FISH-CULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS IN MONTANA, WYOMING, AND TEXAS. 
INTRODUCTORY. 
The investigations covered by the accompanying reports of Prof, Barton W. 
Evermann, assistant in the Division of Scientific Inquiry, entitled “A Reconnaissance 
of the Streams and Lakes of Western Montana and Northwestern Wyoming,” and 
“Report upon Investigations made in Texas in 1891,” were undertaken in compliance 
with instructions from Congress in an act approved March 3, 1891, as follows : 
Fish-hatchery in the Rocky Mountain region and Gulf States : For investigation respecting the advisa- 
bility of establishing a fish-hatching station in the Rocky Mountain region in the States of Montana 
or Wyoming, and also a station in the Gulf States, one thousand dollars, each; in all, two thousand 
dollars. 
These reports were transmitted to Congress in February, 1892, and were printed 
as Senate Miscellaneous Document No. 65, Fifty-second Congress, first session. The 
importance of the information conveyed in them has made it desirable that they should 
be put in a form that will permit of wider circulation, and they accordingly are pre- 
sented as articles of the Bulletin. 
The direct object of the investigations was for the purpose of determining the best 
locations for fish-cultural operations in the regions mentioned, but their scope was made 
more comprehensive for reasons which are obvious. The character of the fish-cultural 
operations which may be profitably undertaken in any region varies with climatic 
conditions and with the physical, chemical, and biotic features of its waters. These 
factors must be more or less accurately known in order to determine the extent and 
nature of the fish-cultural installation needed and to direct advantageously the stocking 
of the waters in the interest of which a station is sought to be established. 
In Montana and Wyoming the field explorations were begun at Helena, Montana, 
July 18, 1891, and continued until August 27 ; in Texas they commenced November 
2 and were prosecuted until December 7. 
The field of investigation, both in the Rocky Mountain region and in Texas, was 
limited; it was not practicable, nor was it necessary for the particular purpose to be 
accomplished, to explore the entire area of the States named. From a knowledge of 
the conditions to be fulfilled I was able to limit the area to be examined and thus 
permit a more detailed and careful inquiry than would have been otherwise possible 
with the limited means available. 
Important duties in connection with the operations of the Fish Commission steamer 
Albatross required Prof. Evermann’s presence aboard the vessel before he was able 
to fully complete his studies of the fishes obtained in Texas. As soon as opportunity 
will permit, a supplementary report on the subject will be presented. 
Marshall McDonald, 
Commissioner. 
1 
F. C. 15. 1891—1 
