10 



by this means to break up the trade in small fish. Thousands of 

 pounds of fish have been sent to the charitable institutions of Chi- 

 cago as a result of this woik, and it is but fair to state that, as a 

 rule, the dealers have been very willing to so dispose of them. Under 

 another head we give a list of fish disposed of in this way. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



The work of distribution to public waters from June, 1901, to 

 Sept. 30, 1902, has been very satisfactory, in spite of the unpropi- 

 tious conditions existing during both seasons noted in another part 

 of this report. Unfortunately, it was impossible to give the same 

 care to applicants for fish for private ponds, owing to our limited 

 collections and the conditions of the appropriation. 



Our method of collecting for distribution is now so well known it 

 is not necessary to detail it again in this report. The fish we use 

 for distribution are comprised in the following list, in the order 

 mentioned: Black bass, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish, ring 

 perch. 



These range in size from one and one-half to eight inches in 

 'length. Black bass spawned in May will frequently be found in our 

 collections eight inches long and weighing eight ounces. 



The crappie are difficult to handle early in the season, and can 

 only be successfully transported after the weather gets cool. 



The increase following our plants can only be noticed in ponds or 

 lakes which are not affected by the rise or fall of the rivers. In the 

 appendix will be found letters from several parties who have had 

 their lakes stocked by the Commission. 



The people of the State are giving considerable attention to the 

 propagation and care of fish, and the number of reservoirs and arti- 

 ficial lakes constructed for the purpose has been considerably aug- 

 mented since our last report. Lake Rice, owned by the C, B. & Q. 

 R. R, Co. at Galesburg, is a notable example, covering nearly bO 

 acres, quite deep, and is well laid out and practical. Others noted 

 are the reservoir at Paris, 111., a beautiful lake at Carlinville. Lake 

 Whittemore at Lanesville, well built reservoirs at Whitehall, Belle- 

 ville East St. Louis, Joliet, Clinton, Monee, Decatur. Harrisburg, 

 Chester and numerous places. 



Fishing and hunting clubs are fast taking up and protecting the 

 lakes along both rivers, and the interest generally manifested in fish 

 protection and propagation is gratifying 



