and crews have gone 

 into the "lakes" each season and successfully accomplished their mis- 

 sion. Five Inuidrcd tliousnnd eggs were taken in the spring of 1918, 

 and in 1919, nearly a million eggs were procured. Immediately after 

 each spawning pack trains were started out to take the eggs to the Mount 

 Wliitney Hatchery where they were hatched and reared. The Cotton- 

 wood Lakes Station is being opened up again this season and about 

 three quarters of a million eggs will be taken, if conditions are 

 favorable. 



Fig. .5. On the way to tlie Rae Lakes Kg^-coUectins; Station, on June 7. 1920. It 

 takes ingenuity and hard work to reach seme of the spawning stations. Photograph 

 by G. McCloud Jr. 



RAE LAKES STATION. 



The Rae Lakes Station was established during the late spring of 1917 



and operated that season. At the site of operations the altitude is 10,500 



feet above sea level. It is a beautiful cliain of lakes set in the heart of 



the high southern Sierra in Fresno County, and is well stocked with 



rainbow trout. To reach the site in time to trap the fish as they enter 



the streams to spawn is extremely difficult. The trip into the lakes must 



be made via Oak Creek pass at an elevation of over 11,000 feet. There 



are few trails and one must make the trip through the blind mountain 



