Nos. 618-619] RESTOCKING INLAND WATERS 



would seem as if there were but one conclusion, namely, 

 that the most of the fingerlings are eaten by larger fish. 



The probabilities are that there would not, then, have 

 been any more trout in Lake Clear, even if the state had 

 placed many more than it has during the past thirty years. 

 This lake really illustrates an instance of overstocking 

 simply because there was not an adequate amount and 

 variety of food. At present there does not seem to be 

 any way to remedy this deficiency. 



During the past summer the states have been urged to 

 increase greatly their production of food and game fish. 

 This very general recommendation fails to recognize cer- 

 tain fundamental facts. The next step in advance along 

 fish propagation is one that will have to be taken slowly, 

 as it necessitates a great deal of critical information. It 

 is becoming more and more apparent that we must not 

 only know the breeding habits of the small minnows, 

 pumpkin seeds, etc., the fry of which serve as admirable 

 food for the food-fish fingerlings, but also the natural his- 

 tory of all of the life of a given body of water. It is a 

 well-recognized biological axiom that no organism can 

 live unto itself alone. This applied to our problem means 

 that a clear and adequate supply of water is not the only 

 factor that must be considered in deciding to restock great 

 bodies of water with fish-fry. But rather the intricate 

 and more or less obscure conditions that determine the 

 sum total of life in each body of water must be taken into 

 consideration. Such studies alone furnish a correct basis 

 for determining the extent to which an animal may draw 

 upon a given source of food, upon the available body of 

 food, and many kindred problems. Before the state can 

 wisely undertake to place more fingerlings in the ponds, 

 it ought to know whether there is enough available food 

 to keep them at least from starving. 



The extensive restocking of most of the Adirondack 

 ponds is done mostly for the benefit of the sportsmen. 

 The benefit that has accrued to these and many other 

 vacationists is very great, but one can not help wondering 



