C REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



of Mr. King Spurgeon. The property at the station consists of two 

 sheds, 20 by 80 feet, which are used as hatcheries. These are cheap 

 structures set upon posts, without sides or floors. There is also a log 

 cabin 15 by 16 feet and a shanty 16 by 24 feet, made of cedar bark, 

 for the accommodation of the men and storage of the necessary equip- 

 ment for operating the station. The water supply is taken by gravity 

 from a small spring brook. 



In order to stop the ascent of the salmon, a contract was made at 

 once to build a rack across the river. This was finished late in 

 June, and another rack was constructed over Oak Grove Creek, a large 

 tributary flowing into the Clackamas River below the station, where 

 many salmon ascend to spawn. The fish commenced collecting below 

 the racks before their completion, indicating that some had already 

 passed up. On July 1 a crew of men was employed, the station was 

 put in order, the troughs and baskets repaired and asphalted, the 

 seining-grounds cleared, and a bridge built over Oak Grove Creek. 

 The first collections were made on July 17, and operations continued 

 daily from that time to the end of the season, the fish being caught 

 with a seine hauled just below the rack. It was found necessary to 

 build a second rack a short distance below the first, to prevent the fish 

 from going down the river while fishing operations were in progress. 

 This lower rack was constructed with a trap in the center, so that the 

 fish might pass up, but could not return. 



As the season advanced and the egg collections increased it became 

 apparent that the water supply from the small brook would not be 

 sufficient, and, as there was no way of increasing it, troughs were placed 

 on a gravel bar near a riffle in the river, where there was fall enough 

 to supply them with water from the river above; 12 hatching-troughs, 

 16 feet long, were placed on this riffle, and a rough shed was con- 

 structed over them. These troughs gave very good results, though 

 they were in danger of being carried away by a sudden rise in the 

 river; but this, fortunately, did not occur until the eggs had been 

 removed. It also became necessary to rearrange the troughs in the 

 sheds so that the water could be used over and over again, care being 

 taken to aerate it as thoroughly as possible, and although the results 

 were satisfactory, it is strongly urged that a better supply be secured 

 for the next season. Between July 17 and August 26, there were taken 

 and placed in the hatching-troughs 5,045,000 eggs. Those collected in 

 July commenced hatching about the middle of August, and owing to 

 the crowded condition of the troughs it became necessary to plant 

 many of them a few days after hatching. The last fry hatched on 

 October 15, the average period of incubation being from 34 to 35 days 

 for the earlier lots and 50 days for the last. As soon as trough room 

 permitted, the fry were held until the yolk-sac was nearly absorbed, 

 when they were deposited on the spawning-grounds in Clackamas River. 

 The station was closed when the last plant of fry was made on Decem- 

 ber 14, the property stored, and buildings left in charge of a watchman. 



