California. Dept. of Fish and GAme. Biennial Report 1948-1950. / /- C/ ^^-■:niuZ_^ .^r? / California. Dept. of Fish and Gaji:e, Biennial Report 1948-1950. (bound volume) C'l DATE DUE \ \\ r^fA 1 California. Dept. of Fish and Game. Biennial Reoort 1948-1950. (bound volume) California Resources Agency Library 1416 9th Street, Room 117 Sacramento, California 95814 STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WARREN T. HANNUM, Director FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME FOR THE YEARS 1948-1950 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LETTER OP TRANSMITTAL 7 REPORTS Fish and Game Commission 9 Executive Officer 17 Bureau of Game Conservation 24 Bureau of Marine Fisheries 39 Bureau of Licenses 67 Bureau of Fish Conservation 72 Bureau of Patrol and Law Enforcement 113 APPENDICES A. Statements of Revenue and Expenditure 116 B. Game Statistics 121 C. Marine Fisheries Statistics 125 D. Fish Distribution and Rescue 128 E. Arrests, Fines and Seizures 137 (3) Warren T. Hannum DIRECTOR OF NATURAL RESOURCES Harvey E. Hastain PRESIDENT, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION Lee F. Payne COMMISSIONER Edwin L. Carty COMMISSIONER William J. Silva COMMISSIONER Paul Denny COMMISSIONER E. L. Macaulay EXECUTIVE OFFICER LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL July 1, 1950 To PIis Excellency, Earl Warren Governor of the State of California Sacramento, California Sir: We, the members of the Fish and Game Commission, respect- fully submit the Forty-first Biennial Report, covering the period July 1, 1948, through June 30, 1950. The report contains a resume of the activities of the Fish and Game Commission ; an account by the executive officer ; and detailed reports on the functions of the various bureaus by their respective chiefs. There also are included complete fiscal statements and tabulations on fish and game management. Respectfully submitted, California Fish and Game Commission Harvey E. Hastain, President Lee F. Payne Paul Denny Edwin L. Carty William J. Silva (7) REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION At the start of this bienniuni, the members of the California Fish and Game Commission were : Harvey E. Hastain, President Brawley William J. Silva Modesto Lee F. Payne Los Angeles Paul Denny Etna Edwin L. Carty Oxnard Following the expiration of their terms in office, the Governor reappointed : Edwin L. Carty, on Jannary 21, 1949 William J. Silva, on Febiaiary 8, 1950 Mr. Silva Avas president for the period from Jannary 15, 1949, to January 27, 1950, and was foJluwed by Mr. Hastain on January 27, 1950. At the close of the biennium, the membership of the commission was as follows : Harvey E. Hastain, President Term expires 1951 Lee F. Payne Term expires 1952 Paul Denny Term expires 1953 Edwin L. Carty Term expires 1955 William J. Silva Term expires 1956 E. L. Macaulay continued as executive officer of the commission during the biennium. LEGISLATION The Legislature, during the 1949 session, made several changes in the act granting regulatory powers to the commission (see Chapter 1045) , requiring that : (1) two meetings must be held each year during January; at the first meeting the commission shall receive recommendations as to seasons, bag and possession limits for the taking of all kinds of game and sport fish ; at the second meeting, the commission is to determine regulations, and, within 10 days thereafter must make public announcement of orders establishing such regulations for the ensuing seasons on fishing and hunting. These meetings are to be held alternately in San Francisco and Los Angeles; (2) the commission hold scheduled open hearings in any area in which the taking of female deer has been proposed ; (3) the commission hold scheduled open hearings in any area in which the opening of a game refuge has been proposed ; (4) all orders and regulations of the commission are to be com- piled, printed and distributed, with copies to "be mailed to each district attorney, county clerk, and justice of the peace throughout the State." (9) & lU FISH AND GAME COMMISSION The act was extended for another two-year period. Another act reqnired that, in lieu of payment of annual taxes, the coiuniission must reimburse counties, annuall}', an amount equal to the taxes assessed against such property as purchased at the time the land is acquired and used for public shooting grounds. (Chapter 1046, Stats. 