REPORT OF MONTANA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



21 



Department to supply fish eggs for such hatcheries will lead to the 

 same end. It would not be impossible for numerous Clubs in the 

 state to erect inexpensive hatcheries containing a few troughs and 

 then turn them over to the state to operate. Hatcheries suitable for 

 hatching rainbow and native trout can be built for two or three 

 hundred dollars, in fact all that is necessary to hatch eggs of this 

 species and to hold the fish until they are ready to take food or be 

 planted in the fry stage is a few troughs and a sun-shade. Other 

 Clubs may desire to operate their own hatcheries, but must have eggs 

 furnished them, in such cases the Commission will be called upon to 

 supply the eggs, the resultant fry being placed wherever the Club de- 

 sires. Such conditions may never obtain, but it would be well for 

 the Commission to make a stand right now on this question. The 

 Commission should not supply eggs or operate hatcheries which have 

 been built without the sanction of the Commission. The finances of 

 the Fish and Game Department are limited to the sale of Hunting 

 and Fishing Licenses, Shipping Permits, Fines and Confiscations, 

 Trapping Permits, and are for this reason decidedly limited, and 

 the operation of the present chain of hatcheries to their capacity 

 together with the expenditures for law enforcement taxes .the revenues 

 of the department to the fullest extent. 



