980 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [6] 



BROOK TEOTJT. 



This brancli of our work is the most useful and profitable branch of 

 our trout department. Our record of handling last year is as follows : 

 260 wild trout were taken from 'the creek near the hatchery, and of this 

 number 33 ripe females were found, from which 18,000 eggs were taken. 

 The first eggs from wild trout were taken October 10, and the last, l^o- 

 vember 21, covering a period of forty-one days. Pond fish were han- 

 dled as follows: Of fish twenty months old, 346 females were handled, 

 from which 81,000 eggs were obtained ; first eggs were taken October 

 9 5 last ones, December 20 ; period of taking, forty-one days. Of fish 

 thirty-two months old 160 females were handled and 86,000 eggs ob- 

 tained; first eggs taken October 27; last, December 12 ; period, forty- 

 five days. Of fish three and a-half years old 110 females were handled 

 and 110,000 eggs obtained ; first eggs taken October 24 ; last, Decem- 

 ber 10 ; period, forty-seven days. 



The eggs from the wild trout were hatched in January and February, 

 and the fry pl|^ted in the stream adjacent to the hatchery. 



SHIPMENT OF EGGS. 



On December 18, we sent 75,000 brook trout eggs to the Central Sta- 

 tion, Washington, D. 0. ; January 7,,25,000 to Fred. Mather, New York, 

 for reshipment to Germany ; January 19, 75,000 to Central Station ; Jan- 

 uary 28, Nebraska commission. South Bend, Nebr., 6,000, and 6,000 to 

 Henry T. Eoot, Providence, E. I. ; January 29, Minnesota commission, 

 Saint Paul, Minn., 6,000 ; Maryland commission, Baltimore, 6,000 ; Con- 

 necticut commission, Poquonock, 12,000; Cold Spring Harbor hatchery. 

 Long Island, 6,000 ; Iowa commission, Anamosa, 6,000. 



LAEE TROUT WORK. 



The eatcb of lake trout from the big reef in Central Lake Huron and 

 other trout reefs, and landed at various points along the lake shore, was 

 a large one, compensating largely for the light run of whitefish to the 

 coast, and prevented a heavy loss to fishermen on the American side, as 

 the coast catch of the latter fish was insufficient to pay expenses. The 

 best day's fishing of the season was November 7, when six tugs brought 

 in about twenty tons of trout as the result of the day's lift. 



The fish spawned this season much later than usual. When the last 

 eggs were taken, November 18, a good many hard fish were reported. 

 The number of eggs taken and sent to Northville was 280,000. Ship- 

 ments from here were as follows : December 11, 100,000 to Central 

 Station, Washington, D. 0. ; January 7, 25,000 to Von Behr, Germany, 

 through thje hands of Mr. Fred. Mather, Newark, N. J. Both ship- 

 ments arrived at their destination in good condition. About 105,000 

 eggs were hatched here, and 75,000 of the fry were distributed by car 

 No. 2, which left Northville April 11. The fry were delivered the same 



