THIRTY-SECOND BIENNIAL REPORT 



29 



REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF FISH RESCUE AND 



RECLAMATION 



By George Neale, Chief 



The rescue of fish, especially of young fish, would be of little value 

 from the standpoint of conservation if, after they were rescued, they 

 were put back in waters not suitable to their needs, or in waters con- 

 taining insufficient natural food and shelter. By a wise provision of 

 nature, nearly all of the spiny-rayed fishes choose their spawning beds 

 or nests in those areas where there is an abundance of natural food 

 for their young. After the eggs hatch, it is extremely necessary 

 that natural food be provided upon which the fish may feed after the 

 sac is absorbed and the young fish are in a swimming condition. 



Fig. 5. A bagnet full of adult bass and crappie taken from the Mokelumne River. 



Photo by George Neale, 1931. 



In the overflow areas where the water is shallow and dries up early 

 in the year, a great loss of fish life takes place unless rescue methods 

 are adopted. A survey of these areas is made prior to the dry season 

 and suitable regions for the particular species of fish involved are 

 selected. Into these areas the rescued fish are planted. 



Past investigations of stomach contents showing the food habits 

 of both young and adult fish have enabled the Fish Rescue Bureau to 

 diagnose areas where environmental conditions are satisfactory for the 

 transplanting of these fish. 



FERTILITY 



An adult female black bass will deposit from three to six thousand 

 eggs, according to the size of the fish. Other spiny-rayed fishes, such 

 as calico bass and crappie will deposit from two to four thousand eggs. 



