California. Dept. of Fish and Garre. Biennial Report 1952-1954. I California. Dept. of Fish and Game. Biennial Report 1952-1954. (bound volume) JCalifornia. Dept. of Fish and Game, n Biennial Report 1952-1954. -i (bound volume) California Resources Agency Library 1416 9th Street, Room 117 Sacramento, California 95814 FORTY- THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT CALIFORNIA Department of FISH^ndOAME ^'» ,^^jf% i FOR THE YEARS 1952 - 1954 m/^m^M STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME / FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT of the DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME November, 1954 STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME GOODWIN J. KNIGHT, Governor FISH AND GAME COMMISSION William J. Silva, Chairman, Modesto Lee F. Payne, Los Angeles Carl F. Wente, San Francisco Harley E. Knox, Son Diego Weldon L. Oxiey, Redding TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Letter of Transmittal 4 Report of the Director 7 Water Projects 1 7 Wildlife Protection 2 1 Inland Fisheries 2 7 Game Management 45 Marine Fisheries 5 9 Appendices 79 [3] COMMISSIONERS WILLIAM J SILVA, PRESIDENT MODESTO LEE PAYNE LOS ANGELES CARL F. WENTE SAN FRANCISCO HARLEY E KNOX SAN DIEGO WELDON L OXLEY REDOING Goodwin J. Knight GOVERNOR Seth Gordon DIRECTOR STATE OF CALIFORNIA ^i>partxitatt ai ^xbI] dxth (§nmt 926 J STREET SACRAMENTO 14, CALIFORNIA His Excellency, Goodwin J. Knight Governor of the State of California Sacramento, California Sir: A\'c have the honor to submit herewith the Forty-third Biennial Re- port, covering the period July 1, 1952, through June 30, 1954. This report covers the period during which the department put into effect the decentralized reorganization plan established by the Legisla- ture on June 1, 1951, and the transfer of headquarters from San Fran- cisco to Sacramento, to create a more efficient operating agency. In addition the report contains accounts of activities and plans of the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Marine Research Committee, and the various branches of the department in fostering the conservation and wise uses of California's wildlife resources. A summary of important policy decisions of the Fish and Game Com- mission and important new legislation affecting fish and game also is included. Respectfully submitted. Director a] REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR \% 4^ I Hunfing, angling license buyers continue fo increase. Deparfmenfal reorganization plan placed in effect. Water projects added as staff function. Ten-year plan presented to legislative committees. Conservation education activity stepped up. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR "Conservation Is the Triim/ph of Cormnon Sense Over Ignorance and Greed'" —California Junior Chamber of Commerce Believing that an informed public is the best guarantee of wise use of California's wildlife resources, and fully able to judge the effectiveness of conservation programs to tiiat end, the department con- solidated and materially strengthened its program of conservation education during the past two years in an effort to keep abreast of the ever-increasing population pressures and the record numbers of anglers and hunters afield in California. At the same time the task of maintaining, protecting and increasing, where possible, fish and wildlife re- sources, consolidating gains effected by reorganization on a decentralized plan passed by the Legislature in 1951 and making long-range plans for the future, were major goals of everv department emplo\'ce. Indications are that the complexity of these tasks will increase rather than decrease or reach a plateau in the years to come. During the past two years the numbers of anglers and hunters increased at a rate even faster than the tremendous population gains which show no signs of slackening. In 1952 the number of license holders was 1,600,000. As of the close of the biennium there were 1,871,000 or a gain of one-fifth in only two years. This in- creased army of hunters and fishermen made their presence known with continuing requests for more fish in the streams and lakes, more game birds and mammals, and more places to hunt and fish. As cities grew larger and more and more lands were developed for intensive agriculture and industry, resulting in material loss of wildlife habitat, need and demand grew for assured public access to hunting and fishing areas heretofore unreachable. Other lovers of the out-of-doors who do not hunt, but enjoy and make use of California's wild- life resources in other ways are also concerned with expanded access. Recreational Attractions Ironically, one of the main factors in bringing to California this tremendous migration has been this State's great and unparalleled year-long recreational attractions, including its opportunities for hunting and fishing. Thus the numbers of outdoorsmen who become new residents of California add to the pres- sure on wildlife in greater proportion than normallv- In spite of these conditions the Department of Fish and Game was able to show substantial progress in many wildlife management fields. Its hatchery and trout planting program, expansion of waterfowl management areas where the public can hunt, more cooperative pheasant hunting areas, big game man- agement, stream improvement, upland game habitat improvements, and- efforts to make available closed areas have made substantial contributions to the over- all wildlife picture. The darkest picture, and one of constant concern to the department, is the condition of the ocean fish- eries. During the biennium the State's commercial ocean catch dropped to a 20-year low. Sardines as a commercial catch have virtually disappeared from offshore waters. Alarming danger signals are being observed in the anchovv and Pacific mackerel fishery. Warnings of this condition have been made repeatedly by department scientists. On the other hand ocean sportsfishing has increased materiallv in recent years, and shows signs of matching inland angling in popu- larity with Californians. The responsibilit\' of the California Department of Fish and Game in these significant times is clear. Its primary duty, in conjunction with its policy- making body, the Fish and Game Commission, is to perpetuate, manage, and, a\ here possible to increase the wildlife resources of the State, consistent with their wise use and habitat needs. Appreciation for Outdoors These responsibilities become greater and more difficult to effect, not only because of the increased numbers of hunters and fishermen, but through pres- sures of advancing civilization and growth. It has become a matter of integrating a sound wildlife management program with a burgeoning industrial and agricultural growth, so that the California citizen of today and tomorrow can continue to develop an appreciation for outdoor living and the character building values derived therefrom. Encouraging signs have been developing in the philosophy of forward thinking Californians along these lines during the past two years. Planners are beginning to find a place for outdoor life and recreational possibilities in their schemes of future development. The Department of Fish and Game has and will continue to encourage this important trend of thinking. Important as long-range planning is to our wild- life resource, the problem of meeting angling and [7] This icene on the Son Gabriel River on opening day of fhe J 954 Irout svoson illusirolei Ihe kind of fishing pressure California's streams and lakes are getiing. hunting pressure on a da\-to-day basis reaches pro- portions w hich are hard to visualize. In two years the number of licensed hunters and fishermen has in- creased b\- 300,000. Many of them are trout fishermen who expect to fill their creels in spite of the fact that natural reproduction of wild fish has reached the point of no return in many streams and lakes. Thou- .sands are pheasant hunters expecting success in areas where agriculture and urban expansion have cut natural habitat alarmingh". Duck hunters increase while more and more marsh land, absolutely neces- sar\' to the species, is being reclaimed and developed. Habitat Improvement To keep apace with these pressures, the department has embarked on programs of habitat improvement in field and stream; game management to attain a balance between numbers of deer, existing range forage, and hunter harvest; a vast program of planting catchable trout in roadside waters where fingerling planting has reached the point of no return; constant efforts to improve streams through flow maintenance dams, clearance of obstructions, removal of trash fish and restocking with desirable species; a program of screen- ing irrigation water diversions to keep all fish in the rivers, and ladders to preserve migratorv fish such as salmon and steelhcad; watering devices for quail, main- tained game farms, and developed waterfowl manage- ment areas. The problem of reducing waterfowl depredations on agricultural crops has been attacked with increasing success. Land and water development agencies now are working more closely with the department in plan- ning for future water conservation structures and developments. A stepped-up program of hunter safety was inaugu- rated during the latter part of the biennium as a result of far-sighted action by the State Legislature. This leg- islation required hunters under the age of 16 years, applying for a license for the first time, to show evi- dence of at least four hours instruction in handling firearms, and in the rudiments of hunter safety and courtesy. Plans were completed for a department-wide train- ing program designed to increase the operating effi- ciency of Fish and Game personnel and thus save thou- sands of dollars of license fees and other funds which can be diverted to more productive channels. This is the picture of the past two years. It is a pe- riod of notable gains in many wildlife fields, reverses in some others. It is a period of constantly expanding hunting and fishing pressure, of lessons learned the hard way, and of lessons learned in the field of depart- mental research. It has been two years of new, bold steps by the commission and the department in the fields of fish and game management. Above and be- yond all of these things, it has been a "shakedown cruise" for departmental reorganization, and a period for looking ahead. 10-year Estimate Near the end of the biennium several legislative groups, cognizant of all of these factors, requested that the director prepare a 10-year estimate of future needs of California fish and game. The estimate was pre-' sented at a joint meeting of the Assembly Subcommit- tee on Public Lands, Grazing and Forest Practice, Assemblyman Lloyd W. Lowrey, Chairman; Senate Interim Committee on Public Lands, Senator Edwin J. Regan, Chairman; Assembly Committee on Agricul- ture, Assemblyman George A. Clarke, Chairman; Assembly Committee on Conservation, Planning, and Public Works, Assemblyman Francis Lindsay, Chair- man, on June 23, 1954. This estimate, to be discussed at length in other parts of this report, poses problems and implications directly affecting millions of Californians, whether they be hunters or fishermen, students of nature, photographers of wildlife, disciples of Audubon, skin divers, or merely lovers of the out-of-doors. Needless to say, a fish and game department which confined its efforts to problems of the day, season, or biennium, would not be properly discharging its trus- teeship to the people. The California Department of Fish and Game has endeavored to, through research, common sense and hard work, to meet and solve to- da>'s problems. At the same time it is attempting to anticipate those of the future. California's wildlife heritage of today is worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually to present residents of the State. With an intelligent program for the future, carried out by Lin enlightened citizenry, the value of that heritage to FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT generations of Californians yet unborn can be im- measurable. Departmental Reorganization During the past two years the Department of Fish and Game has been undergoing a sweeping reorganiza- tion, involving decentralization and reorientation of functions and operations. As set up by the Fish and Game Reorganization Act of 1951, the former Division of Fish and Game became the Department of Fish and Game with a director, appointed by the Governor, in full charge of all administrative operations and per- sonnel. At the beginning of the biennium, there still was much to accomplish in the implementation of the reorganization act, such as appointment of regional managers, heads of the various staff functions, setting up of physical facilities both in the field and at central headquarters. Through competitive examinations, interviews, and careful screening, the most qualified men available both in California and elsewhere were selected for new positions in the department. Former bureau chiefs were assigned to staff duties as heads of four new branches. They were: Ben Glading, Game Manage- ment; Alex J. Calhoun, Inland Fisheries; Richard S. Croker, Marine Fisheries; and E. L. Macaulay, wild- life protection. All are veterans of California Fish and Game. Regional managers chosen were James D. Stokes, Region I at Redding; Robert D. Montgomery, Region II at Sacramento; Robert L. Jones, Region III at San Francisco; William Morse, Region IV at Fresno; and John F. Janssen, Region V at Los Angeles. Near the end of the biennium Phil Roedel, formerly of the Termmal Island Laboratory, became Manager of Re- gion IV. Primarily, the purposes of the reorganization were to do a more businesslike job, to assure maximum re- sults for the funds expended, and to bring adminis- trative responsibility as close as possible to the people being served. Physically, this entailed moving the headquarters from San Francisco to Sacramento, establishment of the five regional offices, and integrating the work and functions of the various field stations with their re- gional administration. Each regional manager has com- plete control of all operations, manpower and equip- ment under his jurisdiction, with the exception of Marine Fisheries and some research functions. Policy-making Functions Under the reorganization act, the Fish and Game Commission continued its highly important policy- making and regulatory functions, with the director administering the department in conformance with those policies. Regional offices have relieved the central staff of enormous volume of administrative work, allowing time to be properly spent in planning and research. The hunting and angling public now can call upon five regional operating staffs familiar with the prob- lems of the locality, and coordinated \\'ith a head- quarters group responsible for state-wide planning and research. Through decentralization, local .supervisors of the various functions are located in the field where they can take action based on intimate knowledge and field work. Under the old s\'stem all of the top special- ists were located at central headquarters in San Fran- cisco w ith no coordination on the field level. Administrativelx', streamlining of the Fish and Game accounting office has made possible better budgeting and distribution of budget status reports to the oper- ating and staff functions early each month. This fur- nishes the various functional supervisors current infor- mation on expenditures and availability of funds, so that programs can be carried out efficiently'. Among other major accomplishments of the reor- ganization on a line and staff basis -was establishment on October 1, 1952, of a functioning conservation edu- cation section at staff level, of a separate business function, a change-over to a central pay roll s>stem, including the decentralization of personal records, de- centralization of the licensing functions, setting up of a water projects and pollution section apart from the branches, an engineering section centrally directed, headquarters auto pool, central files, and a steno- graphic pool. The department's reorganization plan is the practi- cal application of policies and practices long adhered to by successful business organizations. In public af- fairs in general, and within the California Department of Fish and Game in particular, the aim is application Game farms and most other management activities now are handled by the regions. This is a view of the pens at China Game Farm. 10 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME of the same delegation of authoiity and fixed responsi- bility for results. Especialix" important is the bringing of that delegated authorit\- close enough to those who are served, to resolve on the local level many of the frictions and niisundcrstandings which cause grief and loss of efficiencN", particularly in the field of wildlife conservation. Drain on Reserve Decreases .■\ major concern during the biennial period was the problem of bringing expenditures in balance with reve- nue. Marked progress was made in this direction. .\n overdraft of S.HO.OOO for the Fiscal Year 1951-52 was made on the Fish and Game Preservation Fund reserve of 56,124,499 which had been accumulated during war \ears. The overdraft occurred before re- organization was undertaken and generally resulted from expansion of maintenance, operation and service activities outlined as essential to preservation, protec- tion and restoration of California wildlife resources b\' tiic Wildlife Conservation Board in its report of .May, 1950. Through the 1952-54 Biennium during which reor- ganization and decentralization took place, increases in maintenance, operation and service expenditures continued with the opening of more new hatcheries, new \\aterfowl management areas, increase in cooper- ative hunting acreage management, hunter safety pro- gram and other similar activities. Such increased ex- penditures were kept at a practical minimum and the reorganized department was able to absorb much of these activities with exi.sting personnel. Improved effi- ciency of operation also was credited with helping to reduce the overdraft of 5260,648 recorded at the end of the 195.^ Fi.scal Year and the further reduction of the overdraft to 5152,66.^ at the end of the 1954 Fiscal ^'ear. This closing of the gap between expenditures and revenue was accomplished during a period of rising revenue, true, but the increased number of dollars re- ceived was more than offset by the loss in value of those dollars resulting from inflation. Whether providing new services and absorption of new operations by the existing organization had reached its limit, and whether the point of maximum efficiency under the reorganization plan had been reached during the biennium could not be definitely established. Fish and Game Commission Importance of the five-member Fish and Game Commission as a policy-making body, and in providing strong leadership in the State's conservation program, was highlighted during the biennium by numerous decisions which are having far-reaching effects in both conservation and in providing better hunting and an- gling opportunities for millions of Californians. Probably the most important of these was the pro- mulgation of a new system of advance registration and granting of reservations to hunt on state-controlled waterfowl management areas. This matter was studied thoroughly by the commission, and later became estab- lished policy and was placed in effect for the 1954 waterfowl season. Believing that the unattached hunter should have an opportunity for advance reservation of hunting dates, the plan was studied from every angle, and presented to various interested organizations for review. Granting of reservations was to be made by lot, with any vacancies to be filled on a first come, first served basis. Regulations governing cooperative hunting areas were streamlined to assume more efficient manage- ment, and to add areas which formerly could not qualify for lack of size. Sweeping amendments were made in existing pheas- ant policies and new^ ones inaugurated to improve hunting, and at the same rime to effect economies in pheasant planting. The commission set up a priority system for plant- ing of birds raised on Department of Fish and Game bird farms, with top priority on the basis of access by the general public. A policy of providing as many shootable birds without expansion of the game farms was adopted. Fighting for Existence Recognizing that several species of important com- mercial ocean fish are literally fighting for their exist- ence in the face of heavy pressure, the commission continued to press for a legislative program for author- ity to control the catch of sardines, anchovies, Pacific An advance registration system for waterfowl hunting areas was set up by tfie Fish and Game Commission to eliminate long waiting lines like this one at Colusa Refuge. FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 11 mackerel and jack mackerel as a fundamental resource management tool. Its program along this line failed to materialize by July, 1954. Public knowledge of the condition of these resources increased materially dur- ing this period and interest in protecting and maintain- ing the species intensified. At the same time members of the commission stood firm on important policies designed to protect the ocean fishery offshore. Its policy on oyster bed allot- ments was strengthened, as was the regulation on control of oyster pests in imports. It denied permits for reduction of ocean fish as a conservation measure, although permits for reductions of specified ocean trash fish were granted. Continued scrutiny and strengthening of regulations concerning offshore blasting in seismic explorations were carried on during the biennium. In the implementation of its deer management pol- icy, adopted the previous biennium, the commission laid down rules and regulations for special deer hunts, and decreed that various groups or individuals asking for such special hunts prepare supporting evidence to back their requests at public hearings. As a result of a ruling by the Attorney General, the commission abandoned its former policy concerning planting of state-raised trout in certain private waters of the State. Previously the commission had required that owners of such private waters open at least a third of their shore line to public fishing after state fish were planted, but the opinion held that the commission was without authority to impose this requirement. Two new members of the commission were ap- pointed during the biennium, including Harley E. Knox, former Mayor of San Diego, succeeding Han-ey E. Hastain of Brawley, and Weldon L. Oxley, insur- ance executive of Redding, succeeding Paul Denny of Etna. William J. Silva of /Modesto served as chairman during 1953 and 1954. Other members of the commis- sion at the biennium's conclusion were Carle F. Wente of San Francisco and Lee F. Payne of Los Angeles. Conservation Education An important step in strengthening wildlife conser- vation in California during the biennium was the coor- dination and realignment of the department's entire conservation education program. It is based on the concept that ignorance and greed are the two major enemies of wildlife, and an informed public is the surest weapon with which to defeat these twin enemies. The new conservation education program of the Department of Fish and Game is designed to make available comprehensive information on California's wildlife resources to as many people as possible, through funds provided by the users of the resource themselves. Although these funds come from hunting and angling license holders and from commercial fish- SKY-SCHAPERS WAST€ I BIRDS AND AMMmirmI SO YARDS- /< VP BE YON P VOUR SHOT IS 20% EFFECTIVE OR. Less 30 YARDS.. YOUk SHOT IS 100« EFFECTIVE- 12 GA »5 SHOT TUU CHOKe 40 YARDS- YOUR SHOT IS 80* EFFECT I VE- SKY- SCRAPERS WOUND ANP DESTROY MORE Birds than HUNTERS TAKE HOME WE A &$eRAPff? / STATE OF CALIFORN 1 A D E P > \ R A TM E N T 0 F FISH N D G A M t Educational posters tike ft^is one help prevent wasteful long range shooting of waterfowl. This sign is posted at all public shooting areas. ermen, the wildlife resource belongs to all of the peo- ple of California and the conservation education pro- gram is designed to reach all of them. The conservation education section was planned as an important segment of the reorganization plan com- pleted near the close of the last biennium, although the section did not actually come into full operation until earl\- in 1953 when Robert D. Calkins, iModesto ne\\s- paperman, was appointed as first conservation educa- tion director. Conservation Education Activities Activities of the section included dissemination of information concerning general status and condition of California wildlife, notices of open seasons, regulations, conservation measures, and policies of the Fish and Game Commission and the department. This was ac- complished through releases, to newspapers, radio stations and television stations, distribution of the 12 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME omong the medio for conservation education. This hatchery model was shown o* the California State Fair. monthly bulletin Outdoor California to license agents, officials of organized sportsmen's groups, and others whose positions require an up-to-date knowledge of conservation matters, servicing of outdoor writers, providing abstracts of angling and liunting regulations, publications of angler's guides to promote fishing in areas where heretofore pressure has been light, publi- cation of pamphlets on various species of fish and game, providing information to schools and civic or- ganizations and explanation of various cooperative and public hunting programs. In addition the section mailed more than 100,000 pieces of literature in response to direct inquiries from throughout the State concerning conservation and wildlife questions, and distributed nearly 2,000,000 pieces of literature through license agents and other outlets. .Another development of importance was the visual aids program, in which seven motion pictures suitable for showing both at public meetings and for television were produced. Old film alread\- on hand was revised and edited and two entirely new films were under way at the clf)se of the bicnnium. Other visual aids included exhibits for use at fairs, sports shows, and organization gatherings. Also operated by the conservation section is the library which contains conservation materials for use of the staff, re.search people, and sportsmen. One basic change in the program was elimination of a procedure under which conservation pamphlets were produced for distribution, on request, to schools throughout the State for elementary classroom use. This uas on the recommendation of the Senate Interim Committee on Fish and Game. Publications on Sale Another major change was that of a revised distribu- tion policy and reduction in size of the California Fish and Game scientific quarterly publication, and placing of many department publications on sale at cost. It was estimated that many thousands of dollars per year in new revenue will be realized from the sale of depart- mental printed materials. A portion of the savings real- ized by reductions and cutbacks in technical publica- tions was placed into the new monthly bulletin Out- door Calif or7iia. Total expenditures of the section during the first full 12-month period of full operation were $151,309, or 2 percent of the total department expenditure for the period. This represented a cost of about one cent per citizen. This percentage is the lowest of any com- parable states, whose -wildlife resources are far less valuable than those of California. New Program Organized During the biennium the section organized and su- pervised a new program for hunter safety training pursuant to action by the California Legislature. The new law required that each hunter under 16 who had not previously held a license must obtain a certificate of competence in handling firearms by taking a course of instruction supervised by the department. The hunter safety training program of the National Rifle Association was adopted and the NRA contributed its services in developing the California program. Efforts were continued to interest school administra- tors and curriculum people in bringing conservation instruction into the public schools of the State. At present conservation is not recognized by state law as a subject required in the curriculum, and there are relatively few teachers trained to teach the subject. The conservation education director became an active member of the Conservation Education Committee of the Department of Education during the biennium. With California leading the Nation in rate of license increase, and in decrease of \\ildlife habitat due to agri- cultural and urban encroachment, the need and de- mand for conservation education activity has spiraled since World War II, and will continue to increase if the human pressure on wildlife continues to increase. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD In accordance w ith a request of the Fish and Game Commission in January, 1954, the Wildlife Conserva- tion Board concentrated its activities on completion of existing projects, and financing new projects requiring low operation and maintenance costs when completed. The commission at that time requested that the board not approve additional projects which would impose appreciable outln\s for operation and mainte- nance until the Department of Fish and Game had FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 13 balanced its budget, or additional operating funds were made available. During this biennium the last $2,000,000 appropri- ated b\' the Legislature became available for expendi- ture, making a total of $12,000,000 in capital invest- ment for fish and game from the State's share of the pari-mutuel Horse Racing Fund. Eleven new projects were approved and allocations made. Of these two were projects previously ap- proved, from which funds allotted had been with- drawn. In addition funds were allocated for improve- ment, development, or expansion of six existing fish- eries projects and two waterfowl developments. Ten projects were completed during the biennium. A second policy change was the decision to acquire property through negotiation, without condemnation, by the Department of Fish and Game. This decision was made after the Attorney General advised that such action was within the scope of the Wildlife Conserva- tion Act. Changes of Board Membership Vacancies on the Wildlife Conservation Board Joint Legislative Advisory Committee caused by the deaths of Assemblyman Lester T. Davis and Senator George J. Hatfield were filled by appointment of Assembly- man Frank P. Belotti and Senator Ed. C. Johnson. Other members of the joint committee were Senators Ben Hulse and Charles Brown, and Assemblymen Thomas M. Erwin and Lloyd W. Lowrey. Department of Finance Director John M. Peirce replaced James S. Dean, retired, on the board, and Wm. J. Silva, Presi- dent of the Fish and Game Commission, served as chairman of the board during the biennium. Fish Hatchery and Stocking Projects Darrah Springs Hatchery, among the largest in the United States, was completed and placed in operation. Mt. Shasta, Crystal Lake, Moccasin Creek, Fish Springs, Hot Creek, and Mojave Hatcheries were in full pro- duction. Hot Creek Hatchery and Black Rock Rear- ing Ponds were being further expanded to increase production with but small increase in operating costs. An allocation of $40,000 was made for land acquisi- tion for a proposed hatchery on the American River below Nimbus Dam. Land is to be provided by the Federal Government and $10,000 of the |40,006 was authorized to enlarge the outlet pipe from Nimbus Dam to the federal salmon hatchery, to permit carry- ing adequate water for an adjacent state trout hatch- er)', if and when it becomes desirable. There were no immediate plans laid to construct this trout hatchery until the actual need for an additional hatchery in this section of the State is fully demonstrated. Tahoe Hatchery expansion was held in abeyance pending the outcome of the present catchable trout program. Possibly the needs of this area can be served better and more economically by the American River Hatchery. San Joaquin Hatchery on the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam and Cedar Creek Experimental Hatchery in northern Mendocino County were being constructed. After intensive search for an alternate site for the San Gabriel Hatchery, the board decided to wait until contemplated and existing hatcheries were in full operation before further action would be taken. Stream Flow Maintenance and Improvement While only two projects are recorded as completed during the biennium, good progress has been made on others and work is still proceeding. Initial allocations of funds for such work in Fish and Game Regions II, 1\', and Y were nearl\- exhausted and requests for ad- ditional funds were to be made based upon recent surveys. Waterfowl Projects The Wildlife Board revamped its waterfowl man- agement area development program. Because of an excessive value placed upon San Luis Island by the court, this project was dropped. Of the seven key waterfowl management areas originally to the board proposed, Butte Sink, Lower and Upper San Joaquin \^alley, and Madera Waterfowl areas were canceled and the balance of unexpended funds transferred to one authorized project in the Central San Joaquin Valley. One new unit of the Imperial Valley Waterfowl area, to replace lands inundated by the continued rise of Salton Sea, was authorized and funds for its acqui- sition allocated. Acquisition of the land is progressing. This reduced the key waterfowl management areas proposed for purchase by the board to four. See Appendix for status of Wildlife Conservation Board Funds. Rearing ponds ai Darrah Springs Hatchery, largest trout installation in the Stale. 14 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME STATUS OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES During rwo years of tremendous, unprecedented hunting and fishing pressures, California's wildlife re- sources appeared to be holding their own, and in some cases making numerical gains. In most cases encroach- ment on natural habitat, pollution of streams, and sky- rocketing demands for water posed the greatest threats to wildlife. \\'here natural conditions were good, the hunter or fishcmian did not make dangerous inroads on the supph". As the new bicnnium started, however, every effort was being made to further improve efficiency of oper- ation to bring expenditures of the department even with income. At the end of the biennium, the Fish and Game Preser\ation Fund reserve stood at approximately $.