38 



DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 









An jrriga/jon (J/fc/i js being tested to determine how many fish ore being drawn through diversions and lost in fields. 



Several cases of winter kills were investigated in 

 shallow high elevation waters. Losses were generally 

 attributed to shallowness, abundant aquatic plants or 

 lack of suitable inlets and outlets for circulation result- 

 ing in oxygen depletion. 



Observations were made to determine the extent of 

 losses of golden trout over a falls in the outlet of Alger 

 Lakes, Alono County. Abundance of all sizes of golden 

 in the lake without having been stocked for many 

 years indicated that losses have not been excessive. 



A study of the Shadow Creek, Madera County, 

 drainage, containing eight lakes, were made to deter- 

 mine the feasibility of reclaiming the basin for golden 

 trout. Due to a lack of spawning areas throughout the 

 region as a whole, it was considered impractical. One 

 isolated lake has been recommended for chemical 

 treatment and rehabilitation of golden trout. 



The project was terminated in June, 1954, and as 

 an outgrowth of information gained a manual of back- 

 countr\' management covering all phases of the project 

 activities is being prepared. 



Striped Bass 



Scope of work on the striped bass fishery was tem- 

 porarily reduced during the biennium as a result of 

 personnel changes associated with reorganization and 

 no new work was initiated. However, the system of 

 catch records so vital to understanding the status of 

 this important fishery was maintained, and surveys 



of spawning success were made each year. Much of the 

 field data accumulated during the preceding five years 

 of intensive work was analyzed and published. A new 

 federal aid project was planned for initiation early in 

 the next biennium, to pick up and continue the former 

 long-range striped bass program. 



Outstanding accomplishments in relation to this fish- 

 ery during the biennium were made by other agencies 

 in the field of screening large diversions. The depart- 

 ment was associated with these activities in an advisory 

 capacity. 



Practical Effects 



The fish preservation project at the Contra Costa 

 Stream Plant intake was successfully terminated by the 

 Bechtel Corporation and the Pacific Gas and Electric 

 Company. Information gained from this project was 

 applied by Bechtel Corporation to design of the new 

 Pittsburg Stream Plant. As a result, this installation 

 should not present a serious hazard to the striped bass 

 population. 



Development of a new type of louver screen by the 

 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff assigned to the 

 Tracy Pumping Plant also promises to resolve the ex- 

 tremely difficult screening problems which have arisen 

 there. 



Sturgeon 



It has become increasingly apparent to personnel 

 working on the striped bass fishery in recent years that 



