20 
pait unfertile, so that our hatch amounted to about 7,000,000. Next 
vear we will be able to draw upon our own waters for a good supply 
of spawn, which in addition to what we may get elsewhere should make 
it possible for us to turn out a big supply for all of our pike perch 
waters. 
Our water supply arrangements for the hatchery are not yet per- 
fected in accordance with the original plan. At present we are taking 
water from two springs. Ordinarily this water is very good for hatching, 
but in a cold spring the temper ature is too low. When the upper pond, 
into which this water may fiow is completed, it will be possible to vary 
the water temperature by taking some water from the pond. When our 
peach gree are completed we will have ideal water conditions for 
ha iching either pike perch or trout. 
Our ea perch hatch was distributed largely in the waters of Lake 
and Mecilenry Counties, that are peculiarly suited to this fish. A good 
consignment was sent to the Kankakee River. Next spring 1t is lkely 
that we will be able to stock well, these same waters, and in addition 
take care of many other streams in the State suited to this variety of 
fish. 
Our black bass distribution covered all the lakes in the northern 
part of the State, the Chicago Park waters and many private lakes. 
Our bass ponds aie used for the breeding of large-mouthed black 
bass, which are a lake fish. We have many liv ely streams in the State 
suited to the small-mouthed black bass. But up to the present time no 
effort has been made to hatch this variety of fish. Ponds for the exclu- 
sive use of small-mouthed bass breeding are much needed, and it is to 
be hoped that the next Legislature will realize this fact and make pro- 
vision for the breeding of this important variety of our game fishes. 
Already the commission has made some effort toward promoting a 
fish hatchery on the lake front at Chicago, which will take care of the 
small-mouthed black bass problem, in connection with hatching fish for ~ 
Lake Michigan and other waters near Chicago. The plan as presented 
by the commission is to have the lake front | ratchery operated in con- 
nection with a park aquarium. ‘The need of such a hatchery is obvious 
and cannot be too strongly recommended by the commission if the State 
of Illinois is to take its rightful place among the fish breeding states of 
the country. 
We are now in our third season of pike perch and black bass culture. 
An investigation of the waters already stocked shows that there are more 
young, thriving fish of .these varieties than has been known for many 
years. The first fish distributed are now two years old, and they are 
to be found in great abundance in the waters stocked. The black bass 
distributed, which are now two vears old, are found in considerable num- 
bers in practically all of the lakes stocked. These fish are now about 
ten inches long. Next vear they will be large enough to catch. The year 
following there will no doubt be a still greater number, and in fact for 
the following years black bass should be abundant in our northern lakes, 
more especially if the present liberal svstem of stocking is continued. 
In accordance with your directions an experimental pike perch 
hatchery was established in the Bowen high school, and operated by Miss 