\3: 1.000. Another major factor in maintaining existing popu- lations of wildlife has been the work of the wildlife protection personnel in the prevention of violations through conservation education of the public, and in the apprehension of violators. The deer kill fell off after the severe winter of 1951- 52, but during the 1953 season the bag climbed back to the second best >ear on record. At the end of the biennium deer numbers were on the increase \irtually throughout the State. Two mild winters which made for good feed conditions w'as one of the major factors in the increase. Special deer seasons were held during the biennium where mate- rial crop depredation or pasture damage was being done, or where local interests requested special hunts, and backed their request with proper evidence. In- vestigative work continued on deer browse and range conditions, and other matters pertaining to good deer manacement. Good Populations Surveys have indicated extremely good populations of quail, doves and pheasants. Ducks and geese re- mained at high levels, and record bags were reported during the biennium. In addition to the virtual disappearance of the sar- dine off California, weak spots developed in several other categories of the ocean fishery. The take of Jack and Pacific mackerel and anchovies declined alarmingly, and only the younger fish predominated. Sports fishing continued to grow, especially the salmon sports fishery which is beginning to rival the com- mercial catch in economic importance. Efforts of the department brought about beginnings of new shrimp and oyster fisheries for California. During the two-year period the planting of catch- able trout in roadside streams and lakes reached new highs, as did aerial planting of fingerlings, but at the same time continued efforts were made to improve streams as natural habitat for wild fish. Experiments were carried out to introduce new forage fishes for the warmwater species. Salmon and steelhead runs held fairly steady, and numbers of sturgeon increased to the point that an open season was declared late in the biennium, the first in 36 years. Wildlife of the Future While the department was occupied during the biennium with reorganization, meeting increased de- mands on wildlife by hunters and anglers, accelerating the hatchery program, wildlife habitat acquisition and improvement, the problems of California's future fish and game needs played a highly important role in department thinking. As departmental reorganization freed headquarters staff members from various operation duties, planning for the future was crystallized into a 10-year plan for meeting future needs of both w^ildlife and holders of hunting and angling licenses. Improved research and intensified field investigations continued to point up new and better ways of further expanding wildlife production in its natural habitat. So far only the surface has been scratched; much more can be done. The best use of fish, game and other wildlife re- sources can be realized only if the people have the opportunity to get where these resources are located. The average citizen should have access to uncrowded places which he can enter legally to enjoy wildlife in the manner of his choosing, without too much cost and effort. On the other hand, an ample number of remote-hard-to-get-to wilderness areas should be re- served and maintained for those willing to exert them- selves enough to reach them. Observation by the department showed that there were enough sturgeon fo warrant an open season beginning in April, 1954. FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT IS Not All Available Onlv 40 percent of California's land is readily avail- able for public use toda\', and much of this is remote, rough countrw Similarly, onl\' a portion oi California's existing wildlife is available for wise use. The term "wise use" is not confined solely to licensed fishermen and hunters. All Californians, now and in the future, should have the opportunity of enjoying their wildlife resources. Students of nature, the photographer, the skin diver, disciples of Audubon, and millions of other citizens who do not actually "harvest" wildlife, all have an equal right to share in this great heritage, and it should be made available to them. Today fish and game of California is sustaining a resource which at the end of the biennium was putting an estimated $720,000,000 annualh- into California's economic bloodstream bv sportsmen in their pursuit of wildlife. In addition commercial fishing, fur trap- ping and allied industries were pumping another $280,000,000 into California business life. Even the most conservative estimates show that in 1965 the State will have 2,580,000 license holders. But experience has shown that the number of license holders increase more rapidly than the population, and for that reason the number of fishermen and hunters ma\- reach 3,000,000 b\- that time. Ceiling Not Foreseeable These projections are based on estimates of popula- tion increases, made b)' the Department fif Finance and on the historical average percentage of increase in license bu\ers over a 25-\'ear period. There is nothing in the record to indicate what the ceiling might be. Loss of fish and game, or lack of opportunity to make wise use of the resource, are the only factors which might materially change the above predictions. Now as to the past, future, and proposed expendi- tures, this is the situation. From 1945 through the fiscal year of 1955 approximateh' $62,050,000 will have been spent for \\ ildlife. In this connection it should be noted, that except for $12,000,000 made available from pari-mutuel revenue, all of the above funds have come from buyers of licenses, special tags (i.e., deer and pheasant tags), commercial fishing taxes, etc.— none from general tax revenues. If income for fish and game welfare for the next 10 vears continues from present sources at current rates, and is projected on the accelerating line of license buy- ing increase, there will be available from 1955 through 1956 a total of $93,500,000. Considering an average annual $9,350,000 income foreseeable from the present rate base, the expenditure to service and sustain the billion dollar industry for the next 10 years is less than 1 percent annually. All signs point to the probability that wildlife will not hold up under the anticipated pressures of the next LICENSED ^ToT8!c;So''''- SPORTSMEN IN CALIFORNIA ANGLERS IN 1965 2,094,776 /HUNTERS IN 1975 ANGLERS NOW/ j 248 000^ 1,263, 000^/ _X VhUNTERSIN I965> 936,025 /-^ ^ HUNTERS NOW — 639,000 1930 1940 1950 1954 1965 1975 license huyer^ fiove heen increasing of a fa^ier raie than the popula- tion. Above is a projection of what faces f/ie State's wi/diife resources in fhe future. 10 years with the relati\clv small investment now being made to sustain it. The present investment will be absorbed simply in providing minimum services to the new customers at present levels, increasing numbers of customers with the increasing hunting and fishing pres- sures will definitel>' result in demands and needs for more and improved operation services— more fish and game wardens, more \\ ildlife field men, more informa- tion and education, more people to handle the house- keeping chores of administration, plus additional equipment. Some of this increased operational load no doubt can be readil\- absorbed b\' the income from new customers. But there's no point in ignoring the fact that some of the present services of Fish and Game administration could well be further improved. And as the population increases new services will be needed and demanded b\' the people. Over the vears certain expansions in personnel have been unavoidable. For example, when federal aid funds became available 1 5 years ago, a sizeable group of new emploN'ees was added. Recently, with the addition of new functions, especiall>' operation of expanded facil- ities provided b\' the Wildlife Conservation Board funds, additional cmplo\ecs were necessary to man them. 16 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAAIE SUMMARY OF COSTS FOR 10-YEAR PROGRAM Bstimated cost of recommended project Marine fisheries __ $7,100,000 Inland fisheries _ „ 11,500,000 Salmon and steelhead program 3,950,000 Subtotal for fisheries improvement $22,550,000 Hunting opportunities 20,000,000 Economic survey 15,000 Tota Is - - $42,565,000 Average per year $4,256,500 Estimated annual operation and maintenance costs $65,000 795,000 2,700,000 $3,560,000 $3,560,000* * This represents estimated annual cost of operating fully developed program. During period of develop- ment, the operating costs will be approximately half of the ultimate cost of operation. Xcar the end of the biennium a study of the work load and operation of the warden staff was set up. The shorter work week, new responsibilities such as the hunter safety training program, patrolling new public shooting areas, new legislation and the constantly in- creasing armv of anglers and hunters, as well as others who flock to the outdoors, have materially increased each warden's daily task during the past 10 years. This is the one group of specialized fish and game workers that has remained more or less static in num- bers for more than a decade. No Cost Estimate for More Service No estimate of cost to raise the current level of service is included in the proposed 10-year plan, all of which is outside of the presently scheduled fish and game program. However, attention is called to the fact that the Fish and Game Commission has gone on record as being opposed to further capital investments in new facilities, or expansions of services, until op- erating funds are assured. In order adequately to meet and solve the problems ahead, the people responsible for wildlife have out- lined a series of steps which can be taken during the next 10 years to perpetuate and make California wild- life available to maximum numbers of its people. The proposals summarized in the appendix, Table 6, represent the combined thinking of sportsmen, busi- nessmen and others vitall\' interested in wildlife, as well as the thoughts of the fish and game workers who are hired by the people as custodians of California's \\ ildlife resources. FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 17 WATER PROJECTS Alost people are gradually realizing the importanc-e of fish and game to the economy of California but it is more difficult to realize that this tremendous asset is completely dependent upon an adequate water supply. The future of these resources appears bleak unless their importance in future Cali- fornia water development plans is realized. The Fish and Game Commission's water polic\' has recognized that California's expanding population must work and eat but that it is equally essential that outdoor recreation be provided for the well-being of this expanding population. There also is a tremendous food resource involved which can be self-perpetuating if fisheries are \\ isel\- managed. Alany old water developments were constructed with no consideration for fish and wildlife and the Department of Fish and Game is actively trying to rehabilitate streams which have been dried up for many years, by securing flow releases. California's waterfowl are suffering in a similar man- ner and the millions of acres of natural marsh in the Central \'alle\' have been reduced to perhaps 100,000 acres. As a result, serious crop depredation problems have occurred as these birds use agricultural land. Establishment of Water Projects Coordinator Early in 1953 a new function was undertaken by the department with a staff section being made re- sponsible for water problems relating to wildlife. Work of this section is largely planning for the future of fish and game in California. It is also attempting to rehabilitate the many streams which have been affected by diversions which were built many years ago when no consideration was given to maintaining stream flows for fishing and recreation. In 1953 the department was successful, for example, in securing water release below Florence Lake Dam on the South Fork of the San Joaquin River in Fresno County in cooperation with the Southern California Edison Company. Ever since this dam was built in the earlv twenties summer stream flow has been inade- quate to allow the development of a trout fisher\' for the many thousands of people who now visit this area yearly. Release of 10 cubic feet per second into this stream will allow the Department of Fish and Game to develop this easily accessible area to meet increas- ing recreational need. Water problems are not confined to fisheries alone. The future of waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway de- pends to a large extent on securing land and water for wintering areas. Concern of agricultural groups is well appreciated and crop depredations pose a constant threat. Land which has formerly been used by water- fowl is being reclaimed for agriculture. This is an- other case where a relatively small amount of water can pay real dividends if it is available when needed on waterfowl management areas and other natural habitat areas. The Grasslands Problem In 1952, for example, a serious crop depredarion problem developed in the lower San Joaquin \'alley. No relief was afforded b\' herding because the birds simply moved to another rice field and continued to cause severe crop losses. In this case a small amount of water was secured from the Bureau of Reclamation for flooding in the grasslands area. State Economy Benefits As soon as these lands were flooded the department was able to herd the waterfowl off agricultural lands successfully into flooded areas. Cost of the water in this case was very minor compared to value of the crops which were saved. By using this water for ducks the economy of the State received a much greater benefit in agricultural production than the same amount would have produced if used for irrigation. A major victory toward obtaining water for water- fowl \\as the passage of the Grasslands Bill. During the past two \ears the Department of Fish and Game has begun to activel\' participate in the planning of water developments in cooperation with the public and private agencies \\ho are now making the plans to meet the future water needs of California. Under the terms of Public Law 732 (the so-called Wildlife Resources Act of 1946), the department may submit recommendations to the Federal Power Com- mission for protection of fish and wildlife resources affected by the construction of federal projects or projects under federal license. By working with the public utilities it has been possible to have these rec- ommendations included in all licenses for power de- velopment which have been issued in the past two years. These have included new power projects under construction on the Feather, American, Stanislaus, Kings, and San Joaquin River watersheds. Of even more importance are major developments proposed in the past two years which are now under active study by the Department of Fish and Game. Major water projects have been proposed for nearly every watershed in the State. The department also conducts active programs in cooperation with the other conservation agencies working in California. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for example, has an active program as do many other federal agencies, such as the Bureau of Reclamation, Corps of Engineers, Forest Service, and the Soil Conservation Service. Nearly every land and water development program has serious implications 18 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAAffi for California's tisli and wildlife and it is essential that the protection of these resources be included in any plan of development. Encouraging Development One encouraging development of the past two years has been the recognition of the importance of fish and wild life b\- the Legislature and other state agencies. In 195.^, for example, the Legislature added Sections 526.> and 526.6 to the Fish and Game Code. These measures insure that future water developments in Mono and In\o Counties will not jeopardize the fish- erics resources either by drying up the stream or by operating power generation facilities in such a manner as to fluctuate stream flows below the dams. The department has been actively participating in the State's study of the feasibility of a salt-water bar- rier in the Delta. The proposal to build such a struc- ture to prevent the intrusion of salt water and as a water conservation measure may seriously jeopardize the Central \'alle\- salmon, steelhead, and striped bass fishery. It is possible that the barrier could eliminate these fish entirely. \"alue of the fisheries must be included in costs of the project before such a barrier is built. The department has made economic evaluations of these fisheries resources and has been actively designing fish protective facilities in the event such a barrier is found feasible. This is the first time that technical fisheries personnel have been assigned to work with engineers of the Division of Water Resources in such an investi- gation. In addition, the department has reviewed all appli- cations to appropriate water filed with the State Divi- sion of ^^'atcr Resources. Cases in which there is a definite threat to the welfare of fish, are protested by Department of Fish and Game with a statement of conditions under which the protest can be withdrawn. During the past biennium 1,055 applications have been investigated by the department and 62 protests were filed. Only one formal hearing was required and in all but 12 cases, which are still pending, the depart- ment's protest has been upheld and the permits for di- version contain a clause specifying that certain mini- mum flows will be bypassed below the point of diver- sion at all times. Pollution Control Unprecedented growth of California has continued and water pollution control agencies are faced with a major problem of protecting the State's water from pollution. The department, in cooperation with the other pollution control agencies, has continued its pro- gram of protecting fish and wildlife and has investi- gated over 700 applications for waste discharge. Rec- ommendations were submitted to the Pollution Control Board in all necessary cases. Major interest in pollution control has centered on the many new industries which are proposing to locate in California. Most of these new plants present indus- trial waste problems which are new to California, such as the pulp and paper industry. Importance of waste disposal has tended to be neglected in industrial loca- tion studies in the past and the department is actively undertaking a program to point out the importance of, protecting fish and wildlife before the industrial plants are constructed. Fortunately, no serious fish mortalities have oc- curred during the past two years. There are still many locations in the State where additional waste treatment facilities are needed before adequate protection can be given to our aquatic resources, particularly in those areas where seasonal food processing wastes contribute the major portion of the pollution load. The department also has intensified its program of law enforcement and technical investigations of water matters. For example, the San Francisco region has assigned one of its wardens to full-time work on pollu- tion problems. Technical investigations have included long-range surveys to determine the effect of the in- creasing industrial waste load in the Carquinez Straits area and on the Central Valley salmon streams. The t-bntinuing pollution control program on the upper Sacramento River has been intensified. Drainage from abandoned copper mines and slag deposits poses a serious threat to the fisheries resources of the Sacra- mento River. An investigation of all possible sources of pollution has been completed and it has been found that these discharges do not pose a serious threat to the Sacramento River with the present flows. However, it is quite possible that serious fish mortalities could re- sult if the flow was reduced at the time of high runoff in the Spring Creek drainage, in Shasta County. . .i. ..'i. An example of what pollution can do to the State's fisheries when left uncontrolled. WILDLIFE PROTECTION "^ :?s::^ < F ■* ,1 rf-w*. 4TCH XifjMT Arrests increase 27 percent over previous biennium. Technical equipment increases effectiveness of warden staff. Reserve warden program expanded. Hunter safety training program carried out by brancfi. FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 21 WILDLIFE PROTECTION Of all the activities of the department, probably none was so directly affected by the huge increase in hunting and angling license holders during the biennium as was the Wildlife Protection function. The increased work load was brought about by the greater numbers of hunters and fishermen on almost every section of California's more than 150,000 square miles and its 1,200-mile coastline, and by the addition of a new activity, the hunter safety training program. Increased hunting and fishing activity was reflected in a 27 percent increase in the number of arrests over the previous biennium. Addition of patrol boats, com- munications equipment and more use of aerial patrol and reconnaissance bulwarked operations of the branch. Departmental reorganization brought administrative changes in that the assistant chiefs of patrol, fornierlv in charge of six patrol districts, were assigned as ^\■ild- life protection supervisors, reporting to the five re- gional managers. Marine Patrol, headquartered at Terminal Island, reported to Region V. All members of the Bureau of Patrol, with the exception of the Chief Staff Officer, Wildlife Protection Branch, one staff assistant, and a clerical assistant, were transferred to the various regions in January, 1953. HUNTER SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAM Faced with several years of mounting hunting cas- ualty lists, and the prospects of even more hunters in the field in the future, the 1953 California Legislature enacted a measure, now embodied in Section 424 of the California Fish and Game Code, providing that * * * "no hunting license shall be issued to any per- son under the age of 16 years unless he presents * * * either evidence that he has held a hunting license in this State during a prior year, or a certificate of com- petency as provided by law. * * *" Intent of the act was primarily to prevent hunting casualties which annually mar the sport, to prevent many gun accidents not directly resulting from hunt- ing activitv, and secondarily, to instill in the young hunter the principles of conservation, good sportsman- ship and proper conduct in the field. Prohibitive measures designed to prevent accidents had long been on the books but still the number of casualties increased in direct proportion to the number of untrained people in the hunting field. However, in New York, where a hunter safet>' program based on education and legislation requiring junior hunters to present evidence of competency to handle firearms, a decrease in casualties of 75 percent was recorded dur- ing the five years prior to 1953. The original bill was introduced by Assembly- woman Pauline Davis of Portola, and a companion measure introduced in the Senate bv Senator Pressley Abshire of Sonoma. Under terms of the legislation, to go into effect ^\■ith issuance of 1954-55 hunting licenses, the Director of the Department of Fish and Game was assigned the task of translating the measure into action. Administra- tivelv, the function was assigned to the Conservation Education Section, with the field work to be accom- plished by members of the warden staff. Work of preparing the program began in the fall of 1953 and some classes were graduated in iMarch of 1954. Leg- islation also provided that the department could coop- erate with an\' reputable organization whose purpose is promotion of gun safety. Ideal Safety Course Consideration of material available showed that the National Rifle Association of America hunter safety course was ideal. It required only four hours of in- struction for the student, utilized the services of vol- unteer instructors qualified by NRA and approved by the department, and excellent textbooks, reference materials and charts were available at low cost and on short notice from the National Rifle Association. The department approved the recommended course of training, and an agreement was made with NRA to certify and service instructors, provide materials at cost to instructors and report to the department the number of instructors qualified and students trained. Response to the new program was immediate ,and enthusiastic. Sportsmen's and educational organiza- tions offered wholehearted cooperation from the start. All Wildlife Protection Branch personnel were quali- fied as hunter safety instructors and instructional ma- terials prepared by the headquarters conservation education staffs. At the close of the biennium, when certificates of competence were first required, 3,195 hunter safety instructors had been certified by NRA, and about 1,000 junior hunters trained and ready to present evi- dence of competency as required by law for the 1954 hunting season. Indications were that 15,000 to 20,000 juniors would be checked out during the 1954 hunting season. The junior hunter is taught reasons for the course, and is shown that all hunter casualties stem from either ignorance or carelessness. Next step is the mechanics of shooting safely, and acquisition of a working knowl- edge of weapons and their proper care. He also hears discussion of danger of becoming lost in the woods and how to conduct himself if lost, fish and game laws with emphasis on the intent of con- servation measures, safe hunting techniques, fire pre- 22 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Training and refresher courses are maintained for fhe warden staff. venrion, leaving a clean camp, and proper conduct in the field. Also stressed is the need for improved rela- tions between the sportsman and landowner, and finally, the concept that the individual hunter alone can prevent accidents. A final written examination and demonstration of safe gun handling completes the course. When possible the student fires 15 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition under supervision of the in- structor. Wildlife Protection Branch personnel made use of the department manual, hunter safety films, "Shooting Safets,'" "Trigger-Happy Harry," and "The Making of a Shooter," and other materials. Wardens not only contacted interested groups, but stimulated interest where it was lagging, contacted instructors already certified, helped integrate the 3,500 license agents into the program, assisted in local publicity for the pro- gram, and worked with sportsmen's groups. To create a uniform system of training, an instruc- tor training course was developed by the department in cooperation with the .\lameda Adult School and the western representative of the National Rifle Associa- tion. The State Department of Education approved the instructor training course for adult classes, and at least 30 communities held hunter safety classes. Many schools participated in tiic program. Cooperation from every type of organization was forthcoming, and much of the credit of a successful start of the program goes to these public spirited people. ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES .■\rrcsts by Fish and Game wardens during the bien- nium totaled 16,271, or an increase of 27 percent over the previous t\\o-year period, with more than one- third relating to inland fishing. Average fine levied by the courts in fish and game violation cases was |37.09, or a total of 1598,588.14. Convicted violators were sentenced to serve a total of 12,836 days in jail. Significantly, the percentage of cases dismissed by the courts, or in which the defend- ant was found not guilty after a trial, was only .75 of 1 percent. (See Table 9, Appendix.) During the biennium three years of undercover work by game management agents of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Department Wardens was climaxed with the conviction of 12 Sacramento Val- ley waterfowl market hunters and seven San Francisco Bay restaurant operators. In federal court they shared sentences totaling six years and nine months in jail, 14,900 in fines, and seven years of probation. Federal Judge Oliver J. Carter, in passing sentence on the market hunters, stated that the violators were victims of the unwillingness of their communities to respect the fish and game laws, believing that the crime is in being caught, and not that a wrongful act had been committed. He further stated that the ring leader was raised in an attitude of complete moral blindness on the question of game laws, a matter for which his commu- nity was partially responsible. The arrest and violation figures tell only part of the story. Hundreds of thousands of miles covered by au- tomobiles, boats, airplane and on foot checking hunters and fishermen are a part of it. Many day and night hours spent waiting for violators to return to their illegal nets, obtaining evidence, inspecting catches, arresting poachers, and countless other details com- plete the major portion of the picture. Wardens also have contributed major assistance in the catchable trout planting program, followed by in- tensive patrol in the newly planted areas. The patrol has cooperated in fish rescue work, cleaning and in- spection of fish ladders, inspection of stream flow maintenance dams and regulated the flows therefrom. Members of the warden staff have worked with other functions by reporting suspected fish and game diseases to local headquarters, and in census taking, fish population trends, pollution control, public use, and success in hunting and fishing areas. They worked closely with farmers during the bien- nium on crop depredation reports, waterfowl herding and other activities relating to crop damage by wild- life. But the story of the warden's duties would not be complete without mention of his public service activ- ities. Because of his knowledge of the terrain and experience outdoors, the game warden is called into almost every search for a lost hunter or fisherman in the mountains. He is constantly called upon to speak before sportsmen's and other public gatherings to ex- plain the law enforcement program as well as policies and programs of the department. Because of his qualifications and experience, other enforcement agencies look to the warden for assistance FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 23 in emergencies of all types. Work performed by fish and game wardens in floods, fires, accidents and other emergencies has been notable and varied during the biennium. In addition wardens made heavy contributions of time and effort in adding to their efficiency with firearms through the medium of pistol and rifle com- petition throughout the State. At the same time these public matches provided opportunities to acquaint sportsmen with safety measures, and with department programs and literature. These are off-duty activities, with the wardens paying their own entry fees and providing their own ammunition. Normal duties of the warden .staff, as prescribed by the State Personnel Board include responsibility for patrol and investigation involved in enforcement of laws for protection of wildlife, and in prevention of violations. Other regular duties are apprehension of violators, service of warrants, making arrests, preparation and presentation of evidence in court, investigations and recommendations on requests for permits to keep game birds in captivity, investigation of crop depre- dations by game birds and animals, inspection of stor- age plants, boats, restaurants and other places where fish and game may be stored, seizure of illegal bags, and public information work. RESERVE WARDEN PROGRAM During the biennium the activity of the reserve patrol was accelerated, providing material assistance to the regular force in meeting requirements of the grow- ing army of hunters and fishermen in California. This was particularly true on opening days of the various seasons and heavy hunting and fishing week- ends. Reserve wardens are expected to perform at least one tour of duty a month, generally on weekends. However, many of the reserves, who constitute an invaluable service to California sportsmen, put in addi- tional time at night and on week days. Prospective members of the reserve attend regular weekly training sessions over a 10-week period, and must successfully pass an examination before receiving their appointments. They receive no salary or ex- penses, and make their tours of duty in company with a member of the regular staff. Reserve warden leaders were carefully selected dur- ing the biennium, and were held responsible for effi- cient operation of their units. They have not hesitated to terminate appointment of any reserve warden who failed to meet the public with courtesy, consideration, and in a spirit of helpfulness. At the end of the biennium there were 246 active members of the reserve warden staff, with 12 units operating in the central and southern portions of the State. Units are located at Fresno, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sonora, Terminal Island (marine), Tulare, Merced, Stockton, Bakersfield, and Tulare. Others were in the process of formation at the close of the biennium. MARINE PATROL Aided by the addition of a new 35-foot motor patrol vessel Yellou-tail, a fleet of 12 patrol boats continued the important Marine Patrol of California's 1,200-mile coastline and its 1,500 miles of inland navigable waters during the biennium. This fleet consisted of the 83-foot Albacore, based at Sausalito and covering the coast from there to the Oregon line; the 63-foot Bonito, based at San Francisco and working from there south to Morro Bay; the 63-footers Marlin and Bluefin, based at Terminal Island, whose assignments were from Morro Bay to the Mexican border and around south- ern offshore islands. Besides these large, well-equipped boats, the Marine Patrol operated eight others, ranging from the 21 -foot Mimwu; at Antioch, to the 45-foot Tuna, at San Francisco. The larger boats carry radar, depth finders and other detection equipment. They were supplemented by 25 marine wardens based all along the coastline who main- tained a constant patrol of fish markets, canneries, piers, landing places and beaches. During the biennium The radio repeater station at White Mountain, Inyo County, part of the communications networft. ^ ■v m ■'■ 24 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME checking suspicious nets in fhe Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is part of the warden's daily routine. Heavy woric pressure is on the warden staff during the opening week- ends of seasons like deer, pheasants, trout and waterfowl. Here deer tags are checked in the high Sierra. marine wardens devoted increasing time to the grow- ing sports fishery as well as to the commercial in- dustry. Causes for arrests during the biennium ranged from failure to hold a sports angler's license to illegal nets on a purse seiner, boarded at sea under cover of dark- ness. Checking of commercial landings and cannery packs was another important additional duty. Collec- tion of marine fishery statistics also was carried out by marine wardens during the biennium, assisting in gath- ering knowledge necessary for intelligent management of the ocean fishery. TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT An increase of radio communications equipment to 296 units during the biennium has added greatly to the patrol efficiency of Wildlife Protection. It has en- abled supervisors to contact and direct wardens in the field, wardens to communicate with each other and their headquarters, and patrol airplanes, boats and vehicles to work together as a team. At the close of the two-year period covered in the report, there were 207 mobile radio units installed in patrol cars, boats and airplanes. There were 52 Handie- talkie units used b\' \\ardens while on foot, in small boats or on undercover work where larger mobile units would be impractical. Three portable land sta- tions were available for temporary stations on special hunts, cooperative areas and rush periods. These are effective and practical because of small size and ease of transport and installation. One portable mobile relay station, equipped with its own po\\'er supply, wzs available for use in strategic areas where communica- tions are needed for a limited period only. For location of the 22 permanent land stations, see Table 7, Ap- pendix. OTHER ACTIVITIES During the biennium more than 119,000 was de- posited in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund as a result of sale of equipment used in illegally taking fish and game. Sales by sealed bid were held in the various regional offices. A total of 643 items, including guns, tackle, nets, spears, and other sports and commercial gear, was auctioned for 1 19,206, \\-ith sales being held at all five