REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. 



To His Excellency, Hon. Richard Yates, Governor State of Illi- 

 nois : 



Dear Sir — We have the honor to submit herewith our report of 

 State Board of Fish Commissioners from Oct. 1, 1902, to Sept. 80, 

 1904. 



The work of the commission has progressed along same lines as in 

 former seasons. The collections for season of 1903 were good and 

 plants were successfully made. Every indication of an increase of 

 food fishes over previous seasons reported has been evident and 

 reports from every part of the State indicate not only more fish but 

 better care of them. 



The open waters of the Illinois river show a very marked increase 

 since the introduction of the lake waters. For two seasons following 

 the opening of the drainage canal the water was so high that the 

 work of the market fishermen was largely interfered with, the river 

 being out of its banks and fish out in the woods. The rest, however, 

 has caused an almost unprecedented supply and the catches of the 

 season of 1904 have been record breakers, particularly of carp. 



The development of the commercial interest centered in the taking- 

 of coarse fishes on Illinois river has been of such a nature that con- 

 siderable capital has found its way from the east and the fish busi- 

 ness has taken its place to stay as a great food producing industry. 



The law compelling the destruction of the gar for Avhich the com- 

 mission urged that the meshes of the lawful seine be reduced to one 

 and one-half inches has been a practical one and has been observed 

 fairly well. Some enormous catches of gar have been made and when 

 the* carnivorous nature of the fish and the immense destruction one 

 of these may cause to small fish is considered, the saving of young 

 fish to the river by their destruction can not be overestimated. The 

 dogfish for years considered absolutely worthless, are now taken out 

 and find a ready and profitable market. From both these sources 

 great protection is needed for the young fry of food fishes. 



Some fault has been found in the decrease of the mesh and great 

 stress placed on the fact that game fish are easier taken of improper 

 size and that a great hardship is thereby entailed. As a matter of 

 fact but few bass, croppie or other game fish are taken in hauls made 

 for carp or buffalo. 



