REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS. 



To His Excellency, Governor Joseph W. Fifer: 



We beg leave to submit herewith our report as Board of 

 State Fish Commissioners, from October 1, 1888, to September 

 30, 1890. 



In reviewing- the work of the Commission during the past 

 two years, we consider that there has been a more decided pro- 

 gress made than during any previous period since the creation 

 of the Commission. Not only is this true of the Avork itself, 

 which has shown largely increased practical results, but there 

 has been manifested, all over the State, a growing interest in 

 the enforcement of the laws relating to the protection of fish 

 and maintaining of proper fishways. Much of the success in 

 this direction has been due to the active co-operation rendered 

 by the various fish clubs, and others interested in fish protec- 

 tion throughout the State. Particularly during the year last 

 passed has this interest manifested itself, and the creation of 

 the s^^stem of fish wardens has met with decided approval all 

 over the State, requests for the appointment of such coming 

 from every section, and the result of their work being satisfac- 

 tory to the community and the Commission, in most instances. 



DISTRIBUTION OF INDIGENOUS FISHES. 



The utilization of the fish left in the over-flows bv the high water 

 has proven, during the past two seasons, to be a very successful 

 and satisfactory part of our work. Aided by the use of the U. 

 S. Fish Commission cars, so generously provided by Commis- 

 sioner McDonald, we have been enabled to make plants in the 

 greater proportion of the streams of the State, and the practi- 

 cal results following, in the increase of fish in such streams, has, 

 we are pleased to state, been generally noted. We append here- 

 with letters bearing upon this increase. 



For the past two seasons the distribution of the smaller fish 

 only, has been abandoned, and the larger and breeding fish 

 have largely Dredominated in the plants. During these tw(j 

 seasons we have procured our fish from the flats along the 

 Illinois river, as the Mississippi I'iver has not, for three seasons 



