Report of ySaperinf endent of Matd)erte& 



Caledonia, October 2, 1899. 



To fl>e Commissioners of Fisheries, Game and Forest^, Albany, 

 N. <!.: 



GENTLEMEN. — The output of the hatcheries for the year closing September 

 30th, was valuable and satisfactory. 



On account of very low temperature and severe storms on the coast during the 

 winter of 1898-99, the employes of your Long Island hatchery were unable to col- 

 lect the usual number of tom-cod and smelt eggs. On this account the yearly 

 output falls below last year's, but by referring to my report, or summary, for 1899 

 (hereto attached), it will be seen that there has been a gain over the previous year 

 in all the valuable fishes. More fry, fingerling and yearling trout of all kinds have 

 been sent out, and more bass, pike-perch, muscalonge, shad and whitefish have been 

 hatched and planted than ever before. 



From all parts of the State where attention has been paid to stocking the waters 

 come satisfactory reports and congratulations on the decided improvement in the 

 fishing, and calls for fingerling and yearling fish continue to increase. 



One thousand three hundred and twenty-five applications for fish were entered 

 in your application books during the year. Of this number 1,253 were filled, and 

 the remainder, 72, were rejected on account of their being duplicates, or for water 

 unfit for the fish named in the applications. This exceeds by 220 applications the 

 number received in any previous year. This of itself shows the confidence people 

 have in the restocking of our State waters. 



I find that the applications are made by all classes of citizens. It often happens 

 that for some cause no applications are received for stocking some very desirable 

 waters in the State. When this neglect becomes apparent, I report the matter to 

 the Hatchery Committee, and always receive instructions to send a suitable number 

 of fish to the nearest railroad station, providing that I can find reliable people that 

 will meet the fish at the railroad with the proper transportation and help to deliver 

 them at the stream or lake for which they are intended. Millions of fish have been 

 sent out in this manner during the past year. 



At this point it may not be out of place to mention a few facts in connection 



with the yearly distribution, to show the amount of labor connected with the work. 



73 