1949.) In the future, all liunting and fishing licenses sliall have attached thereto the number of shipping tags, as permitted by the commission ; such tags will permit the licensee to ship by common carrier only limited quantities of fish or game. The fee for a nonresident hunting license was increased to $25; the fee for a nonresident deer tag to $10 ; the fee for a noncitizen hunting license to $50 ; the fee for a nonresident sport fishing license to $10 ; and the fee for a noncitizen sport fishing license to $25. The use of pheasant license tags was re-established, with a fee of $1 for the same number of tags as the number of pheasants a hunter might legally possess. Probably the most outstanding legislation was the act establishing "Cooperative Hunting Areas," which should lead to more friendly relationships between property owner, sportsman, and commission. The owner supplies the land at no fee, the commission releases pheasants and supervises and patrols each area, the sportsman has hunting privileges at a fee not to exceed $2 per clay. Several chapters were added to the State Water Code all relating to pollution and its correction. A State Water Pollution Control Board and nine regional water control boards were created, members were appointed by the Governor, their powers and duties defined, and other state agencies concerned with the beneficial uses of water were instructed as to their parts in the over-all program. This act provides the means for coordinating the actions of the various state agencies and political subdivisions in the control of water pollution, and for enforcing correction of conditions which are dangerous to iniblic health, recreation and the best interests of the State. Another valuable and much needed act was that defining the offshore boundaries of the State. (Government Code, Chap. 65, Stats. 1949.) WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD PROJECTS By the close of the biennium. tlie Wildlife Conservation Board had allocated over $8,500,000 to 73 projects. The survey of these projects which follows is taken from "California's Fish and Game Program" (1950), a report prepared by Seth Gordon, consultant to the board. SUMMARY OF APPROVED PROJECTS Fish Hiitchery and Stockins Projects (18) $2,833,900 Warmwater and Other Fish Projects (6) 164,.500 Flow Maintenance and Stream Improvement Projects (14) 4.50,000 Screen and Ladder Projects (14) 352,140 State Game Farm Projects (4) 106,000 Other Upland Game Projects (4) 443,150 Waterfowl Management Projects (9) 1 4,177,376 General Projects (4) ^ 65,000 Total (78 projects) $8,592,066 FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 11 FISH HATCHERY AND STOCKING PROJECTS Name, Location and Sponsor 1. Black Hock Renriiu/ I'oiuls; Inyo County, near Independence ; Div. of Fish and Game. I'roject No. .30. 2. Cedar Creek Hafcheii/: Mendorinn Co., near Cummings ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 29. 3. Crystal Lake Hatchery; Shasta Co., near Cassel ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 22. 4. Darrah Springs Hatchery; Shasta Co., site tributary to N. Fork of Battle Creelc; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 23. 5. Deep Creek Stocking Trails (Little Bear Creek and Mojave Camp- ground); San Bdo. Co., San P>do. Natl. Forest ; Inland F. & G. Cons. Assn. Project No. 2. 6. Experimental Pond Construction : state-wide; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. G(j. 7. Fillmore Hatchery; Ventura Co., approx. one mile from Fillmore ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 38. 8. Fish Springs Rearing Ponds: Inyo Co., between Independence and Bispine on Hwy. 395 ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 37. 9. Glenn-Colusa Hatchery; Glenn or Colusa Co. ; Item 245 from 1947- 48 Budget. Project No. 65. 10. Kern River Hatchery; Kern Co., six miles north of Kernville ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 33. 11. Moccasin Creek Hatchery ; Tuolumne Co., near junction of Hwys. 49 and 120 ; Tuolumne Co. Fish and Game Assn. Project No. 17. J2. Mojave Hatchery; San Bdo. Co., near Victorville ; Div. of Fish and Game and Inland Fish and Game Conservation Assn. Project No. 39. 13. Moorehouse Springs Hatchery ; Tu- lare Co., near Springville, Div. of Fi.sh and Game. Project No. 64. 14. Mt. Shasta Hatchery; Siskiyou Co.. near Mt. Shasta City ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 21. 