REPORT OF MONTANA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 15 



job" — they co-operate in every way possible, and while once in a 

 while we find a member who will not tell where he caught his fine 

 lot, most are anxious that other should know. 



If there is any part of the state where suitable streams are to be 

 found, or where the streams have been depleted, and there is no organ- 

 ization of anglers one should be formed, local interest aroused and 

 work done along the lines of effort now followed by the older clubs. 



Xo one thing will add so much to the happiness of the coming gen- 

 eration as streams and lakes where good fishing may be found at the 

 proper season. 



It is of more than passing interest that some of the more prominent 

 and wealthy men have taken so great an interest in this matter, that 

 they have built hatcheries at their own cost and have dedicated the 

 same to the public. Much good will result for the hatcheries so built 

 are at points where fry may be quickly distributed to proper streams 

 with little or no loss and at small expense. 



One of the encouraging signs in your work is the deep interest which 

 all of those engaged in it take in the results obtained. There might 

 be a better way than that now in use for determining results of 

 plantings made. I know that a complete record of all shipments of fry 

 have been kept, but I do not know whether all anglers' clubs and 

 other distributing agencies have kept a record of plantings made, with 

 a record of the time when made nor the name of the stream in which 

 made. Even with this data at hand we would know little of results 

 except the often-heard expression "fishing is good — or bad" as the 

 case may be, from the many streams, and there seems to be no way 

 in which information can be accurately obtained covering this question. 



There can be little doubt that the work of stocking streams which 

 has been done in the past has done much good, otherwise the intensive 

 fishing of the past few years would have entirely depleted many of 

 our streams where now fishing is fairly good. The beneficial results 

 may be best understood by considering those streams where varieties 

 have been planted not indigenous to the waters. There are many 

 places where the rainbow trout, the eastern brook trout, and in some 

 places where the grayling has been planted that good fishing may be 

 had. I make no mention of the Locklevin trout in the Madison river,, 

 but that stream evidences the good effects of plantings not only in 

 the case of the variety mentioned but in the case of the rainbow trout. 



Where there are so many fine clear streams and rivers, so many 

 beautiful lakes where fish may grow, and where all conditions supplied 

 by nature are favorable, it would be a crime not to do our best to 

 preserve what we now have, and a great mistake not to try to improve 

 present conditions. 



Yours very truly, 

 W. M. BICKFORD. 