regional headquarters in Redding, Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno and Los Angeles. Most illegal items were sold at the Los Angeles office of the department. Added investigative work by wardens resulted from 1953 lcgislati\e action relating to hunter casualties. These changes provided for permanent revocation of a hunter's license for killing or wounding a human being, and a five-year revocation in cases involving domestic animals. Wardens investigated these cases and made reports transmitted to count\' district attorneys for action. INLAND FISHERIES .j^ Emphasis placed on sound management of existing fisheries. Greatest expansion of trout hatcheries in history recorded. Stream and lake improvement program highlighted as manage- ment tool. New forage fish introduced into California waters to improve warm- water fishing. Branch surveys 142 streams and 321 lakes to obtain data for fisheries management. FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 27 INLAND FISHERIES Intensified angling pressure and increased water utilization continued to aggravate the already diffi- cult task of maintaining satisfactory angling for Oalifornia's growing population. The State's great natural fisheries of trout, steelhead and salmon, striped bass, and warmwatcr species are now and al- ways will be the backbone of angling recreation. Increased emphasis is being placed on their sound management, for it is important, above all else, to maintain them in the best possible condition. The cost of doing so is negligible compared with the cost of improving angling by stocking or stream improve- ment. New dams and water diversions for power and irri- gation continued to create serious fisheries problems. Ever\' effort was made to obtain adequate protection for the fisheries they threaten as well as to take full ad- vantage of any new fisheries possibilities they present. Programs which offer the greatest promise for im- proving angling at a reasonable cost were expanded as rapidly as available funds permitted. Financial assist- ance from the Wildlife Conservation Board and the federal aid to fisheries program permitted a gradual, orderly expansion of these activities. Special emphasis was placed during the biennium on lake and stream improvement of several types; and major expansion of the catchable trout program, coupled with an analysis of its role in the California angling picture. Increased emphasis was placed on warmwater fish. A series of carefully selected new species was intro- duced into various waters as part of a broad program to evaluate the possibilities they offered for improving angling. In the description of the departmental program dur- ing the biennium which follows, a broad separation has been made between management and investigational activities. FISHERIES MANAGEMENT In general, fisheries management includes all of the great variety of operational projects aimed at improv- ing angling, based on facts obtained through research. Thus, it encompasses such diverse activities as fish stocking and rescue, barrier removal, construction of flow maintenance dams, installation of stream improve- ment devices, construction and maintenance of screens and ladders, rough fish control, and enforcement of regulations. Effectiveness of the department's fisheries manage- ment activities was greatly increased b\' the decentral- ization resulting from reorganization, and the attend- ant strengthening of local supervision. This management work is now a regional function, although the various regional activities are coordinated into broad state-wide programs. FISH PRODUCTION AND PLANTING The major fisheries management activit\-, in terms of annual expenditures, is the production and plant- ing of hatcherv-reared trout. The period covered in this report has seen the greatest expansion of trout hatcheries ever undertaken in California, and perhaps by any state in the Nation. As a result of 14,300,000 made available for capital investment purposes by the Wildlife Conservation Board over the past five-year period, California's huge fish hatchery expansion program, which got under way during the previous biennium but was slowed down due to \sartime restrictions, got into high gear during the latter part of 1952. Two new hatcheries were completed, two existing hatcheries were im- proved and expanded, construction of one additional hatchery was started, and plans completed for two ad- ditional new hatcheries. The two new units are Darrah Springs Hatcher>-, located near the Shasta-Tehama count)- line, about 27 miles east of Red Bluff, and the iMoccasin Creek Hatcher\- at Moccasin, Tuolumne Count\\ Darrah Springs Hatchery, representing an invest- ment of approximateh' 1765,000, is the largest trout hatchery in California. Approximately 30 cubic feet of water per second, coming from springs at a tem- perature of 56 degrees, supplies 60 earth-fill, raceway- type ponds, 124 standard hatchery troughs, and 32 nursery tanks. Exceptional growth is obtained at this installation. Fish growing at the rate of one inch per month permit production of two crops of catchable fish each year. Other facilities include a large food preparation building with refrigerated storage for approximately 200,000 pounds of fish food, a garage and shop build- ing for truck and equipment storage and routine main- tenance work, and 12 houses for hatchery personnel. The hatchery has a potential output of 2,000,000 catchable trout weighing 300,000 pounds annualh. Being strategically located in the very hub of a large fish distribution area, the results from catchable trout produced at this new hatchery will be felt over a wide area in Northern California. Lease Arrangement The new Aloccasin Creek Hatchery, located imme- dately below the Moccasin Creek powerhouse afterbay in Tuolumne County, was completed just at the close of the 1953-54 Fiscal Year. The hatchery is located on property owned by the City of San Francisco, and is 28 departjvient of fish and game i^ii *^ ^ ■■^■wi«i'""Hw;j!«"" BJSiS S9S Aloccoiin Cree^ Hatchery, completed during the biennium. occupied on a long-term lease arrangement. Water for operating the unit is obtained bv gravity flow from the powerhouse afterbay. The initial installation includes 24 rearing ponds, a hatchery building with 120 troughs, food preparation and refrigerated storage building, and six residences. While the hatchery was completed during the period covered by this report, it was turned over to the de- partment too late to begin operation during the bien- nium. Its strategic location near important trout waters remote from other hatcheries makes it a particularly valuable installation. Important expansion and improvements were made at several installations, particularly Crystal Lake Hatcherv' near Cassel, Shasta County; and Mojave River Hatchery near Victorville, San Bernardino County. Construction of the Crystal Lake Hatchery was actually begun in 1947, when 24 ponds with neces- sary water supply facilities were installed. Soon after the ponds were placed in operation, serious disease problems developed and it became evident that water from Crystal Lake itself was not suitable for fish cul- tural purposes. Pipelines were accordingly extended to bring in water from nearby Rock Creek, which proved satisfactorv. New facilities at this installation represent an invest- ment of $208,000, and include a garage and shop build- ing, food preparation and refrigerated storage building, and four employee residences. The hatchery, located adjacent to the north boundary of the Lassen Volcanic National Park area, has been an operating unit since 1948. During the 1953-54 Fiscal Year it produced 341,- 832 trout weighing 64,515 pounds. These were distrib- uted mainly in Shasta, iVIodoc, Lassen, and Plumas Counties. Ponds Doubled Production facilities at the Mojave River Hatchery near Victorville, San Bernardino County, were dou- bled by increasing the number of ponds from 20 to 40, and drilling two new wells to supply water. A large aerating tower for dissipating harmful gases from the water was installed, and a new food preparation and storage building and three new residences were built. This hatchery, which first became an experimental unit in 1947, received its entire water supply from four wells on the property. Each year its production has increased. During the past fiscal year 672,920 trout weighing 80,220 pounds were produced and distrib- uted in the Southern California area. The expansion recently completed at this installation makes it the largest hatchery in Southern California. Other minor improvements to hatchery installations financed with Wildlife Conservation Board funds were made at Mt. Shasta, Black Rock Rearing Ponds, Fill- more and Hot Creek. Construction of the San Joaquin Hatchery, below Friant Dam at Millerton Lake, in Fresno County, is well under way and this new unit will be finished early in the 1954-56 biennium. Plans were completed for the new Cedar Creek Experiment Station in Mendocino County and bids were called for this project. Initially, work at this in- stallation will center around stocking experiments with aged steelhead trout. As part of the salmon and steelhead restoration pro- gram to compensate for loss of salmon and steelhead runs in the American River resulting from construc- tion of the Folsom and Nimbus Dams, plans were worked out in collaboration with the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a large salmon and steelhead hatchery to be con- structed by the Bureau of Reclamation and operated by the State, with the Reclamation Bureau reimbursing the State for operating costs. The over-all hatchery expansion program provided that as new, efficient hatchery facilities were com- pleted and placed in operation, the older, outmoded hatcheries would be abandoned. Accordingly, the Brookdale, Lake Almanor, Mt. Tallac, and Feather River Hatcheries were permanently closed during the biennium. Upon completion of the San Joaquin Hatch- ery, the old Kings River and Madera Hatcheries also will be abandoned. Increased Capacity The hatchery expansion program has increased catchable fish production from 539,554 pounds during the 1951-52 Fiscal Year to 796,384 pounds in 1953-54, or a total of 1,631,688 pounds during the biennium. This created serious distributional problems. Fortu- nately, in 1953 it was discovered that the addition of FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 29 one-half grain of sodium amytal per gallon of water would more than double the carrying capacity of fish- planting tanks. Use of this drug, which decreases activity and hence oxygen requirement, coupled with addition of three 150-gallon, six 500-gallon, and three 1,500-gallon tank trucks and operation of six fish-planting bases enable the planting crews to keep up with increased produc- tion. The new 1,500-gallon units are invaluable for long- range highway transportation of large quantities of fish from hatcheries to seasonal planting bases. Throughout the State, 40 smaller 150-gallon fish-planting tanks mounted on pickup-type trucks are used for final dis- tribution of the fish from both hatcheries and planting bases to their final destination. The 500-gallon tanks are used for lake stocking, large streams, and smaller fish transfers. The stepped-up catchable trout program has also aggravated the problem of providing sufficient inex- pensive fish food for the State's hatcheries. This chal- lenge has been met by improving methods of feeding fish in ponds and by using new products, which were formerly wasted. Development of a method for proc- essing fish frames provided a large source of good, inexpensive food. These frames include the remains of rock cod and petrale sole after the fillets have been removed. This material is ground at the source to the desired size and placed in moisture-proof paper bags, then quick frozen. The product is fed to pond fish by strip- ping off the paper bag and placing the block of food in the pond. This food has sufficient buoyancy to float, and is held in place in the pond by an anchored frame made oftwo-inch by four-inch material. Fish nibble at the food from the bottom and sides and eat as it thaws. This eliminates a considerable loss of food in ponds, since small particles do not flake away and settle to the bottom. Usually, two or three feeding frames are used in each 100-foot pond. This method is highly satisfactory and does not result in any greater variation in size of the fish than when food is scattered by hand. Fingerling Production Fingerling production has continued at about the level of the previous biennium, with a total of 26,964,- 000 planted during the two-year period. These fish were used to stock high mountain lakes in remote areas, and other waters where conditions, were espe- cially favorable for fingerling survival. A major change in production during the biennium was the resumption of golden trout operations in 1952-1953. Golden trout had not been hatched by the State since 1941. The fresh start was a direct result of the Fish and Game Commission's "Golden Trout Policy" adopted on October 16, 1952. Egg-taking operations started again at the Cotton- wood Lakes, and a start was made toward procuring a broodstock from Golden Trout Creek. In former days most of the fish were planted as fry. Under the new policy, the department started its attempts to raise goldens to fingerling size. Plants under this pol- icy are to be confined to barren waters and to a num- ber of specially designated lakes in a limited program of maintenance stocking. During the 1953-54 period, 201,295 golden trout were planted in lakes of the southern Sierra Nevada. From the standpoint of numbers, fingerlings planted during the biennium represented 73 percent of the total plant. By weight catchables made up 94 percent of the total. From July 1, 1952, to June 30, 1954, the department planted a total of 26,964,700 trout and salmon, with a total weight of 1,631,678 pounds. For the first time, an adequate cost analysis study was made for the entire hatchery and planting pro- gram, but results were not available at the close of the biennium. A complete summation of fish distribution will be found in Table 10, Appendix. TROUT PLANTINGS 40,000,000 30,000,000 20,000,000 ,000,000 1930 1935 1940 1945 1950 1955 30 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Fish Rescue The effect of large multiple purpose dams on princi- pal river systems is reflected in the department's fish rescue operations. Each year, more runoff water is brought under control. The overflow areas in the central vallev are reduced, and less fish rescue work becomes necessar\-. Warniwater fish rescue operations centered mainly in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley areas, while salmon and steelhead salvage work was carried on mainly in the north coast sections of the State. The latter takes place during periods of low water on coastal streams, when steelhead and salmon fingeriings are trapped in pools or lagoons. Nearly 1,500,000 fin- geriings were saved and transplanted during the p^t two years. A tabulation of the fish rescued is found in Tables 16 and 17, Appendix. STREAM AND LAKE IMPROVEMENT Restoration and improvement of environment is in- creasing rapidly in importance as a fish management tool in California. There is growing emphasis on stream and lake improvement of many sorts, aimed at producing more fish as well as putting more of those already present into the creel. Increased emphasis also is being given to improvement of warmwater lakes by introducing new species of game or forage fish. Major objectives of the department's stream and lake improvement program are: 1. To remove barriers to the migration of fishes, so that the adults may reach suitable spawning areas and the young may pass downstream. 2. To increase stream flows to aid fish migration, and to keep streams from drying up. '^'''S 3. To improve the habitat in existing lakes and streams and to create new waters where it is eco- nomically feasible to do so. 4. To increase and improve spawning grounds. 5. To control undesirable species by chemical treat- ment of lakes and streams. 6. To improve forage conditions for sport fishes. 7. To provide increased utilization of the resource when it is safe to do so. During the biennium the scope of this work was carried out by the five regions and was materially in- creased by financial assistance from Wildlife Conserva- tion Board funds, Federal Aid Project F-4-D, and county fine moneys. Barrier Removal Major work on north coast stream clearance during the biennium was accomplished through the use of Federal Aid in Fish Restoration funds (D-J Project F-4-D). Slides and waterfalls forming barriers were removed or altered in eleven streams from Monterey County northward, allowing easier passage of steel- head and salmon into 1 30 miles of stream. Removal of a barrier on Mill Creek, Tehama County, made some 35 miles of stream more readily accessible to salmon and steelhead. Log jams were removed from nine streams utilized by anadromous fish. The majority of these were in the north-coastal area where log jams are generally con- ceived as a by-product of logging activities. Benefits derived by their removal are often transitory in na- ture, being reaggravated by the next period of high or abnormally high waters. With the advent of enlightened watershed manage- ment, the rate of development of log jams should de- crease. All log jams removed by the department were those where the determination of the party responsible could not be ascertained. Most of this work was ac- complished by Federal Aid crews. Minor log and debris removal was also done on var- ious lakes to insure access of fish to and from spawning tributaries. An abandoned mining dam was removed on Cecil Creek, Siskiyou County, to allow passage of anadro- mous fish. Beaver dams on several streams were re- moved to prevent flooding and to allow spawning migrations of trout to pass. In most instances the game manager live-trapped the beavers and transplanted them to more suitable areas. Stream Flow Maintenance Dams The department's stream flow maintenance dam construction program designed to improve natural trout habitat, has been continued under the auspices of tog raft used in chemical treatment of Tamarack Lake, Mono Couniy. Materials at hand often are used in back country activities. the Wildlife Conservation Board, and a complete re- port of these activities is shown under that heading. Nine such dams were completed during the biennium, three were started but not completed, and one previ- ously constructed dam was raised to increase the water storage. Other Flow Maintenance Irrigation waters were channelized into Pine Creek, Lassen County, facilitating downstream migration of trout into Eagle Lake. Gravel wing dams were constructed with bulldozers on the lower Eel River, Humboldt County, to deepen the channel and minimize losses of anadromous fish attempting to enter the river. This was accomplished with Federal Aid funds. Lake Construction and Improvement Work was begun on Indian Basin Lake, Fresno County, where a trout lake of about nine acres in size will be constructed with Wildlife Conservation Board funds. This work is being done by a contract with the U. S. Forest Service. Preliminary surveys have been made at several other sites to determine feasibility of constructing other trout and warmwater lakes. At Doane Lake in San Diego County, the marginal area was deepened, an old dam removed, and vegeta- tion controlled under a Wildlife Conservation Board project. The bed of Dry Lake, San Bernardino County, was treated with bentonite to eliminate water loss through seepage. A diversion ditch was opened from Little Kern Lake Creek, Tulare County, to provide a constant flow of water into Little Kern Lake. A more permanent head- works structure is planned for the next biennium. In accordance with instructions from the Legisla- ture, the department made a survey of the snags and logs in Lake Almanor, Plumas County, to determine the feasibility of removing them. The survey indicated that their removal would cost about $1,600,000. Stream Improvement Devices Spearheaded by a Wildlife Conservation Board proj- ect, the department began a major stream improve- ment program in southern California. Emphasis was placed on pool building devices to provide sufficient water and cover for planting of catchable trout. The Santa Ana River received the greatest number of structures with installation of 252 devices. Log and rock deflectors; log, piled rock, and rock masonry dams have been installed on 13 different streams. The type of structure used was determined by the nature of the stream and the materials at hand, al- though all are in experimental stages of design, location and feasibility. Typical rock deflecfors constructed for flow maintenance and creation of natural pools for trout fiabitat. Various counties assisted through county fine monies. Many ^sportsmen and sportsmen's groups in the area gave generously of their time and effort. As a result of the combined efforts, more than 650 such devices were installed. Unfortunately, flash floods pro- duced by localized cloudbursts removed 92 in one drainage. Aquatic Plant Control Continuing its policy of improving lakes for fishing wherever possible, the department investigated uses of new weedicides for control of aquatic plants. Pilot investigations of weed control were continued at Twin Laks, Mammoth, Mono County, with sodium arsenite, and the department did further work at Doane Lake, San Diego County, and Crystal Lake, Los Angeles County. Experimental work with CMU was carried out at Lost Lake, Fresno County, and with Borascu at the Moon Lake, San Bernardino County. Fish Population Control Chemical treatment continued to be the most useful tool in control of undesirable fishes and reduction of stunted populations. Rotenone-bearing powder was the primary chemical used. Methods of application varied from the use of a log raft in a back-country lake to the dissemination of an emulsifiable rotenone compound by aircraft. Aerial observation also proved useful in the Grouse Ridge area lakes in Nevada County so that accurate determination of lake areas could be made. Such information is needed to deter- mine the proper amount of chemical needed. California's own "cubebeater," a self-propelled mix- ing device developed by the department was used effectively on one of the big jobs at Lake Merced, ■^■i^^->:: ^.^^ \-f#;e?s6^-: £/ec(ro-fi$hmg, which harmlessly stuns fish, can be used io segregate species of fishes, to determine populations, and lor fropping fishes for egg taking. San Francisco County. (This is the same device which Oregon made use of in its treatment of Diamond Lake late in 1954.) The department's rough fish control activities were highlighted by the eradication of rough fish in Bass Lake, Madera Count}', and in 10 miles of its tributary streams. This 1,165-acre reservoir was treated when the Pacific Gas and Electric Company drew down the lake to repair the outlet valves. Many of the game fish were rescued and held for restocking the lake after chemical treatment. The weight of carp killed greatly exceeded the weight of game fish. Twenty-four other lakes and ponds were also treated with rotenone to eliminate rough fish. Most of these \\aters have been restocked with game fish to provide improved fishing. Forage species have also been introduced in waters suitable for them. See Table 20, Appendix, for a tabulation of results. Chemical Treatment Large-scale chemical treatment of streams was at- tempted for the first time during the biennium. A pro- gram was initiated in the Russian River drainage to improve conditions for steelhead trout by eliminating rough fish in several tributaries. Here a checkup showed that no more than 5 percent of the resident fish were game fish. About 87 miles of tributaries were treated in Dr\' and Maacama Creeks, in Sonoma County. In most instances barriers were built or nat- ural barriers were utilized to prevent re-entry of rough fish. Santa Ysabel River and its tributaries, San Diego County, were also treated with rotenone to remove undesirable fish before inundation by a contemplated water project. Numerous sportsmen's groups have assisted mate- rially in the department's rough fish control program by donating many hours of work. Various counties also assisted by making county fine money available for purchase of rotenone. In 1953 electrofishing was used for the first time in California to segregate species of fish in population control. It was used in Pine Creek, Lassen County, to separate the Eagle Lake rainbow trout from its com- petitor, t1ie eastern brook trout. An experimental gill netting program was conducted at Convict Lake in Mono County in 1953 to remove large predatory brown trout. These fish consumed many of the catchable rainbows which are stocked annually, but are themselves almost invulnerable to capture by angling. A total of 124 browns weighing 368 pounds was removed during the operation. The largest weighed over 20 pounds! Creel census records from 1954 will be compared with past catch records on this lake to determine the effect of this experiment on survival of rainbow trout. Whether or not such work is justifiable in view of the time and special equipment required, still is uncertain. Carp Permits Issued Carp seining permits have been issued wherever practicable to reduce competition with game fishes for living space. During the biennium more than 651 applications for the stocking of private ponds were processed, 282 ponds were visited, and about 500 ponds were stocked with fish by the owners. See Table 21, Appendix. It has been the policy of the Department of Fish and Game to supply an initial stock of fish of warm- water fishes to private ponds too small to support pub- lic fishing and which meet certain other requirements. Trout for such ponds must be purchased from a licensed domestic fish breeder. Largemouth black bass and bluegill have been the usu^l species stocked. The department has been par- ticularly anxious to find species of fish which will reproduce in the colder waters of coastal and North- FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 33 em California ponds. A few experimental plants of yellow perch and Sacramento perch were made with this in mind. FISH INTRODUCTIONS The Department of Fish and Game has continued its work of introducing species whose establishment in fresh waters may be beneficial. In 1953 the fathead minnow was imported from New Mexico and it spawned successfully in hatchery ponds during the same year. Experimental planting has been carried out in several lakes in the hope that it will be a useful forage fish.. In the spring of 1954 another forage minnow, the plains red shiner, was brought to northern California and is now being propagated at Cehtral Valleys Hatchery. It spawned successfully there in June, 1954. Outstanding introductions of the biennium con- sisted of the importation of the threadfin shad and the redeye black bass, also known as the Coosa bass, into California. The threadfin is being introduced in the hope that it will provide hitherto lacking forage for black bass and other game fish in large reservoirs, while the redeye is expected to provide fishing in lowland foothill streams, too warm for trout and too small for other kinds of black bass. Following extensive negotiations and experiments with transportation equipment, the shad were seined from the Tennessee River in Tennessee and flown to California. Despite adverse weather conditions, 357 of the delicate shad survived and were introduced into brood ponds in San Diego County in November, 1953. In Mav of 1954 they spawned prolifically. The first experimental plant from this spawning was made in San V^icente Reservoir, San Diego County, in June, 1954. Redeye Bass Imported Forty adult redeye bass were brought out from their native waters in Tennessee by the department's airplane in 1953 and all but one survived the trip. These fish were settled in a pond at Central Valleys Hatchery, where some of them spawned in the spring of 1954.' Additional plants and checkups were made of sev- eral other non-native species which have been resident in the State for some time. Since 1950 there has been a concerted effort to establish the golden shiner as a forage fish in reservoirs throughout central and north- ern California. It has been found to have spawned successfully in some of them, and evaluation of its effect now is being carried out. Smallmouth bass were first recorded in the Colo- rado River below Parker Dam in 1952 from a plant made three years before, and a booster plant was made in 1953. The fish were taken by air from Cen- tral Valleys Hatchery to Blythe. White crappie which were brought from San Diego County lakes to Coyote Reservoir, Santa Clara County, and East Park Reservoir, Colusa County, in 1950, were found to be producing excellent fishing in 1954. Good Kokanee Spawns Spawning runs of Kokanee salmon, first introduced into California in 1941, were observed in tributaries of Lake Tahoe, Shasta Lake, and Lake Almanor. The 1952 spawning runs in Tahoe were particularly grati- fying. They represented the first adults from the first major planting of fingerlings in 1949. Runs in the tributaries of Shasta Lake were exceptional, since they occurred during the summer instead of during the winter as expected. In addition to the new introductions and checkups on older ones, the department tried out several species of native fishes in waters where they were not resident. Two native species of freshwater smelt found in the lower Sacramento-San Joaquin Rivers showed promise as a forage fish for cooler reservoirs. Early in 1954, these fish, the Sacramento smelt and freshwater smelt, were introduced into three Central California Reser- voirs. The native California killifish was introduced into Lake Elsinore, Riverside County, in April, 1954, in an attempt to establish a forage fish in this alkaline and unstable lake. In an attempt to build up a run of steelhead in the Mokelumne River, steelhead from coastal streams were planted there in 1953. The fhreadfin shad, a forage fish being introduced info warmwater reservoirs for forage tor game fish. It was brought from Tennessee. 34 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Mr; .^^ ^ --■' M Us « ^•^i How many did they catch? Parfial answers come from post card surveys and creel checks. INVESTIGATIONS There is a serious need for more information about California's inland fisheries. Only wise regulations based on facts, not opinions, are going to protect them from skyrocketing angling pressures and the other effects of the state's growth, such as pollution and in- creasing water use. Knowledge of practical ways to increase angling by improvement of natural habitats also is in short supply. It offers the only hope for meeting ever- increasing demands for good angling recreation. \\'ithout exception, the department's inland fish- eries investigations are aimed at learning how to im- prove and regulate important sport fisheries. They are therefore among the branch's most practical, down-to- earth activities. Generally speaking, they fall into two groups: rou- tine surveys or inventories of transient or local im- portance; and basic or long-range research projects whose results have a more far-reaching use. Under the reorganization plan, data for the first type usually is gathered by regional personnel while the more basic work is performed by the staff. As the biennium progressed, more and more of the long- range studies were funnelled into the Federal Aid pro- gram. Sfate-wide Angling Surveys Intensive analyses of state-wide sport catch and angling trends have been made periodically since 1936 on the basis of postal-card surveys. The number of sports anglers in California continues to skyrocket, and in 1953 license sales established an all-time high to lead the nation. The 1,187,357 licenses sold represented an 8 percent increase over 1952 and a 17 percent increase over 1951 when the last state-wide angling survey was made. On the basis of answers received from a random sample of license holders, California anglers in 1953 had the greatest year in history. The increase in an- glers was reflected in almost all phases of sport fishing. See Table 22, Appendix. Some 530,000 anglers caught trout, a gain of 24 per- cent over the 1951 survey. Successful salmon anglers increased 40 percent; black bass, 50 percent; striped bass, 15 percent; catfish, 32 percent; sunfish, 30 per- cent; and crappie, 76 percent; as compared to the 1951 survey. These estimates do not include those anglers who fished unsuccessfully. The 1953 survey catch-estimates were up for all species, surpassing previous records for all freshwater and anadromous fish, except striped bass and catfish. The black bass catch was 84 percent greater than 1951; catfish, 59 percent; crappie, 50 percent; and sunfish, 29 percent greater. Major increases were in the warm- water catch, and reflect the additional angling pres- sure and improved water conditions. Ocean Fishing Second The survey indicates ocean fishing was second to trout in popularity. An estimated 340,000 people fished in the ocean or gathered shellfish. Trout anglers reported they averaged 42 fish last year for a record total of 22^ million, an increase of 20 percent over the 1951 survey estimate of 18^ mil- lion. Salmon anglers reported a catch of 640,000 fish for an all-time high as this sport continues a deserving increase in popularity. For the first time information was gathered separately on steelhead trout. An esti- mated 310,000 were caught by 56,000 anglers. Questionnaires further showed that 1,590,000 striped bass were taken by 166,000 anglers. The striper catch has remained fairly constant in recent years but the number of anglers catching these fish has increased 15 percent in the last two years. All warmwater species showed considerable increases as compared to the 1951 survey. Most notable was the reported catfish take of 7,470,000 and the black bass catch of 2,300,000. California anglers spent an estimated 15/4 million days fishing last year, almost a third of which were for trout. Black bass and other warmwater fish accounted for 3,700,000 days or 24 percent and striped bass an- glers 2,000,000 days or 13 percent. Ocean fishing enthusiasts spent 3| million days angling or 22 percent of the total days reported by respondents. The aver- age angler spent about 14 days in pursuit of his sport. STREAM AND LAKE SURVEYS Fisheries management personnel spent considerable time gathering and interpreting information about the various waters of the State and their fisheries resources as a basis for management plans and regulations. Subse- quently, they followed developments in the various FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 35 Station Klamathon Racks Shasta Racks Sweasey Dam Benbow Dam Stream Klamath River Shasta River Mad River Eel River, Soutli F( rk South Fork of the Eel River Year (Benboiv Da?n) King Silver Steel - salmon salmon head 1952-53 7,256 3,711 19,448 1953-54 ...._ 7,948 3,052 15,425 Cou?2ty River systern Siskiyou Klamath River Siskiyou Klamath River Humboldt Mad River Humboldt Eel River nons d uring the biennium: Kla7nath Shasta River River Mad River (Kla?iiathoti (Shasta (Siveasey Dam) Racks) Racks) King Silver Steel- King King salmon salmon head salmon salmon 401 72 5,568 6,591 1,666 853 92 3,959 6,267 1,605 lakes and streams closely enough to know if the desired results were being achieved, or, if not, to change the management programs. These routine surveys were carried on primarily under regional supervision. Initial surveys were made of 142 streams and 261 lakes. (See Table 23.) Rechecks were made of many other waters. Fish Counts and Inventories For some years the Inland Fisheries Branch has carried out counts of spawning runs of steelhead and salmon at various stations. Such counts provide a basis for management programs and for recommendations in connection with proposed large dams. The follow- ing stations were operated during the past biennium; Population Studies A knowledge of the sizes of fish populations has become more and more essential in recent years for a basic understanding of both theoretical and practical fishery problems and their solutions. Particularly de- sirable is comparative information on the status of fish populations for both fished and unfished waters. Warmwater impoundments in the Central Valley of California might be expected to yield large numbers of game fish. Yet data has been presented which indicates that the Central Valley with its many impoundments contributes rather small catches of warmwater fish compared with the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta or the San Diego region. While it is true the impounded waters of the Central Valley lie near the heavily fished Sierra and Delta areas, which are presently preferred by many fisher- men, there is little doubt that they would be much more popular if they provided better fishing. Learning why they are so unproductive is the first step toward discovering how to improve them. The problem is largely one of population size. Are the reservoirs productive? Do they have large fish populations? Is there competition between desirable and trash species? Is there a sufficient forage popula- tion to support desirable predatory species? A knowl- edge of the numbers of the various fishes present will obviously go a long way toward providing answers to questions like these. Determination of fish population estimates is by no means a simple task. However, several well established methods are available. Of these, the mark-and-recap- ture technique presently seems to ofTer the greatest possibilities. Following methods developed in 1951 and 1952, the technique has been extended to several California reservoirs such as Dallas-Warner (Modesto) in Stanislaus County. Partial population-composition studies by the use of rotenone have also been carried out throughout the State. One of the most noteworthy developments during the biennium was the increased use of electro-fishing to make population inventories. Shockers which stun the fish temporarily were used in the San Lorenzo River, Santa Cruz County, to evaluate the steelhead populations. They were used in the Pit River in con- nection with cooperative studies with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company on the effect of disminished flows on the game fish population. Studies on the sur- vival of catchable trout and the effects of stream improvement were started in Southern California to- wards the close of the biennium. Creel Censuses In addition to such long range inventories and popu- lation studies, the department conducted creel censuses on 118 lakes and streams. A few of these, such as Castle Lake, Siskiyou County, and Rush Creek, Mono County, were special test waters where the results of study can be applied to like waters. However, the majority of the counts were aimed at obtaining information which will be of direct application to the censused waters. The principal creel censuses carried out during the biennium are tabulated in Table 10, Appendix. 