90 CALIFORNIA PISH AND GAME. 



other stations on account of the high rate of fares from IMojave to 

 Owenyo, the very reverse is true, for the trips of the distribution ear 

 are all comparatively short ones, enabling distribution work to be com- 

 pleted within a short time, which materially lessens the cost of distri- 

 bution. But the most important feature of this hatchery is the excel- 

 lence of the fry produced. They are truly wonderful fish, and the 

 advantage to the southern waters resulting from the planting of such 

 fry is inestimable. 



The most interesting work undertaken at this station, from a fishcul- 

 tural standpoint, has been the propagation of golden trout obtained 

 from the Cottonwood Lakes station. The propagation of this species 

 is very difficult, owing to the weakness of the embryos. The embryos 

 hatched seem to lack vitality, and it is only by exercising the greatest 

 care and patience in handling the eggs during incubation and in caring 

 for the embryos, that the fry survive at all. Ilcwever, golden trout are 

 ])eing successfully reared, and some very excellent results are expected 

 from the stocking of the streams and lakes of the southern high Sierra, 

 in wliich section conditions are propitious for the successful develop- 

 ment of this species. 



A supply of rainbow trout eggs is procured from the Rae Lakes, a 

 system of lakes lying in the heart of the Sierra at an elevation of 

 10,500 feet above sea level. 



RAE LAKES EGG-COLLECTING STATION. 



The Rae Lakes Egg-collecting Station was established during the late 

 spring of 1917 to furnish rainbow eggs for the Mount Whitney Hatch- 

 ery. At the site of operations the altitude is 10,500 feet above sea 

 level, located on a beautiful chain of lakes set in the heart of the high 

 southern Sierra in Fresno County. The lakes are Avell stocked with rain- 

 bow trout. To reach the station in time to trap the fish as they enter 

 the streams to spawn is extremely difficult. The trip into the lakes 

 must be made via Oak Creek Pass, at an elevation of over 11,000 feet. 

 There are few trails and the trip must be made through the blind 

 mountain passes, over great depths of snow. Severe snow storms in 

 this section, even in June, when the fish are spawning, are frequent. 

 Even when the days are clear and warm the nights are freezing cold, 

 and the journey through the passes is at best a diffieult one, taxing the 

 strength and resourcefulness of the hardiest mountaineers. Owing to 

 the difficulties attending the opening up and operation of this station, 

 and to the fact that sufficient skilled help to operate all the state 

 hatcheries to capacity could not be obtained, this station was not utilized 

 during 1918 and 1919. It was again operated in 1920 and 1921. 



COTTONWOOD LAKES EGG-COLLECTING STATION. 



During the summer of 1917, ])reliiniiuH'y surveys were made of the 

 Cottonwood Lakes country, Inyo County, to ascertain whetlier it would 

 be feasil)le to undertake the propagation of golden trout. 



The Cottonwood Lakes are situated in a rugged, almost inaccessible 

 section of Inyo County near the Tulare County line, at the head of 

 Cottonwood ('reek. The lakes were stocked in the early seventies with 

 golden trout from Mulkey Creek, a tributary of south fork of Kern 

 River, and are now teeming with tliis most beautiful and gamey fish. 



