ACCLIMATIZATION OF FISH IN THE PACIFIC STATES. 
453 
pounds apiece. The fishermen reported that until two weeks before that time not a 
great many bass had been taken in the bay. It is doubtful if in recent years at any 
point on the Atlantic Coast so large a catch of striped bass — 9,000 pounds — has been 
taken by one boat in one day’s fishing. The great abundance of striped bass at that 
time led Mr. Babcock to think that in ten years they would equal the shad in numbers. 
Another illustration of their abundance may be given. Between December 15 
and 25, 1893, Mr. William Crane, of Bouldin Island, on the San Joaquin Biver, and 
another fisherman using a seine caught and shipped to San Francisco 6,000 pounds of 
striped bass. These fish were taken in San Joaquin, Middle, and Old rivers. 
WEIGHT OF STRIPED BASS. 
The average weight of the striped bass now caught for market in California is 
between 10 and 12 pounds; those weighing 15, 18, and 20 pounds are common; many 
weighing 20 to 30 pounds are found, and larger fish are sometimes taken. A very 
careful examination of the receipt books of the San Francisco dealers made by the 
writer in May, 1894, yielded accurate data and disclosed the capture of some larger 
fish than had previously been recorded. The average weight of 1,461 fish was found 
to be 11 pounds, as shown by the following detailed statement, by months, for 1893 
and part of 1S94, giving the number of fish on the dealers’ books whose weights were 
entered : 
Table showing by months the average w eights of 1,461 striped bass handled by San Francisco dealers. 
1893. 
Num- 
ber of 
lish. 
Total 
weight. 
Average 
weight. 
1894. 
Num- 
ber of 
fish. 
Total 
weight. 
Average 
weight. 
J aimary 
February 
March 
April 
May 
35 
45 
151 
50 
56 
1 
22 
208 
649 
Pounds. 
253 
338 
1.219 
648 
731 
9 
312 
2, 534 
7, 305 
Pounds. 
7 
74 
8 
13 
13 
9 
L4J 
HI 
1H 
January 
February 
March 
April 
May 
Total 
Grand total . . . 
143 
31 
10 
29 
31 
Pounds. 
1,456 
334 
114 
435 
435 
Pounds. 
10 
lOf 
U| 
15 
14 
October 
244 
2, 774 
ii| ! 
December 
Total 
1,461 
16, 123 
u 
1,217 
13, 349 
11 
The largest striped bass heretofore recorded from California waters Aveiglied 45 
pounds. It was taken in San Francisco Bay on June 16, 1889, and Avas noticed in 
Forest and Stream of July 11, 1889. In the issue of the same paper for November 20, 
1890, mention is made of the capture of a striped bass of 40 pounds’ weight, and reports 
of others of similar size have been received. In May, 1893, one was sold in San Fran- 
cisco that weighed 49 pounds, which is the largest reported up to this time. There is 
no reason to doubt, however, that the California striped bass will attain the size 
reached on the Atlantic Coast — over 100 pounds. 
. Comparatively few of the striped bass shown in the preceding tabulation had their 
individual Aveights recorded on the dealers’ books, the entries usually being for a 
number whose aggregate weight only was given. Separate entries for five that weighed 
over 30 pounds each were found in the records for 1893. These Avere as follows: May, 
one weighing 49 pounds; October, one weighing 37 pounds; November, one weighing 
40 pounds and one weighing 39 pounds; December, one weighing 32 pounds. 
