MONTANA STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 27 



be observed -such as Lake Ronan and several lakes in the Kalispell-Libby section, 

 which u?re formerly well stocked with trout and have been lost through intro- 

 ductioii of exotic species such as sun fish, crappies or bass. There are certain 

 waters where it is to the advantage of the sportsmen and the department to 

 plant these exotic species but there must be some control over this work if an 

 intelligent program is to be carried out. 



3. It is recommended that legislation be passed which would vest in a 

 board, preferably the Water Conservation Board, or the State Engineer, the power 

 and authority to exercise control over the use of water in this state. It would 

 seem that with the severe drought we have experienced, bringing to the atten- 

 tion of all the importance and necessity of utilizing waters to the best possible 

 advantage, the time is ripe to present such a program for consideration of the 

 legislature. At present the hundreds of streams, dry miles before the point 

 of confluence with larger streams bears mute evidence to our inability to 

 administer certain of our most valuable resources. With water the life and 

 blood of every community and state there certainly should be some supervision 

 over its conservation and utilization. 



Work of the fisheries division the past two years has been marked by 

 splendid cooperation of different agencies interested in the fisheries program. 

 To these agencies we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation. Promieuent 

 among them may be mentioned the state and county C. W. A. and Montana 

 Relief Commission officials who have shown every consideration for the de- 

 velopment and improvement of fisheries work, the Montana Power Company 

 for the cooperation in the operation of the Great Falls hatchery, the Anaconda 

 Copper Mining Company who owns the land upon which is located our most 

 valuable spawning stations at Georgetown lake, the U. S. Forest Service for its 

 splendid work in construction of rearing ponds at the head of the Little Black- 

 foot in Powell county and in the Benchmark territory in Lewis and Clark 

 county. Of outstanding importance is the work undertaken by the forest 

 service in the stream improvement work near Philipsburg. This work was done 

 under the direction of Dr. Tarzwell of Michigan, credited with doing the pioneer 

 work of this nature and whose services were obtained by the forestry depart- 

 ment in order that the work be properly administered. W. M. Rush, Game ex- 

 pert with the forestry department contributed a great deal through his work 

 on fish diseases and the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries extended their usual coopera- 

 tion in the work during the year especially at Miles City where the bureau and 

 state department operate the Pond Cultural station on a cooperative basis. Too 

 much cannot be said of the splendid work done at the Butte Anglers Rearing 

 pond, under the leadership of William Carpenter and Charles Healea. Vast im- 

 provements were made this year through the construction of a hatchery, con- 

 struction of fry ponds and improvements to and remodeling the old ponds, 

 This plant will contribute much to the Big Hole river and adjacent waters. 

 The Great Falls Wild Life association and city of Great Falls are entitled 

 great credit for the construction of a display pen for game birds. This pen was 

 constructed at the Great Falls hatchery and adds much to the appearance of 

 the grounds. The Great Falls park board contributed a gi-eat deal through 

 the landscaping work at Giant Springs, under the direction of Thomas Lease. 

 The Dude Ranchers association and various rod and gun clubs rendered very 

 valuable assistance in the distribution work and other support during the past 

 two years. 