15. San Gabriel Hatchery; Los Angeles Co., 2 miles north of Pico ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 40. (Formerly listed as Whittier Hatchery.) Description New housing facilities and plant improve- ments. Operated in conjunction with Mt. Whitney Hatchery. Est. produc- tion 400,000 catchable trout. lldqtrs. for coastal stream clearance and improvement, also fish rescue opera- tions. Incidental pi-oduction may be 10,000 catchable trout and 750,000 fingerlings. New plant, partly completed. Est. pro- duction 72,000 lbs., 450,000 catchable, 75,000 fingerlings. New hatchery plant. Est. production 120,000 lbs., 1,800,000 catchable. An exceptional site for efficient operation. Access trails for fish stocking purposes only. Estal)lishing experimental ponds for test purposes. New well and pump to permit plant to operate during drought periods. Est. production 90,000 lbs., 1,400,000 catch- able. New installation. Est. production 80,000 lbs., 1,000,000 catchable. Project held in abeyance pending further investigation and development at Dar- rah Springs. Expansion of former plant. Est. produc- tion 40,000 lbs., 300,000 catchable, 50,000 fingerlings. New plant. A suitable site, but involving difficult engineering problems. Est. pro- duction 80,000 lbs., 1,000,000 catch- able, 150,000 fingerlings. New plant with exceptional growth of trout possible. Est. ultimate produc- tion 120,000 lbs., 1,800,000 catchable. New plant. Est. production 20,000 lbs., 120,000 catchable. Rehabilitation of entire plant. Est. pro- duction .50,000 lbs., 800,000 catchable, 2,500,000 fingerlings. New installation. Est. production 90,000 lbs., 1,400,000 catchable. Size of devel- opment will depend upon progress made at Mojave Hatchery. 12 FISH AND GA:ME COMMIi^SION FISH HATCHERY AND STOCKING PROJECTS— Continued Name, Location and Sponsor IG. San Joaquin Hatchery ; Fresno Co., downstream from Friant Dam ; Sportsmen's Council of Central Cal. and Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 19. 17. Tahoe Hatchery ; Placer Co., one mile north of Tahoe City ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 25. IS. Tide River Hatchenj ; Tulare Co., near Camp Wishon ; Sportsmen's Council of Central Cal. and Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 18. 10. Willow .Creek Hatchery; Lassen Co., north and east of Susanville ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 68. Description New plant ; excellent site. Est. produc- tion (iO.OOO lbs.. 900,000 catchable, 120,000 fingerlings. Consolidation of Tallac with Tahoe Hatchery and expansion of present plant. When completed est. produc- tion 75,000 lbs., 800,000 catchable, 200,000 fingerlings. New installation. Est. production 40,000 lbs., 600,000 catchable. Proposed new plant. Est. production 70,000 lbs., 1.000.000 catchable. 1,- 500,000 fingerlings. WARMWATER AND OTHER FISH PROJECTS Name, Location and Sponsor 1. Coachella Valley Public Fishing Areas; Riverside Co., near Cities of Indio, Coachella, Mecca and Thermal ; Coachella Valley Wild Game Propagation Club. Project No. 74. 2. Linda Lake Puilic Fishing Area: San Diego Co., east of Lakeside ; Div. of Fish and Game at request of Co. Depts. of Public Works and Recreation. Project No. 77. 3. Ramer Lake Public Fishing Area; Imperial Co., near Calipatria, on property already owned by Div. of Fish and Game ; Imperial Co. Fish and Game Assn. Project No. 72. 4. San Antonio Creek Public Fishing Area; Santa Barbara Co., in the Camp Cooke Military Reserva- tion ; Santa Maria Valley Sports- man's Assn. Project No. 86. 5. San Diego River Development Pro- gram ; San Diego Co. ; San Diego Co. Federated Sportsmen. Proj- ect No. 57. 6. Shasta River Fish Counting Dam: Siskiyou Co., near junction of Shasta and Klamath Rivers ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 61. Description Three or four warmwater fishing ponds or lakes in natural basins or eroded areas. Sites made available without cost to State. Drilling well to restore water to dry lake bed ; also deepening lake, approx. 15 acres in area. Development of warmwater fishing lake by constr. of proper dike and deepening to provide approx. 275-acre lake on N. side Alamo River. Creation of a warmwater fishing lake by constr. of a dam in San Antonio Creek Canyon. (Originally submitted as a waterfowl project.) Development of warmwater fishing ponds in former sand and gravel pits along river bed. Constr. of counting dam for salmon and steelhead, to replace present poorly located dam six miles upstream ; also attendant's cottage. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 13 FLOW MAINTENANCE AND STREAM IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Name, Location and Sponsor 1. Cri/tital Lake Level Maintenance ; Los Angeles Co., Angeles Natl. Forest, Upper San Gabriel Can- yon ; Messrs. W. P. Bryan and Lupi Saldana and U. S. Forest Service. Project No. 73. 