FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 83 



TI)e Aa^alonge ^ctppl^. 



The work at the Chautauqua Lake Hatchery has not been as satisfactory as I 

 could wish. The spearing of Maskalonge through the ice in the winter will sooner 

 or later completely deplete the lake of this species. I have been informed by 

 reliable persons that thirty tons of these fish were killed with spears last winter. 

 Of course, there can be but one end if such a slaughter continues. You will note 

 from a previous report that the number of fry taken from Chautauqua Lake each 

 year decreases very materially. It is to be regretted that the law permitting 

 spearing cannot be repealed. 



The Sacandaga Hatchery is not well located and the water supply is not what 

 is necessary to show good results under the policy adopted by the Commission, 

 i. e., rearing fingerlings. A small expenditure of money for the construction of 

 rearing ponds on some suitable spring brook, a few miles from a railroad station, 

 would show much better results with the same cost of maintenance. 



The United States Commission has granted every request we have made, and 

 thanks are returned for assistance rendered. 



Every effort has been made to increase the output of cheap food-fish, and the 

 figures will show the result in the numbers planted. The result of stocking 

 the larger bodies of water of the State and Lake Ontario must show satisfactorily 

 in the very near future. 



The usual exhibit was made at the State Fair. These exhibits are inexpensive 

 and always prove very instructive and attractive. I would suggest that they be 

 continued. 



The increase of Carp in some of the best fishing waters of the State still 

 continues, and there appears to be no way of stopping it. They are a very 

 difficult fish to exterminate. 



Few, if any, complaints have been made of the messengers who delivered fish 

 to the applicants, and very few fish have been lost in transportation. The few 

 losses in every instance proved to be due to the fault of the applicant, who failed 

 to meet the fish promptly at the time specified. 



The policy of the Commission of beautifying the grounds about the hatcheries 

 and making them attractive has been adhered to strictly. The expense is slight, 

 as nearly all the labor is performed by the regular employees of the hatcheries. 

 The grounds at the Caledonia Hatchery might well be called a park, as they are 

 extensive and well arranged. The flower beds are large and very attractive, and 

 it is a popular resort for a large number of people during the summer months. 



