INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 
The accompanying report of the fisheries of the Mississippi River 
and tributaries for the year 1899 is the result of a canvass made by the 
statistical agents of this Commission. ‘These fisheries were previously 
canvassed in 1895, in connection with an investigation of the interior 
waters of the United States, exclusive of the Great Lakes and coastal 
rivers, for the year 1894. 
The present inquiries were conducted during the summer of 1900 as 
follows: Mr. John N. Cobb investigated the fisheries of the Ohio River 
and the Mississippi and tributaries from Alton, IIl., to New Orleans, 
being assisted in Arkansas and Louisiana by Mr. G. H. H. Moore. 
Mr. W. A. Roberts canvassed the Mississippi above Dubuque, Iowa; 
Mr. C. H. Stevenson, the Mississippi from Dubuque to Keokuk, 
Iowa, and the Missouri and its tributaries; Mr. E.S. King, the Ilinois 
River and tributaries and the Mississippi between Keokuk, Iowa, and 
Alton, Ill. Inquiries respecting the Tennessee River were made by 
Mr. John B. Wilson. 
Upon the completion of the field inquiries the general results were 
made public in Statistical Bulletin No. LO7, which was distributed 
throughout the Mississippi Valley. 
In the report of the Commissioner for the year ending June 30, 1901, 
the results were given in less condensed form. In the present report 
the information collected is presented in detail. This report has been 
prepared under the direction of Mr. C. H. Townsend, assistant in 
charge of the Division of Fisheries. The field agents have assisted in 
the compilation of the data in the office, and most of them have con- 
tributed brief notes on the fisheries. 
The assistant in charge has had the constant aid of Mr. Ansley Hall 
and other persons in the office, especially commending the painstaking 
assistance of Mr. Hall. 
Gro. M. Bowers, Commissioner. 
660 