2. Deep Greek Stream Improvement (Holcomh Creek Dam) ; San Bdo. Co., San Bdo. Natl. Forest; In- land Fish and Game Conservation Assn. Project No. 2. 3. Dry Lake Level Maintenance; San Bdo. Co., San Bdo. Natl. Forest: U. S. Forest Service and Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 82. 4. El Dorado Flow Maint. Dams; El Dorado and Alpine Cos., El Dor- ado Natl. Forest ; Mt. Ralston Fish Planting Club. Project No. 1. 5. Emigrant Basin Flow Maint. Dam and Stream Imp. Program ; Alpine, Calaveras and Tuolumne Cos., Stanislaus Natl. Forest; U. S. Forest Service. Project No. 16. G. Granite Creek Floiv Maint. Dams; Madera Co., Sierra Natl. Forest ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 41-1. 7. .l/(/y.s/( Lake Level Maint.; Inyo Co. ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 41-2. S. Mendocino Natl. Forest Stream Impr. and Flow Maint. Program; Colusa and Glenn Cos. ; U. S. For- est Service and Senator Louis G. Sutton. Project No. 12. !). Pine Creek Floio Maint. Dam; Las- sen Co., Lassen Natl. Forest ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 4. 10. Sacramento River Weir (rough fish barrier) ; Shasta Co., on Sacra- mento River above Shasta Lake ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 67. 11. San Bernardino National Forest Stream Imp.; San Bdo. and River- •side Cos. ; Div. of Fish and Game, U. S. Forest Service and Inland Council of Cons. Clubs. Project No. 81. 12. San Diego County Floiv Maint. Dam Program; San Diego Co. ; San Di- ego Co. Federated Sportsmen. Pro- ject No. 58. 13. Sequoia Natl. Forest Flotv Maint. Program; Tulare and Kern Cos. ; TJ. S. Forest Service. Project No. 51. 34. Tahoe Natl. Forest Flow Maint. and Imp. Program; Nevada, Placer and El Dorado Cos. ; U. S. Forest Service. Project No. 49. Description Purchase of pipe to collect water now wasted, to maintain proper lake level and provide more public fishing. Forest Service to install pipe. Dam for reservoir of approx. six surface acres to furnish a continuous flow of water to Ilolcomb Creek, now intermit- tent. Sealing lake bottom with bentonite to eliminate seepage losses, and increasing height and providing adequate spillway for existing dam. Constr. of dams on some 46 high moun- tain lakes to maintain stream flow and fish life during annual dry periods. Dams on 18 lakes, and on Summit and Airola Creeks and the S. Fork of the Mokelumne to maintain stream flow and fish life during annual dry periods. Dams on Lillian, Rainbow, Rutherford, McClure and Lower Jackass Lakes to maintain stream flow and fish life dur- ing annual dry periods. Dam to restore this heavily fished lake to its original area of four acres. Experimental plantings, particularly on Thomes, Grindstone and Big and Little Stony Creeks, to re-establish stream- side cover destroyed by severe floods during winter of 1937-38. Dam, complete with fish ladder to permit Eagle Lake trout to migrate to spawn- ing areas. Dam to prevent passage of rough fish from Shasta Lake upstream, equipped with fish ladder suitable for trout and holding tank to permit segregation of rough fish. General stream improvement and flow maintenance program on 14 s«'i>arate streams. Dams to maintain stream flow and fish life during annual dry periods on 10 streams throughout county, totaling approx. 92 miles. Dams on 10 streams within forest to maintain stream flow and fish life dur- ing annual dry periods. Project re- quires further detailed study. Dams to control lake levels and maintain stream flow and fish life during annual dry periods. Includes Upper Truckee River improvement. 14 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION FISH SCREEN AND LADDER PROJECTS Name, Location and Sponsor 1. Battle Creek Screen; Shasta Co. side of Battle Creek ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 44-9. 2. Bennett und S)nitk Dam Fish Lad- der; Siskiyou Co., on S. Fork of Salmon Kiver ; Div. of Fish and Came. Project No. 44-3. .">. Burnt Ranch Falls Fish Ladder: Trinity Co., on main Trinity River ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 44-2. 4. Canyon Creek Fish Ladder; Trinity Co., four miles upstream from junction of Canyon Creek and Trinity River ; Trinity Co. Sports- men. Project No. 62. 5. Central Headquarters for Stream Improvement ; Sacramento Co., at Central Valleys Hatchery. Elk Grove ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 42. (). iJagueire Point Fish Ladders; Yuba Co.. at junction of Dry Creek and Yuba River ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 3. 