36 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME In addition to tliesc, spot censuses \\ere made of many individual waters. Inland Trout Studies W'itli the advent of reorganization, most of the previous trout investigations \\ere shifted to a new Dingeii-Johnson project, F-8-R, "Trout Management Study." Bv the start of the IQ.H fishing season, this project \\as well under way with six principal jobs or subprojects: (T) Casfle Lake, Siskiyou County The rainbow trout phase of the Castle Lake investi- gation was begun in 1952, and since then only this species has been planted. Brook trout continue to maintain themselves without further stocking. Pre- viously brook trout had been planted, and it was found that \\ hen they alone were present the return to the angler of planted fingerlings was 3.'i percent. Return of catchable brooks was 43 percent. Prior to chemical treatment of the lake in 1946, the brook trout were pre\ed upon by browns and lake trout (mackinaw) and never attained the age of more then three years. In addition, the natural reproduction of the brooks is sur- prisingly successful. Prior to chemical treatment, the catch of naturally spawned brooks \\"as insignificant, while now the wild fish dominate the catch. The carryover of fall-spawn- ing rainbow catchables is reasonably good. A compari- son was made between rainbow fingerlings planted bv air and by truck. To date the angler catch of truck- planted fish from Castle Lake is rvvice that of the plane-planted ones. (2) Rush Creek, Mono County Prior to 1953 only rainbow had been planted in this test stream. Most of these were fall-spawning catch- jT- l ^^4i ir\ CHECKING STATION ables and the plant was characterized by a very high return to the angler almost immediately after planting. There was almost no carryover to the next year and no natural propagation. Beginning in 1953, only brown trout have been planted. These were catchables, and it was found that onh- 20 percent were caught in the first season. How- ever, in the case of the browns, there is a very good carryover and excellent natural reproduction. In 1954 the wild browns dominated the catch. (3) Feather River Proposed hydroelectric developments by the Pa- cific Gas and Electric Company will divert most of the water from the Caribou-Gansner Bar section of the Feather River by 1956. By making a complete creel census of this river section for three years prior to the diversion and for about five years afterward, it is expected that effects of such a diversion on the fishery can be detected. This is one of the richest sections of rainbow stream in California and is com- pletely accessible by road. It contains an excellent native rainbow population and the catch is high both in numbers and pounds. (4) Lakes Basin Recreation Area, Sierra and Plumas Counties Here, a^partial creel census is being made to test a large number of management practices. Approxi- mately 18 natural trout lakes can be checked by two attendants, but it is not yet known how many of these will be needed for experiments. Three lakes have already been stocked with marked trout. Tests will be made in the form of comparisons, and no at- tempt will be made to determine total catches. Adequate statistical samples will indicate which of two or more contrasting methods is best. In one lake four strains of rainbow were planted in 1953 to see which is best for lakes of this type. In a second lake both catchable and fingerling browns are being planted to see which is better. In a third lake brook fingerlings are being planted by air and by truck to see which is better. (5) State-wide Brown Trout Project In addition to the Rush Creek project, information on that somewhat controversial species, the brown trout, is being gathered throughout the State. Part of the program calls for population studies based on electro-fishing or shocking. These will show the suc- cess of various methods of brown trout management and will indicate which types of streams are suitable for browns and which are not. Test waters are scat- tered throughout the State with both staff and re- gional personnel participating in the work. Checking station lor Rush Creek Test Stream m Mono County. Tests determine relative merits ol brown and rainbow trout for this stream. FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 37 (6) Brood Stock Selecfion The present strain of fall-spawning rainbow brood stock used in the California hatcheries is known to contain serious genetical \\'eaknesses, particularly physical abnormalities. In order to rectify this condi- tion a program of selection was begun in the fall of 1953 at the Alt. Shasta Hatchery. Some females were taken at random from the stock, and in each case the fish's eggs were divided into two parts; one part was fertilized by one male and the other part by another male. In turn each male was used to fertilize the eggs of two females. These lots of eggs, 69 in all, were held in separate trays until hatched. Twenty-four of the best appearing lots were then retained for future brood stock. Data on fertility, viability, appearance, growth rate, etc., were kept on each lot. Several special studies were carried on in several areas. Among these was a marked fish experiment on Brush Creek, Tulare County, which showed the usual small returns from stream-stocked rainbow fingerlings, a large return to the angler from catchables, and an even larger return from wild fish. Studies were started in Region V in an attempt to discover what happens to "catchable" trout which are not caught by the angler. The same experiments are designed to show the effect of stream improvement on catchable trout fishing. Trial plants of eastern brook fingerlings in Lake Merced, San Francisco County, had only small returns (although the fish grow well) by the close of the biennium. Back-country Fish Management Study A total of 247 lakes, all lying in back-countr\' areas of the Sierra Nevada and Siskiyou Mountain Ranges, were examined as part of a Dingell-Johnson project (F-3-R). Principal objectives were to evaluate current management practices, to work out rapid evaluation systems, and to put new or modified procedures into effect. Special efforts were made to obtain data on fish populations, spawning success, and angling use. The project crew made repeated eight- to ten-day pack trips into back-country areas of the State, where initial surveys and rechecks were made of lakes and streams to develop sound management programs. The problem of lake overpopulations by brook trout was investigated, and routine equipment and methods were retested. Results of work were observed, and several chemical treatm.ent jobs were undertaken. Findings were discussed with management person- nel, and assistance was given them in revising man- agement policies. Planting allotments for back-country waters were submitted annually as a part of this survey program. Experimental improvement work was carried on as a part of the field work wherever the crew was This pond, which will support small trout, was created by a rock dam on McGee Creek, Mono County. able to handle the job with the tools at hand. Most of the improvements consisted of consolidating stream channels, removing rock or log barriers to spa\\ning areas, digging out sod blocks in lake inlets, and con- struction of rock dams. While this type of work was incidental to the regular field activities, considerable benefits to the lakes and streams were realized by these improve- ments. For example, the removal of a log barrier in one lake inlet, which required two hours' work, opened up 600 yards of spawning area to the lake rainbow population. It is very likely that no further planting will be needed to maintain a satisfactory population in this lake. On two occasions rotenone was used to treat back- country lakes. One 10-acre lake was treated to re- move eastern brook trout and rough fish preparatory to rehabilitation with golden trout. In order to determine effects and desirability of im- provement devices for possible use in mountainous areas, 41 improvement structures on the East Fork Kaweah River, Tulare County, were observed and evaluated. The structures were built in 1935 by the U. S. Forest Service. Twelve, all of log construction, remain in operation after 18 years. Those of earth, rock, masonry, plank and crib construction had been destroyed. An evaluation report was submitted for this study. Losses Investigated Reports of the loss of Piute cutthroat trout from Cottonwood Creek, Mono County, due to floods were investigated. It was found that the trout were not only present, but they were well established as indicated by size range and abundance. 38 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME An jrriga/jon (J/fc/i js being tested to determine how many fish ore being drawn through diversions and lost in fields. Several cases of winter kills were investigated in shallow high elevation waters. Losses were generally attributed to shallowness, abundant aquatic plants or lack of suitable inlets and outlets for circulation result- ing in oxygen depletion. Observations were made to determine the extent of losses of golden trout over a falls in the outlet of Alger Lakes, Alono County. Abundance of all sizes of golden in the lake without having been stocked for many years indicated that losses have not been excessive. A study of the Shadow Creek, Madera County, drainage, containing eight lakes, were made to deter- mine the feasibility of reclaiming the basin for golden trout. Due to a lack of spawning areas throughout the region as a whole, it was considered impractical. One isolated lake has been recommended for chemical treatment and rehabilitation of golden trout. The project was terminated in June, 1954, and as an outgrowth of information gained a manual of back- countr\' management covering all phases of the project activities is being prepared. Striped Bass Scope of work on the striped bass fishery was tem- porarily reduced during the biennium as a result of personnel changes associated with reorganization and no new work was initiated. However, the system of catch records so vital to understanding the status of this important fishery was maintained, and surveys of spawning success were made each year. Much of the field data accumulated during the preceding five years of intensive work was analyzed and published. A new federal aid project was planned for initiation early in the next biennium, to pick up and continue the former long-range striped bass program. Outstanding accomplishments in relation to this fish- ery during the biennium were made by other agencies in the field of screening large diversions. The depart- ment was associated with these activities in an advisory capacity. Practical Effects The fish preservation project at the Contra Costa Stream Plant intake was successfully terminated by the Bechtel Corporation and the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Information gained from this project was applied by Bechtel Corporation to design of the new Pittsburg Stream Plant. As a result, this installation should not present a serious hazard to the striped bass population. Development of a new type of louver screen by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff assigned to the Tracy Pumping Plant also promises to resolve the ex- tremely difficult screening problems which have arisen there. Sturgeon It has become increasingly apparent to personnel working on the striped bass fishery in recent years that FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 39 sturgeon are once again abundant enough to support a fishery. These fish have been heavily protected since 1917. On the basis of departmental recommendations the Fish and Game Commission adopted an open sea- son on sturgeon angling for 1954. Sacramento-San Joaquin River Salmon and Steelhead Study This important federal aid project (F-7-R), begun during the biennium, is presently aimed toward two important objectives. The first is an evaluation of the anadromous fish losses occurring at the numerous water diversions in the Central \^alley. Second is the derivation of a sound and practical management plan for the steelhead trout of the Sacramento River. Valu- able data are also being gathered on king salmon, as a service to the Marine Fisheries Branch. Work on the diversions has thus far been confined chiefly to the 246-mile section of the Sacramento River between the Cities of Redding and Sacramento, in which there are more than 300 points of diversion. All but one are pumping diversions, consisting of from 1 to 13 pumps and ranging in capacity from less than one to more than 2,300 cubic feet per second. During the 1953 irrigating season initial surveys were made of each pump. Included was all the basic information on factors believed to influence fish losses, such as periods of operation, depth and position of intake, size and type of pump, etc. Notes were also made on whether or not the pump could be effectively tested for fish losses. Preliminary sampling was also done at several diversions. With this phase of the work completed, several rep- resentative pumps are being tested with fyke nets through the 1954 irrigating season. Nets are placed in discharge outlets of the pumps. At the end of the sea- son reasonable accurate estimates may be made of total numbers and species of fish lost through these pumps. Similar pumps may then be evaluated on the basis of these findings. Results to date indicate that loss of seaward migrat- ing king salmon fingerlings through diversions in the Sacramento-Redding area of the river is small, mainly because the majority of the young salmon migrate from this area during January, February, and March. Heavy irrigation does not normally begin until several weeks later. Observation of one 20-inch pump in Co- lusa County revealed that a loss of considerable mag- nitude can occur when there is early irrigation. At this pump over 1,200 young salmon were captured when the discharge was strained with fyke nets for 200 hours early in March. This is a much higher figure than the combined take of this and several other similar sized pumps during the entire month of May. A steelhead is returned to the Sacramento River after being lagged near Fremont Weir. Inlormalion on numbers and migrations of salmon and steelhead are obtained. 40 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Damage Assessed Most of the sampling is being done on pumps in the 12- to 24-inch class. They are by far the most nu- merous, and heretofore practically nothing has been done toward assessing their damage to the fish popu- lations. The apparent increase in the numbers of steelhead and steelhead fishermen on the upper Sacramento River since completion of Shasta Dam raises questions about the adequacy of present regulations such as bag limits, length of season, and closed waters. Another ex- tremely important question requiring an answer is whether or not it is economically feasible to improve steelhead angling in the Sacramento River system by stocking yearling hatchery fish. This project is working toward answering these questions b>" marking and planting hatchery reared steelhead, tagging adults on their upstream migration, creel censusing anglers, and checking upstream and downstream migrations on iMill Creek, one of the more important tributaries to the upper river. The steelhead planting experiment is being carried out in cooperation with the United States Fish and ^^'ildlife Service and Kamloops, Incorporated, a sports- mens" organization with headquarters at Redding. The fish are raised at the Coleman Fish Cultural Station where eggs are taken from wild fish, trapped ascending Battle Creek to spawn. A total of 215,438 marked year- ling steelhead were planted during the biennium. The 63,590 fish released in 1953 were planted in Battle Creek, .Mill Creek, and the Sacramento River at Ord and Princeton Ferries. Creel censuses indicated a large number of these fish were caught from Mill Creek and Battle Creek before migrating seaward. Therefore, the entire 1954 release of 151,848 fish was made in the Sacramento River at Princeton Ferry, where the fish are not nearly as vulnerable to angling pressure before migrating downstream. Success or failure of this program may be deter- mined from the relative numbers of marked fish to wild adult steelhead found in the sport catch, in proj- ect operated river traps, at the Mill Creek Counting Station, and at fish collection facilities of the Coleman Fish Cultural Station. Fyke Nets Operated During the 1953-54 steelhead and salmon runs, seven large fyke nets were operated in the Sacramento River near Knights Landing. These nets are used in coopera- tion with the Marine Fisheries Branch to capture adult fish for tagging and fin mark examination. All data pertaining to salmon were turned over to the Marine Fisheries Branch, while this project has responsibility for the steelhead data. Between July 8, 1953, and June 15, 1954, a total of 2,114 steelhead was trapped and examined for marks. Of this number there were 59 marked fish from the 1953 spring plant. Peter- sen disk tags were placed on 1,472 steelhead over 14.5 inches long. Anglers thus far have returned 301 tags, showing a harvest of 20 percent. The counting station on Mill Creek is at the fish ladder over Clough Dam, five miles upstream from the confluence of this stream with the Sacramento River. There have been 67 marked steelhead (9 percent) among the 715 that have been counted at this station. During the steelhead fishing period between Octo- ber 1953 and February 1954, 674 anglers were inter- viewed. Seventeen tagged fish (13 percent) were found in their total catch of 131 steelhead over 14.5. These high proportions of tagged fish clearly show value of operating large fyke nets to determine the contribution being made by planting steelhead. Considerable work on king salmon spawning area surveys and counts was performed during the bien- nium. This was done in cooperation with the Marine Fisheries Branch and the United States Fish and Wild- life Service. Wormwater Fish Studies A new state-wide warmwater research program was organized early in 1953. One purpose of this program is to learn how to improve angling in the growing numbers of warmwater reservoirs and the many miles of California streams not now supporting a good sport fish population. Supervision of other studies such as those on catfish and striped bass also is a part of the program. Much emphasis during the biennium has been placed on providing forage for largemouth black bass. Studies of our warmwater reservoirs have shown that low pro- duction is often not due to poor spawning, but rather to a lack of suitable forage for the little bass. When they reach a length of about three inches, small bass Tagging has provided much information on the Sacramento Delta cat- fish. Sportsmen have cooperated in the return of these tags. FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 41 assume a fish diet and there are not enough fish of the right size available in most California lakes. jMost native minnows, because of low productivity or natural and man-made environmental changes, have not been able to support the heavy predation required of a good forage fish, and attention has been directed to exotic species. The principal experimental intro- ductions during the biennium have already been de- scribed under "Management." Lack of success of forage minnows in some water supply reservoirs is being investigated. The role of copper sulfate, a widely used algicide, as a limiting factor is being studied with promising result. Work also was begun to determine harvest rates of black bass. This knowledge is needed to increase understanding of black bass populations under Cali- fornia conditions, and for formulating sensible regula- tions. Tagging studies were begun at Clear Lake, Lake Count\', and on several Southern California reservoirs to discover how many of the bass are being caught each year. Control of rough fish such as carp is the most important management technique now in use. A pro- gram to develop new methods of control was begun. Promising preliminary results were obtained with the use of poisoned bait for partial control of this species. Catfish Study Federal Aid project F-2-R was initiated in January, 1952, when there were indications that the Sacra- mento-San Joaquin Delta white catfish fishery was being depleted. Primary goal of the investigation was to determine the rate of exploitation of the Delta catfish population and the factors affecting its appar- ent depletion. A detailed study of the life history of the catfish was also planned. Knowledge about age and growth, food habits, size and age at maturity, reproductive characteristics, and migrations was sought, since this information is fundamental to wise management of the fishery. Activities of the project were focused on the study of the Delta fishery for the first year. A thorough study of the commercial catfish fishery was com- pleted and was compared with the sport fishery. Results indicated that the catfish population was under heavy fishing pressure and that the commercial fishery, although a minor one in terms of average annual gross income, was taking a disproportionate share of the annual catch. It also was learned that a number of commercial fishermen were wasting catfish and, in addition, were illegally selling undersized fish. In brief, the small commercial fishery was producing conflict out of all proportion to its value. By the end of 1952, the project had sufficient infor- mation to justify a recommendation that commercial fishing for catfish be banned in California. It was predicted that elimination of this undesirable fishery n Catfish food studies being carried out at Carmichael Laboratory. Con- tents of stomacfi are being examined. would result in improved angling and an increase in size of the individual catfish in the Delta. This recom- mendation was accepted by the 1953 Legislature with passage of Senate Bills Nos. 44 and 45. Investigation of the valuable Delta fishery has con- tinued to be one of the most important activities of the project. Two tagging experiments have been conducted to ( 1 ) develop a suitable tag for catfish, (2) determine fishing mortality, and (3) obtain in- formation about the movements or migrations of cat- fish. Tagging Study From these experiments, a dependable catfish tag, the disk-dangler, has been developed and adequate information about the movements of the Delta white catfish has been obtained. A third tagging study is now in operation to determine angling mortality. This additional study was deemed necessary because calcu- lation of mortality rates from previous studies was complicated by the presence of the commercial fishery and lack of confidence in one type of tag that was employed. A total of 6,966 white catfish has been tagged in the Delta since inception of the project. Anglers who captured tagged catfish have responded well to re- quests for information pertaining to the catch of such fish with 620 tags returned by July, 1954. The Foothill Sportsmen's Club of Oakland con- tributed generously to the tagging publicity cam- 42 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME paign by sponsoring semiannual prize drawings for persons \\ho returned tags. Merchandise and cash prizes were awarded to anglers selected at random. Considerable data concerning life history of the delta catfish is being collected at regular intervals. Although much laboratory work remains to be com- pleted, this phase of the project is progressing well. A check is being maintained on the effect of the re- moval of the commercial fishery and from all indica- tions the ban was a sound move. Angling seems to have improved and the average size of the catfish definitely has increased. Since the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta supplies appro.ximately 50 percent of the catfish caught in California, close contact with the fishery will be main- tained for the duration of the project. Information provided by project investigations should enable the department to insure wise utilization of this important resource by regulations based on facts. Other important catfish areas receiving attention from the project were Clear Lake and the Colorado River. In 1952, 1,500 white catfish and brown bull- heads wxre tagged in Clear Lake in order to determine the rate of exploitation. Returns after one year in- dicated a minimum annual fishing mortality of only 2.5 percent. Because of doubts as to the validity of these results, another tagging experiment is planned for the winter of 1955. Food habits of Clear Lake catfish and bull- heads are under study also. This work will, among other things, define the degree of competition between catfish and largemouth black bass and the effect of the insecticide, TDE, upon the food supply of the catfish. This insecticide has been used in the control of the Clear Lake gnat. A survey of the Colorado River channel catfish population was conducted in 1954 with several hun- dred fish tagged and released near Blythe. Tag returns have been numerous in spite of the short interval since the catfish were released. Apparently the Colorado River channel catfish population is under heavy fish- ing pressure and results of this study will guide the Department of Fish and Game in recommending sensible bag limits. A survey of catfish populations in Northern Cali- fornia will be made during the summer of 1954 in response to requests by sportsmen for more liberal catfish bag limits in that area. Fish Disease Studies In the spring of 1953 the fish parasitologist's head- quarters were shifted to the Berkeley Fish and Game Disease Laboratory of the Game Management Branch. Investigations on diseases of hatchery and wild fish continued. "Trouble shooting" at the hatcheries was actively pursued, and a large number of visits were made to assist the regions with the prevention and control of disease. GAM E MANAGEMENT ^'5^ S^' •^t. W"} ^Ijsi^ f^. Record and near-record bags recorded for most species. Four new waterfowl public hunting areas added. Game habitat development emphasis placed on deer. California receives largest Pittman-Robertson apportionment to date. Game resources appear to be holding their own. FORT^'-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 45 GAME MANAGEMENT Game Management activities during the bienniijm were carried out by the department during a period of record or near-record bags of most game species, and constantly increasing hunting pres- sures in every part of the State. Through constant cflForts to provide improved habitat conditions and sound game management, the resource appears to he holding its own and in some cases showing gains. At the same time great strides were being taken along the hnes of keeping the game resource in sound condition, equal steps w ere made to provide more op- feeding was authorized for duck clubs on a licensed permit basis. portunities for public shooting for sportsmen of the State. During the biennium important additions and improvements were made in the field of pheasant co- operative areas, waterfowl management areas, public shooting areas for deer, and in winter deer ranges. Following reorganization of the department, ef- fected during the biennium, the Game Management Branch of headquarters staff coordinates the Pittman- Robertson federal aid in wildlife restoration program, directs research activities, keeps records and prepares statistics and acts in an advisory and coordinating ca- pacity for regional matters. Preparation of policy rec- ommendations on game management and regulation is another function of the branch. Operational functions of Game Management such as maintenance df waterfowl management areas, pheas- ant cooperative hunting areas, investigation and con- trol of game depredations, predator control, trapping and transplanting beaver, game range examinations, maintenance of winter deer ranges, raising and stock- ing of game farm birds, operation of public hunting areas and numerous other miscellaneous activities were conducted as regional functions. Other important activities of the branch during the biennium included active participation in the work of the Pacific Waterfowl Flyway Council, made up of representatives of the western states who make recom- mendations to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service on setting open seasons and attempting to solve various problems of the flyway; participation in an interstate committee on deer browse restoration problems com- mon to most western states, and working closely with Oregon and Nevada in management of deer herds which have interstate migration patterns with Califor- nia. The council, on which Chairman William J. Silva of the California Fish and Game Commission was an ac- tive member, and Game Management Branch Chief Ben Glading, secretary, was instrumental in obtaining more liberalized seasons and bag limits for California hunters during the past biennium. Through efforts of the council several special water- fowl seasons were authorized as crop depredation relief measures. Among these were the 1953-54 late winter widgeon season in Imperial Valley, the late brant sea- son, and a coot reduction season in the spring of 1954. As a further crop relief measure prehunting season THE GAME HARVEST Game bags of most species showed a high level dur- ing the biennium and record kills were reported for many. At the same time game population remained at good levels in spite of tremendous hunting pressure, which was an important factor in the increased bag. Statistics on the game bag were compiled from hunter questionnaire surveys and from a tabulation of deer tags. Indications are that despite the present high popula- tion levels, game will continue to suffer from en- croachment of agriculture and industry unless wildlife is given its proper place in planning for future develop- ment of the State. Most likely to suffer a reduction in numbers are waterfowl, whose habitat has been subject to constant decrease over the years. With deer, the most pressing problem is a more ade- quate use of the resource by harvesting more animals. Field investigations by the branch have shown that present deer populations in many sections of the State are overusing their range to the point of seriously dam- aging the food supply. Failure to harvest the annual in- crease in deer population, which is the case today, will result in the deer herds adjusting their own numbers by periodic and wasteful die-offs and herd increases— a boom-and-bust routine. For a better understanding of the total bag figures, the essentials of the hunter questionnaire system are summarized. The hunter questionnaire has been stand- ard procedure since 1948, and is a statistical process recommended by the Opinion Research Center of the University of Denver. Questionnaires are sent to a 2- percent random sampling of hunting license buyers. Resulting data is considered typical of the entire hunt- ing public and projected mathematically to get a state- wide figure. Exaggerated results are obtained through such a system, but the factors leading to the exaggera- tions remain constant from year to year so that the indicated trends of game bag are considered reliable. Answers are checked with expected hunting prospects as determined by field surveys, and through combining the two sources of information valuable data is ob- tained. More accurate figures on pheasants and waterfowl bag were obtained by checking the questionnaire re- sults with known bag on cooperative hunting areas and on waterfowl management areas. Interestingly enough 46 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME PHEASANTS BAGGED ON COOPERATIVE HUNTING AREAS Q UJ O -, which goes toward defraying ex- pense of maintaining and operating the area. Madeline and Hone\- Lake were free areas, and on that part of the Imperial area where blinds were available the charge was $5 per day. At Napa Marshes a $3 seasonal permit was issued. All w aterfow 1 management areas have zones which are closed to hunting, providing waterfowl feeding and resting areas. On all Lea Act lands and on some state lands such as Gray Lodge and Los Banos, hunting usually is delayed until harvesting on surrounding ag- ricultural areas is completed as a crop depredation relief measure. Total acreage of both state-owned and federally owned waterfowl areas showed big increases during the period of this report. In 1951 the state- owned or leased total was 33,584 acres, and by 1953 this total had reached 45,457. Federally owned water- fowl areas, parts of which are opened to hunting, rose from 177,507 acres in 1951 to 180,190 in 1953 mainly through addition to the Colusa and Sutter areas. These figures include all federally operated areas in addition to those operated partly as state-controlled public shooting grounds. GROWTH OF PUBLIC SHOOTING PROGRAM WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT AREAS D^^fel O UJ I- < Q O O o o < tn ir UJ 3 X tr UJ 03 -^ ^ ^^^ 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 10,000 5,000 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 HUNTING SEASON Variety of Sources Funds for acquisition of the state and federal water- fowl areas come from a variety of sources: from Pitt- nian-Robertson federal aid in game conservation by a tax on sporting arms and ammunition; from the Fed- eral Lea Act which sets up funds for purchase of land to prevent crop depredation by waterfowl; funds of the Wildlife Conservation Board, which was allocated funds from race horse pari-mutuel betting; and from the sale of hunting licenses. Each area has several purposes in the State's water- fowl management program. These lands provide feed- ing and resting areas, to prevent damage to nearby agricultural crops, to provide a sanctuary during hunt- ing season, nesting areas, and as public shooting grounds for licensed hunters. Major purpose is perpet- uation of a natural resource w^hose wintering grounds has been seriously depleted. A large portion of Pittman-Robertson funds avail- able for development work has been spent in water- fowl management areas because waterfowl are in greatest danger of being adversely affected by the continuing economic development of the State. Work at the various areas included land leveling, ditch construction, levee construction, installation of head gates, building construction, cultivation of water- fowl food crops, and road construction. Following is a summary of the management areas on which development work was carried out under Pittman-Robertson funds: 1. Suisun Waterfowl Refuge: Encouraging the growth of native aquatic plants for waterfowl feed was the purpose of P-R Project W9-D in the develop- ment of this 1,887-acre salt-water marsh area in Solano County. The area does not lend itself readily to culti- vation of food crops of domestic varieties. No public hunting is provided, as the area's function is solely that of a refuge. 