70 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
River, 11,200 square miles; Red River, -3,780 square miles; Bayou Bartholomew, 2,G50 
square miles. 
From ail ichthyological staiidpoiut Arkansas is well favored. The State is 
bordered on the east by the Mississippi, aud has four large navigable rivers flowing 
through it. Two of these rivers, with most of their tributaries, rise iii the Ozark 
Mouutaiiis within the bouudaries of the State. These streams are fed by many large 
and beautiful springs, whose waters are cool enough for the mouiitain trout, their 
suitability being well demonstrated by the success which has attended trout-culture 
at the several hatcheries already mentioned. In fact, it has been proven, not only 
that trout will thrive in the Ozark Mountain region, but that their growth there is 
much more rapid than iii some other places farther north, where their artificial culti- 
vation is being carried on. The important question for the consideration of the prac- 
tical fish-culturist is, how many pounds of fish he can secure from a certain number 
of eggs within a given period and with the least expenditure for artificial food. The 
records of the Reosho hatcheiy clearly indicate that fish-culture can be conducted 
successfully in this direction. While the mountain streams bid fair to contain an 
abundance of trout in the near future, the larger aud more sluggish waters are well 
suited to the coarser food-fishes native to the State, the most important among them 
being the black bass, wall-eyed pike, eastern j)ickerel [Lnchis reticulatus), buffalo- 
fishes, etc. 
All of the important rivers mentioned supply many fishes to the markets every 
year, and they may continue to do so if assistance shall be given toward restoring, so 
far as possible, the balance of life in favor of those species which man has done so 
mxich to destroy. 
These streams drain large areas of woodland and a region in which there is a 
considerable amount of rainfall, well distributed throughout the year. In the rocky 
aud lower mountainous regions, intermediate between the mountain and lowland 
levels, the streams have cut deep and wide beds, in many places forming small lakes 
and affording habitation for the larger fishes during the diner portion of the year. 
There is no doubt that Arkansas jiossesses piscatorial features of a high grade, 
which warrant more attention in the future than they have received iu the jiast. The 
angler may find amusement along the luctiu’esque streams of the Ozark Mountains, 
while the fish-culturist will come to recognize in this region one of his richest fields 
in North America. 
Arkansas is as yet only thinly settled, and a thorough exploration of the streams 
of the State before their faume have been much changed by cultivation would be of 
great economic and scientific interest. The increase and protection of her food- 
fishes, both the native and introduced species, cau not be successfully accomplished 
Avithout a more complete knowledge of the physical and natural history features of 
the streams, and it is to be hoped that the means for making such a survey will not 
long be delayed. 
