114 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



In the past, all of the bass distributed by this Commission, and the same is true of 

 other State Commissions, have been obtained by netting where bass were numerous. 

 This has always resulted in strong opposition from the people living in the vicinity 

 where the netting was done. On this account the distribution of the small-mouth 

 black bass has been discontinued, but the distribution of the large-mouth black bass, 

 incorrectly called Oswego bass, was continued from near Clayton, same as in years 

 past. The young bass were obtained from a marshy creek entering the St. Lawrence. 

 The past year's distribution was 116,450, larger than the previous ten years' output. 



The hatchery located near Saranac Inn, in Franklin county, called the Adirondack 

 Hatchery, has been entirely remodeled and enlarged. Six and eight-inch iron pipes 

 have been laid from the hatchery (a distance of about 2,000 feet) to a point at the 

 bottom of Little Clear Lake, where the water is fifty feet deep and the temperature 

 stands at forty-two degrees, and varies only four degrees summer and winter. This 

 furnishes the hatchery, and an entire system of rearing ponds, with an abundance of 

 the very best pure water, making it one of the most valuable hatcheries in the State. 



Now, it is possible to raise thousands of trout there to eight, ten and fifteen 

 months old before planting them in the streams and ponds of the northern portion 

 of the State. 



In addition to the trout hatching, glass hatching jars sufficient for hatching 

 10,000,000 frostfish eggs have been supplied and put in complete running order. 



The location of the Adirondack Hatchery as a distributing point is unsurpassed 

 by any point in the Adirohdacks. The surrounding four counties contain hundreds 

 of the very best trout lakes, ponds and streams that are now almost barren of trout. 

 Where fingerling and yearling trout have been planted in this section in the past two 

 years, from some of our other hatcheries, most flattering and enthusiastic reports as 

 to the fishing are at hand. 



In 1896 the Legislature appropriated $5,000 to buy and improve what was called 

 the McKay pond and springs, in the town of Caledonia, Livingston county. This 

 pond furnished power for a saw and grist mill, and after the owners had used the 

 water as they saw fit, it furnished the supply for the Caledonia State Hatchery, located 

 about one-half mile below the mills. 



There was considerable delay in getting a perfect title to this property, and all of 

 the water rights connected with it, as your Commission deemed it advisable to have 

 the absolute control of this water and the necessary land, so as to improve and protect 

 the springs, that the flow passing from the springs to the hatchery below would always 

 be absolutely fresh and pure. 



Soon after the Commission came into possession of the property, we commenced 

 the cleaning of the springs, and the removing of everything in the vicinity that in any 



