tytiiwUeA, jbiviUan 



Ontiaductiost 



This biennium has been one of unusual ac- 

 tivity as the problem of maintaining a fishing 

 yield in the face of heavy and growing demands, 

 combined with the handicap of insufficient reve- 

 nue and the inability to obtain vitally necessary 

 materials and the loss of many of our personnel 

 brought about by a world at war, has required 

 the diligent application of the most efficient meth- 

 ods at our command. Practically every depart- 

 ment and phase of the fisheries division has insti- 

 tuted or developed new programs or more ef- 

 ficient procedures that will contribute in no small 

 degree to a more effective fisheries program in the 

 years to come. 



Excellent progress was made in the huge 

 problem of fisheries management as related to 

 the future stocking policies of our streams and 

 lakes, and today every hatchery, whether state 

 or federal, is supplied with a definite and closely 

 outlined program. This subject is treated separ- 

 ately under the heading of "A Five Year Fish 

 Distribution and Management Plan for the State 

 of Montana," and we wish to impress upon the 

 reader that the ultimate goal or objective of such 

 a plan is to maintain the largest fish population 

 possible consistent with normal growth and avail- 

 able food supply, and the final assurance that 

 the angler will be well rewarded for his efforts. 



Considerable survey work was carried out 

 locating sites for the construction of natural rear- 

 ing ponds. Several suitable sites have been lo- 

 cated and are scheduled for future development. 

 The acceptance of these sites for future develop- 

 ment was made only after the most careful in- 

 vestigation and thorough checking of the many 

 factors which are necessary to guarantee their 

 successful operation when constructed. 



The constantly rising cost of fish foods for 

 the feeding of small trout in our hatcheries is 

 placing such a burden upon the department that 

 a more efficient and economical method is being 

 sought and the construction of natural rearing 

 ponds promises to aid materially in producing 



substantial numbers of fingerling trout. We have 

 profited from our mistakes of the past and now 

 have definite factors which, if all are considered, 

 practically eliminate the chances of failure. 



The aforementioned activities are only a few 

 of the many carried on by this department, and in 

 the following pages other phases of the fisheries 

 program will be presented. These activities are 

 being inaugurated or maintained with the sole 

 thought and purpose that this king of all sports 

 will not diminish but rather increase, and that its 

 thrill can be enjoyed by the ever increasing num- 

 bers of fishermen throughout the years ahead. 



The economic and recreational value of fish- 

 ing is assuming greater proportions each year. 

 It is almost impossible to estimate the amount 

 spent by sportsmen in Montana each year on 

 equipment and other items, but it probably totals 

 several million dollars. But who can estimate the 

 recreational value, which undoubtedly is so great 

 and far reaching in its effect that no intelligent con- 

 clusion can ever be formulated, and which we 

 know exceeds by far the economic value. The 

 ease with which we may contact the many cry- 

 stal lakes and tumultous sparkling streams lying 

 in the depths of vast forests, and cast aside the 

 worries and turmoil of life in close communion 

 with nature, is a rare privilege. The fostering and 

 ripening of loyal friendships and congenial fel- 

 lowship, the return to our everyday duties re- 

 freshed in spirit and body — all these can be con- 

 sidered recreational values on which man can- 

 not place a monetary consideration. 



It is, therefore, imperative that we who are 

 representatives of these departments, dedicated 

 to the preservation of this great heritage and na- 

 tural resource, strive toward the accomplishment 

 o! that one ideal which is the perpetuation and 

 rehabilitation of these resources with which the 

 Northwest is so bountifully supplied, and admin- 

 ister them in such a manner as to give an as- 

 sured and continued benefit to present and fu- 

 ture generations. 



[22: 



FUhlnir 

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-North Fork 



