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vided with a fishway, as directed by law, soon make themselves 

 heard by a petition to the Board. So far, we have been able to 

 accomplish a peaceful compliance with the law, except in two in- 

 stances which are yet in abeyance. AVe have plans and specifica- 

 tions of fishways, read}" to furnish all owners of dams upon their 

 application. Our plans contemplate plain, simple and durable 

 structures, easily and cheaply constructed, and as easily and cheaply 

 kept in repair. 



SUMMARY. 



We think an amendment of the present laws which would pro- 

 hibit the catching or killing of fish with any device other than 

 hook and line, from the loth day of March to the 1st day of 

 July would meet with general favor and greatly assist in the 

 preservation of the fish. 



As stated in the body of this report, such amendments as would 

 make the various sections of the law easier of enforcement would 

 greatly aid the work. It is probable that recommendations will 

 be made by the Statutory Revision Commission that will eliminate 

 considerable in the present law, which is unnecessary, and revise 

 the text so that an uniform interpretation will be placed upon the 

 intent of the law. 



The possession of illegal nets or seines should be prohibited 

 and punished. To say the least, the possession of such appliances 

 offers an inducement to use them, even though their use is pro- 

 hibited by law. 



To insure a strict enforcement of the laws a close patrol of the 

 waters of the State is absolutely necessary, particularly of the 

 principal rivers, during the spawning season when the laws are 

 most openly violated because of the greater ease with which large 

 quantities of fish are taken. Under our present warden system 

 this has been done as far as practicable with the means at our 

 command, but to comph' with the numerous demands made upon 

 the Commission for a wider range of work would necessitate the 

 expenditure of a much larger amount of money than we have at 

 our command. The amount of territory' to be covered, taking into 

 consideration the frontage of the Mississippi river, the length of 

 the other boundary rivers together with the inland rivers and 

 streams such as the Illinois, Fox, Rock and Kankakee rivers, 

 makes it impossible to care for all sections with the steamer 

 "Lotus" alone. 



Our appropriation has been snflacient to do the work attempted 

 by the Commission, but not sufficient to do the work that has 

 presented itself. We have endeavored to keep within its limits, 

 but had it been larger the amount of efficient work that could 

 have been done would have been proportionately greater. 



We shall be compelled to make some improvements on our 

 steamboat before it can be put into commission next season. A 

 new boiler is an absolute necessity, as the one in use is danger- 

 ous to the safety of the crew, and by a few hundred dollars 