2. Gray Lodge Waterfo-wl Management Area: Cul- tivation of waterfowl food crops was a major activity on this area, located in the heart of California's rice- growing region in the upper Sacramento Valley. Pro- duction of food crops is important in relieving crop depredations by holding peak waterfowl populations on the management area. Development of the crops, carried out under P-R Project W13-D, saw 1,500 acres of rice, milo, millet, barley and wheat grown, out of a total area of 2,542 acres. Public hunting was pro- vided on a portion of the area beginning in 1953. 3. Imperial Waterfowl Management Area: Size and effectiveness of this area in providing waterfow 1 feed- ing grounds and public shooting areas has been re- duced due to the rise in elevation of Salton Sea waters, and its encroachment on the waterfowl area. Most of the area was lost to flooding, leaving less than 1,000 acres. Development of the area w as done under P-R Project W3f)-D. Because of the importance of having waterfowl feeding and resting grounds in the intensely FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 49 farmed Imperial Valley, an alternate site is being ob- tained through use of Wildlife Conservation Board Funds. 4. Honey Lake Waterfowl Management Area: De- velopment of this 4,820-acre area in Lassen County was carried out during the biennium under P-R Proj- ect W38-D. It is an important nesting ground for ducks and Canada geese. About 800 acres of waterfowl food crops were under cultivation, mainly wheat and barley. Public shooting is provided. 5. Madeline Plains Waterfowl Management Area: Another P-R development project was the Madeline Plains area, which is an excellent waterfowl breeding area and which has a large resident population of Can- ada geese. Approximately 700 acres of waterfowl food crops such as wheat and barley are in cultivation. During mild winters there is good public hunting for ducks and geese. This area was under P-R Project W.39-D. 6. Los Banos Waterfo^vl Management Area: Like Gray Lodge, this area is important in providing crop protection for surrounding agricultural areas. More than 800 acres of waterfowl food crops were culti- vated, keeping thousands of birds on the area and away from San Joaquin Valley crops. Public shooting is provided on a portion of the 3,000 acres in the area. 7. Grizzly Island Waterfow^l Management Area: This area, largest of California's waterfowl manage- ment areas, with 8,600 acres, was purchased in 1950 with funds provided by the Wildlife Conservation Board. During the biennium nearly 28,000 hunters were accommodated, with 85,000 birds bagged. Lo- cated close to the heavily populated San Francisco Bay region, it provides a convenient and excellent shooting area for a large number of sportsmen. Approximately 2,000 acres of waterfowl food crops was under cultiva- tion under P-R Project W43-D. UPLAND GAME BIRD PRODUCTION During recent years virtually all suitable ring-neck pheasant habitat in the State has been adequately stocked, and the biennium saw game farm birds used for stocking for the gun. Stocking to extend the pheas- ant range no longer is the prime purpose of the farms, and most birds are held to maturity and released just prior to or during the pheasant season. During the two-year period covered by the report the department's game farms released 191,772 upland game birds, of which 187,485 were ring-neck pheas- ants, 1,955 Reeves pheasants, and 2,332 chukar part- ridges. The department's facilities for holding birds are supplemented by sportsmen's pens located through- out the State. During the biennium 62,366 pheasants, both male and female, were released from pens main- tained by sportsmen's organizations. Policy for release of game farm birds has been to release most on areas for public hunting, with a consid- WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT AREAS O Numbers of /he imported chukar partridge increased so much that the first open season was authorized in 1954. Chu/cors are shown at the lip of a quoil guzzler. Best habitat for this steadily increasing game bird is in the arid mountain country east of the Sierra crest, the southeast desert ranges and the barren hills sur- rounding the southern part of the San Joaquin Valley. Although game farm birds were used to a certain ex- tent in the southern part of the State for transplanting, much of the success in spreading birds has been done by trapping and transplanting wild chukars. GAME HABITAT DEVELOPMENT Under the Pittman-Robertso,n Project W26-D most of the major habitat improvement work of the depart- ment for species other than waterfowl was accom- plished. The project is state-wide in scope with work done in all of the five regions. During the preceding Biennium 1950-52 this proj- ect was concerned primarily with restoration of quail range. Activities included food and cover plantings, erecting artificial roosts and construction of "gallina- ceous guzzlers" or artificial watering devices. During the past biennium emphasis was shifted to deer habitat improvement although the quail work continues, but on a reduced scale. The program receives help through financial aid from county fine moneys and physical labor from sportsmen and other interested groups. Listed below are the major activities of the project. 1. Artificial Quail Watering Devices (Gallinaceous Guzzlers): These rain catchment basins have proved effective in furnishing water for quail. As a conse- quence man>' areas formerly deficient in water are now productive hunting grounds. During the biennium 239 guzzlers were installed bringing the total to 2,016. Although primarily for quail these watering devices have proved beneficial to chukars and doves. Most of the guzzlers are located in the central and south coastal counties and in the southeast desert areas where water deficiencies are most prevalent. Plastic has been substi- tuted for concrete as construction material in more in- accessible areas. 2. Spring Development: A continued program of spring survey and development work has been carried on, mainly in the southeast desert mountains. Quail, doves, chukars, and bighorn sheep are the principal beneficiaries of this work. Activity consists primarily of surveying water sources and developing by bo.xing, piping, and cleaning those springs which show promise of furnishing year-round water. More than 100 springs were improved. 3. Brush Removal on Deer Ranges: California has vast acreages of mature, dense brush stands which are low in game productivity. By clearing and opening up these stands to permit deer access they can be made into good habitat. In addition to providing access, the new sprouting growth on the cleared areas provides increased feed for deer and other game. Methods developed by the department's brush re- moval P-R research studies are being employed in this work. Mechanical removal and controlled burning of brush are the two methods in most common use. Burn- ing and mechanical removal are done in small patches and strips so that the area benefited is actually many times the acreage of the cleared land itself. During the biennium over 3,000 acres were cleared mechanically and nearly 1,700 acres were control burned. Nearly 800 acres have been chemically treated to retard growth of undesirable species or fertilized to promote growth of desirable species. Chemical treatment of brush lands is in an experimental stage at present, but gives promise of more use in the future. 4. Reseeding of Deer Range Lands: During the bi- ennium nearly 5,000 acres have been seeded, mainly to grasses and other herbs such as filaree and clover. Some experimental reseeding of desirable browse species has been done also. Range reseeding is done on controlled burns and on wild fire burns. In addition to the feed provided it has been found that a good growth of grasses and herbs on a new burn has a tendency to re- duce the amount of reinvasion of brush on the area by choking out the seedlings. 5. Shrub Plantings: More than 50,000 shrubs were planted in Siskiyou, Modoc, and Lassen Counties in range improvement work. Bitterbrush, multiflora rose, FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 51 wild rose, willow, and other species have been used. Local ranchers and sportsmen have taken an active part in the program in the form of furnishing tractors and labor for the work. 6. Deer "Guzzlers": Two deer-watering devices have been constructed in the Andesite area in Siski- you County. The locality is in an excellent stand of bitterbrush which is at present little utilized by deer because of a lack of water in the area. It remains to be seen whether these guzzlers will accomplish their pur- pose. SPECIAL DEER SEASONS Ten special deer hunts were authorized by the Cali- fornia Fish and Game Commission, with a variety of objectives. Some were for relief of farmers who had suffered crop depredations, some to protect winter ranges from over-browsing, others to provide better harvest of deer herds which were unreachable during the regular season, and still others to provide hunting in areas of fire hazard during the regular season. Special hunts may be sponsored by local groups, or by the department, but in each case open public hear- ings are conducted and if local opinion is favorable, plans for the season are drawn up. Commission policy has been to authorize special hunts only if they have local backing. A total of 2,776 deer were taken in the special hunts held during the biennium. A summary of the special hunts: Los Angeles Archery: These hunts, held from July 26 to October 19, 1952, and from August 8 to Decem- ber 31, 1953, were set up for the purpose of allowing deer hunting in the heavily populated Los Angeles area where rifle hunting was felt to be too dangerous. With either sex provisions, 16 males and 14 females were bagged by archers last year. No data was avail- able on the previous season's hunt. Southern California Winter Season: Fire closures in Southern California national forest areas for many years have denied a major deer territory to Southern California hunters. In January of 1953 a 16-day season for either sex was set up, with a kill of 700 males, 427 females and 26 unclassified for a total of 1,153. The following special season, for bucks only, saw a kill of only 191. The second season was for 11 days only, and was held during a period of high winds and fire danger. Because of postponements, interest lagged. There was an antler drop during the period, further cutting down the number of animals taken. Hunter success was low for both years, with a 13 percent success ratio in 1942 and only 6 percent the following year. Despite these figures, the majority of sportsmen participating appeared to favor continuing the winter seasons. Fillmore-Ojai Hunt: This hunt for antlerless deer was authorized as a result of local crop depredations by deer. During the 15-day hunt in September, 1952, 190 deer were bagged in the Ventura County areas. Coloma Hunt: This hunt, authorized for the foot- hill area of El Dorado County around Coloma, re- sulted in 191 antlerless deer being taken. Its purpose was to give relief to orchard and pasture land which had been suffering from deer damage. Barton's Flat: (Fresno and Tulare Counties) No- vember 16 to November 29, 1952; November 15 to November 29, 1953. These two hunters' choice hunts were authorized in order more adequately to harvest the deer that winter on the Barton's Flat winter range. Many of these animals summer in the King's Canyon National Park and are usually unavailable to hunters during the regular season. During the two seasons 319 males and 329 females were bagged; total 648. Hunter success was good with 89 percent successful the first season and 56 percent the second. Glenn-Colusa Area: This antlerless deer hunt was conducted from October 31 to November 16, 1953, in order to relieve crop damage in the Stonyford area. A total of 271 deer were bagged. Hunter success was a high 82 percent. Camp Pendleton Marine Base: This hunt November 28 to December 5, 1953, was on Marine Base property for service personnel. Hunter success was 100 percent as 102 antlerless deer were taken. Licensed Game Bird Clubs Originally the plan for these areas was adopted by the 1939 State Legislature to stimulate the landowner's interest in the game crop. Through this plan it was intended to foster and increase the supply of upland game through land management and stocking of pri- vately raised game farm birds. Backers of the plan believed that the income derived from the game crop would provide an incentive to the landowner to manage his land for game production, clearing stripi of brush allows access by game, and provides food in the form of new sprout growth. 52 DEPARTiMENT OF FISH AND GAAIE priniaril\- pheasants. Since these areas \\ere to be open to an\' licensed hunter the income from the game pro- duced was to be obtained by charging hunters up to a designated maximum fee for shooting privileges. In actual practice the income produced from hunting could not compete with farm crops being produced. In addition the landowners found it difficult to control hunting on these areas. In 1947 the Legislature modified the plan to allow noncommercial or private clubs to be set up where the general public could be excluded. These private areas are now supported b\- season memberships or by a share the cost arrangement \\ith the operator. In 1951 the Legislature established the name Licensed Game Bird Clubs for these areas (formerh' they were known as Game Management Areas) and made modifications in the law in regard to season, license fees and size of areas. Since the law was changed to permit noncom- mercial or private clubs the system has shown a steady growth. In 1953 the season extended from October 31, 1953, to January 13, 1954. Seventy-two game bird clubs were in operation, liberating 43,721 birds and bagging 28,375 birds in 14,053 man days of hunting. These clubs now control 62,208 acres of land. Of the 72 clubs now in operation 70 are private and tAvo commercial. Sixty-six of these clubs are lo- cated in Region II with the remaining six scattered in the other four regions. All are pheasant clubs with the exception of one operated for both pheasants and quail. Disease Laboratory Ultimate objective of the disease prevention phase of game management is the control of disease occur- ring in wildlife throughout the State. Positive steps have been taken to realize that objective during this biennium. Those steps included anticipating epidemics and devising effective methods of control prior to the out- breaks; gathering facts and observing the natural history of diseases as they occurred in the wild; and maintaining close coordination with other state agencies in order to prevent or limit transmission of communicable diseases between domestic stock, wild- life, and the public at large. A portable laboratory is maintained for on-the-spot investigations. As an illus- tration of these points, the following examples may be cited. Botulism: Excessively heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada iVIountains during the winter of 1951-52 promised flooding of the Tulare Lake Basin. Through a knowledge of past conditions,, it was anticipated that botulism would exist during the following sum- mer. The most feasible procedures were put into effect to control that disease during the biennium. They included a coordinated effort to (1) herd ducks from affected areas by plane, air-thrust boat, and through the use of pyrotechnics, (2) maintain water moverr v-nt by pumping operations through the co- operation of the farmers in the area, and ( 3 ) distribute feed elsewhere through the cooperation of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to hold the waterfowl in a non-toxic area. Evaluation of this work indicated a reduction from a past 20 percent mortality to a mortality of about 1 percent. Fowl Cholera: There were two outbreaks of fowl cholera during the biennium, neither of which grew to epidemic proportions. These occurred in the Alva- rado area of Alameda County, in March, 1953, and in the south San Francisco Bay in December of the same year. Around Alvarado about 1,000 dead birds, mostly gulls and coots, were found. The south bay toll in- cluded ducks, coots, and gulls. Less than 200 ducks died. To prevent further spread of the disease, the de- partment cleaned up the carcasses to prevent feeding on them by gulls, believed to be one of the carriers of the disease. To confirm this theory, gulls and coots were inocu- lated with virulent organisms. A million times as many organisms were required to kill gulls than coots, tending to show that gulls were resistant carriers of fowl cholera. As a result of this experiment, it is believed that control of gulls at the outbreak of fowl cholera will limit spread of the disease to epidemic proportions. Stomach Worms: The prevalence of round worms in the intestinal tract is considered as one of the more important factors limiting the number of deer in the north coastal counties, although there were no severe outbreaks during the biennium. A survey concluded during the biennium determined the relative incidence The dspartment'i disease laboratory, which allows on-the-spot investi- gation of wildlife diseases. FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 53 I of the various species of worms (helminths), and ostensibly confirmed the theory that younger animals are more susceptible to infection and therefore more apt to succumb to the efi^ects of these parasites. A study of the relation between various nutritional states and intensity of infection is now underway. Deer suffering from malnutrition are more susceptible to the disease. Cooperative Disease Studies: Investigations have been made in cooperation with other state agencies and institutions on diseases related to the welfare of M ildlife species as well as to domestic stock and public health. Blood samples obtained from wildlife species have been submitted to the State Department of Public Health for a determination of the presence of diseases transmissible to man, with all results to date being negative. Sera of wild avian species have been tested for virus diseases transmissable to poultry. In coop- eration with the State Department of Agriculture and the University of California, diseases capable of pass- ing from livestock to wildlife have been investigated jointly. As a result, serious threats to wildlife have been averted by the prompt and combined action of the interested agencies. In addition, Pittman-Robertson Project W35-R is devoted to investigation of \\ ildlife diseases which can be controlled by management practices. Mountain Lion Control During the biennium 355 mountain lions were bountied, 89 by State lion hunters and 266 by private individuals. Of this total, 174 were taken in 1952 and 181 in 1953. The bounty is |50 per male lion and $60 per female. Table 26 of the Appendix is the county breakdown as to the mountain lion kill. Department policy in regard to taking lions is to maintain a control over their numbers rather than trying to eradicate the species. State lion hunters hunt areas ^\'here sign shows the lions to be excessively numerous. There were four Department of Fish and Game lion hunters in 1952 and three in 1953. Predator Control During the biennium 3,779 coyotes, 1,945 bobcats, and 8,685 lesser predators (skunks, opossums, rac- coons, etc.) for a total of 14,409 were taken by department predator control men. In predator control it is the policy to trap predators where their removal will afford maximum protection to the game crop. As a consequence, particular attention is given to trapping on known deer fawning areas, antelope kidding grounds, waterfowl nesting areas, and pheasant nest- ing areas, especially where public hunting access is allowed. Table 26 of the Appendix is a county breakdown of predator control activities. An evaluaiion of deer foods is made with this experimentol feeding pen. Native browse and artificial foods are mixed in the diet. Predatory Birds During the biennium the State paid a bounty of 15 cents per bird for crows and 10 cents per bird for black-billed magpies. 1,681 crows and 191 magpies were bountied during the period. Wildlife Conservation Board Projects (related to game) Activities which have received the benefits of Wild- life Conservation Board programs to date include the constructon of game farms, quail habitat improvement, acquisition of deer winter range, and acquisition of waterfowl management areas. The bulk of the funds for wildlife have been directed toward the acquisition of w aterfow 1 management areas. SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS During the biennium California received $1,680,968 from federal aid funds, the largest apportionment to date from the federal excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition under the Pittman-Robertson Act. Cali- fornia's contribution, as required by the act, amounted to $560,322, for a total Pittman-Robertson Fund of $2,241,290. These funds were channeled into 22 projects, all of them aimed at improving the wildlife resource either through research and investigation or develop- ment of habitat, management areas, and public shoot- ing grounds. Eight of these projects were in the field of surveys and investigations, aimed at acquisition of knowledge which will enable the public more fully to understand the problems of its wildlife resource, and the depart- ment to more cfficicntl>- and intelligently manage it. W4rns<:f.u Canada geese are banded by the waferfowi study team at Honey Lake, Lassen County. This is one of the State's major breeding grounds for the big ''honkers/' Others are in development, land acquisition, mainte- nance and coordination. Following is a summary of the sur\-ey and investigation projects and their aims. De- velopment projects are summarized under their various management functions. Food Habits Investigations, Project W25-R: Food habits information gained mainl\- through stomach analyses is an integral part of ^\■ildlife management studies now being conducted by the department. In- formation gained on nutritional value of native deer browses and other deer food habits has been valuable in helping formulate deer management plans for herds throughout the State, and in determining possible range improvements. Other species in which investigations have been made included coyotes, bobcats, pigeons, chukars, quail and waterfowl. Knowledge gained in these studies enables the department to recommend intel- ligent control measures against predators, and in the case of game birds is used in de\eloping new food plants, in planning waterfowl management areas, and in determining possible new locations for introductions or planting of various species. In addition, the food habits laboratory, as time allows, has done work for si.\ other western states. The department is reimbursed for this work on a labor cost basis. Study of Production, Migration and Wintering Areas of Waterfowl in California, Project W3 0-R: \'alue of information gained through investigations and sur\-eys of watcrfow I numbers, scope and condi- tion of breeding grounds, resting areas, and degree of kill is tremendous in setting of seasons and bag limits. This material, gathered painstakingly by department field men, and correlated by the staff, is weighed each year by the California Fish and Game Commission, the Pacific Waterfowl Flyway Council, other states on the flyway, and federal agencies in the formulation of policies and regulations. As California is the main wintering ground of the entire Pacific Flyway, data gathered here is of vital importance to all western states. Main phases of the project are: 1. Winter Inventory of Waterfowl. An annual winter inventory is conducted in order to determine any rise or fall in over-all waterfowl populations. Armed with this information, recommendations may be made for changes in seasons or bag limits. This has been a joint program of the department and the Fish and Wildlife Service. 2. Breeding Grounds Survey. The major breeding grounds within the State are surveyed in the spring in order to determine the local production of ducks and geese. An aerial census of paired waterfowl and actual nesting studies are phases of the project. 3. Banding Operations. An extensive waterfowl banding program has been in progress. This study yields data on migration patterns and mortality of various species as affected by hunting pressure. Dur- ing the two-vear period, 68,732 birds, including ducks, geese and coots, were banded. The rate of return averaged 15 percent. 4. Bag checks to determine the degree various spe- cies of waterfowl enter into the over-all kill. 5. Duck Club Surve\'. Annual records are kept on hunting success on the various duck clubs in the State. FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 55 This \ields additional important data relative to deter- mining the over-all waterfowl hunting success b\- year. 6. Wood Duck Nest Boxes. A study is in progress in order to determine the feasibility of putting up arti- ficial nesting sites for wood ducks as a luanagciuent aid in increasing this species in California. Big Game Studies, Project W41-R: Development of management techniques for sound management of California's big game species is the aim of this study. 1. Deer Herd Studies. This phase of the project conducts studies of deer populations in specific areas throughout the State. The scope of the studies include population numbers, herd composition counts, herd productivity, migration patterns, effects of hunting pressure, range use and condition, trapping methods, food habits, predator relationships, and agriculture and livestock conflicts. Successful management of the herds would be impossible without the information gained in the studies. 2. Antelope. Studies on methods to increase pro- duction of antelope herds is a new phase of the proj- ect. Particular attention is directed toward evaluating the effects of predation on antelope kidding grounds and determining other causes of kid mortality. An an- nual aerial count of antelope numbers is conducted to keep close tab on any rises or falls in the over-all pop- ulation. 3. Bighorn Sheep. Preliminary work on determin- ing the population of bighorn in California is the in- itial phase of this study. Possible management of this species through spring development in desert mountain ranges where this species occurs is being investigated. Effects of Economic Poisons on Wildlife, Project W45-R: Another project under service agreement with the University of California, its purpose is to determine beneficial and detrimental effects of those chemicals and methods of application used in agricul- ture, forestry and other related fields. Particular attention is being paid to chemicals hav- ing toxic eff^ects on wildlife, and in developing safe practices in use of these agents. Project W46-R Game Range Restoration: This project is being conducted under a service agreement w ith the California Forest and Range Experiment Sta- tion. Its purpose is to develop practical means of increas- ing desirable deer browse species on depleted ranges. Particular emphasis is being paid to east side Sierra areas where problems of deer browse shortages are especially acute. Propagation of range plants by seed- ing and cuttings are under experimentation. Bitter- brush, an important and highly palatable range plant, is receiving special attention. The possibility of intro- ducing new species into the area is also being investi- gated. Effects of Brush Removal on Game Ranges in Cali- fornia, Project W31-R: Under a service agreement with the Universitx' of California, sound management of brush lands in California is being investigated, and methods of improving deer and quail productivity on these lands studied. Results of these investigations and experiments are a definite improvement of carrying capacity for wildlife, not only on the burned and cleared areas, but on surrounding territory. Increased Results of a controlled burn in Tuolumne County. This area has been reseeded with orchard and Harding grass. The thicli stand of grass tends to retard re-invasion of brush. ■^-C^' i>^^- A cannon net trap, fired over pigeons watering of a spring, a successful method of capture for banding. numbers of deer, quail, and doves have resulted from controlled bums. Experiments were made in controlled burning, mechanical clearing, chemical treatment, and in re- seeding of cleared areas. Burning appears to be the cheapest and most effective method when followed by reseeding. Project W47-R Upland Game Investigations: This project has several phases as listed below. 1. Pheasant. Studies involve evaluation of the ef- fects of releasing game farm birds; brood counts to determine the yearly production of pheasants in the wild; effects of agricultural practices on pheasant pop- ulations; and investigations into effects of hunting pressure. Hunting season controls as they apply to hunters and land uses are being studied to facilitate farmer-sportsmen relationships. A new phase of the project is concerned with evaluation of the effects of the licensed game bird club system on pheasant hunt- ing. Studies already have indicated that where habitat is suitable, planting of game farm birds shows small return in the matter of total increase. 2. Quail. A general evaluation of the effects of past development work on quail is under way in order to provide basic data for future developments. This is concerned mainly with the water development or "guzzler" program. Quail have thrived in areas for- merly without water as a result of this program. 3. Chukar partridge. The initial phase of this study was a state-wide surve\- of chukar populations. An immediate result of this investigation was the deter- mination that enough chukars are now present to call California's first chukar season for 1954. Continued investigations into the possibility of further expansion of chukars into suitable range not now occupied by the birds is being made. Wild birds trapped from es- tablished populations supplemented by game farm birds are used for stocking new areas. Other phases of the work involve nesting studies, brood counts, developing more efficient trapping methods, and food habits. 4. Band-tailed pigeons. A detailed state-wide study of the life history of the band-tailed pigeon is being made with special emphasis given to setting seasons, bag limits, and agricultural depredation problems. The department has been very successful in trapping and banding this species. Band returns show an intensive migration with interstate movements between the three Pacific states. Other Pittman-Robertson Projects Other Pittman-Robertson federal aid in wildlife restoration projects in force during the biennium in- cluded maintenance, land acquisition and coordination projects. Generally, development and management projects were carried out on a regional basis, while survey, in- vestigation and coordination projects were the func- tion of the central office staff. Project W37-IVI provides for inspection and main- tenance of quail guzzlers constructed under Project W26-D. Four land acquisition projects, initiated dur- ing the decade 1940-1950, provide for a small amount of money to add to any of the following areas should the need arise and land be available. Project WIO-L, Tehama Winter Deer Range— 42,- 897 acres acquired. Project Wll-L, Honey Lake Waterfowl Manage- ment Area— 4,820 acres acquired. Project W17-L, Madeline Plains Waterfowl Man- agement Area— 5,176 acres acquired. Project W21-L, Doyle Winter Deer Range-1 3,503 acres acquired. A final project, W29-C, wildlife management co- ordination, provides general direction and coordina- tion by the central staff on all Pittman-Robertson projects. MARINE FISHERIES .,' the State Leg- islature, was responsible for the smaller landings. Re- strictions created bv the law affected an entire season for the first time in 1952. At the same time shipments of salmon into Califor- nia by common carrier averaged 770,000 pounds per year during 1952 and 1953, a decrease of 140,000 pounds under the two previous years. Most of the shipments are bound for Los Angeles. Sport Fishing Study Because of the ever-increasing pressure on the sal- mon population by the new sport fishery, it became apparent that more factual knowledge of its methods, catch composition, and economic as well as recrea- tional value would be required to assure proper man- agement regulations, thus assuring safeguards for future abundance of the salmon resource on which it depends. Plans formulated and approved in 1953 for a fed- eral aid project will supply the necessary minimum investigation of California's ocean salmon sport fishery. Marking and Mark Recovery In 1950 an interstate salmon marking program \\as started on the recommendation of the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission to determine, among other things, the contributions made to the ocean fishery in different areas by salmon originating in various river systems of the Pacific Coast. The actual marking was described in the last biennial report. An obvious corollary to a marking experiment is a carefully planned mark recovery program. California, in cooperation with Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska, has such a recovery program. Men stationed at coastal ports from Monterey, Cali- fornia, to Pelican, Alaska, search for marked fish in the catches landed b\' ocean salmon troUcrs. This pro- gram is coordinated by the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission with which British Columbia and Alaska voluntarily cooperate. Activities of this commission are more full\' discussed in another section of this report. Pertinent data is summarized regarding each mark- ing experiment made by the department since 1950 in the table entitled "Salmon Marking and Recovery," Appendix Table 40. Marking experiments conducted by Oregon and Washington are not included; re- coveries of California marks made by them, as well as by British Columbia, are included for 1952 and 1953. No California marks have been recovered off Alaska to date. A word of explanation is necessary in regard to the higher survival rate of hatchery fish as compared to wild captured fish in the release of 1949 brood year king salmon in the Sacramento River. Because of difficulties in capturing wild salmon fingerlings without injury, only "cull" fish were taken. Fish hatched at Coleman Station, a salmon hatchery operated by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, were bigger and in better condition than the wild fish when released. Results of the experiments to date show that in 1952 the 1949 brood year king salmon from the Sacramento River were taken in greater numbers by the combined ocean troll fisheries of Oregon, Washington, and Brit- ish Columbia than by the California fishery. Final analyses will demonstrate whether or not this hap- pened again in 1953. Conversely, the majority of sil- ver salmon taken by the California fishery originated in Oregon's coastal streams. Hence, when something changes the salmon producing potential in one state, the economy of other states will be affected. Parf of the California salmon fleet anchored at Point Reyes, where as many as 300 boats sometimes anchor during the run. %ft tZ38r f '^. safc." 64 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Demonstration of this one fact alone would be enough to make these marking experiments a success; however, a great deal of additional data is being col- lected, the anal\'sis of which may well prove to be of even greater value to proper management of this re- newable resource. King Salmon, Ocean Tagging During the 1952 season, 1,318 king salmon were tagged, all off San Francisco from boats furnished by the Golden Gate Sportfishers Association. The coop- eration of this association of party boat operators not only saved the State several thousand dollars, but assured a good catch of fish and produces a better sample of the fish taken by the sports fleet than could have been obtained by any other method. The San Francisco Tyee Club, a group of sportsmen organized for the purpose of conserving the salmon, has con- tributed to our program by posting over 1 1,000 for the return of certain lucky salmon tags. These bonuses have been a great help in assuring the return of tags. Returns of king salmon during the biennium which were tagged in 1952 are shown in the table by the area of recapture. The figures reflect the fact that most king salmon are now^ taken in the ocean and that nearly all the salmon taken off San Francisco come from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River system. The principal purpose of this cooperative program is to determine the best size limits for the ocean sal- mon fisheries. Catch Sampling In addition to obtaining reliable figures on the pro- portion of marked fish in the ocean catch, the depart- ment's samplers are getting valuable information for detailed analyses of the fishery and the two species of salmon supporting it. A summary of fish examined during the ocean catch samphng program is presented below: 19S2 1953 King Number e.vamined 63,361 Silver King Silver 9,111 165,346 25,628 Percent of catch sampled „.