20 



EEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS. 



To His Excellency, John P. Altgeld, Governor: 



We beg leave to submit herewith our report as Board of State 

 Fish Commissioners from October 1, 1892, to July 1, 1893. 



lu our work during the past season, we have followed the same 

 general methods which have beeo in use by the Board for the 

 past ten years. The rescue and distribution of native food fishes 

 has formed the greater part of the work, and the distril)utiou has 

 been made as general as possible, special attention having been 

 given to the stocking of public waters, and, at the same time, a_ 

 very considerable number of individuals who desired to engage in 

 the culture of fi.sh for home consumption have been supplied. 



The enforcement of the laws for the protection of fish has been 

 attempted, and we think our efforts have resulted in diminishing 

 to some extent, at least, the wholesale destruction of fish, though 

 the character and construction of the laws themselves leave room 

 for many serious complications, and this fact is a great hindrance 

 to their successful enforcement. However, the interest in this 

 branch of the work has greatly increased, and public sentiment is 

 now largely in favor of it, many individuals, as well as clubs, 

 having been actuated by their interest in these matters to take up 

 the work locally on their own responsibility, or to give material 

 assistance to the commissioners in their efforts to protect the 

 waters. 



Market fishing, as a commercial industry, has received quite an 

 impetus from the addition of the carp to the indigenous supply. 

 So rapid has been their increase since their introduction, that im- 

 mense quantities ai-e shipped from this State to outside markets 

 every season, and during the past season the catch of carp in in- 

 land waters was greater than all other varieties combined. 



FISHWAYS. 



The fish ways put into dams in former seasons are generally in 

 working order. Notices are out to owners of such dams as have 

 been reported as without fishways, and the usual course will be 

 pursued in each case to enforce the law regarding them. 



