22 MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



No attempt was made to collect eggs in 1933 but the spring of 1934 the station 

 was again opened and 940,900 eggs taken, rormauent traps are being installed, 

 the old hatchery and dwelling are being repaired and it is planned to oi^erate 

 this station each spring and develop the field as rapidly as possible. 



With the increased demand for loch leven in the Missouri and Yellowstone 

 rivers, the need for a loch leven spawning station became apparent in 1930. 

 Plans were laid for the development of a rainbow and loch leven spawning 

 field at Hebgen lake and substantial plantings of fingerlings were made begin- 

 ning in 1931. Traps were installed in Duck creek. South Fork of the Madison 

 and in the main Madison river during the fall of 1933 and a total of 4,804.000 

 loch leven eggs collected. Using the same traps, in the spring of 1934 more than 

 5,000 000 rainbow eggs were taken. Permanent traps are now being installed 

 and buildings erected for living quarters for the personnel. This promises to 

 be one of our major stations. 



In order to obtain information incidental to the operation of the Hebgen 

 lake stations, two hundred loch leven and rainbow trout were tagged, when 

 taken in the trap, on the left gill cover and it would be appreciated if anglers 

 taking any of these tagged fish would report to the fish and game office in 

 Helena, a deputy game warden or park ranger as to where the fish was taken, 

 number of tag, date taken, length and condition of fish. 



The rainbow station at Lake Francis is showing a steady improvement with 

 fishinij' reported the best in history this year. Lake Ronan shows the exp«>ctod 

 decline — the penalty for indiscriminate iilanting of exotic fish by misguided 

 sportsmen. 



Tte fall of 1933 temporary traps were installed at several points in the upper 

 Big Hole river and eastern brook trout eggs collected. There are splendid 

 opportunities there for a good collection, but due to lack of revenue it was not 

 in optH-ation this fall. The traps are widely separated which requires a watch- 

 man at each to prevent poaching. 



In line with the improvements made at the hatcheries with a view of im- 

 proving both quality and <iuaiitity of the output, rearing ponds have been con- 

 structed at several of the slalions. Circular concrete ponds, of the tyi)e devised 

 by L. E. Mayhall of the Washington State Game Commission, were constructed 

 at Gmat Falls, Somers and Anacond.i. These i)onds are 40 feet in diameter, 

 30 inches deep with (he bottom samer-shaped, sloping to the center where tlu- 

 water is discharged. The supply pipi' delivers the water at an angle creating a 

 circular movement. Ponds of this type have proven very satisfactory from 

 .several angles — (1) practically every section of the ptmd presents the sjime 

 conditions, that is the velocity and depth of the water is uniform, a distinct 

 advantage over the rectangular pond where the sturdier fish occupy the upper 

 section of the pond forcing the weaker fish to llii' lower and less desirable 

 sections — (2) tlie circular pond is practically self cleaning with the waste and 

 debris gradually working toward the center and outlet of the pond. The carrying 

 capacity is more than doubled and it is intended to construct more of this tyi)e 

 as revenue is available. 



Another pond proving very sjitisfaetory is a .semi-natural pond, first tried 

 out at the Hig TimlK-r hatcliery. In this type, it is endeavored to develop con- 

 ditions as nearly natural as possil>le with artificial construction intended to add 

 to the carrying capacity. A i)ond Tr> fcH't wide and 150 feet long has proven 

 lh(> most satisfactory. A floor lU feet wide is laid lengthwise through the center 