- 12.8% 33.3% Average weight 12.2 lbs. 8.2 lbs. 12.8 lbs. 7.9 lbs. Percent of catch by weight ..... 88.5% 11.5% 91.6% 8.4% Additional material collected has included random length measurements, scale samples and lengths for age analyses, sexual maturity data, and data regarding weather and prices and their effect on fishing effort. An unusually large number of pink or humpback salmon were taken off California as far south as San Francisco during July, 1953. Based on sampling data, it is estimated that about 700 were landed. This is the first time in recent history that this salmon has ap- peared in such large numbers in the California fishery. In conjunction with ocean catch sampling. Marine Fisheries Branch personnel sample the catch of the gill net fishery operating in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River delta. Marks recovered here serve as a valuable check on ocean recoveries. Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta King Salmon mi 19S3 Number examined 10,391 17,192 Percent of catch sampled .- 27.4% 43.7% Average weights 19.5 lbs. 20.3 lbs. Spawning Area Surveys Annual inventory of the spawning populations utiliz- ing the spawning areas in California's rivers is made each fall and winter. During their survey trips crews examine thousands of salmon that have died after spawning, and while examining these carcasses find many marked or tagged fish. The data collected on these surveys completes the cycle in the search for facts upon which to base wise salmon management regulations. An important demonstration of the homing instinct in silver salmon was demonstrated by mark recoveries on the north coast in 1953. Early in 1951, more than 16,000 marked silver fry were released into Lindsey Creek, the only one of several small tributaries to the Mad River that received marked fish. Because silvers spawn and die at the end of their third }-ear, survey crews expected and found them back in the winter of 1953. During the fall of 1953, survey crews participated in redevelopment of a salmon population in Clear Creek, a tributary to the upper Sacramento River. This stream once had a run of king salmon that spawned above the site of a dam which since con- struction has barred its passage for years. The dam is Departmeni crews checking ihe commercial salmon catch for ftn marks. Measurements are taken at the some time. at the head of a steep gorge and the problem of get- ting fish by both gorge and dam was a difficult one. Establishment of a run by transplanting ripe adults into such a stream was attempted. In cooperation with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coleman Station personnel, 1,428 adult king salmon were trapped at Keswick Dam on the Sacramento River, and released in Clear Creek above the dam. Survey crews observed later, and some were cap- tured for identification. Complete results of this ex- periment will not be available until after 1957, when most of the fish that are going to return will have done so. By the time the fish return, the department plans to have an adequate fish ladder completed through the gorge and over the dam. JACK MACKEREL The meteoric rise of the jack mackerel fishery in 1947 was attributable in a large part to the almost complete failure of the sardine fishery and the dimin- ishing Pacific mackerel landings. A second important factor was the increased use of depth-sounding devices for locating schools of fish not visible at the surface. After seven years of fairly heavy fishing effort the fishery is now confined almost exclusively to Southern California because the jack mackerel have disappeared from other waters. During the years 1947 to 1950, Monterey was a fairly important port of landing but since 1950 the contribution from that area has been of little significance. The catch since 1947 has fluctuated almost yearly" with little correlation to observed con- ditions. Preliminary age work completed during the bien- nium indicates the commercial fishery is largely de- pendent upon fish ranging from one to four years of age. Fish of this age vary in size from about five to 14 inches. Each year, however, several purse seine loads of very large jack mackerel are taken and these fish, ranging in length from 20 to 25 inches, appear to be from 10 to 20 or 25 years old. These very large jack mackerel have become an important constituent in the Southern California sportfisherman's bag during late spring and early summer of the past two years. THE ANCHOVY FISHERY Scientists, commercial fishermen and sportsmen have been keeping a close watch and are feeling some de- gree of alarm over the diminishing stock of anchovies off the California coast. This feeling reached a. climax after the 1952 season of heavy pressure off Central California when the anchovy stocks reached a point of diminishing return to the fishermen, and there were not enough large schools of the species to make fishing profitable on a steady basis. Since the summer of 1953 all anchovies processed in Central California packing plants have been trucked from Southern California due to the lack of the once abundant stocks nearby. J 7 •* W The Poiier seine, a new type of net used in daytime airplane fishing, is highly efFicient for catching anchovies, sardines and /acfc mocfcere/. Wings of the net are liieing hauled over the stern with vertical power gurdies. For years the anchovy has been of importance in the commercial and bait fisheries of California. From 1916 to 1946 most of the catch was used for bait purposes— for live bait in the Southern California sport fishery, for salted dead bait in both the sport fishery and in the albacore fishery, and for use as ground chum by the Pacific mackerel scoop fishermen. During the period from 1916 to 1946 only small amounts of anchovies were used for food and for re- duction. In 1921 teeth were put into a law prohibiting the use of anchovies for reduction purposes. It was felt that such protection was needed to safeguard the stocks of this species, both because of its importance commercially and because of its importance as a forage fish for sport and commercially important predatory species. Experimental Packs Made From 1946 on, with the advent of the drastic de- crease in sizes of the sardine and Pacific mackerel stocks along the Pacific Coast, there arose the immedi- ate need for packs of other species to supply domestic and foreign markets. Inasmuch as anchovy stocks ap- peared large enough and could be taken with current sardine fishing methods many experimental packs were made. They met with serious domestic sales resistance but the anchovy "sardine style" pack in tomato sauce met with favorable response in several Asiatic and South American countries. The industry then centered its activities in processing styles that would sell readily on the export market. Coincident with the development of anchovy can- ning, the use of fishery products for pet foods ex- panded rapidly. Jack mackerel was the main constitu- 4 i_i i; Pacific mackerel being bailed from scoop boat to conveyor belt at a Newport Beach cannery. Note barrels of chum at the stern. ent of these packs but in 1953 a ready supply of this species \\ as not available. This resulted in the increased use of anchovies for pet food. Thus, the anchovy to- day is the primary species used in the bait and chum fisheries of the State, in the export market of "sardine style" packs, and supplies an important part of the fishes used in pet food. Rapid development of the anchovy fishery is shown clearly in the catch figures. Since 1945, the year before canning of anchovies was started, the catch has in- creased from about two million pounds to about 100 million (including both commercial and live bait) in 195.3. Total catch figures prior to 1948 do not include estimates of the poundage of anchovies taken for live bait purposes. Since 1948 in some years the take of anchovies for live bait has been more than the take for commercial purposes. Efficient Methods With the development of the anchovy fishery there has developed revolutionary and highly eflicient meth- ods of capture and processing. The anchovy is a deli- cate!>- textured fish and care must be taken to make the pack presentable and to meet the stiff case pack re- quirements put into effect in 1948 by the then Division of Fish and Game. A new stj'le lampara net called the Porter seine (named after one of the principal inventors of the net) was developed in order to more efficiently work in the daytime in cooperation with aerial observers ^\■ho di- rect the actions of the boat in catching the fish. This method of "airplane fishing" has been developed to its highest efficiency in the Port Hueneme-Santa Barbara area of Southern California, where the bulk of the high catch of 1953 was made. The now limited amount of anchovy fishing in Central California .still is being con- ducted by the boats using purse seines and Monterey- style lampara nets. Fishing in this area still is carried on at night, for daytime airplane fishing is impractical in the Central California area due to frequent periods of foggy weather. Possibility of a future stable market for anchovy products is good if the stocks of anchovies hold up under the present fishing pressure. Investigations of the department are aimed at ob- taining facts on which management of the species can be based, and to inform the people of conditions in this important fishery. These investigations already have shown that the anchovy, a valuable forage fish, should be kept at high levels of abundance to provide feed for larger fish and bait for commercial and sports fish- ing. PACIFIC MACKEREL While the attention of the Pacific Coast fishing in- dustry focused on the spectacular failure of the Cali- fornia sardine, a similar decline in the Pacific mackerel fishery, although not unnoticed, failed to cause any great alarm. In spite of increased fishing intensity, the catch of Pacific mackerel in the 1952-53 season dropped to the lowest total in 20 seasons. Continued heavy fishing pressure during the 1953-54 season resulted in only one-third of the poor catch of the previous season and a new record low during 26 seasons. Not since 1928, when the Pacific mackerel first became prominent as a cannery species, had the yield from California waters been less than 10,000,000 pounds. A successful fishing season becomes more and more dependent upon incoming year classes. This is vividly illustrated by the fact that for five seasons, 1948-49 through 1952-53, two year classes (1947 and 1948) alone contributed more than 75 percent of the fish caught. During two of these seasons these two year classes made up more than 90 percent and during two others over 85 percent of the total catch. By the 1953- 54 season these year classes had been almost completely exhausted (contributing but 5 percent). They were replaced in importance by the mackerel hatched in 1953, which before they were one year of age had yielded over 80 percent of the season's catch. Shift Is Reflected This shift in percentage from old to young fish is especially reflected in the poundage yield. During both the 1952-53 and 1953-54 seasons nearly an identical number of fish were taken (14,200,000 and 14,800,- 000). However, in 1952-53 the fish five and six years of age (85 percent in numbers) made up 89 percent of the total poundage. On the other hand the 1953 year class which made up 82 percent of the 14,800,000 Pacific mackerel caught during 1953-54 actually com- prised but 57 percent of the 7.6 million pounds. Routine sampling of the commercial catch con- tinued whenever fish were available, and from this sampling much of the basic information for the numerous biological studies is acquired. The department recommended a management plan for mackerel along with sardines to the 1953 Legis- lature, but it did not receive favorable consideration. FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 67 NEW CLAM FISHERY Possibility of a new clam fishery in Morro Bay has developed as a result of the 1953 transplanting of Japanese littleneck clams from San Francisco Bay to Southern California waters. Because of harbor dredg- ing as well as clam digging, the various species of littleneck clams became quite scarce in Southern Cali- fornia bays, and the department planted 6,000 of the Japanese littlenecks, 4,000 at Morro Bay and the re- mainder at Newport Harbor. At least half of those planted at Morro Bay lived and showed remarkable growth during their first year. From all appearances these should spawn during 1954, and if successful there may soon be a new fisher\' where none existed before. Clams planted in Newport Harbor were placed in deeper water and no observa- tions on their progress have been possible. Pismo clam censuses conducted at Pismo Beach and Morro Bay during 1951 and 1952 indicated a continu- ing shortage of young clams at both locations, appar- ently the result of very poor sets during the past several seasons. However, the number of legal clams in closed areas or clam sanctuaries has increased con- siderably each year, showing that short-term closures do assist materially in building up a supply of legal- sized clams. Information of the 1952 and 1953 cen- suses was published in April of 1953. Clam Mortality Investigated Department biologists investigated reports of an alleged set of Pismo clams in Morro Bay, the young of which were supposedly dying. People of the area were considering transplanting them to a more favor- able habitat, a project involving tremendous expense. Department biologists determined that the "baby Pismo" clams were not Pismo clams at all, but a variety having no common name, and which never attains a size greater than a quarter of an inch, and which never lives more than one year. During the fall and winter of 1953-1954 the labora- tory was asked to identify a species of clams which was blocking irrigation pipelines in the Imperial and Coachella Valleys, and was incurring considerable ex- pense to farmers. This was found to be the same species of fresh water clam, Corbicida flmnhiea, which had become established in the Sacramento-San Joaquin drainage within the past decade. An oriental species, its introduction into California can only be surmised. Its spread is best attributable to the army of small boat-owning fishermen and hunters traveling from one river system to another with bait buckets and bailing cans unknowingly filled with the microscopic larvae of this prolific clam. THE ABALONE FISHERY Although the commercial abalone catch dropped slightly from the previous biennium it still remained above 4.7 million pounds. Among the highlights of the period was the emergence of developments in the div- ing field, both with conventional gear and with the aqua-lung. These developments played an important part both in the commercial catch and in investigations being conducted by the Branch of Marine Fisheries. In Southern California, where the industry is con- centrated in the Channel Islands, some of the commer- cial divers were forced to descend well over 100 feet to reach abalones of sufficient size and abundance. An interesting development as a result of this deep diving has been the appearance of a new species of abalone in the catches. So uncommon is this abalone that it has not been definitely classified. The abalone investigation has continued operations during the biennium with the major area of effort con- centrated along the north coast. Since the greatest single problem is to determine how the population of abalones in the intertidal zone is replenished, principal efforts have been directed along this line. The tagging program, which was an attempt to approach this prob- lem, is being continued. Survey North Coast A setback suffered by the investigation was the loss of the mother ship, Broadhlll. This vessel sank during a storm while tied to the dock. She was refloated but had suffered considerable damage, and will be replaced with a larger and more seaworthy vessel. The depart- ment has purchased the Nmitihis, a former 50-foot northern drag fishing boat which is being modified for adaption to the needs of marine research. When The diving boat Mollusk, used in the department's abalone investiga- lioni. Bottles in foreground are used to re-KII aqua-lung tanks. A young market crab, H of on mch in width. At this stage the young crabs are an important segment of the crab investigations. this vessel is placed in commission, it \\ill then be pos- sible to continue the survey of the north coast in an effort to evaluate the potential abalone resources of the area. In an attempt to assess the take of abalones by sportsmen, a check system was set up whereby an actual count is made of the number of sportsmen fish- ing for abalones at a representative locality during periods of low tides. Since abalones inhabit the rocky shores from the zone of high tide out to well over 200 feet, it is neces- sary that the research team be qualified to dive. In addition to the regular commercial type diving gear, members qualified for the first time during the bien- nium in use of the aqua-lung, having attended the U. S. Navy's Diving School at the San Francisco Naval shipyard where they received instruction in the use of equipment used by the Navy's "Frogmen." The frog-man type of equipment is especially valuable in making exploratory- dives and underwater surveys. Since the diver does not have to clamber up and over rugged terrain, he can swim above such obstructions and observe a wider field than the diver using con- ventional gear. However, for tagging and several other phases of the work, the use of commercial suit and equipment has been found to be more desirable. Although sufficient evidence for conclusive proof was una\ailable at the close of the biennium, several general statements can be made concerning the find- ings of the investigation. Along the north coast where activities have been conducted, the total population of abalones has been found to be less than was at first suspected. In addi- tion, the greater number of these abalones are of small size (i.e., less than 7% inches). There are locations in which the general size appears to be larger than this, but these are not common. Preliminary investigations on the quality of the meat have been made and it has been found that the majority of abalones obtained by diving have a dark meat. The ocean bottom along this area presents a rough and rugged terrain, dominated by huge boulders, chasms, and rugged, rocky cliffs. Especially disconcerting has been the scarcity of weather suitable for diving. An average of perhaps three to four diving days per month during spring and summer was typical. MARKET CRABS Landings of market crabs, while subjected to a con- siderable increase in fishing pressure for the past sev- eral years, showed an abrupt drop from the high of 13,000,000 pounds in 1952, but still well above the 30- year average ending in 1945. In the San Francisco area the market crab fishery showed annual landings of 4,000,000 pounds for the past five years while the Eureka area brought in double the poundage of the Central California fishery. The drop from the 1952 high to. about 8,000,000 pounds in 1953 was due to a decrease in the north coast landings as shown in the graph (Table 51, Ap- pendix). Since a rather complete harvesting of avail- able legal size crabs occurs each year, the drop may be due t' a poor year class. It is also possible that this mav be an indication that the fishery of Northern California will level off at considerably lower annual landings than the high peaks of recent years. Intensive fishing with crab traps is accomplishing an intensive harvesting of the available marketable crabs during the first few months of the crabbing season. At San Francisco 83 percent of the crabs landed in the 1952-53 nine-month season were brought in during the first three months of the season. The trend is the same in Eureka where from 50 to 60 percent of a total season's landings is accomplished in the first third of the season, compared to about 35 percent as recently as during the 1948-49 season. Specially designed crab traps with circular escape openings are being demonstrated by the department to show the value of improved gear in allowing rapid escapement of undersized crabs while the trap is ac- tively fishing on the ocean floor. Study of the early life history of the market crabs in California waters was carried on to obtain data on the populations of crabs less than one year of age, since this supply of young will eventually replace the size groups thoroughly harvested by the crab fishing fleet. It is anticipated that the modem research vessel, the Nautilus, using specially designed gear, will make possible investigations of the crab fishery long desired but not heretofore possible. OYSTER PROGRAM Unique in its outlook, the department's California oyster program is not confronted with over-exploita- tion of a resource, but in fostering establishment and growth of a valuable fishery in areas formerly non- productive. With a firm oyster policy and with new regulations adopted in 1954 by the Fish and Game Commission to encourage full utilization of natural conditions, indications point to greater production and possible re-establishment of oyster culture in Cali- fornia waters. California oyster industry' is aimed primarily toward production of the Pacific giant oyster, which has yielded far less during the postwar years than before hostilities. Importation of seed from japan was cut ofT and the landings decreased accordingly. Expected in- crease in oystering activity after the war failed to materialize, because large acreages of oyster land \\ ere being held and not planted, although sefed was then available. During the past biennium the more progres- sive oystermen have become active, augmented b\- new additions to the field. Since 1952 the importation of larger shipments of oyster seed from Japan has resulted in the enlargement of oystering areas within California bays. Morro Bay operators have taken the lead in progressive ovster cul- ture by the introduction of methods \ielding greater landings per unit of area. The most modern and effi- cient oyster handling plant in California now is located there. Many Young Oysters Oystering activity in Marin County has recently led to the construction of several small oyster houses to handle harvests from increased plantings. In Humboldt County test plantings by oy.stermen have shown such rapid growth that very complete allocation of available oyster lands has resulted. There are now young oys- ters in California waters in sufficient abundance to bring Pacific o\ster production \\ ell toward the degree of opulence enjoyed during 1938-1941. Consumer demand for oysters in San Francisco and Los Angeles represents the greatest in the West. These demands are far from being met and a still greater market is appearing for canned oyster meats and oyster stew, leading to production attempts on all potential oyster lands. Experimental plantings have yielded Pacific oysters of marketable size within 1 1 months, a size normally attained in three to four years in Japan. A variety of oysters from Southern Japan was planted in several Central California bays and the Salton Sea. This par- ticular oyster, which produces a small meat suitable for the cocktail market, grew very well and produced marketable oysters 18 months after planting in the marine waters of bays and the Imperial Valley as well. Increased importations of Pacific oyster seed from Japan and of full-grown eastern oysters from New York have increased the possibility of infestations of oyster drilling snails. Loss of oysters attributed to oys- ter drills in other states amounts to millions of dollars each year. California law requires the inspection of all shellfish destined for planting in waters of the State. It was necessary to condemn 500 cases of Pacific oys- ter seed imported during the 1952-1953 season because of the presence of drills in the shipment. BOTTOM FISHERIES Trawl The otter trawl fishery, leading producing unit in Northern California, has registered new highs in bot- tom fish production during the last biennium. Trawl landings have risen to over 30,000,000 pounds of fish per \'ear in spite of stiff competition from low-priced foreign imports of fresh and frozen fillets. This in- creased trawl production, Hearing the ultimate poten- tial of the fishery, makes imperative adoption of addi- tional constructive conservation measures to insure its future existence. In the Northern California area 40 to 60 trawlers have fished each month, and in the Central California area the number fishing each month has increased from about 8 to 18. In the Central California area bottom fishing is undergoing a change from the historic long- line type of fishing gear to the use of the more efficient otter trawl. Dover sole again leads in total poundage landed, with English sole and petrale sole following in im- portance. ^ For many years several species of rockfish, hake, skates, and rays were little utilized due to low market demand. This nonutilization has long been a problem in the trawl fishery, but it is being partially solved by the use of several of these species in mink food, cat and dog food, and the use of skates, rays, ratfish, and fillet offal in a new liquid fertilizer product. Several species of rockfish are now being used in a new fried, frozen fishstick product that has received nation-wide acceptance. With the development of these new mar- kets and products, the practice of selective utilization is being reduced in this important segment of our State's marine resource. Conservation Method One of the most practical methods of conservation in the trawl fisheries is to allow the escape of under- sized and immature flatfish from the otter trawl net An oyster bed recently established in Morro Bay. »v ■ »*• t. .*^ *■- •" ^%.- Jrv' 4.1 *i 70 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME while it is operating on the bottom. Various mesh sizes were checked for escapement of small flatfish during extensive mesh-testing experiments aboard the survey vessel, .V. B. Scoficld, in the fall of 1952, off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. As a result of these experiments the Pacific Marine Fish- eries Commission recommended that a 4/4 -inch mini- mum mesh regulation for otter trawl nets be adopted by the three Pacific Coast states. The recommendation presented problems when ap- plied to certain types of specialized trawl netting, such as "hog ring cod-ends" and "double cod-ends." The practice of stapling together strips of manila line with metal hog ring clips to form webbing is a recent innovation in California. The webbing is used in the making of the cod-end or rear portion of the trawl net— therefore the term "hog ring cod-end." Double cod-ends are composed of two walls of web- bing, making it essentially a cod-end within a cod-end, instead of the usual one wall of mesh webbing cod- end. Both types gf webbing give greater strength and wear resistance, but due to their additional bulk and reduced flexibility, the size of the fish retained by the gear is smaller than that retained by the conventional single mesh cotton web cod-end. These additional problems warranted joint action by the States of California, Oregon, and Washington through the auspices of the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission, and steps were undertaken to solve them. Net Mesh Experiments The survey vessel, N. B. Scofield, completed exten- sive mesh-testing experiments during the spring of 1954 during which time a comparison was made in size of fish retained between conventional single cotton web cod-end and the hog ring and double cod-end. Results of these tests are being analyzed and will be t ! X k -^^ r I used as the basis for future regulations to protect im- mature fish. Extensive experimental commercial fishing gear de- velopment work has been conducted by the bottom fisheries staff during 1953. Development was begun on a new mid-water trawl and preliminary tests on this gear were made in 1953. This gear, which is similar to an otter trawl, opens fishing in the mid-depths of the ocean, an area heretofore not extensively fished. The study of trawler boat logs was continued to en- able the bottom fishery staff to follow the changing trends in species caught, location of fishing areas, and the poundages landed. This information will aid in the adoption of constructive trawl fishery legislation. NEW SHRIMP FISHERY A new commercial shrimp fishery for California has been established since the 1950-1952 biennium. This new fishery is the result of exploratory work by the survey vessel, N. B. Scofield, in 1950, 1951, and 1953, during which time the quantity and extent of the shrimp beds off the California Coast were mapped. Shrimp beds were found off Pt. Buchon, Bodega Bay^ Shelter Cove, and Pt. St. George in 1950 and 1951. In 1953 additional exploratory work revealed a southern extension of the Pt. Buchon bed, and small beds of shrimp were located off Gaviota and Santa Monica. The first year of commercial ocean shrimp fishing (1952) saw 206,000 pounds landed in California, of which 198,000 pounds were caught off Pt. Buchon and processed at Morro Bay. Processing the product to its final cooked and peeled form provided employment for as many as 65 people in this area. Catches at Bodega Bay and Crescent City were only about 3,500 pounds each, due to extensive problems in fishing techniques. The 1953 ocean shrimp catch increased to 295,000 pounds. Morro Bay landings were 199,000; Bodega Bay, 51,000; and Crescent City, 45,000 pounds. Many of the fishing and processing problems had been solved, and the central and northern areas whose po- tentials are by far the greatest were showing signs of extensive production possibilities. The 1954 season opening on May 1st saw fishing activity on the beds off Morro Bay, Bodega Bay, and Crescent City. The total catch of shrimp to June 30, 1954, was 106,000 pounds, with shrimp production abnormally low at Morro Bay, good at Bodega Bay, and the majority of the State's 1954 production landed at Crescent City. THE SALTON SEA The Salton Sea, California's largest inland body of water, long has been considered a potential fisherman's paradise, but sporadic fish plantings beginning in 1929 A beam trawt net, used in the bottom fishery loaded with shrimp^ FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 71 never have been really successful, and until recently no coordinated program of study to determine the po- tential has been made. However, in 1953 the Wildlife Conservation Board authorized $86,000 for a three-year study, known as the Salton Sea Project. The study was placed under a service agreement with the University of California at Los Angeles in February, 1954. Active work began at Fish Springs late in Alarch after necessary personnel was hired and basic equipment obtained. To date re- search people feel that the sea must be considered only a temporary habitat for fishes, but believe it will be productive for at least 30 years. Situated in the Imperial Valley in Imperial and Riv- erside Counties, the sea is 235 feet below mean sea level with a surface area of some 280 square miles. Its aver- age depth is 10 feet with some spots more than 50 feet. Its salinity, which varies according to depth, currently is somew hat below that of normal sea water. Surface temperature varies from around 50 degrees in the win- ter to about 100 degrees in the summer. Sporadic Plantings First fish plantings (striped bass, silver salmon and mudsuckers) \\ere made by the Division of Fish and Game between October 20, 1929, and late in 1934. Mudsuckers which now abound in the marginal areas of the sea are presumed to have resulted from a No- vember, 1930, planting of 500 individuals. Nothing has ever been seen or heard of the striped bass and silver salmon. Not until 1948 was fish introduction again attempted and not until 1950 were these efforts any- thing but sporadic. Between 1950 and 1953 one kind of squid, four kinds of clams, three of mussels, two of oysters, one of shrimp, and one of crab were intro- duced from California, Japan, and Mexico in attempts to increase the food available to fish life. Of these forms two of the four species of clams, both species of oysters and the crab have survived from one to sev- eral years. Mangrove seeds brought from Magdalcna Bay, Baja California, in an attempt to modify the ecolog\- of Sal- ton Sea did not survive. Of numerous fish species introduced during this pe- riod two from the Gulf of California (a croaker and a corvina) are