REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LXXXV 



It is believed that large numbers of young black bass and crappie 

 could be collected from the overflowed lands along the Mississippi 

 Eiver in the vicinity of Bellevue, Iowa, and it is recommended that 

 investigations be made with the view to establishing a collecting sta- 

 tion at that point. 



Quincy Station, Illinois (S. P. Bautlett, Superintendent). 



The spring of 1897 opened with cold rains, which continued at fre- 

 quent intervals until July, and apparently affected the spawning of 

 black bass in the vicinity of Meredosia, as very few fry were observed. 

 Great difficulty was consequently experienced in making the usual col- 

 lections; even at the commencement of operations the fish captured 

 from the overflowed ponds and lakes measured from 5 to 7 inches in 

 length, showing they had hatched the previous year. As the season 

 advanced the weather became extremely hot and dry, and continued so 

 until late in October, making it difficult to transfer fish from the ponds 

 to the station. 



As a result of the operations for the season 25,139 black bass and 

 3,408 crappie were delivered to the cars for distribution. 



The weather conditions during the spring of 1898 were much more 

 favorable, the rivers being high early in the spring and remaining in 

 that condition long enough for the bass and other fish to deposit their 

 eggs in the interior lakes and sloughs. While engaged in collecting 

 two carloads of fishes in Meredosia Bay in May and June for the Omaha 

 exposition, large numbers of young bass were observed, and 5,000 were 

 easily caught and transferred to the ponds at the station. 



The property at Meredosia is in good condition. The buildings were 

 painted during the year, the grounds seeded, and other steps taken to 

 improve the appearance of the station. 



Neosho Station, Missouri (H. D. Dean, Superintendent). 



At the beginning of the year 90,725 rainbow-trout fry were on hand, 

 but losses occurred during the summer and fall, which reduced the 

 number for distribution in October to 75,850. Of these, 72,850 were 

 deposited in public and private waters, 2,000 were retained for brood 

 stock, and 1,000 were transferred to Manchester Station. The brood 

 stock on hand consisted of 1,580 three-year-olds, 311 four-year-olds, and 

 209 from five to ten years old. From 321 ripe females three years of age 

 a total of 188,320 eggs was secured, an average of 586 each; 154 of the 

 old fish produced a total of 21G,815, an average of 1,400 per fish. Of 

 the former, only 43 per cent were good ; of the latter 58 per cent. 



The first eggs were secured iu December, and collections continued 

 from that time until March 1, the total take amounting to 405,435. Of 

 these, 207,814, or 51 per cent, were eyed. At the close of the year there 

 remained on hand 92,200 fry, 14,000 having been distributed in April 

 and May. 



The poor quality of the eggs may be attributed to some extent to the 

 fact that the fish were kept during the spawning season in ponds with- 



