Hatchery System was. therefore, lower in 1955 than it was in 1954. 

 Computed on a per-fish basis, a reduction of 50 per cent was realized 

 and on a per-pound basis, a reduction of 16 per cent was attained 

 (Tables 1 and 2). 



It is difficult to compare costs of production of the Montana Hatch- 

 ery System with other states and the federal system since at this time, 

 exact breakdowns of production costs similar to those used by other 

 hatchery systems are not available. All costs of operating the Montana 

 stations are included in the analysis. No attempt is made to distinguish 

 or delete certain extraneous costs which may not be directly related 

 to fish culture such as participation in various conservation organiza- 

 tions, management and enforcement duties, landscaping, fish distribu- 

 tion, etc. 



The leading question for any discussion of hatchery costs is, "Why 

 does it cost less at one station to raise fish than it does at another?" 

 Some specific examples of the factors that influence production costs 

 are therefore outlined in this discussion. Three hatcheries. Anaconda, 

 Arlee, and Hamilton, maintain a brood stock of rainbow and golden 

 trout from which spawn is taken to supply other stations with eggs. 

 The cost of maintaining this stock is, of course, included in the expen- 

 ditures listed for these two stations. Anaconda, Somers, and Big 

 Timber maintain and operate spawn-taking stations at Georgetown 

 Lake. Willow Creek Reservoir, South Fork of the Madison River, 

 Lake Mary Ronan, Little Bitterroot Lake, Rogers Lake, Flathead Lake 

 and Ashley Lake. Part of the cost of operating these stations is in- 

 cluded in the expenditures of these hatcheries. Three field superin- 

 tendents, whose duties include administration and coordination of fish 

 culture with fisheries management, are stationed at Anaconda, Big 

 Timber and Great Falls. As a result of location of some stations far 

 from major railheads and shipping points, the cost of freighting fish 

 food and equipment is considerably more than for hatcheries situated 

 in or near the larger cities. 



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