Biological Survey — Oswego Watershed 13 



reaching" importance which to an increasing degree as it is con- 

 tinued through the years will provide a sound program of study 

 and form the basis of constructive administration of our fisheries 

 resources. 



Stocking Lists and Maps. — 'A key map of the watershed (see 

 appendix) affords a convenient guide in locating the particular 

 quadrangle, county or township in which the reader is interested. 

 It also serves to orient in the watershed the quadrangle maps 

 (U. S. G. S. topographic maps) adapted for purposes of record 

 in the survey. On these maps (1-7) all streams are shown with 

 suitable indications of dry and permanent streams, the presence 

 of springs, pollution outfalls, favorable places for fish planting 

 and the appropriate species. Accompanying the maps are the 

 stocking lists (App. III-XI) which set forth in tabular form the 

 name of the streams (if not named then numbered), the mileage 

 available for stocking and the stocking policy per mile. By 

 reference to these tables and maps the location of the best places 

 to plant fish and the calculation of the number per mile may be 

 determined readily. 



Distribution of Fish in the Watershed. — The contributions 

 to this aspect of the survey supply a wealth of data concerning 

 the species inhabiting the Oswego drainage area. One hundred 

 species of fish representing 24 families are listed. Of these 43 

 species are of the food and game variety. Of the 57 non-food 

 and non-game species some have inferior value as food and are 

 occasionally so used. Two species have become extinct. 



A distribution chart* pictures the whereabouts of the different 

 species in the drainage basin. 



The Colored Plates of Fishes. — The twelve drawings of fish 

 shown in color are the work of the artist, Ellen Edmonson, who 

 has reproduced them with great fidelity to scientific detail and to 

 the sensitively beautiful coloring as they appear on coming from 

 the water. 



Aside from the enjoyment derived in the beauty of line and 

 color the reproductions serve an important function educationally 

 in emphasizing species of special interest and value to the fishery 

 of the watershed. The sawbelly or alewife, a plankton feeder and 

 a non-competitive species, is the food par excellence of the lake 

 trout and where the balance between these two is well maintained, 

 as in Seneca and Keuka lakes, the fishing is good. The cisco and 

 whitefish also plankton feeders wholly or in part are in the same 

 category and should be fostered. The lake lamprey is the " ver- 

 min" of the waters in Cayuga, Seneca and Oneida lakes. The eel- 

 pout or gudgeon and carp are species of ill repute. The minnows 

 and darters are popular as bait or related in important ways 

 organically to the lake and stream life. The sculpin is an index of 

 brook trout waters. 



See page 103-104. 