known to have survived and spawned, and the resultant offspring to have survived and spawned. SURF FISHING INVESTIGATIONS Continued investigation of the surf fishing off South- ern California, to determine information needed for proper management of the major species, was carried out as Dingell-Johnson Project F-5-R. Work consists of studies on age and rate of growth, maturity and fecundity, and food analysis. Some tagging has been done and more is planned to determine movements and migrations. Recently underwater observation has con- . tributed substantially to a better understanding of the ecology and habits of the species, and of the design and operation of beach seines. Investigations are concerned with four species, all of which have been designated by law for sport fishing. In order of importance by numbers caught, they are the barred perch, spotfin croaker, California corbina, and yellowfin croaker. (North of Point Arguello the barred perch may be taken commercially.) Statistics based on information supplied by surf fishermen in the form of daily catch records show that the barred perch makes up 78.5 percent of the catch. The other three are taken in the following percent- ages: spotfin croaker, 9.5; corbina 9.0; and yellowfin croaker 3.0 percent. Other species of surf fish taken in order of their importance are white croaker, opaleye, pile perch, and blactc perch. Several kinds of shark also are taken incidentally. Some Tagging Done Biological material for the studies is supplied by beach seining monthly throughout the year at six sta- tions from the Santa Barbara area to San Diego. Some tagging has also been done and more is planned for the future in order that movements and migrations can be learned. Returns to date indicate that two of the croakers, the spotfin and yellowfin, move as much as 45 miles in three months. The other two species, cor- bina and barred perch, have shown only minor move- ments no greater than two miles, recoveries being usually at the point of tagging. Data taken routinely by beach seining have been supplemented at several perch derbies held by sports- men during the last two years. Maturity and fecundity studies of the egg-bearing croakers must be done by microscopic egg measure- ment and by egg counts. Information about food habits is being learned from microscopic examination of stomach contents. Age work is progressing on three of the four species. The barred perch, because of its importance, is taking priority. Yellowtail Investigations More than 3,000 yellowtail were tagged during the past two years to make a good start toward obtaining the life history knowledge necessary for sound man- agement of the fishery. A boat catch analysis of the commercial yellowtail fishery has been difficult be- cause of the economic uncertainty of the fishery. Boats landing these fish usually are after the more valued species and take yellowtail only when the others can- not be readily found. Data for life history studies have been obtained from cannery sampling whenever possible. Among the ques- tions which need to be answered are whether the fish- Typical gear used tor sablefish by commercial fishermen off the north coast. Fisherman is baiting a long-line set. The department conducted tagging operations from this and similar boats. ery is dependent on resident fish or whether they move from areas of abundance to the heavily fished Cali- fornia grounds, where spawning and nursery grounds are located, and relationship of oceanic conditions to abundance. Current yellowtail investigations have been desig- nated as Dingell-Johnson Project F-l-R, one of the few D-J projects in the Nation devoted to the better- ment of an ocean fishery and certainly one of the most extensive. The yellowtail, as well as being a commer- cial fish, is one of the most prized ocean sport fish and sportsmen travel hundreds of miles in its pursuit. Once plentiful along the entire Southern California coast, it now is seldom taken except in the San Diego area. Other phases of the program include development of marking devices, study of movements and measure- ments for descriptive purposes, as well as population studies. Sablefish Sablefish form the basis of a minor but steady fishery along the Pacific Coast, primarily because of the popu- larity of the product in a smoked form. Since 1946 the average annual Pacific Coast landings have been 10,- 000,000 pounds, with California accounting for about 2,000,000 pounds annually. The fishery is exploited by both longline and otter trawl fishermen. An investigation of the sablefish resources along the Pacific Coast was started during the previous bien- nium, upon recommendation of the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission. Joint studies have been con- ducted along the coast by trained biologists in Califor- nia, Oregon, Washington, Canada (British Columbia) and Alaska. Most phases of this investigation were completed during this biennium and the results are to be included in Bulletin No. 3 of the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission. Some of the results of this investigation in which California participated are as follows: Results of fish tag recoveries are in agreement with the results of the racial study based on meristic counts —namely, that the greatest proportion of tag returns were from fish that were taken in the same general localities where they had been released. Studies of the abundance of this species, by analysis of fishing returns, indicate that the catch-per-trip appears to have remained constant since 1941 in California. Furthermore, the fluctuations in seasonal catches are quite closely correlated with economic factors. Inasmuch as the greatest portion of the catch along the Pacific Coast is placed in cold storage for future smoking, abnormally large cold storage hold- ings at the start of a year are associated with relatively low catches in the ensuing year, and vice versa. In addition, considerable life history information was obtained during the course of this investigation, such as spawning season and size at maturity, growth rates, length-weight relationships, and relationship be- tween size of fish and depth of water. To discourage the landing of small, immature fish, a minimum size of 25 inches total length or three pounds dressed, head off, was recommended as a regu- lation for the Pacific Coast, north of Pt. Arena, Cali- fornia. RESEARCH VESSELS A^. B. Scofleld: Cruising Pacific waters from oflF Guayaquil, Ecuador, at three degrees south latitude, to Neah Bay, Washington, at 46 degrees N., the de- partment's research vessel N . B. Scofield covered dis- tances of 2,200 miles south of its home port, 700 miles north, and about the same distance west in a varied and versatile two-year program. No more graphic il- lustration can be presented of the far flung nature of marine fish populations, and the vast biological re- search necessary to administer these fisheries. During the biennium the Scofield and her crew spent 389 days at sea, with tuna research of various types receiving the most attention. Varied work done by this vessel is equally indicative of how versatile marine research vessels and marine biologists must be. In southern and off-shore waters the Scofield operated longline gear to search deeper water layers for populations of yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna and albacore. This experimental fishing made contributions toward delimiting the distribution of these species and aided fishermen in assessing use of longline gear in the eastern Pacific. Physical and chem- ical oceanographic data were also collected. On other cruises in Mexican and California waters albacore, yel- lowfin tuna and skipjack were tagged. Yellowtail Tagging One trip was made to the Southern California Chan- nel Islands where kelp bass, caught at San Clemente Island, were tagged and released off Santa Catalina Island, a part of the ocean sport fishery studies. The yellowtail program was aided by two trips along the coast of Baja California where yellowtail were caught, FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 73 tagged and released. On one of these cruises mangrove seeds were brought back and planted in Salton Sea, one phase of the plan for developing a sport fishery in this inland body of salt water. Two cruises in Central California waters resulted in the development of a mid-depth trawl that can be operated from a single vessel. Shrimp populations in the area were also assessed and this fishery given addi- tional stimulus. One other trip made in connection with the trawl studies extended to the coastal waters of Washington and comprised assessments of bottom fish populations off Central and Northern California and Oregon and Washington. Yelloivfiv: Although the work of the Yelloivfin was not as varied as that of the N. B. ScofieUi, this vessel kept equally busy, spending 373 days at sea during the biennium. In the fall of 1952 she made four cruises along the coast of Baja California waters and three in the fall of 1953. On these trips, covering the area be- tween Magdalena Bay, latitude 25 degrees N. and Pt. Reyes, latitude 38 degrees N., a census was taken of the abundance of sardines. Pacific and jack mackerel and anchovies, and of the relative numbers of the year class of sardines resulting from the previous spring spawning, when these fish were about six months old. One of the outstanding accomplishments resulting from the work aboard the Yelloivfin has been the de- velopment in the past year of a blanket net for the rapid and efficient collection of fish samples. This net and its successful operation resulted from the ingenu- ity and industry of the vessel crew and illustrates the importance of the contributions that every member of the staff makes to the department's marine research programs. Marine Research Cruises In addition to the census of fish populations carried out by the Yelloivfin, she made three oceanographic cruises in Southern and Baja California waters collect- ing plankton samples and physical and chemical ocean- ographic data, a part of the cooperative investigations being carried out under the direction of the Marine Research Committee. Five cruises were made in South- ern and Baja California waters during the spring and early summer to study abundance of sardines, jack and Pacific mackerel and anchovies. Two trips were made around the Southern California Channel Islands to determine the condition of abalones in these \\aters. Nautilus: Added to the department's research fleet during the biennium was the Nautilus, formerly the Sportfisher II, a standard northern drag boat, to serve as a mother ship for the abalone investigations. The new vessel, purchased in June, 1953, will serve as a base to dry and thaw out divers, for tagging and meas- uring abalones, and as a supply depot. It will be able to work in areas impossible for the 26-foot diving boat Mollusk, and will be available for many other investi- gations when not being used in abalone work. Additional gear is being installed on the vessel to broaden its scope and usefulness. Among the installa- tions are radar, enabling crews to take the boat close to shore in bad weather; a sonar "Sea Scanar" show- ing size and depth of underwater obstructions, and schools of fish within 1,600 feet; radio equipment; an anchor winch; and crew facilities. It already is equipped with Loran, a Bendix recording depth finder and two drag winches. The Nautilus will be based at Redwood City, clos- est harbor to the Marine Fisheries Branch office at Stanford University. Storage located there consoli- dates equipment formerly kept at four scattered loca- tions. FISH SCREENS AND LADDERS A coordinated fish screen and ladder program, im- proved in some respects through reorganization and decentralization of the department, resulted in several far-reaching developments. These include new types of screens, devices to prevent trash accumulation, and improvement and remodeling of ladders. Added effi- ciency through decentralization of repair facilities was another major accomplishment. Assistance from the Dingell-Johnson Federal Aid Project F-4-D, on stream and lake improvement, came in the form of repair and remodeling of several existing fish\\ays on coastal waters. Under regional organization a new machine shop was established in Red Bluff. Besides servicing screens in Trinity County, the new shop maintained screens and ladders in the southern part of Region I, formerly handled by the Elk Grove shop. This eliminated much travel time for employees of the latter shop in servic- ing distant screens. The Yreka shop continued to han- dle screen and ladder construction and maintenance in the northern portion of the region. Transferred to Region II from Marine Fisheries in 1953, the Elk Grove shop has been engaged in devel- oping and testing new types of screens as well as in prefabricating conventional perforated plate models. Newly designed fish screen for dfversjons, showing automatic gate in open position. The gate prevents loss of head in canal when debris has accumulated on screen. 74 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME A h\draulic drive mechanism for i', built at the Elk Grove shop, was tested at a water diversion on Deer Creek in Tehama County. This installation consisted of a series of vertical baffles placed diagonally across a channel with a bypass open- ing at the downstream end of the structure. Fish re- sist the change in water velocity through the openings between the baffles or louvers and are carried along the line of louvers into a bypass. While young salmon and yearling steelhead trout were successfully deflected by this device, trash grad- ually accumulated on the vanes, causing considerable head loss in the canal. It is believed that the debris problem can be solved either by using wider spacing between the individual louvers to allow trash to drift through the screen or by developing a cleaning device for intermittent operation when the head loss at the screen reaches a predetermined point. SEISMIC EXPLORATIONS Department of Fish and Game personnel continued to act as observers on all offshore seismic oil explora- tions conducted by use of explosives, and to report all observed damage of marine life. Each seismic ex- ploration crew is accompanied at all times by an offi- cial representative of the department, whose principal duty is to observe the operation and take whatever steps are necessary to keep damage to marine life to an absolute minimum. Oil companies holding seismic permits from the Fish and Game Commission must de- fray costs of the department observers. From July 1, 1952, until June 30, 1953, there was but a single oil survey crew working in California's coastal waters. During this period the crew detonated 1,414,790 pounds of black powder with an observed kill of 614 fish representing about a dozen species. During the second half of the biennium, July 1, 1953, to June 30, 1954, one seismic crew operated the entire time, a second operated from July 28 to A'lay 31, a third from December 2 through A4ay 31, and a fourth from January 6 through May 20. These four crews set off a total of 4,533,080 pounds of black powder with an observed kill of 2,057 fish. In addition a fifth crew, in the spring of 1954, carried out some experi- mental work under special permit from the Fish and Game Commission. In addition to seismic permits which allow the use of black powder only, several permits were granted various construction companies for use of high explo- sives to remove pier structures, build sewer outfalls and control teredos. Few of these operations lasted more than two or three days but a department em- ployee was on the spot to observe and oversee the operation and report all observed damage to marine life. Crob traps being set from a fypical crab boat off cenfral California. PACIFIC MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION Continued strides in promoting better use of fish- eries which are of mutual concern to California, Ore- gon, and Washington, and in development of a joint conservation program were made by the Pacific Ma- rine Fisheries Commission during the past biennium. Formed in 1947 as a result of an interstate compact between the three states, the commission concentrates on coordinating the research activities of fisheries in- vestigating agencies connected with the commission's staff. All general and staff meetings are attended by re- search staff members from Canada, Alaska, and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Whenever possible these men have attempted to coordinate their own programs with those of the member states. A research coordinator employed by the commis- sion devotes much of his time to help research agencies avoid duplication, eliminate gaps in the work, and de- velop joint programs to find answers which can be applied along the entire Pacific Coast from California north. Cooperative Tagging One such program was the troll salmon investigation, a cooperative tagging program involving thousands of ocean salmon entered by all three states, Canada, and Alaska. Later the three states marked millions of young king and silver salmon in the streams, and the ocean salmon catch was sampled from California to Alaska. Although the tagging program has been concluded there will be marked fish at sea until 1956. Results so far obtained have conclusively shown that king and silver salmon move such distances at sea that a disaster in the salmon streams of one state can affect the ocean fishery far beyond its borders. For example, the mark returns have indicated that in some years there may be more Sacramento River salmon taken in Oregon and Washington combined than in the Califor- nia ocean fishery. Prior to 1952 the commission's investigations, meet- ings, discussions, and recommendations had resulted in troll salmon laws which were essentially the same in the three states. A further change in the silver salmon laws was then recommended and was passed by the California Legislature, to become effective as soon as Oregon and Washington make a similar change in their laws. A portion of the law recommended by the commission would delay opening of the silver salmon season in California from May 1st to July 1st. The commission did not regard any size limit as nec- essary, but instead of eliminating the size limit entirely, the Legislature reduced it to 22 inches. Almost 100 percent of silver salmon taken are in their third year. , In May most of that year's crop measures under 25 Catching yellowtait for tagging purposes off Guadalupe Island. inches, but by July almost 90 percent are over that length. Thus the 22-inch limit serves to protect second- year fish \\hich are actuallx- much smaller than 22 inches. A sablefish investigation started by the commission has included racial studies, tagging, and boat catch analysis. This work has demonstrated that sablefish wander relatively little and that California's stocks are in reasonably good condition. The commission was instrumental in obtaining SIO,- 000 for pollution studies by the U. S. Public Health Service. An additional $20,000 from the State of Wash- ington went into this work which was conducted at Washington's Bowman's Bay Laboratory, and which has been aimed at finding the effect of paper mill waste on young salmon. One interesting discovery has been that many of the food organisms utilized by young salmon are killed at lower concentrations of sulfite waste than are the salmon themselves. Research on albacore is being conducted by the three states and by some additional organizations on the Pacific Coast. In October, 1953, the Fourth Pacific Tuna Conference requested that the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission assume coordination of this work and this responsibility was accepted at the December, 1953, meeting. 76 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME STATISTICAL UNIT Installations and procedures of the Marine Fisheries statistical unit \\ere modified during the biennium to complete more efficiently the task of gathering, compi- lation and publication of California fishery statistics. Among the modifications have been remodeling the building at Terminal Island, departmentalizing the or- ganization, basic reports revised to increase their util- it^•, license and application forms redesigned, trawl sta- tistics for war >ears compiled and made available, ma- rine sports catch records retabulated, and the striped bass catch logs have been tabulated. The staff issued five publications during the bien- nium. Of these, two are statistical circulars and three are catch bulletins. Statistical Circulars Nos. 27 and 28 present the annual statistics of fresh and canned fishery products for the years 1952 and 1953 respectively. Cir- cular 28 contains revised tables of sardine landings and production and a table showing the annual case pack of anchovy. These tables reflect the decline in impor- tance of the sardine and the steadily increasing an- chovy fishery which has risen from twenty-second position among the more important commercial species in 1945 to third position in 1953. Fish Bulletins Nos. 86, 89 and 95 present the complete commercial fish catch for the years 1950, 1951 and 1952 respectively. In addition, Bulletin No. 86 contains a historical record and a complete description of current methods used in collecting and compiling fisheries statistics. MARINE RESEARCH COMMIHEE Investigative work of the Marine Research Commit- tee continued throughout the biennium, although ham- pered by lack of funds as a result of failure of the sar- dine industry. The committee, consisting of nine mem- bers representing the fishing industry. Department of Fish and Game, and representative of the public, ad- ministers funds from a special tax on processed sardine, mackerel, anchovy, herring and squid. It coordinates the work of five agencies, including the California Academy of Sciences, California Department of Fish and Game, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Hop- kins A4arine Station, and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Need lor access (o oceon fishing along the shoreline is demonsfraled by this crowded pub/ic pier in southern Caliiornia. Public access for rock and surf fishing is one of the major points of the department's ten-year program. APPENDICES %'^ FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 79 TABLE 1 FISH AND GAME PRESERVATION FUND SUMMARY OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND SURPLUS Total state revenue — all sources Total expenditures Sub-division of expenditures: Salaries and wages Number of positions: Support Filled Gross authorized Federal aid Filled Gross authorized Operating expense Equipment Less reimbursements _ 1952-53 Fiscal Year 36,282,445 6,589,227 3,277,204 (743.9) (829.7) (97.0) (97.0) 2,253,990 372,520 —122,143 1953-54 Fiscal Year 36,775,886 6,976,929 3,625,210 (769.2) (829.2) (112.0) (112.0) 2,338,885 262,843 —193,141 Sub-division of expenditures — Continued State Employees' Retirement Pittman-Robertson — (state funds) Dingell-Johnson — (state funds) Board of control claims Capital outlay Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission A^arine Research Committee Prior year adjustments to surplus Accumulated surplus — June 30 Operating deficit (includes prior year adjust ments) 1952-53 F'iscal Year 3317,244 183,853 23,077 7,758 124,063 15,100 136,561 -1-46,134 5,524,206 260,648 1953-54 Fiscal Year 3359,916 203,381 36,617 106 251,062 16,500 75,550 +48,380 5,371,543 152,663 TABLE 2 FISH AND GAME PRESERVATION FUND STATEMENT OF REVENUE Department of Fish and Game, License Sales Angling Archery — deer tags _ _ Commercial hunting club Commercial hunting club operator Deer tags Fish breeder Fish importer Fish dealers and fish packers Fish canners and processors Fish tags Fishing party boat permit Boat registrations Salmon tags Game breeders Bird club license and tags Game tags Migratory game bird feeding Hunting Kelp harvesters Commercial fisherman Trapping . Guide licenses Deer meat permits Deer meat agents — wardens Waterfowl shooting permits Pheasant tags Special big game hunts 33, Totals, license sales. 1952-53 Fiscal Year ,475,822 2,595 700 250 374,419 1,345 50 2,855 33,776,546 3,316 850 310 375,407 1,830 20 1,635 10,818 955 336 6,820 3,911 1,959 ,701,849 30 115,870 908 9,108 1,362 21,277 205,016 14,053 35,952,308 1953-54 Fiscal Year 11,943 2,342 33,120 231 8,020 4,369 748 740 1,765,121 30 121,622 950 770 9,373 1,793 71,877 214,743 8,692 36,416,398 Less: Commissions retained by agents selling licenses Net revenue from license sales Court fines Taxes: Fish packers and fish dealers tax Salmon tax Kelp harvester tax Miscellaneous: Lease of kelp beds Confiscated fish Oil royalties Miscellaneous revenue Total Marine Research Committee, Taxes: Sardine Mackerel Anchovie Herring Squid Total, Marine Research Committee. Total, revenue excluding interest on investments Interest on investments Total revenue _ 1952-53 Fiscal Year -3288,269 36,282,445 1953-54 Fiscal Year -3308,287 35,664,039 36,108,111 146,650 141,909 176,889 40,672 5,145 209,875 41,088 7,668 4,297 7,196 3,082 29,106 4,384 12,935 2,930 37,631 36,077,076 36,566,531 5,816 77,913 44,788 1,264 77 4,262 20,551 28,897 1,217 3.385 3129,858 358,312 36,206,934 75,511 36,624,843 151,043 36,775,886 80 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 1952-53 FISCAL YEAR EXPENDITURES TABLE 3 FISH AND GAME PRESERVATION FUND 1953-54 FISCAL YEAR EXPENDITURES Wildlife Protection. Inland Fisheries Game Management. Federal aid: research and de- velopment Game Inland Fisheries _. Marine Fisheries Total — federal aid__ Marine Fisheries' Regional management Administrative services Staff management services. Fixed charges: General administrative charges Accident and death claims Automobile insurance Attorney general services.. Total fixed charges. Conservation Education... Commission Totals State 31,634,088 1,252,620 1,196,719 183,853 14,055 9,022 Federal aid ?206,930 870,685 334,737 516,905 271,681 92,027 28,617 22,479 6,000 3149,123 128,661 27,078 36,589,227 551,558 42,168 27,065 3620,791 3620,791 Total, state and federal 31,634,088 1,252,620 1,196,719 735,411 56,223 36,087 3827,721 870,685 334,737 516,905 271,681 92,027 28,617 22,479 6,000 3149,123 128,661 27,078 37,210,018 Includes Marine Research Committee Expenditures of 3136,561 and Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission of 315,100. TABLE 4 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD— WILDLIFE RESTORATION FUND 1952-53 FISCAL YEAR EXPENDITURES Support Salaries and wages.. Operating expenses. Equipment 320,250 14,539 293 Claim of Secretary, Board of Control Contribution to Retirement System.. Total. Capital outlay projects Fish hatchery and stocking projects Warm water and other fish projects.. Flow maintenance and stream im- provement projects Fish screen and ladder projects Game farm projects Upland game projects for quail habitat and pheasant development Waterfowl projects for acquisition and improvements of feeding and shoot- ing grounds - General projects of acquisition and construction 335,082 927 1,426 337,435 490,371 14,513 30,369 43,424 —492 530,063 1,155 Toul..._ 31,109,403 Total expenditures 31,146,838 Wildlife Protection. Inland Fisheries Game Management- Federal aid — research and de- velopment: Game Inland Fisheries Marine Fisheries Total — federal aid.. Marine Fisheries - Regional management Administrative services Staff management services. Fixed charges: General administrative charges Accident and death claims Automobile insurance Attorney general services Total fixed charges. Conservation Education Commission Totals State 31,773,941 1,381,389 1,132,888 203,381 26,403 10,214 3239,998 829,511 542,511 417,805 289,545 87,160 56,560 24,438 19,799 3187,957 151,309 30,075 Federal aid 3610,142 79,208 30,642 3719,992 36,976,929 3719,992 Total, state and federal 31,773,941 1,381,389 1,132,888 813,523 105,611 40,856 3959,990 829,511 542,511 417,805 289,545 87,160 56,560 24,438 19,799 3187,957 151,309 30,075 37,696,921 ^Includes Marine Research Committee Expenditures of 375,500 and Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission of 316,500. TABLE 5 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD-WILDLIFE RESTORATION FUND 1953-54 FISCAL YEAR EXPENDITURES Support Salaries and wages.. Operating expenses. Equipment 323,571 11,940 1,216 Contribution to Retirement System. Total Capital outlay projects Fish hatchery and stocking projects Warm water and other fish projects Flow maintenance and stream im- provement projects Fish screen and ladder projects Game farm projects Upland game projects for quail habitat and pheasant development - . Waterfowl projects for acquisition and improvements of feeding and shoot- ing grounds General projects of acquisition and con- struction 336,727 1,747 337,435 884,216 54,311 98,645 —6,630 24,220 713,935 1,300 Total 31,769,997 Total expenditures.. , 31,808,471 FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 81 TABLE 6 SUMMARY OF COSTS FOR 10 YEAR PROGRAM MARINE FISHERIES Estimated cost of recom- mended project Estimated annual operation and maintenance costs Marine fisheries ?7, 100,000 11,500,000 3,950,000 865 000 Inland fisheries. 795 000 Salmon and steelhead t urogram improvement-.. Subtotal for fisheries 822,550,000 20,000,000 15,000 Hunting opportunities 2,700,000 Economic survey Totals . . 842,565,000 84,256,500 83,560,000 •83,560,000 Average per year •This represents estimated annual cost of operating fully developed program. During period of development, the operating costs will be approximately half of the ultimate cost of operation. INLAND FISHERIES Estimated cost of recom- mended project Estimated annual operation and maintenance costs Warm water fishing 85,000,000 2,000,000 1,600,000 500,000 500,000 1,900,000 8^50 000 Public access Negligible ' 20,0(X) 25,000 Stream and lake improvement Coastal lagoons. Chemical treatment. _ _. ... Catchable trout 400,000 Totals 811,500,000 81,150,000 8795,000 *8795 000 Average per year *This represents estimated annual cost of operating fully developed program. During period of development, the operating costs will be approximately half of the ultimate cost of operation. HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES Waterfowl management areas Upland game habitat development Upland game cooperative hunting areas. Big game winter lands Right-of-way acquisition Operation of big game lands Totals Average per year. Estimated cost of recom- mended project 815,000,000 2,000,000 1,000,000 2,000,000 820,000,000 82,000,000 Estimated annual operation and maintenance costs 82,000,000 500,000 2bb",6oo" 82,700,000 *82,700,000 This represents estimated annual cost of operating fully developed program. During period of development, the operating costs will be approximately half of the ultimate cost of operation. Estimated cost of recom- mended project Estimated annual operation and maintenance costs Cost of Marine Fisheries Projects: a. Public fishing opportunity (1) Ocean coast Acquisition and development . 84,000,000 Maintenance, 820,000 to 875,- 000 per year_ 850,000 (2) Saltwater bays Acquisition and development . 750,000 Maintenance, 85,000 to 820,- 000 per year, average. 15,000 b. Development of potential fisheries, annual cost 850,000 for five years 250,000 550,000 1,550,000 c. Pollution studies and control d. Intensified survevs Total marine fisheries projects 87,100,000 *865,000 *This represents estimated annual cost of operating fully developed program. During period of development, the operating costs will be approximately half of the ultimate cost of operation. SALMON AND STEELHEAD a. Water projects — 875,000 per year, 10 years b. Screens and ladders — 8^'0,000 per year, 10 years.. c. Coastal stream clearance — 850,000 per year, 5 years; 830,000 per year, 5 years d. Barrier removal — 810,000 per year, 5 years e. River mouth improvement — 820,000 per year, 10 years f. Coastal stream flow maintenance g. Artificial propagation Total salmon and steelhead projects for 10- year program Average per year 8750,000 800,000 400,000 50,000 200,000 750,000 1,000,000 83,950,000 8395,000 TABLE 7 PERMANENT LAND RADIO STATIONS, WILDLIFE PROTECTION Sacramento, Region II Office Sacramento State Police Office San Francisco Region III Office Monterey Office Los Angeles Region V Office Terminal Island Office San Diego Office Bridgeport Sheriff's Office Independence Sheriff's Office (2 Units) Colusa County Sheriff's Office Bra Yuba City Sheriflf's Office Modesto Fire Department Merced County Fire Station Bakersfield San Bernardino Hot Creek Fish Hatchery Alturas Sheriff's Office Eureka Fish and Game Office Fish & Game Hangar, Sacra- mento Quincy Sheriff's Office wley The 11 Mobile Relay (Repeater) Stations are installed at the follow- ing locations: Happy Camp, Modoc County Black Mountain, Lassen County Mt. Diablo, Contra Costa County Shirley Peak, Kern County Santa Ynez Peak, Santa Barbara County Oat Mountain, Los Angeles County Catalina Island, Los Angeles County Stevenson Peak, San Diego County Silver Can, Inyo County Conway Summit, Mono County Red Hill, Plumas County 82 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME TABLE 8 Type of violation Number arrests 1952-53 Number arrests 1953-54 Deer 760 667 157 384 1,573 607 238 1,661 296 1,493 267 617 685 W'a terfowl 442 109 Upland bird 405 Inland fish.. . 1,176 Clam-abalone-ocean 508 501 Loaded gun in car Co-op trespass Anglme, no license 1,209 272 1,513 165 566 Hunting, no license Totals 8,720 7,551 TABLE 10 CREEL CENSUSES July 1, 1952, to June 30, 1954 (Inclusive) TABLE 9 TOTAL ARRESTS FOR PERIOD OF 52 YEARS 1902-1904 550 1928-1930 5,388 1904-1906 774 1930-1932 5,237 1906-1908 1,192 1932-1934 3,795 1908-1910 1,771 1934-1936 4,535 1910-1912 2,063 1936-1938 6,382 1912-1914 1,993 1938-1940 7,444 1914-1916 2,087 1940-1942 7,262 1916-1918 1,797 1942-1944 4,298 1918-1920 1,891 1944-1946 5,902 1920-1922 2,258 1946-1948 11,331 1922-1924 2,715 1948-1950 12,947 1924-1926 3,207 1950-1952 12,802 1926-1928.. 4,390 1952-1954 16,271 ARRESTS AND CONVICTIONS— RECAPITULATION 1952-1953 1953-1954 Number of arrests. _ 8,720 ?306,108.50 4,725 days 7,551 $292,479.64 8,111 days Fine J ail sentences TYPE OF CASE 1952-53 1953-54 Fish 3,911 4,192 617 3,698 3,287 556 Game ._ Miscellaneous.. ._ . 8,720 7,551 Name of water County REGION I Big Lagoon Humboldt Clam Beach Lagoon Humboldt Eel River Humboldt Freshwater Lagoon Humboldt Klamath River Humboldt and Siskiyou Mad River Humboldt Stone Lagoon Humboldt Sacramento River (Keswick to Colusa) Shasta, Tehama, Glenn, Colusa Pit River Shasta Shasta Lake Shasta Castle Lake Siskiyou Copco Lake Siskiyou Sacramento River, South and Middle Forks Siskiyou Shasta River Siskiyou REGION II Trout Creek El Dorado Upper Truckee River El Dorado Boca Reservoir Nevada Truckee River Nevada, Placer, and Sierra Lake Tahoe Placer and El Dorado Donner Lake Placer and Nevada Feather River, North Fork Plumas Lakes Basin Recreation Area (18 lakes) Plumas and Sierra REGION HI Clear Lake Lake San Lorenzo River Santa Cruz Gualala River Sonoma REGION IV Mendota Pool Fresno Sequoia Lake Fresno Shaver Lake Fresno Dam No. 7 Reservoir Fresno and Madera Millerton Lake Fresno and Madera San Joaquin River at Friant Fresno and Madera Kern River ._ Kern and Tulare Rock Creek.. Madera Merced River Merced Brush Creek Tulare REGION V Imperial Reservoir Imperial Big Pine Creek Inyo Bishop Creek Inyo Independence Creek Inyo Lone Pine Creek Inyo Rock Creek Lake Inyo Sabrina Lake Inyo South Lake Inyo Crystal Lake Los Angeles Little Rock Reservoir Los Angeles Puddingstone Reservoir Los Angeles Bridgeport Reservoir Mono Convict Creek Mono Convict Lake Mono Crowley Lake Mono Grant Lake Mono June Lake Mono Lee Vining Creek Mono Mammoth Creek Mono Mary Lake Mono Rock Creek Mono Rush Creek Mono Silver Lake.. Mono Topaz Lake.. __ Mono Twin Lake (trib. Mammoth Creek). Mono FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 83 TABLE 11 FISH DISTRIBUTION AND RESCUE Fish Planted— July 1, 1952, fo June 30, 1953 (Inclusive)— Hatchery Reared Fish Planted in Each Caunty TROUT SALMON Total County Rainbow Steelhead Eastern brook Brown Cutthroat King Kokanee Silver number of fish Alpine 484,783 190,103 19,276 249,656 5,420 96,310 10,080 581 093 Amador 200,183 19 276 Butte - Calaveras-- 1,000 250 656 Colusa - - 5,420 378,100 1,500,345 928,715 2,130 960,672 1.100,614 196 694 Del Norte 378,100 El Dorado 848,335 869,903 2,130 143,357 718,873 196,694 43,010 238,082 224,050 345,541 58,058 594,097 8,020 48,172 1,234,506 19,585 95,888 455,586 5,500 489,400 305,715 96,700 390 447,545 50,425 116,742 47,324 10,271 105,830 22,016 57,614 342,870 689,257 377,584 15,032 81,307 254,685 728,125 993,359 109,452 368,480 58,812 283,530 Fresno Glenn Humboldt - - 311,912 493,012 12,391 Inyo.. 24,689 357,052 Kern Lake 4^ 010 Lassen _ . 