ACCLIMATIZATION OF FISH IN THE PACIFIC STATES. 
391 
THE FISHING SEASON FOR CATFISH. 
In California, fishing for catfish is done throughout the year, with but little 
variation from month to month, as the receipts of the San Francisco dealers given on 
page 393 will show. The catch is, however, smallest in July and August. Mr. 
Alexander reports that from October to June a few fishermen find employment in 
Oregon in taking catfish for the Portland market. During the summer months, when 
salmon are very abundant, there is little demand for catfish. 
QUANTITY AND VALUE OF THE CATCH OF CATFISH. 
As much the largest part of the catfish yield of California is consigned to San 
Francisco, Sacramento, and Stockton, figures showing the receipts in those cities will 
give a fair idea of the quantity caught. Mr. Alexander’s inquiries at Sacramento and 
Stockton and the writer’s examination of the books of the San Francisco dealers 
showed that in 1893 the shipments to those places were as follows : 
Pounds. 
San Francisco 43, 975 
Sacramento 59, 025 
Stockton 36, 000 
Total 139,000 
The quantity of catfish sent from the principal shipping centers on the Sacra- 
mento and San Joaquin rivers, as determined by Mr. Alexander, were as follows, the 
difference between these and the foregoing figures, amounting to about 33,000 pounds, 
representing the aggregate of a number of minor shipments of which no record could 
be obtained: 
Pounds. 
Red Bluffs, Fremont, and Knights Land ing 40, 000 
Courtland 13,550 
Isleton 12, 000 
Rio Vista 2, 290 
Bouldin Island 23, 000 
Jersey Lauding 15, 000 
Total 105, 840 
The catch by persons who make something of a business of fishing for catfish was 
not under 150,000 pounds in 1893, and fully 50,000 pounds additional would not more 
than cover the catch by farmers, boys, and fishermen in other branches, most of which 
is consumed locally. 
The gross value to the fishermen of the catfish caught for market was $6,358, and 
the total value of the fish to the State in the year named may be estimated at $8,500, 
making a very moderate allowance for the catfish used for home consumption. 
The quantity of catfish taken for sale in the Columbia basin in 1893 was about 
90,000 pounds, with a value to the fishermen of $2,800. Comparatively large numbers 
were also consumed by lumbermen, farmers, and others who fished for their own use. 
The receipts of catfish in Portland in 1893 amounted to 75,000 pounds. 
