TWENTY-NINTH BIENNIAL REPORT. 73 



There is evidence which leads to the inference that king salmon 

 after entering the ocean may remain together in the same locality 

 or migrate in the same scliool for one or more years, possi1)ly 

 throughout life. 



King salmon may range a long distance at sea from the mouth 

 of the parent stream, a discovery of importance in relation to 

 conservation. 



It can be seen, therefore, that as a result of marking experiments, a 

 great deal has been learned regarding the salmon's range at sea from 

 the different rivers. Consequently, with this data at hand, the Com- 

 mission is in a far better position to properly regulate river and sea 

 fishing for salmon in order that the salmon run may be conserved. 



Scale studies of the half-pounder of Eel River, which has been 

 believed a salmon by many anglers, is in reality a steelhead trout, 

 approximately three years old, which has entered the river on its first 

 nuptial migration. If this fish is allowed to spawn and escape the 

 dangers of the river, it may return again and again, each time greatly 

 increased in size and presumably with a larger egg-laying capacity. 

 With this knowledge, angling should be so regulated to provide sufficient 

 safety for the needs of the steelhead trout in the Eel River. 



Also under the direction of Dr. Snyder, investigations relative to the 

 age and rate of growth of the striped bass as evidenced by scale studies 

 have been started by E. C. Scofield. These studies have shown that a 

 majority of bass mature in their fourth year and at a size which escapes 

 through the nets of m.inimum sized mesh, set at 5 J inches. 



