208 First Annual Eeport of the 



prevent the rainbow trout from escaping into Twitchell creek. 

 A thorough examination of the lake, its small tributaries and the 

 outlet led to the opinion that no screen should be introduced. It 

 would be against the general policy of the Commission to permit 

 such obstruction in the stream; and it would not accomplish the 

 object desired by the petitioners as well as the better policy of 

 stocking the streams and lakes tributary to Twitchell lake, and 

 the reduction of the few rock obstructions which now interfere 

 with the free ascent of trout through the upper waters of 

 Twitchell creek into the lake. The rapids in the first one-eighth 

 mile of the course of Twitchell creek could easily be overcome 

 by means of an inexpensive fishway to supplement the natural 

 fish ladder which now appears almost complete in the creek. A 

 few sticks of dynamite, properly used, in the rock bed would re- 

 move the obstructions to such degree as to make ir possible for 

 trout to go up into the lake. 



From personal observation and from information obtained from 

 residents, Twitchell lake, at present, contains nothing but brook 

 trout, lake trout and chubs. The chub is the common horned 

 dace, or fallfish, Semotilus atromaculatus. This fish appears 

 to be starved, probably because it has increased in numbers too 

 rapidly for the natural food supply. The trout feed upon this 

 fish. The black nosed dace is said to live in this lake also; but 

 we were unable to find it. 



Twitchell creek is about twelve miles long, and it flows into 

 Beaver river. Twitchell lake is of glacial origin, and lies at the 

 elevation of 2,050 feet. It contains a few species of water plants, 

 relatives of the water lilies, also a plant resembling eel grass 

 and a bushy species which is well adapted for the shelter of young 

 trout and the natural food of trout. The water is clear and cold 

 and is well stocked with insects and crayfish. The compara- 

 tively shallow depth of the water, about forty feet at the maxi- 

 mum, is unfavorable to the prosperity of the lake trout, although 

 there are some fish of that species in the lake. There is no 

 reason why the lake should not support a larger number of brook 

 trout and rainbow trout. 



