16 



REPORT OF MONTANA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



Work of the ^iipcriutouient of Hatcheries 



Hy J. H. BIir>S()>. 



Since the creation of the new ("oniniission. hatcheries have been con- 

 structed at Red Lodge, Big Timber. Lewistown, Great Falls, Ovando, 

 Georgetown Lake, and the operation of the Hamilton Hatchery con- 

 structed and owned by Marcus Daly, has been turned over to the De- 

 partment. The acquisition of these new stations will increase the out- 

 put of this Department, besides, due to their locations a considerable 

 sum will be saved annually on the costs of distribution. 



Added to this is a more pronounced feeling of general satisfaction 

 among the sportsmen, for now they are no longer dependent upon the 

 supply of fish for their streams and lakes from the hatcheries at 

 Anaconda and Somers, it is possible for some of them to go get their 

 fish in person, and for others an assurance of more prompt attention 

 and not infrequently, better delivery and larger numbers, since to have 

 to carry fish long distances successfully by messenger it is necessary 

 to cut down the number of fish per can. 



It cannot be expected that fish carried for several hours in trans- 

 portation cans, the temperatures of the water in the cans being re- 

 duced by the frequent addition of ice, can be anywhere equal to those 

 which have only been enroute for a short period of time whereby it 

 has not been necessary to reduce the water temperature materially. 

 Rapid changes in the temperature of the water are often fatal to 

 young fish. Fish taken out of water at 50 degrees F. and carried 

 a long distance where it is necessary to reduce the water temperature 

 to 36 degrees F. and in some instances lower, will not have the best 

 chances to survive unless the person who liberates them raises the 

 temperature of the water in the can by addition of the water, in which 

 they are to be liberated, gradually, before the fish are allowed to 

 escape from the can. 



