■clearly demonstrated that, if the Avork were to be effective, _ a 

 lai'o-er and faster steamer must be employed. As the Commis- 

 sion did not have money available for the pur])ose, Mr. Cole 

 volunteered to purchase such a boat, and put her to work, pro- 

 vided the consent of tlie governor could be had. Upon present- 

 ino- the facts to the <>-overnor, he readil3^ assented to the prop- 

 osition, and the steamer "Lotus," a stern-wheel boat of 72 feet 

 length, 12 feet beam, double engine, and complete outfit, was 

 purchased for |1,250.00. The expense of running such a boat 

 was but little more than that of the smaller one, the employing 

 of a cook being the only necessary addition to the crew. 



From the date of purchase until the work of taking the young- 

 native fish was commenced, the steamer was kept on the Illinois 

 river, patrolling that stream and taking up nets, etc. The nets, 

 when taken up, were labeled, stating where taken, and then stored 

 and advertised, the owners being thus notified that they could 

 have their nets by proving propertv- But few were ever claimed, 

 and we have, at present time, a large number of such nets 

 on hand. 



The wardens elsewhere have done splendid work, and in an- 

 other part of this report will be found a clear statement of just 

 ■what has been done by them, under head of Reports of Fish 

 AVardens. 



Serving, as they do, without further compensation than that 

 which may accrue from the fines attending convictions, in almost 

 every instance they are largely out financialh\ The law, by its 

 provisions, prevents an^^ compensation other than as stated. 



The warden system can be made very effective, but some plan 

 of compensation should be arranged, and funds sufficient to 

 compensate for actual expenses incurred, and time employed, 

 should be made available. The work is of a disagreeable and 

 dangerous chai-acter, as many gangs of fishermen have shown, 

 both by threats and acts, that they would not hesitate to 

 add outlawry to their violations of the fisli laws, should occa- 

 sion offer. 



The Fox River Fish and Game Association have set an example 

 worthy of emulation, but, unfortunately, one which can hardly 

 be expected to be followed veiy generally, as such work requires 

 a lavish expenditure of both time and money, which all clubs 

 €an not give. 



The Fox river association requested that a man, whom they 

 selected, be appointed as' fish warden to take care of Fox river, 

 and they have i)aid him a salary. The results of his work will 

 be apparent when we state that almost the entire length of 

 the Fox liver is practicalh' free from violations. 



The work thus begun throughout the State should be carried 

 on vigorously, and boats kept on the river continually, during 

 the close season, in charge of competent wardens, and ever\' 

 violation should be followed up promptly. The work of the 



