1G0 



DEPARTMENT OP FISH AND GAME 



The following are regarded as the principal and essential elements necessary to 

 obtain this objective in view of present knowledge : 



A. MAINTENANCE OF WATERS FOR THE ANGLER AND FOR THE FISH 



1. It will be the constant endeavor to keep as much water as possible open and 

 accessible to the public for the purpose of fishing. 



2. The primary objectives in habitat work will be the maintenance of natural con- 

 ditions in natural waters, the adaption of impounded waters for fishery pur- 

 poses, and the creation of new fishing waters. Stream and lake improvement 

 which involves the building of artificial devices for the improvement of food or 

 shelter is not economically feasible on a large scale and the benefits are ques- 

 tionable on the basis of present knowledge. 



3. The quantity and quality of waters will be maintained so as to produce maxi- 

 mum numbers of fish. Other uses of water are recognized as necessary, but rec- 

 reational use by one million anglers is also of prime importance. It will there- 

 fore be the objective to obtain assignment and protection of water for fishery 

 purposes on an equitable basis with other uses. No single use or combination 

 of uses need exclude others under proper planning and management. As im- 

 poundments and canals are created, every effort will be made to adapt or manage 

 them for fishery purposes. 



4. Waters may be extended or flows improved through use of storage, either con- 

 structed solely for fishery purposes or for other uses. 



5. Since the quality of waters will be subject to impairment as the State grows in- 

 dustrially and in population, an aggressive program for the prevention and 

 correction of pollution will be carried out. 



6. Fish must be protected as fully as possible from the hazards created by the 

 other uses of water. Fish ladders or other devices will be required to permit 

 fish to reach spawning or feeding grounds, and screens will be required to pre- 

 vent losses in diversions. Ladders shall be provided and maintained by the 

 owners of the dams as required by law. Fish screens as specialized mechanical 

 devices are more economically and efficiently constructed and kept in repair by 

 a single agency of the State. Owners will be required to assist in operating the 

 screens, and screens on power and large diversions shall be both installed and 

 maintained by the owners, as now required by law. By-pass water to return 

 fish to the stream below the diversion shall be provided by the owner of the 

 diversion where necessary. 



The new Delta Field Base, on the San Joaquin River near the Antioch Bridge, was built during 

 1951 with Wildlife Conservation Board funds. The building contains adequate storage and 

 working space for the various delta activities of the department, including berths for three 



boats, the Striper, Rainbow, and Minnow. 



