144 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
FISHERIES OF RUSSIAN RIVER, SONOMA COUNTY. 
Russian River is about 100 miles in length and 75 to 150 yards wide 
over the principal part of its course. It empties into the Pacific 6 miles 
beh w Duncan’s Mills. This settleuient is a railroad station and ship- 
ping-point for fish other than those used locally. The only shipments 
of river-caught fish in 1888 were sent from this place. 
Species, importance of fisheries, etc. — The river is well supplied with 
carp, pike, suckers, hardmouths (Aorochilus alutaceus), and sturgeon. 
Trout are numerous in the upper reaches and in some of the small trib- 
utaries that empty into the river near Duncan’s Mills. In the spring 
of 1889 they were unusually plenty. During the fall and spring there 
is a run of “ winter” salmon weighing from 8 to 20 pounds each. The 
principal fishing ground is the section of the river from its mouth to 
Duncan’s Mills, about 6 to 8 miles. 
This river is now rather unimportant as a commercial fishing center. 
At one time it was noted for the abundance of salmon in season; but 
injudicious and illegal fishing has materially reduced their numbers; 
and it is said that the decrease is generally apparent from year to year. 
In 1888, however, salmon were more plentiful than for several years, 
and the fishery for them was temporarily increased in importance. The 
river fishery derives its chief importance from the quantities of fish 
locally utilized, which amount to nearly five times as much as those 
shipped to market by express. In 1888 the local consumption of fish 
was estimated at 150,000 pounds, while only 33,597 pounds were shipped 
to San Francisco. 
Fishermen. — There are only 15 professional fishermen; 10 of these 
are Italians and 5 are Portuguese. Besides these there are many 
people living along the river who fish at odd times to supply their own 
tables, disposing of any surplus to their neighbors, or in some cases 
peddling part of the catch through the country. The quantity of fish 
taken this way is considerable, and often a man may obtain a year’s 
supply in a short time. But the irregular character of these operations, 
the sparseness of the population, and other causes make it impractica- 
ble to do more than to present estimates of the products ajjd values. 
Catch, etc— From 75,000 to 100,000 pounds of salmon are taken for 
local consumption by those living along the river. The professional 
fishermen take from 20,000 to upwards of 30,000 pounds of salmon an- 
nually, constituting the bulk of the shipments ; they also catch from 
75,000 to 150,000 pounds of other fish, which are mostly disposed of 
locally or peddled t hrough the adjacent country. 
Apparatus, etc . — Gill nets are the principal form of apparatus, and 
these, particularly those used for the capture of salmon, are often 
smaller in the mesh than the laws of California permit to be operated. 
They are set in the usual manner. 
Illegal fishing . — It is claimed that for several years past there has 
