

Plans for the Futurc-Survey of Streams 



The plan for future usefulness which are now In contemplation by your Com- 

 mission are: 



1. To perfect a survey of the State and list all lakes, streams, and rivers, 

 tabulate them so that the kinds of fish therein, the character of water, sources 

 of pollution, if any, quantity of fry planted and when, together with results may 

 be at all times available. 



2. To prepare and send out instructions for the planting of fry, to all fish 

 and game clubs, and to all interested individuals asking therefor. 



3. To stimulate an interest in the establishment of breeding or temporary 

 holding ponds to care for fry at different distributing points while awaiting per- 

 manent planting in lakes and streams. 



4. To arrange for the purchase and hatching of the eggs of such game birds 

 as may be suitable to the climate. 



5. By all reasonable means to inspire a respect for the law and to arouse 

 a spirit of true sportsmanship. 



In some respects at least there is abundant evidence of the success of the 

 work carried on by the Commission. While no estimate can be made or judgment 

 formed as to the effect of planting the native trout in streams already containing 

 them, we do know that in many lakes, and in some streams which formerly con- 

 tained none of these fish there are now plenty of them. So far as the introduction 

 of new species is concerned we have ample evidences of marked success. 



The Rainbow trout in the Madison River, and Georgetown Lake, are examples 

 of the growth of a new species which give us much encouragement. Many cases 

 of a less marked character could be cited. 



In the Pall of 1916 we purchased one million eyed eggs of the Chinook and 

 Quannat salmon from the State of Oregon which were hatched, one-half at 

 Somers and the other half at Anaconda. 



This was an experiment made because of reports of success following a like 

 move in other localities. The eggs were successfully hatched and the resulting 

 fry planted in various lakes and streams with small loss. While we have not 

 heard from many of the plantings made the reports which have been received are 

 favorable. For instance, we planted the fry in lakes on the Clearwater River in 

 Missoula County on April 12th, 1917. On July 6th, 1918, quite a number were 

 caught ranging in length from thirteen to sixteen inches and in weight from a 

 pound to a pound and a quarter. While it is known that the species will not 

 reproduce when confined to fresh water, that reproduction only follows a stay in 

 salt water, if the results above stated are found to be in any way general the 

 plan of rearing and planting fry should be followed, Montana waters probably 

 contain many thousand pounds of this desirable food fish, if the fry planted in 

 Flathead Lake alone should thrive, not only would the problem of making this 

 large body of water a producer of much food, but it would direct our energies 

 properly in the future in our efforts to stock this and other large lakes with a 

 proper variety. 



Mr. R. E. Clanton, the Master Fish Warden of Oregon, under date of July 11,. 

 1918, writes: 



"We have had considerable experience in planting Chinook Salmon in our 

 lakes close to> Portland. For the first two years there were no apparent results, 

 last year being the first that was taken — and they are now very plentiful. We 

 are arranging to put in from 100,000 to 150,000 fry in this lake annually." 



Salmon in Flathead. 



The following report submitted by Major M. D. Baldwin 

 salmon planted in or near Flathead Lake, may be of interest: 



concerning the 



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