(XXXIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



In 1896 the State of Washington established a hatchery on the lake 

 and took 6.500,000 eggs of the sockeye salmon. It is reported that 

 many more eggs could have been secured if the facilities for handling 

 them had warranted it. In 1897, the capacity of the hatchery having 

 been increased to 11,000,000, the indications were that there would be 

 no difficulty in obtaining the full quota. It seems certain that the most 

 extensive spawning-beds of the sockeye to be found in the United 

 States are here, and this fact, together with the excellent water-supply 

 to be obtained by gravity, makes the lake the best-known hatchery-site 

 for this species of salmon. 



YOUNG SALMON IN THE SACRAMENTO BASIN. 



The systematic studies of the movements, habits, growth, food, and 

 enemies of young chinook salmon in the Sacramento Eiver, referred to 

 in the last report, were continued during this year under the charge of 

 Mr. Cloudsley Butter, in association with Mr. F. M. Chamberlain, who 

 was detailed from the Albatross, and Mr. N. B. Scofield, who was 

 engaged in making inquiries for the California Fish Commission. 



As a preliminary measure, in order to make a general survey of the 

 river, Mr. Butter, in April, 1898, went by steamer from San Francisco 

 to Bedbluff, situated about 300 miles above the mouth of the Sacra- 

 mento, and then extended his reconnaissance to Bedding, 10 miles 

 beyond. The river for the whole distance has a strong current and is 

 very crooked; the lower half is comparatively narrow and deep, while 

 the upper part is wider, with many shoals, sand-bars, and gravel-banks. 

 Brief trials for young salmon were made near Sacramento and Bedbluff; 

 at Tehama, a few miles above Bedbluff; at Battle Creek, 20 miles above, 

 and at Bedding — at each of which places, except Sacramento, salmon 

 were abundant. On returning to the mouth of the river, salmon were 

 found in only limited numbers, suggesting that the main body of young 

 fish was still in the upper river. 



Mr. Chamberlain was then detailed to pursue his inquiries in the 

 lower part of the river and in the bays at its mouth, while Mr. Butter 

 went to the headwaters near Sisson and, in conjunction with Mr. Sco- 

 field, began a careful examination of the entire stream above Sacra- 

 mento. On reaching Bedbluff, May 20, on the downward trip, the 

 further study of the river was made by means of a skiff, in which, during 

 the following 10 days, the party rowed from Bedbluff to Sacramento, 

 a distance of 250 miles, numerous observation stations being made at 

 suitable points. 



The remainder of the fiscal year was occupied in studies adjacent 

 to the mouth of the river. The California Fish Commission tendered 

 the use of its steam launch, which permitted the examination of parts 

 of San Pablo Bay that could not otherwise have been visited. 



The results of the work, so far as it has been carried, are quite satis- 

 factory and interesting. It seems that by May a large majority of the 

 young salmon had left the smaller streams where they were hatched 

 and had become scattered throughout the upper part of the river as far 



