II 



in boxes or ponds. After consulting with many of the commercial 

 fishermen along the Illinois river, we have concluded to ask for the 

 abolition of the seine until the 1st day of October, and then permit 

 fishing under the ice, thus deriving the benefit of the output without 

 the loss occasioned during hot weather. We think, from what we 

 have gathered from the fishermen, that such a law will meet with 

 general approval. Of course there will be some protests, as there 

 are many fishermen who live for today and let tomorrow take care of 

 itself, a poor policy always, but practically fatal to the increase of fish.* 



The use of the trammel net, while contrary to law, is persisted in 

 in all parts of the State, and while we do what we can to control it, 

 with our limited resources of help, the ease with which it can be got- 

 ten into and out of the water makes it a hard proposition to handle. 

 We think the law should be amended so as to permit us to take tram- 

 mel nets whenever found whether in use or not. It is a very difficult 

 matter to take men while using one; they are light. and can be easily 

 carried in boat or wagon, can be quickly used, and if parties are dis- 

 turbed, the nets can be quickly gotten out of the way. 



It is not an unusual thing to find a half dozen trammel nets stretched 

 out to drv in almost any locality in plain view without pretence of 

 hiding. These nets should be treated as are burglars' tools and taken 

 whenever or wherever they are found. 



Pond Fish. 



The number of applications received at this office for fish to stock 

 ponds or lakes for private preserves is very large, and we supply these 

 applications according to their requests as far as possible, and as our 

 money and supply permit, after the public waters have received at- 

 tention. We desire to treat briefly of this question of supply for pri- 

 vate ponds, in order that there may be a better understanding of what 

 is necessary to successful stocking of the ponds and lakes covered by 

 our applications. 



The principal demand is for black bass. And while under proper 

 conditions black bass are a fine variety, yet under the conditions existing 

 in almost all of the small ponds and lakes, they can not be considered a 

 profitable or successful fish for the purpose of culture. The reasons 

 are several. First, they are destructive and voracious feeders, and un- 

 less plenty of other food abounds, will destroy each other; certainly 

 everything produced in the pond that they can eat will be eaten by 

 them. Then, black bass need a large pond or lake with deep water 

 and plenty of natural growth of water plants, long enough in the 

 water to have produced the food supply, and which is always found in 

 their native habitats. There the ratio of bass to the softer rayed fishes 

 should be about 15 per cent to 85 per cent of the latter. Under these 

 conditions a successful bass pond may result, but small bodies of water 

 have but little chance for success even though the necessary conditions 

 are partially supplied. Our experience has taught that some of the 



* Since this report was prepared, but before it wai printed, importanl amendments to the 

 law have been made. A synopsis of the law now in force will be found on pa 



