of the whitefish population, it is obvious why fishing success for 

 trout has declined. Information is thus provided from which fishery 

 managers may design a new and effective plan for this stream. 



CONTINUING FISHERIES CENSUS 



During the bienniumi as in the past one, a program of fisheries 

 census has been continuing in an effort to catalogue the state's waters 

 for fishery management use. 



The program has two parts, creel census and direct stream and 

 lake census. The latter census is done largely by the district biolo- 

 gists, but every opportunity for gathering such information is ac- 

 cepted by all members of the Fish Restoration Section. 



The Fish and Game Commission gratefully acknowledges the help 

 given the Department in this program by the Zoology and Entomology 

 Department of the Montana State College. Without the provision 

 they have made for allowing the Department office and laboratory 

 space, specialized equipment, and consultation with staff members, 

 the Continuing Fisheries Census particularly as relates to age and 

 growth of fishes, could not have advanced to the stage of high value 

 it has now reached. 



Through the Statewide Creel Census phase of this program, in- 

 formation of fish catches is obtained at a minimum cost to the De- 

 partment. The catch data is analyzed from punch cards and is used 

 by fishery managers in outlining hatchery planting programs, in 

 keeping a check on trends of fishing success, and in outlining the 

 species distributions. The greater part of the information is gathered 

 by the Department's game wardens as they go about their regular 

 duties of enforcement. As will be noted, other sources, however, con- 

 tribute their worthwhile share. 



Creel checks by game wardens, guides, and outfitters covered 

 8,451 anglers during the 1951 fishing season. These fished 29,847 hours 

 to catch 33,495 fish for an average catch of 1.1 fish per man hour and 

 4.0 fish per man day. 



One hundred and fifty-five Fishermen's Logs were returned to 

 the Department after the 1951 fishing season, representing 2,133 fishing 

 trips and 7,852 hours of fishing. These anglers took 13,066 fish for 

 an average catch of 1.7 fish per man hour and 6.1 fish per man day. 



During the 1951 regular open season, catch records were received 

 from 399 trout streams, seven non-trout streams, 122 trout lakes, 

 and eight non-trout lakes. 



DISEASE AND NUTRITION STUDY 



Recognizing that stocking fish in Montana streams is one of the 

 major undertakings of the Fish and Game Department, a project was 

 set up under the Dingell-Johnson program to study nutritional prob- 

 lems and disease problems of the trout hatcheries in Montana. Fish 

 planting, whether for initial stocking in virgin lakes, or for other 

 substantial purposes, should be done with fish that are raised to 

 withstand the rigors of introduction into wild waters. Discussions with 



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