162 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 



little subsequent plauting. Based on that evidence, and similar experience else- 

 where in the United States, it is not deemed necessary nor worth while to pro- 

 duce large numbers of the warm-water fishes for repeated plantings. After an 

 initial plant, success is more dependent on food and water conditions. Even 

 where conditions limit spawning success, the planting of a few thousand fry 

 year after year can hardly be useful in view of the great number of small fish 

 required for warm-water fish production. Successful warm-water fish produc- 

 tion requires much greater numbers of young fish than can possibly be produced 

 artificially. Hatchery production of warm-water fishes shall therefore be limited 

 to the amount needed for stocking barren waters, above what can be obtained 

 through rescue work. When these fish are established in suitable waters, no 

 further stocking is necessary. It is not practical to rear bass or other warm- 

 water fishes to catchable size for planting since they require large amounts of 

 natural food. The only fish of that size available for stocking are those obtained 

 in rescue work. 



3. The principal losses of warm-water species, such as sunfishes, catfish, and rough 

 fish, are in drying reservoirs and canals. These fishes are very prolific under 

 favorable conditions, and the addition of rescued stock to well established popu- 

 lations may do more harm than good, or at best, supply a temporary increase 

 in food for existing fish. Rescue of warm-water fishes will therefore be carried 

 on mainly to obtain stock to be used in establishing these fishes in waters in 

 which they are absent. 



D. PRIVATE FISHING LAKES 



1. California in comparison with other states has few farm ponds but all that we 

 have should be utilized to their full capacity. The present policy of the com- 

 mission, to supply an initial stocking of fish for most ponds under 25 acres with- 

 out requiring that they be open to publish fishing, will be continued. Such 

 small ponds can only supply a very limited amount of public fishing. However, 

 use under angling license by the owner and his friends may relieve the burden 

 on other waters. The productiveness of farm ponds in California is limited due 

 to seasonal fluctuations, the frequent use of the water for irrigation, and often 

 a reluctance on the part of the owner to manage them properly. Every effort 

 will be made to develop the full productivity of farm ponds for fishery purposes. 

 However, the amount of time and effort to be spent on farm pond work should 

 be realistically proportionate to the results that can be expected. 



2. Present regulations of the commission require that reservoirs over 25 acres in 

 area and lakes and streams of all kinds be open to public fishing in whole or 

 in part if they are to be managed or planted by the State. Planting of reservoirs 

 over 25 acres or of streams and lakes, of which one-third is open to the public 

 without charge by the owners is allowed under permit. These policies shall be 

 continued since the fish naturally present in streams and lakes and in the larger 

 reservoirs are the property of the people of the State, whose rights to use and 

 enjoy them should be protected and extended, consistent with the proper pro- 

 tection of the landowner in the use and enjoyment of his property. 



E. STEELHEAD AND SALMON 



1. Evidence accumulated over the years in the Pacific states and Canada indicates 

 that little or no benefit is derived by taking eggs for hatchery processing of 

 steelhead and salmon from fish which would spawn naturally. Any benefits de- 

 rived therefrom would be prohibitive in cost. Intensive hatchery work with these 

 fishes shall be limited to areas where it is necessary to salvage the eggs of fish 

 which no longer have adequate or suitable spawning areas. 



2. The production of the two hactheries now existing in the coastal area will be 

 used primarily for experimental work looking toward the development of better 

 and cheaper methods for using hatcheries to supplement the natural production 

 of steelhead and salmon and the rehabilitation of barren streams. 



3. Steelhead and salmon management will therefore be concentrated on the main- 

 tenance of an adequate breeding stock and on maintenance of suitable spawning 

 and natural rearing of the young to migratory size. 



4. Research to determine the factors limiting salmon and steelhead and methods 

 of improving production will be vigorously prosecuted. 



5. No stream can be expected to produce large numbers of young steelhead and 

 salmon to migratory size and at the same time produce or support a crop of 