28,800 67,500 334,382 Los Angeles-. 224,050 504 613 Madera 159,072 Marin 7,845 65,903 610,009 Mariposa 15,912 Mendocino 8,020 48,172 Modoc - - , Mono 42,879 285,250 125,000 1,687,635 29 585 Monterey. 10,000 Napa- - -_- 95,888 736,568 Nevada 186,082 94,900 Orange 5,500 703,700 613 995 Placer-. ..- 94,284 128,280 120,016 180,000 Plumas Riverside. 96 700 Sacramento .. 390 San Bernardino.. 447 545 50,425 116 742 San Francisco San Luis Obispo 47 324 San Mateo ... 47,033 57 304 Santa Barbara ._ .. 105 830 Santa Clara . .- 22,016 271 588 Santa Cruz 213,974 Shasta - 36,662 125,937 85,034 79,000 458 532 Sierra.. 815 194 Siskiyou 947,296 10,200 1,420,114 15 032 Solano -- Tehama . 4,000 46,696 85 307 Trinity 301,381 Tulare 728,125 Tuolumne 45,530 10,440 1,049,329 Ventura i - 109,452 12,440,268 968,864 1,558,539 721,302 125,000 1,440,308 766,586 12,391 18,033,258 TABLE 10— Continued Twin Lake (trib. Robinson Creek)-. Mono Lower Virginia Lake Mono Upper Virginia Lake Mono East Walker River Mono West Walker River. Mono Big Bear Lake. San Bernardino Lake Havasu San Bernardino Colorado River San Bernardino Deep Creek San Bernardino Santa Ana River San Bernardino San Vincente Reservoir San Diego Cachuma Reservoir Santa Barbara TABLE 12 HATCHERY REARED WARMWATER FISHES July 1, 1952, to June 30, 1953 ( nclusive) Number of fish Largemouth black bass .. - 71,773 18,285 2,000 Smallmouth black bass Fathead minnow Golden shiners 176,437 Total 268,495 84 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME TABLE 13 FISH DISTRIBUTION AND RESCUE Fish Planted— July 1, 1953, to June 30, 1954 (Inclusive)— Hatchery Reared Fish Planted in Each Caunty TROUT SALMON Total County Rainbow Steelhead Eastern brook Brown Cutthroat Golden King Kokanee number of fish Alameda 12,174 188,254 44,502 27,007 50,415 8,645 12,174 Alpine 133,743 9,909 134,696 456,693 Amador 54,411 Butte - 27,007 Calaveras 5,020 55,435 Colusa -, 8,645 Del Norte 187,500 4,600 3,008 309,750 500,258 El Dorado. 926,788 807,720 4,980 13,005 675,807 238,472 56,702 212,702 187,825 268,122 123,752 607,625 8,940 350,473 1,409,613 50,426 77,101 445,165 14,650 358,111 548,371 88,130 200 488,390 49,580 459,657 62,985 24,102 178,699 51,302 61,734 428,329 442,532 538,572 42,656 112,874 289,078 673,408 501,632 99,274 14,010 347,827 155,613 34,560 232,420 1,546,195 Fresno 134,760 1,098,093 Glenn __ — — 4,980 Humboldt 302,880 5,024 19,542 99,009 173,453 593,371 Inyo 341,556 35,880 1,072,785 Kern...- 238,472 Lake .- 24,122 69,375 80,824 Lassen 282,077 Los Angeles 187,825 Madera 63,916 6,360 2,520 340,918 Marin. 123,752 Mariposa — 29.964 637,589 Mendocino 8,940 Modoc . 350,473 Mono 211,670 490,869 171,476 21,895 2,305,523 Monterey.- - 50,426 Napa 200 77,301 Nevada 241,003 60,480 746,648 Orange.. . 14,650 Placer -, 96,082 102,490 337,765 150,150 791,958 Plumas. 801,011 Riverside. 88,130 Sacramento.- 200 San Bernardino 488,390 San Diego 49,580 San Francisco. 90,000 549,657 San Luis Obispo 62,985 San Mateo . __ .. 24,102 Santa Barbara. 16,502 195,201 Santa Clara 51,302 Santa Cruz 5,635 67,369 Shasta 43,500 122,924 109,572 471,829 Sierra- 565,456 Siskiyou -. 803,155 186,330 1,637,629 Solano.. 42,656 Tehama 18,502 63,752 42,665 136,942 131,376 352,830 Tulare 6,240 722,313 48,825 687,39^ Ventura 3,900 103,174 Yuba- 14,010 Grand totals 12,324,606 521,217 2,143,157 841,793 439,741 201,295 1,286,358 1,015,970 18,774,022 FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 85 TABLE 14 HATCHERY REARED SALMON AND TROUT PLANTED July 1, 1953, to June 30, 1954 (1 nclusive) Species Number of fish 12,324,606 521,217 Eastern Brook Trout 2,143,157 841,793 439,741 201,295 1,286,358 Kokanee Salmon 1,015,970 Total 18,774,022 TABLE 15 HATCHERY REARED SALMON AND TROUT PLANTED July 1, 1952, to June 30, 1953 (Inclusive) Species Number of fish Rainbow trout 12,660,954 724,306 Eastern brook trout Steelhead trout . . 1,557,535 968,864 258,003 Kokanee salmon 507,303 King salmon 1,343,901 12,392 Total 18,033,258 TABLE 16 FISH RESCUED AND TRANSPLANTED July 1, 1952, to June 30, 1953 (Inclusive) 650,513 16 47,586 Trout Rainbow 112 Brown 89 Steelhead. 650,312 Total--- Salmon King Silver Total ... Warmwater fishes Largemouth Black Bass Smallmouth Black Bass Warmouth Bass Striped Bass Bluegill Sunfish Green Sunfish Black Crappie Brown Bullhead White Catfish Golden Shiner Northern Anchovy Short-fin Seabass White Croaker California Corbina Thread Herring California Pompano Orange Mouth Seabass Total 926,612 47,602 52,990 20,340 498 351 97,395 39,589 44,342 431,123 76,284 157,498 6,000 94 35 8 26 1 38 TABLE 17 FISH RESCUED AND TRANSPLANTED July 1, 1953, to June 30, 1954 (Inclusive) 949,690 13,409 26,400 Trout Rainbow 1,095 Steelhead 947,990 Brown 602 Cutthroat 3 Total Salmon King Salmon Silver Salmon l Total 39,809 Trout total... 949,690 Salmon total 39,809 Warmwater total 683,211 Totals Warm Water Fishes Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Warmouth Bass Striped Bass Bluegill Sunfish Green Sunfish Black Crappie — Brown Bullhead White Catfish Channel Catfish Golden Shiner - - .. Shad - - California Kilifish _ . - - — Threadfin Shad . - - - ... Total ... 683,211 TABLE 18 HATCHERY REARED WARMWATER FISHES 1,672,710 114,382 21,761 240 197 240,800 17,711 119,290 81,466 29,862 5,423 51,025 27 150 877 July 1, 1953, to June 30, 1954 ( nclusive) Species Number of fish Smallmouth Bass 55,591 78,849 76,551 I'athead Minnows . - 318,783 Total 529,774 TABLE 19 INCREASED TRENDS IN TROUT PRODUCTION SINCE 1949 CATCHABLES FINGERLINGS Number Pounds Number Pounds 1949-1950 2,501,182 2,833,599 3,675,305 4,580,840 5,261,740 417,855 468,339 539,554 747,721 796,384 16,290,943 14,918,164 11,815,287 13,452,418 13,512,282 70,542 1950-1951 1951-1952 61,901 40,182 1952-1953 40,826 1953-1954 46,747 86 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME TABLE 20 CHEMICAL CONTROL OF UNDESIRABLE FISH POPULATIONS July 1, 1952, to June 30, 1954 (Inclusive) July 1, 1953, to June 30, 1954 (Inclusive) Name of water REGION I None noted REGION II Summit Lake. Catfish Lake McMurray Lake Taylor Lake Beacon Road Gravel Pits (3) Round Lake REGION III Merced Lake Dow Pond Dr>' and Maacama Creeks Pine Lake REGION IV Snelling Dredger Pond Buttonwillow Lakes (2) .. Olsen Pond ._ Bass Lake _ Bass Lake tributaries Ruth Lakes (3) REGION V Tamarack Lake Tamarack Lake Eleanore Lake Crv'stal Lake* Santa Ysabel Creek Sutherland Reservoir O'Neil Lake Hansen Reservoir Surface County area m acres Nevada _ 8.4 Nevada 9.3 Nevada 14.0 Plumas 33.0 Glenn 6.0 El Dorado 40.0 San Francisco 375.0 Contra Costa 15.0 Sonoma 87 miles San Francisco 1.0 Merced 5.0 Merced 140.0 Merced 10.0 Madera 1,165.0 Madera 10 miles Merced 70.0 Mono 6.0 Invo 5.0 Ventura 3.0 Los Angeles _ _ 5.0 San Diego 4 miles San Diego 20.0 San Diego 400.0 Los Angeles _ _ 130.0 *AIso treated to eradicate aquatic weeds. TABLE 21 FARM PONDS July 1, 1952, to June 30, 1953 (Inclusive) Date Aug. 1952 Aug. 1952 Aug. 1952 Nov. 1952 July 1953 Aug. 1953 Nov. 1952 Tune 1953 Sept. 1953 May 1954 Sept. 1953 Oct. 1953 Oct. 1953 Nov. 1953 Nov. 1953 Apr. 1954 Sept. 1952 Sept. 1952 Oct. 1953 Nov. 1953 Nov. 1953 Nov. 1953 Dec. 1953 Mar. 1954 Region Number of applications Number of ponds visited Number of ponds stocked I II IH 45 f» 115! 37 111 45 40 20 25 24 44 60t 45 90 IV V ... . Totals... 308 130 263 Region Number of applications Number of ponds visited Number of ponds stocked I II III IV V _ 18 54 125 61 85 29 60 40 23 19 41 60t 49 73 Totals_-_ 343 152 242 tKstimated. TABLE 22 CATCHES OF LEADING INLAND SPORT FISHES IN 1953 AND 1951 1953 1951 Total Mean catch per angler Total Mean catch per angler Trout Striped bass Black bass Crappie Sunfish 22,300,000 1,590,000 2,300,000 3,570,000 6,200,000 7,500,000 640,000 41.9 9.5 14.3 26.6 46.3 33.2 5.8 18,600,000 1,490,000 1,280,000 2,380,000 4,800,000 4,710,000 564,000 43.3 10.4 11.9 31.3 47.1 Catfish 27.5 Salmon 7.2 TABLE 23 INITIAL STREAM AND LAKE SURVEYS July 1, 1952, to June 30, 1954 (Inclusive) 1952-53 Region Streams Lakes I 9 33 TI 9 61 111 20 IS IV . 12 31 V . Totals 20 32 70 112 1953-54 'Unknown. fEstimated. Region Streams Lakes I II III 14 0 25 S 28 23 46 19 IV 11 V . Totals SO 72 149 FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 87 TABLE 24 CALIFORNIA ANNUAL DEER KILL (REGULAR SEASON DEER TAG RETURNS) County of kill 1 Alameda 2 Alpine 3 Amador 4 Butte 5 Calaveras 6 Colusa . 7 Contra Costa. 8 Del Norte.... 9 El Dorado... 10 Fresno 1 1 Glenn 12 Humboldt.. 13 Imperial 14 Inyo 1.5 Kern 16 Kings 17 Lake 18 Lassen 19 Los Angeles. 20 Madera 21 Marin 22 Mariposa... 23 Mendocino. 24 Merced 25 Modoc 26 Mono 27 Monterey. _ 28 Napa 29 Nevada 30 Orange 31 Placer 32 Plumas 33 Riverside 34 Sacramento 35 San Benito 36 San Bernardino 37 San Diego 38 San Francisco 39 San Joaquin 40 San Luis Obispo 41 San Mateo 42 Santa Barbara. 43 Santa Clara 44 Santa Cruz 45 Shasta 46 Sierra 47 Siskiyou 48 Solano 49 Sonoma 50 Stanislaus 51 Sutter 52 Tehama 53 Trinity 54 Tulare 55 Tuolumne. _ 56 Ventura 57 Yolo 58 Yuba Not given. State-wide totals Yearly average 1927- 1949 336 435 191 418 277 336 51 29 786 L465 635 1,163 4 417 355 11 1,319 1,226 698 487 470 221 2,173 90 1,728 455 935 659 555 87 421 1,461 390 6 405 247 429 23 623 108 650 590 111 993 625 1,703 67 871 136 1 1,241 875 1,169 601 566 234 86 3 32,647 1950 386 1,306 242 794 421 442 130 53 863 1,733 719 1,770 10 303 558 31 1,942 2,243 571 508 554 202 2,927 199 2,230 1,494 1,705 952 939 112 449 1,820 380 16 861 210 767 23 ,103 144 651 763 106 2,154 947 2,845 102 1,138 221 2,060 1,398 889 569 728 269 171 47,128 1951 580 1,755 316 785 417 574 178 41 1,071 2,280 712 2,313 8 718 558 38 2,155 4,499 633 623 767 240 3,665 252 6,077 1,973 2,057 983 1,327 134 655 2,255 406 18 1,217 285 734 54 1,389 135 815 939 101 2,880 1,126 4,034 78 1,447 311 4 3,710 1,119 985 998 673 264 257 64,619 1952 627 1,277 322 849 413 541 200 28 937 1,949 740 1,792 16 308 655 29 2,0.56 1,962 572 665 832 232 4,252 388 1,794 1,442 1,825 1,220 972 129 531 1,671 658 18 1,174 628 719 43 1,115 167 708 1,051 118 1,940 795 2,187 126 1,553 371 2 1,623 1,045 1,087 956 8.56 334 167 50,667 1953 763 1,638 485 1,040 497 356 232 33 1,185 2,407 606 2,323 23 593 1,032 30 2,146 1,519 629 745 885 248 4,394 388 1,076 2,098 2,023 1,161 1.277 173 671 2,285 354 21 1,408 455 792 60 1,503 139 994 1,172 166 2,566 1,032 2,768 113 1,679 471 2,932 1,220 1,174 1,447 784 349 244 200 TABLE 25 NUMBER OF MOUNTAIN LIONS BOUNTIED BY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 59,004 Total boun- tied 1907- 50 Yearly aver- age 1906- 50 Num ber boun tied annually County 1951 1952 1953 Total Alameda 29 3 27 78 62 86 1 221 234 189 268 1,085 2 25 467 1 504 13 188 106 3 151 708 10 6 38 682 4 36 16 118 20 108 I 68 176 281 2 254 1 440 159 4 707 43 549 1 4 4 2 2 39 5 Amador 1 2 1 2 27 Butte 2 2 2 84 62 Colusa 6 .. 1 1 6 1 6 92 2 Del Norte 5 5 4 6 25 222 El Dorado s" 2 8 2 12 6 4 237 215 277 Humboldt Imperial Inyo Kern 1,103 2 1 11 1 7 26 7 10 491 Kings Lake 1 11 4 10 1 2 1 3 ""' 17" 521 14 Los Angeles Madera Mann 4 2 6 196 124 3 Mariposa Mendocino 3 16 -. 6 5 2 6 159 726 10 Modoc 6 Mono Monterey Napa Nevada Orange Placer. .. Plumas 1 16 2 24 13 6 ....... 53 724 4 1 1 1 38 16 3 1 119 20 2 7 115 Sacramento 1 2 4 6 1 -. 1 7 69 San Bernardino . San Diego San Joaquin San Luis Obispo. 2 2 178 285 3 6 2 8 271 1 Santa Barbara .. Santa Clara Santa Cruz 10 4 3 6 8 4 -- 451 176 4 16 1 12 9 13 17 746 Sierra 43 Siskiyou 7 11 15 582 36 24 1 445 968 510 185 167 3 45 1 1 36 Stanislaus 2 2 28 1 Tehama Trinity Tulare 10 22 12 4 4 5 7 11 4 2 14 12 2 7 5 10 21 '14' 457 999 554 Tuolumne Ventura Yolo 187 192 3 Yuba 1 1 46 Totals 10,558 239 133 174 181 11,046 88 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME TABLE 26 PREDATORY ANIMAL CATCH BY COUNTIES January 1-December 31, 1952 January 1-December 31, 1953 County Coyote Bobcat Other predators Total Coyote Bobcat Other predators Total Total for period Alpine - 13 21 57 5 2 5 6 185 314 24 208 376 24 18 79 19 2 2 12 83 1,052 36 103 1,133 67 311 Butte .. __ 1,509 67 Colusa _ .. 8 6 3 17 17 El Dorado 12 76 35 62 84 11 88 57 52 16 1 26 26 18 13 16 40 41 3 3 41 71 25 67 4 81 85 73 46 93 87 54 173 86 147 101 108 213 171 101 112 87 54 Fresno Humboldt 47 1 119 79 31 55 47 27 23 13 95 20 3 79 64 31 6 168 136 47 36 42 32 4 5 56 4 10 1 16 87 6 16 65 2 62 79 39 65 73 97 31 134 19 75 24 185 64 40 412 33 5 325 209 178 94 72 159 110 258 142 169 79 178 55 218 78 151 519 42 100 454 242 246 341 247 332 196 40S Kern 243 Lake 277 292 Los Angeles Madera 349 156 330 Merced 165 Modoc ;_. 151 Monterey Nevada^- _ _ 20 15 229 68 29 3 92 70 239 40 168 234 135 278 97 66 34 363 14 288 58 489 372 135 373 250 163 34 528 34 807 100 589 Riverside 826 377 San Benito 9 66 68 86 87 29 619 San Diego San Joaquin _ 591 410 34 64 107 2 68 29 6 59 131 2 172 169 2 46 123 98 23 63 51 55 60 225 302 4 284 347 23 348 123 140 52 130 98 147 157 293 51 11 9 830 38 44 149 15 243 284 Shasta 206 51 296 553 900 Sierra . 23 Siskiyou 225 70 57 239 65 23 57 352 239 65 30 84 2 106 112 625 700 362 Sutter . 34 19 60 12 73 58 58 8 10 7 35 19 39 10 205 7 23 82 Trinity.. 4 2 12 23 35 214 100 Tuolumne 52 40 108 42 49 482 253 269 918 Totals 1,972 1,026 3,863 6,861 1,807 919 4,822 7,548 14,409 January 1-December 31, 1953 Average number trappers Number of sets Number of days 29 245,209 5,893 FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 89 TABLE 27 PREDATORY BIRD BOUNTIES PAID BY THE DEPARTMENT Number bountied County Crows Magpies 1952 1953 1952 1953 127 178 75 184 64 227 Contra Costa 189 191 Orange^ San Joaquin Shasta 2 360 275 Yolo Totals 1,490 191 191 TABLE 28 SUMMARY OF DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME LANDS, 1954 (Game Monogement) Area Acreage Purchase price Los Bancs Waterfowl Refuge Grey Lodge Waterfowl Refuge Suisun Waterfowl Refuge Imperial Waterfowl Refuge Imperial Waterfowl Management Area Honey Lake Waterfowl Manage- ment Area Madeline Plains Waterfowl Man- agement Area Grizzly Island Waterfowl Manage- ment Area Tehama Winter Deer Range Doyle Winter Deer Range 3,000.00 2,541.51 1,887.00 2,064.43 *4,415.24 4,819.70 5,176.10 8,600.00 42,896.90 13,502.91 3104,241.40 133,417.00 71,875.50 88,405.05 47,775.52 90,784.09 47,353.20 650,000.00 212,518.86 37,807.76 Totals 88,903.79 31,484,178.38 •Includes 3,880 acres of leased land. Use or type Acres Purchase price Deer ranges Waterfowl areas 56,399.81 32,503.98 3250,326.62 1,233,851.76 Totals 88,903.79 31,484,178.38 STATE-OWNED GAME FARMS Name Acres Capaci ty, birds 12 29 11 14 72 4,000 Los Serranos 9,000 Marysville . . _ . _ 4,500 5,000 Yountville 5,000 Brawley (part of Imperial Refuge). 9,000 Total state owned game farms Total deer ranges and water- 138.00 87,530.03 Total acreage 87,668.03 TABLE 29 GAME BIRD RELEASES Liberation of Game Farm Birds, January 1, 1952, Through December 31, 1953 County Ring-neck Reeves Chukar Total 879 1,209 9,707 5,351 2,513 879 Amador 1,209 10,230 Butte.- 523 Colusa 5,351 2,513 240 Del Norte 240 Fresno 9,313 3,069 675 16,278 7,917 8,061 634 2,335 6,544 1,944 200 11,052 2,677 420 3,854 1,863 400 110 1,743 5,625 11,973 2,627 4.450 13,588 200 200 50 3,478 4,122 9,450 4,251 2,845 6,404 2,146 7,315 300 6,632 2,981 100 9,313 3,069 Humboldt 675 16,278 7,917 Kern 8,061 Kings 634 2,335 Los Angeles Madera 15 6,559 180 2,124 200 Merced 11,052 2,677 Mono 420 100 3,954 Napa 1,863 400 Orange Placer 112 222 1,743 200 5,825 Sacramento 11,973 1,800 205 4,427 San Diego 4,655 San Joaquin San Luis Obispo 13,588 200 200 Santa Clara 50 Shasta 3,478 Siskiyou Solano 4,122 9,450 912 5,163 Stanislaus 2,845 6,404 2,146 7,315 Ventura 300 Yolo 6,632 Yuba 2,981 Republic of Mexico- 100 Totals _. 187,485 1,955 2,332 191,772 90 DEPARTMENT OF EISH AND GAME TABLE 30 WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT AREA OPERATIONS Area Acreage open to hunting Schedulec shooter seasonal rapacity Actual hunters u number sing area" Number of waterfowl bagged Average bag per hunter 1952 1953 1952 1953 1952 1953 1952 1953 1952 1953 Madeline Plains Honev Lake 2,400 3,000 2,400 2,500 1,200 1,100 1,000 5,000 1.500 1,000 1,070 2,325 5,680 8,400 5,250 7,680 4,800 1,760 1,760 1,650 15,200 3,200 1,920 2,400 9,900 8,800 473 3,677 1,064 2,912 2,113 2,566 2,386 11,936 3,579 1,194 1,736 4,801 3,047 897 3,756 1,655 2,196 8,549 7,786 9,561 41,218 8,314 2,255 3,070 10,475 3,122 1.9 1.0 ---- 1.6 0 8 4 0 Colusa 1,100 2,160 3,350 6,832 3 0 Sutter _ ^ 4 0 4,500 1,500 1,200 14,000 3,500 2,400 16,047 3,740 1,180 44,126 6,881 1,717 2.8 1.8 1.5 3.5 San Luis Wastewav Merced__ 2.3 1 9 1.8 Imperial' 3,525 22,200 5,904 14,586 2.5 2 2 Welch Co-op 1 0 Totals 17,225 24,775 57,910 59,070 34,371 37,334 78,795 98,201 2.3 2.6 'Includes Hazard. Pumice. Poe and Federal Units. 'Actual number of hunters using area may exceed schedule capacity because of hunters going on areas late in day after original hunters leave area. TABLE 31 COOPERATIVE PHEASANT HUNTING AREA OPERATIONS .^rea Acreage open to hunting Schedulec shooter seasonal :apacity* Actual number hunters using area Number of pheasants bagged Percent of successful huntersf 1952 1953 1952 1953 1952 1953 1952 1953 1952 1953 Staten Island Rver Island 8,090 10,500 14,000 11,500 15,000 9,300 10,800 10,600 11.465 17,000 4,200 5,400 6,600 14,000 11,500 15,000 6,200 7,200 10,600 11,500 17,000 4,200 4,008 3,719 6,218 9,806 7,575 4,386 4,172 5,286 8,700 4.006 3,099 1,479 1,365 2,237 2,759 3,522 1,715 1,725 2,741 3,200 3,013 1,433 36 37 37 28 47 39 40 51 Natomas 37 75 46 Sartain 11,000 9,000 8,718 5,110 11,000 9,000 5,810 2,500 ""'"Y,6o6" 3,670 4,290 4,000 4,140 5,660 2,687 4,576 2,826 3,091 1,408 1,136 1,287 1,190 56 25 48 39 ... 26 46 22 23 45 Butte Creek \Ieridian 4,462 6,312 4,500 4,200 2,686 2,530 965 1,331 32 52 Los Bancs - _ Merced 8,000 10,000 5,880 5,800 9,600 9,000 5,000 6,200 3,200 5,680 4,000 5,000 2,940 3.870 4,800 6,000 5,000 6,200 2,150 5,500 5,684 5.325 4,016 4,040 3,687 4,673 1,881 5,492 2,666 512 2,420 2,117 915 1,810 1,019 1,870 1,366 2,128 799 131 46 Firebaugh Twitchell Island Tyler Island. ., Union Island.. Yolo 8,000 5,880 6,716 8,200 8,520 5,660 4,314 3,557 2,917 2,796 3,674 1,576 1,924 929 1,307 619 958 711 39 23 44 27 40 Mc.Arthur 72 Plainfield _ 39 Courtland 30 Welch. _. 26 Totals 135,894 142,499 107,570 110,860 63,340 72,841 22,831 30,698 36 42 *.\Iinimum number of hunters that could be accommodated for the season. No correction is made for hunters that hunt only part of a day and are then replaced by other hunters. tDerivcd by dividing the number of pheasants shot by the number of hunters. No correction is made for hunters shooting two pheasants (the daily limit). FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 91 TABLE 32 GAME FARM UNITS AND YEARLY CAPACITY TABLE 35 PACIFIC MACKEREL LANDINGS BY SEASONS Game farm County Yearly capacity Redd ing Shasta Butte 5,000 4,000 Marysville Sacramento Yuba Sacramento 10,000 Stockton Yountville ,. Kern San Joaquin Napa. Kern Fresno Merced 2,400 15,000 4,000 7,000 Los Banos 4,000 5,000 Brawley Castaic .. . Imperial Los Angeles San Bernardino San Diego- 9,000 3,000 Los Serranos Valley Center 9,000 2,000 Total 80,400 Season Pounds offish Season Pounds offish 1926-27 3,593,962 6,455,033 39,405,114 56,694,637 12,805,751 15,152,465 10,850,403 72,873,851 113,464:209 146.387,327 100,745,270 70,445,621 76,064,647 99,960,747 1940-41 1941-42.. 1942-43 1943-44 1944-45 .__ 1945-46 1946-47 ._. 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51. _ 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 107 553 929 1927-28 - 71,754,709 48,220,187 1928-29 1929-30 77 853 106 1930-31 80,785,356 52 002 734 1931-32 1932-33. . . . 58,896,372 1933-34 39,627,373 1934-35 38,202,903 1935-36 50,061,684 1936-37 33 890 004 1937-38 31,904,919 1938-39 18,761 833 1939-40 7,612,679 TABLE 33 ABALONE LANDINGS, CALIFORNIA TABLE 36 CALIFORNIA JACK MACKEREL LANDINGS BY SEASONS Year Pounds 1948 3,228,927 1949. 3,599,998 1950 3,954,791 1951 4,084,115 1952 - 4,784,033 1953 4,719,504 TABLE 34 PACIFIC OYSTER LANDINGS 1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. 1937. 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 68,762 50,240 299,375 310,683 680,081 1,207,421 1,659,355 1,292,505 1,717,781 609,233 741,105 636,686 309,738 88,006 4^,035 166,524 235,134 143,612 133,700 180,141 161,520 Season Pounds offish Season Pounds offish 1926-27 365,245 425,197 556,550 673,936 310,894 672,679 465,351 1,106,317 1,653,549 9,849,115 5,757,158 8,242,112 3,925,278 1,117,895 1940-41 1941-42 1942-43 1943-44 1944-45 1945-46 1946-47 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1,749,646 1927-28 1,917,129 1928-29 9,794,416 1929-30 8,454,883 1930-31 1931-32. . 13,742,894 9,280,072 1932-33 31,146,258 1933-34 142,660,570 1934-35. 1935-36 55,690,542 64,987,587 1936-37 1937-38 136,374,757 74,990,835 1938-39 151,470,361 1939-40 35,061,944 92 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME SEASONAL CATCH IN TONS TABLE 37 OF SARDINES ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST- JUNE THROUGH THE FOLLOWING MAY -EACH SEASON INCLUDES Season British Columbia Washing- ton Oregon Total Pacific northwest California Floating plants San Francisco Monterey San Pedro San Diego Total California Grand total California percent of total 1916-17. 1917-18. 1918-19. 1919-20. 1920-21. 1921-22. 1922-23. 1923-24. 1924-25. 1925-26. 1926-27. 1927-28. 1928-29. 1929-30. 1930-31. 1931-32. 1932-33- 1933-34. 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1937-38. 1938-39. 1939-40. 1940-41. 1941-42. 1942-13. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. 1946-47. 1947-48. 1948-49. 1949-50. 1950-51. 1951-52. 1952-53. 1953-54. 80 3,640 3,280 4,400 990 1,020 970 1,370 15,950 48,500 68,430 80,510 86,340 75,070 73,600 44,350 4,050 43,000 45,320 44,450 48,080 51,770 5,520 28,770 60,050 65,880 88,740 59,120 34,300 3,990 490 10 6,560 17,100 26,480 17,760 810 17,100 580 10,440 20 2,310 6,140 1,360 50 26,230 14,200 16,660 17,020 22,330 3,160 15,850 1,950 1,820 90 3,960 6,930 5,320 80 3,640 3,280 4,400 990 1,020 970 1,370 15,950 48,500 68,430 80,510 86,340 75,070 73,600 44,350 4,050 43,000 71,560 65,210 81,840 95,270 45,610 32,740 93,000 68,410 101,000 59,140 36,700 14,090 8,780 5,370 10,960 31,040 58,790 67,820 112,040 150,830 235,610 67,580 43,890 70 450 1,000 230 80 110 190 560 560 3,520 16,690 13,520 21,960 25,970 21,610 18,630 36,340 69,000 76,150 141,100 133,720 201,200 212,450 118,090 186,590 115,880 126,510 136,600 84,100 2,870 90 110 16,090 12,730 80 7,710 23,810 35,750 43,040 24,960 16,290 29,210 45,920 67,310 69,010 81,860 98,020 120,290 160,050 109,620 69,080 89,600 152,480 230,860 184,470 206,710 104,930 180,990 227,870 165,700 250,290 184,400 213,620 237,250 145,520 31, -240 17,630 47,830 130,990 19,100 640 10 17,380 41,340 32,530 16,580 11,740 19,220 33,170 35,040 96,330 61,990 64,720 67,900 119,250 140,540 38,490 42,660 83,600 125,050 178,820 138,400 138,110 109,950 146,400 101,820 175,590 148,910 201,510 135,310 178,290 173,110 194,720 101,150 131,860 187,260 318,350 127,030 5,680 4,140 2,440 7,360 6,810 6,410 1,520 910 2,620 2,780 8,820 5,710 2,110 4,650 1,420 2,620 80 260 60 1,750 4,860 10,650 4,590 380 2,780 110 1.200 1,580 2,870 2.690 2,770 950 4,770 2,460 3,920 3,280 2,910 1,350 30 320 27,530 72,580 75,540 67,030 38,450 36,500 65,110 83,930 173,020 137,270 152,210 187,260 254,480 325,170 185,120 164,650 250,680 383,440 595.580 560,500 726,120 416,560 575,260 542,250 460,580 587,370 504,660 478,130 554,910 403,680 233,600 121,330 183,720 337,620 353,090 129,100 5,720 4,460 27,530 72,660 79,180 70,310 42,850 37,490 66,130 84,900 174,390 153,220 200,710 255,690 334,990 411,510 260,190 238,250 295,030 387,490 638,580 632,060 791,330 498,400 670,530 587,860 493,320 680,370 573,070 579,130 614,050 440,380 247,690 130,110 189,090 337,620 353,090 129,100 5,720 4,460 100 100 95 95 90 97 98 99 99 90 76 73 76 79 71 69 85 99 93 89 92 84 86 92 93 86 88 83 90 92 94 93 97 100 100 100 100 100 •Data for British Columbia were supplied by the Canadian Bureau of Statistics and the Province of British Columbia, those for Washington by the Washington Department of Fisheries and for Oregon by the Fish Commission of Oregon. Tonnages delivered to the floating plants were compiled by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service from the books of the companies operating off the California coast. California landings were derived from the records of the California Department of Fish and Game. TABLE 38 POUNDS OF LIVE BAIT TAKEN BY THE VESSELS SUPPLYING THE PARTY BOAT FLEET 1947 7,701,000 9,145,000 9,065,000 11,058,000 1951 13 228 000 1948 1952 14 365 000 1949 1953 12 978 000 19S0 TABLE 39 ALBACORE Year Fishing boat landings Shipments Total 1948 1949 36,460,157 44,006,280 61,745,994 30,915,342 49,802,791 33,834,626 1,149,632 284,040 4,378,420 17,520,891 22,525,248 46,186,816 37,609,789 44,290,320 1950 .. 66,124,414 1951 48,436,233 1952 72,328,039 1953 80,021,442 FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL REPORT 93 TABLE 40 SALMON MARKING AND RECOVERY,' 1950-1954 Brood year Where released Date of release Origin of eggs or fish Number released Ocean recoveries River recoveries tins removed 1951 1952 1953 1954 2.1 1951 1952 1953 1954 KING (captured) D-LV KING (hatcherv) D-RV An-LV..., 1949 1949 1949 1950 1951 1951 1951 1951 1951 1952 1949 1950 Sacramento River Battle Creek Big River, Mendocino Co Feb.-Mar. 1950 . March 1950 May 1950 Julv-Aug. 1951.. March 1952 April 1952 Mav 1952 June 1952 Sept. 1952 Dec. 1953 May-July 1951.. May-July 1951.. Sacramento River Battle Creek Mad River . 235,248 235,466 132,734 75,826 505,933 199,730 202,778 99,300 41,850 12,100 1,772 164,423 2 1 15 488 4 19 136 8 1 41 6 203 11 214 --- LV D-Ad Ad-LV Ad-RV.... Mad River Battle Creek Klamath R. near mouth Klamath R. above Hi- way 99 Mad River Battle Creek Mad River .. Del Norte and Hum- boldt Co. Mad River 1 Battle Creek Klamath River Klamath River 3 4 4 1 1 Ad-An D-Ad-LV_. D-Ad-RV.. SILVER (captured) Ad-LV-RV Battle Creek \lad River 1 Del Norte and Hum- boldt Co. Del Norte and Hum- boldt Co. Del Norte and Hum- boldt Co. Ad-RV.--. 3 29 1,907,160 3 507 166 9 42 210 259 .... "Actual number of recoveries not weighted by sampling efficiency. Ocean recoveries include those taken off British Columbia. Washington. Oregon, and California in random samples only. River recoveries include those made by spawning area survey crews and hatchery personnel. *I954 recoveries incomplete. 'Through June 30. 1954 — California ocean recoveries only. TABLE 41 BLUEFIN TUNA Year Fishing boat landings Shipments Total 1948 6,528,807 4,389,390 2,738,963 3,862,394 4,576,685 9,772,855 168,180 6,696,987 1949 4,389,390 1950 107,878 2,112 2,846,841 1951 3,864.506 1952 4,576,685 1953 62,447 9,835,302 TABLE 42 YELLOWFIN TUNA Year Fishing boat landings Shipments Total 1948 191,723,801 184,972,285 182,315,834 160,246,175 178,437,493 132,086,346 191,723,801 1949 639,809 8,130,632 13,422,415 7,080,197 8,458,606 185,612,094 1950 190,44^1,466 1951 173,668,590 1952 185,517,690 1953 140,544,952 TABLE 43 BIGEYE TUNA AND BLACK SKIPJACK Year Fishing boat landings Shipments 1948 " V,240 "'4,215 1949 1950 ■40,000 1951 1952 1953 -30,000 ' =20,066 'Reported to be Atlantic skipjack shipment from East Coast. ^ Bigeye tuna. > Black skipjack. TABLE 44 SKIPJACK Year Fishing boat landings Shipments Total 1948 58,770,706 78,521,918 124,779,419 115,886,848 84,736,126 122,306,183 1,364 52,739 3,261,659 2,750,824 4,155,541 8,347,736 58,772,070 1949 78,574,657 1950 128,041,078 1951 118.637,672 1952 88,891,667 1953 130,653,919 94 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME TABLE 45 YEARLY LANDINGS IN POUNDS Salmon ^ TABLE 46 ANCHOVY LANDINGS, 1916-1953, INCLUSIVE 1916, 1917, 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 193S 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 Ocean caught 5,592,216 6,085,997 5,933,346 7,208,382 6,066,190 4,483,105 4,338,317 3,736,924 6,374,573 5,481,536 3,863,677 4,921,600 3,444,306 4.033,660 4.085,650 3,666,841 2,649,194 3,657,661 3,921,530 4,773,112 4.093,475 5,934,996 2,170,921 2,238,755 5,160,403 2,945,994 4,063,306 5,285,527 7,021,848 7,912,754 7,134,472 8,080,780 5,829,377 5,530,674 5,856,850 5,840,984 6,500,390 6,973,227 Sacramento- San Joaquin Rivers 3,450,787 3,975.487 5,938,029 4,529,222 3,860,312 2,511,127 1,765,066 2.243.945 2,640,110 2,778,846 1,261,776 920,786 553,777 581,497 1,213,698 941,605 1,264,987 454,253 397,572 888,868 949,179 974,871 1,668,376 496,933 1,515,588 844,963 2,552,944 1,295,424 3,265,143 5,467,960 6,524,991 3,403,808 1,932,493 898,364 1,150,313 1,243,395 702,352 865,723 Other rivers- 1,896,591 999,097 1,221,813 1,408,123 1,207,317 996,700 1,131,741 1,109,391 1,000,586 1,265,371 958,626 669,543 480,483 429,714 703.546 686,065 703,990 446,520 Total pounds 10,939,594 11,060.581 13,093,188 13,145,727 11,133,819 7,990,932 7,235,124 7,090,260 10,015,269 9,525,753 6,084,079 6,511,929 4,478,566 5,044,871 6,002,894 5,294,511 4,618,171 4,558,434 4,319,102 5,661,980 5,042,654 6,909,867 3,839,297 2,735,688 6,675,991 3,790,957 6,616,250 6,580.951 10,286.991 13,380,714 13,659,463 11,484,588 7,761.870 6,429,038 7,007,163 7,084,379 7,202,742 7,838,950 The commercial catch of king and silver salmon in California has not been sep- arated. Occasional samples and partial separation for a few areas are available for a few years. The recent samples indicate that the silver salmon constituted about 9 percent by weight of the ocean catch in 1939-1942. Silver salmon are not taken by the Sacramento-San Joaquin fishery. 'Eel. Klamath, .Mad and Smith Rivers were closed to commercial fishing in 1934. Pounds Year Commercial Live bait Comm. and Hve bait 1916 531,209 528,753 868,161 1,609,548 569,774 1,946,881 652,516 307,074 346,951 93,071 60,157 368,201 357,470 382,445 319,561 307,494 299,217 317,292 257,505 178,970 195,122 226,229 735,144 2,147,901 6.317,797 4,105,382 1.694,290 1,570,803 3,891,029 1,616,880 1,921,627 18,940,521 10,835,930 3,322,273 4,878,687 6,954,852 55,782,870 84,503,703 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921. ._. -_ 1922 1923 1924 1925 . -- 1926 1927 , 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 7,450,993 5,604,735 7,647.640 10,283,730 13,620,879 12,783,016 18,286,923 1949 8,927,008 1950 12,526,327 1951 17,238,582 1952 69,403,749 1953 97,286,719 TABLE 47 COMMERCIAL FISHING FLEET Homeport 1952-1953 1953-1954 Eureka -- 465 277 789 447 244 2,016 807 405 4 476 Sacramento. _ 240 764 Monterey _ 440 Santa Barbara 249 Los Angeles 1,863 San Oiepo. _ 792 Alaska, Washington, Oregon.. 433 Other registr)' 3 Total number of boats. . .. 5,454 5,260 TABLE 48 RESIDENCE OF LICENSED COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN Region of residence Number of fishermen, 1952-1953 Number of fishermen, 1953-1954 Eureka _ - 862 413 1,281 940 448 3,808 2,746 983 85 835 408 San Francisco 1,216 936 Santa Barbara 467 3,598 San Diego 2,922 Alaska, Washington and Oregon fisher- 920 Mexican nationals licensed in California. 66 Total number of fishermen 11,566 11,368 FORTY-THIRD BIENNIAL -REPORT 95 TABLE 49 CALIFORNIA FISHERIES PRODUCTION TABLE 51 MARKET CRAB, CALIFORNIA LANDINGS Total landings, pounds Cases of fish canned Tons of fish meal pro- duced Gallons of fish oil pro- duced Gallons of liver oil pro- duced 1952 694,978,340 12,474,885 33,324 1,092,992 19,570 1953 617,329,389 12,358,514 25,121 814,221 5,330 Total 1,312,307,729 24.833,399 58,445 1,907,213 24,900 TABLE 50 POUNDS AND VALUE ' OF COMMERCIAL FISH LANDINGS AND SHIPMENTS INTO CALIFORNIA Species Yellowfin tuna Skipjack Albacore Salmon Jack mackerel-. Anchovy Bluefin tuna Market crab Sole Rockfish Sardine Yellowtail Abalone Spiny lobster Pacific mackerel Bonito White seabass-. Barracuda Squid Sablefish Pacific herring _ California hali- but Grouper Pismo clam Lingcod Black sea bass . Swordfish Cabrilla Kingfish All other Totals 1952 Pounds 185,517,690 88,891,667 72,328,039 8,127,061 146,521,673 55,782,870 4,576,685 12,997,411 20,920,033 10,722,880 14,330,420 9,446,979 4,784,033 807,237 20,604,671 2,144,823 1,148,706 2,094,793 3,670,923 1,889,589 9,495,386 525,530 829,807 3,192,254 1,365,601 318,050 313,230 574,333 3,273,524 7,782,442 694,978,340 )!29,336,957 11,424,498 12,515,283 2,109,056 4,754,969 1,153,156 733,224 1,893,011 1,429,984 610,175 523,120 874,228 431,094 337,589 785,464 206,782 354,549 330,122 170,763 167,894 225,662 127,107 164,571 52,992 107,226 49,073 118,292 86,207 127,815 781,995 371,982,858 1953 Pounds 140,544,952 130,653,919 80,021,442 8,775,383 55,750,855 84,503,703 9,835,302 8,263,717 17,527,561 12,224,895 9,468,953 5,212,383 4,719,504 750,132 7,502,181 3,102,647 909,074 1,443,706 8,917,114 2,078,450 7,975,995 530,461 479,658 6,317,152 987,430 411,979 142,967 413,305 1,201,269 6,663,300 617,329,389 Value 822,423,325 17,999,161 15,853,920 2,192,383 1,993,198 1,682,966 1,560,516 1,424,434 1,035, 7i2 541,371 527,811 490,041 438,723 352,868 328,751 302,697 251,554 240,696 205,486 177,519 172,880 124,302 106,137 105,281 70,562 67,883 67,831 67,458 61,659 617,694 Year Market crab pounds Year Market crab pounds 1916 1,296,912 2,580,840 1,619,280 1,304,904 1,220,568 800,952 860,328 1,075,800 1,506,816 3,234,312 3,296,280 2,960,712 3,574,464 1,792,776 1,992,384 2,231,384 2,433,987 3,208,494 3,768,081 1935 1936_.-. 3,680,188 2,311,802 1917 1918 1919 1937 1938 1,627,753 3,873,600 1920 1939 5 953 361 1921 1922 1923 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 5,151,014 4,260,340 2,414,110 1924 1925 1926 2,315,338 2,925,316 4,333,895 1927 1928 1946 1947 _ _ 9,633,6.30 10,733,398 1929 1930 1931 1948 1949 1950 11,912,191 11,133,046 11,721,352 1932 1951 11,568,353 1933 1952 12,941,418 1934 1953 8,252,777 TABLE 52 TOTAL ANNUAL LANDINGS AND SHIPMENTS INTO CALIFORNIA OF COMMERCIAL FISH, MOLLUSKS AND CRUSTACEANS Includes Sardine Deliveries to Reduction Ships During 1930 Through 1938 371,484,829 1916 1917 1918 1919. 1920. 1921 1922. 1923. 1924. 1925. 1926. 1927. 1928, 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 95,002,695 209,876,670 261,134,265 266,270,240 222,004,376 135,347,826 182,343,333 253,874,581 340,445,919 437,502,232 394,964,393 487,166,143 583,526,751 856,854,055 702,188,795 502,389,875 556,139,053 821,805,007 1,390,798,650 1,448,016,584 1,764,900,136 1,362,983,717 1,310,595,651 1,486,534,906 1,297,517,441 1,529,147,645 1,173,414.078 1,234.049,119 1,459,445,859 1,216,467,433 919,850,476 795,498,998 900,499,994 1,135,338,504 1,366,677,048 904,099,052 694,978,340 617,329,389 'Value to the fishermen. 96 DEPARTiVIENT OF FISH AND GAME i >NORTI-' KIKIVOU uj^ MODOC )j -^ ^<,^\ f'lHAlT* tAi»lN \ THINITY / I S TIHAMA > l.^' ■OLOTi UNO^OOINO/ / I PLUMAS ^$^ MAP OF GUZZLER INSTALLATIONS Numbers Indicate Number of Guzzlers Total of 2,002 Guzzlers, Jonuory 1, 1954 (-- -' ^ . I (.flLINN i> •UTTl \ ; -i JvS (^ ^^ «^tRRA_ « to-OL-0?rV-.'^''">^^-^^* Aakc, (sut^^ub^ /-Vlacer A>,\alAM10/13J'""*'''^'-, ''MARIPOSA^' \ MONO \ I \^_.___ljr _'- ^ ) ' "^v ^ «An\- ; SANTA S,^^-;' ^\(o\ '"■ '' ^ INVO UATEcT '^ CLARA ^ (?)• MERGED \k^- > l'"^" . (1D_,^-^,;,*re SANTA -^ CRU ^MONTE (sAN LUIsbllSP^ KERN 1 '1, A Barbara] ^ — c ■_-"■ (92) i (Si) \"' *"""* I (80 l/ENTURA \ .; •0^^=^ Ci r-^/ RIVCRtlDI 0 R A N O E — ^><5vV2§' ' I — 1. ^- SAN OIEOO \1 (|79) MPCRIAL ttrillird III CALIfOBNIA STAIL r R I N I I N t, OlFrcB ■o o Q (Q a O c Q Q (5" (D a. (A > > z > z o- O o I o : "" ■"! - !5 Ti n I > 5 I = > 5: o TO z > ^,