FfsH And GameCommssion 



,.#i.i'-l 



REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT H. D. DEAN. 



Montana State Fish Commission, 



Mr. E. P. Mathewson, Chairman, 

 Anaconda, Mont. 

 Dear Sir: — 



I hereby submit report of the operations of the State Fish 

 Hatcheries during the years 1913-1914. 



The work of the Hatcheries has been very successful during the 

 time covered by this report, about fifteen millions of fry having been 

 liberated in the waters of Montana in the two years. 



The work done in the vicinity of the new hatchery on Flathead 

 Lake has been largely experimental, as but little definite knowledge 

 was obtainable in regard to the spawning habits of the fish in the 

 numerous lakes of that region. In several of these lakes, the fish can 

 be secured in numbers sufficiently large to make the work successful 

 if the eggs are eyed at the field stations. Thus far it has been im- 

 possible to transport the green eggs to the hatchery without a large 

 loss resulting. 



There has been a considerable expenditure of time and money at 

 Georgetown Lake, twenty miles west of Anaconda, with the intention 

 of making it a large station for supplying eggs for the Hatcheries. 



Georgetown Lake is one of the most favorable bodies of waters in 

 Montana for the growth of fish. There are several varieties of trout 

 in the lake, also grayling, and they all make excellent growth. It is 

 one of the best fishing places and large numbers of people resort there 

 during the season for the angling. Although so many fish are caught, 

 yet it has been possible thus far, to keep up the supply by the constant 

 restocking with small fry. 



The lake is full of food and the fish are very fat. This is probably 

 the reason why some of the eggs secured from fish trapped there have 

 been of poor quality. It is hoped, however, that improved methods of 

 handling may give better results. 



The almost unrestricted fishing at Georgetown has militated against 

 the work of securing eggs. Fishing hogs have at all times come as 

 close to the confines of the spawning station at Stuart Mill Creek as 

 possible, and not been caught. This is a spring creek and the water 

 temperature is warmer in winter and colder in summer than the water 

 of the lake. Thus the fish naturally resort in the creek or at the 

 mouth, the season around. They are caught here in large numbers, 

 the use of the grab hooks not being uncommon. This creek, including 

 the small bay at the mouth, should be absolutely closed to fishing and 



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