Report of tt)€ ^Superintendent of 



rMcfyertes. 



Caledonia, N. Y., October i, 1897. 



To tl)e Commissioners of Fisheries, Game and Forests : 



GENTLEMEN : — I take great pleasure in submitting my annual report for the year 

 ending September 30, 1897, for the reason that the output of fish for the year exceeds 

 by over twenty-two millions the output for any previous year. 



Over two years ago your Commission decided that as far as possible fingerlings 

 and yearlings were the most desirable size of fish to plant. Since that time your 

 Commission has been striving to get our different hatcheries in shape for turning out 

 this size or age of fish, and this fall five out of seven of our trout hatcheries are now 

 meeting these requirements, whereas two years ago only two of the hatcheries could 

 rear trout to this age. This required the expenditure of considerable money, but the 

 results accomplished will prove the wisdom of your conclusions. 



During the year 667,325 fingerlings and yearlings of brook, brown, rainbow and 

 lake trout have been planted, in addition to the millions of fry, and next year, it is 

 believed, a much larger number will be distributed. 



In referring to fingerlings it may not be out of place to explain the term a little by 

 giving the age and length. At about four to five months old we commence calling 

 the young trout fingerlings and continue to designate them as such until they are from 

 eleven to twelve months old, when we call them yearlings up to eighteen months old, 

 when they are classed as eighteen months or two-year-old fish. The average length 

 of a brook, brown or rainbow trout four months old is about two inches. At eight or 

 nine months old they will average three inches, and at one year old five inches. 

 These figures are exceeded at some hatching stations in the State. Lake trout grow 

 faster than the other species, and at twelve months old will average six inches long. 

 Fish at the same age are not always the same size. Sometimes the larger ones are 

 capable of swallowing the smaller ones of the same hatch. 



I am constantly in receipt of gratifying reports from different parts of the State in 



regard to the success of some particular plant of fry, fingerlings or yearlings. One 



protective association writes that the plant of fingerlings made a year ago was the 



only plant of fish this association ever made where practical results have been seen, 

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