ACCLIMATIZATION OF FISH IN THE PACIFIC STATES. 
437 
some of the specimens now at Sisson are about 7 inches long. In November, 1895, 
a few eggs were taken from the hybrid fish, and an effort will be made to hatch them. 
Mr. Babcock states that the crosses exhibit very beautiful colors. 
Only meager data are at hand relating to the outcome attending the planting of 
the numerous trout fry in Nevada waters. It is known, however, that the fish have 
not only survived in most of the waters stocked, but have proved an economic com- 
modity for sale in local markets and for home consumption. The fact that all of the 
spawn previously mentioned (amounting to more than 3,000,000 ova) was taken from 
wild tishes, is in itself sufficient evidence of the adaptability of this fish to the waters 
of Nevada and of its successful introduction. 
The acclimatization of brook trout in the Humboldt River has been very success- 
ful; the report of the Nevada commissioner for 1893-94 states that good catches have 
been made and that an encouraging future awaits the fish in that stream. 
Hon. George T. Mills, Nevada fish commissioner, writes as follows regarding the 
eastern brook trout in the Carson River and elsewhere in Nevada: 
The S.fontinalis do not seem to have increased in that stream. Their scarcity I attribute to 
their leaving the main stream for the many side streams, and from there out in irrigating ditches, 
where they perish. In other small streams in the State where they have been placed, they are a 
success beyond our expectation. With ns they are extremely hardy, and the fry will stand almost 
anything. For example, in July of this year, I sent 20,000 to some creeks in the northeastern part of 
this State — 12 hours by rail, 70 miles by wagon — with the loss of only one fish. This I think phenomenal. 
Sufficient time has not yet elasped to determine the results of the planting of 
yearling trout in Oregon and Washington in 1894. 
THE MUSKELLUNGE. 
In May, 1893, the New York fish commission furnished to the California fish 
commission 100,000 fry of the muskellunge ( Lucius masquinongy) from Chautauqua 
Lake. The United States Fish Commission gave free transportation of the fish 
to Ogden, Utah, from which place the consignment was under the auspices of the 
California commission. The fish reached their destination in good condition, and 
93,000 were placed in Lake Merced, near San Fraucisco. 
The introduction of this species was undertaken at the solicitation of the Spring 
Y alley Water Company, of San Francisco, which paid half the expense of transporta- 
tion from Ogden. It having been learned that the muskellunge grows rapidly, is a 
voracious feeder on live fish, and has excellent game qualities, it was thought to be a 
desirable fish to plant in the reservoirs of the company to check the proliferation of 
carp and afford sport. Carp existed in great abundance in Lake Merced and Falisidas 
Lake, which are reservoirs for the water supply of San Francisco; and these fish kept 
the water constantly stirred up and consequently muddy. The desirability of keeping 
the carp in check was probably the chief reason for the importation of the muskellunge. 
The muskellunge fry were put in private water under an agreement with the 
water company permitting the State to take such fish for breeding purposes and 
distribution as might be desirable. 
The planting of muskellunge in Lake Merced appears to have been a failure, 
although sufficient time may not yet have elapsed to fully decide the matter. In 
June, 1894, the California commission employed some drag-net fishermen, who made 
hauls in every part of the lake, but obtained no muskellunge, and the commissioners, 
in the report for 1893-94, express the belief that the fry have not survived. 
