38 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



the Klamath River but throughout the whole state, for the taking of 

 any species of fishes should be stopped. Spearing fish is unsportsman- 

 like and in most eases is a wanton waste, as many fishes are taken, 

 particularly salmon, that after examination, are found to be spawners 

 and unfit for food and are thrown away and other fish caught that are 

 fresh run and do not show evidence of having been taken from the 

 spawning beds. 



The number of salmon eggs collected from the traps at Klamathon 

 during the last two seasons was 15,670,000, considerably less than half 

 of the annual take of 1923. 



We refer again to the recommendations made in our reports concern- 

 ing the Chinook salmon in 1922-1924. "The Fish and Game Commis- 

 sion is waging an unhill fight when it comes to conservation, as the 

 people do not realize the destruction of Avild life until it is too late." 

 Recommendations for the better protection of the salmon on their 

 migrations to the spawning grounds, the prevention of the use of spears 

 and practical and scientific methods of operating our hatcheries must 

 ])e given the attention of everyone who desires to see this valuable fish 

 preserved from extermination. 



MOUNT SHASTA HATCHERY. 



The efficient work and general operations of the Mount Shasta 

 Hatchery and its auxiliary stations has continued through the present 

 biennial period. The total number of trout hatched and distributed 

 from this hatchery during the last two years ending June 30, 1926, was 

 34,818,516. The total number of salmon hatched and distributed was 

 6,103,000. The total number of trout eggs collected from the ponds 

 at this hatchery during the two seasons covered by this report was 

 22,683,000. This number with the additional number of trout eggs 

 shipped from outside stations makes a grand total of 38,226,000 trout 

 eggs. 



During the summer of 1925, the Commission had a deficiency appro- 

 priation made for the improvement and repairs of Mount Shasta 

 Hatchery which had become greatly in need of repairs. The buildings 

 were getting old and dilapidated, the pond walls needed relining, 

 flumes were rotted and in a bad state. It was recommended that 

 improvements should include : replacement by iron pipes ; w^ooden 

 tanks replaced by concrete; holding ponds relined; a new^ sew^er system 

 installed; the old hydro-electric plant replaced b.y a modern one; 

 installation of a refrigerating plant for the manufacture of ice and 

 for keeping the temperature at the proper degree in the cooling room 

 Avhere tlie fish food is kept ; new foundations under hatcheries A and B ; 

 rustic ])laced on hatcheries C and D ; ceiling of the walls and over- 

 head of hatcheries C and E ; installation of new hatching troughs 

 in Hatchery E, construction of new iron fence around the grounds 

 and a concrete walk from the hatchery grounds to the county road. 

 Hatchery D was in such bad condition that it was decided to tear it 

 down and construct a new and larger building on another site. These 

 plans Avere all approved by the Board of Fish and Game Commissioners 

 and after the estimates were made up, the Governor set aside $52,068.37 

 for these improvements, which at this date, June 30th, are being made. 

 The Department of Public Works handled the funds as provided by 



