MONTANA STATR FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 



31 



Hebgen crew. The erection of a combination garage, workshop and hatchery 

 also has been completed and in this building is housed the newly developed 

 egg eyer, capable of eyeing 12,000,000 eggs in the same space as was foi'merly 

 used to hatch 250,000. This makes possible the starting of spawning operations 

 at this station early in the spring, long before the roads are passable for 

 automobiles. The crew is transported there by an airplane equipped with skis. 

 The large lake formed by the Hebgen dam of the Montana Power Company 

 is to a great extent responsible for the excellent fishing that exists in the lake 

 and in the Madison river above and below the lake. 



However, the heavy demand for irrigation water and electrical energy at 

 Fort Peck has compelled the power company to use a large portion of its flood 

 storage waters held in Hebgen lake, thus lowering the shore line and exposing 

 large areas of vegetation with a consequent loss of the natural food supply 

 to the trout. To just what extent this will effect the fish population for the 

 next few years cannot be ascertained but it is certain to have a marked ad- 

 verse reaction. It is hoped that with the completion of the Fort Peck dam the 

 Montana Power company again will be able to maintain Hebgen lake within 

 the minimum fluctuation ranges. 



The Iiibby fish hatchery is typical of the modern trend in propag-ation work. 

 Here are hatched and reared Native and Rainhow trout and the up-and- 

 coming' Grayling for liberation in sporty waters of the state. 

 This hatchery now is being^ further developed. 



Alvord lake near Troy has been developed the last three years as a 

 spawning field for Eastern Brook trout. Present indications show that the 

 Department's efforts have been rewarded and sufficient eggs for stocking any 

 waters suitable to this species now are being gathered from this source. 



Rogers lake in the Kalispell vicinity is used exclusively for the taking 