7. Deer Creek Falls Fish Ladder; one mile upstream from Potato Patch Camp Grounds, Tehama Co. ; As- sociated Sportsmen of California. Project No. 9. 8. Deer Creek Fish Screens; Tehama Co., three miles NE. of Vina ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 44-5. 9. Glenn-Colusa Canal Screens; Gleun Co., Sacramento River and Stony Creek ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 43. 10. Men dot a Fish Ladder; Fresno Co., one mile NE. of Mendota ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 44-7. 11. Merced Fish Screen and Ladders; Merced Co., in vicinity of Snelling, about 15 miles E. of Merced ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 44-6. 12. Salt Slough Fish Ladder; Merced Co., five miles E. of Los Banos ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 44-8. 13. Saivyer's Bar Auxiliary Dam; Sisk- iyou Co., on N. Fork of Salmon River ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 63. 14. Sutter-Butte Fish way ; Butte Co., Feather River, 5 miles E. of Grid- ley ; Div. of Fish and Game. Proj- ect No. 45. Description Screening irrigation ditch intake about i mile below Coleman Fed. Hatchery to safeguard young salmon and steelhead on way to ocean. Replacement of present inadequate, poorly located ladder. Creation of fish ladder by blasting pools out of the bedrocks in the more difficult rapids. Replacement of unsatisfactory wooden ladder with better located ladder and larger steps. I'refabricated building to serve as equip- ment warehouse and to house machine shop for constr. of minor installations and repairs. Constr. of two fishways at opposite ends of 750' Ig. Daguerre Pt. Dam, which now blocks salmon from about 90% of their spawning grounds. Ladder approx. 25' high to permit salmon to ascend to spawning grounds. Three screens and by-passes on irrigation ditches. Mechanical screens to prevent heavy an- nual losses of young salmon. Ditch at max. carries over 2,200 c. f. s. Present rack wholly unsatisfactory. Fish ladder over dam at Mendota Pool on San Joaciuin River. Four fish ladders and one screen on Mer- ced River. Fish ladder from San Joaquin River into Miller-Lux Canal to divert fish around dried-up section of main stream channel. Present fish ladder at Sawyer's Bar Dam unsatisfactory. Auxiliary dam to raise water level in pool below existing structure to allow fish to ascend. To replace present inadequate fishway which is responsible for heavy salmon losses. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 15 GAME FARM PROJECTS Name, Location and Sponsor 1. Binn-lcii Game Fnyui : Imperial Co., Div. of Fish and Game, Item 245, 1947-48 Budget. Proiect No. 519- 10. 2. Chico Game Farm : Butte Co. ; Div. of Fish and Came, Item 245, 1947- 48 Budget. Project No. 519-7. 3. j\fnrysvnie Game Farm; Yuba Co.; Div. of Fish and Game, Item 245, 1947-48 Budget. Pro.iect No. 519-8. 4. Poifcrville Game Farm ; Tulare Co. ; Div. of Fish and Game, Item 245, 1947-48 Budget. Project No. 519 9. Description To expand game propagation facilities and improve housing. To expand game propagation facilities and improve housing. To expand game propagation facilities and improve housing. To expand game propagation facilities and improve housing. OTHER UPLAND GAME PROJECTS Name, Location and Sponsor 1. Coast Counties Quail Hahitat Im- provement; Central Coast Cos. ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 549. 2. Desert Quail Development ; desert region of Southern California ; Div. of Fish and Game and Inland Fish and Game Assn. Project No. 503. 3. Quail Hahitat Development ; all of California S. of U. S. Hw.v. 40, with major emphasis S. of the Te- hachapi ; Div. of Fish and Gam(\ Pro'ect No. 554. 4. Doyle Winter Range; SE. corner of Lassen Co.; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 515. Description Provide watering places and other habitat improvements. Provide watering places and other habitat improvements. Providing watering places and improved habitat for quail and other game in re- gions with insufficient water and cover to maintain a game suppl.v. Constructiim of residence, garage and shop, fencing, etc. WATERFOWL PROJECTS Name, Location and Sponsor 1. Butte Sink Waterfowl Mgt. Area; Colusa Co., in Lower Butte Basin, bordered on the E. by Butte Cr(>ek and extending westward toward Sacramento River ; staff of Board and Div. of Fish and Game. (Alt. to Upper Butte Creek. Project No. 507.) 2. Delta Waterfowl Mgt. Area; Solano Co., on the eastern side of Grizzly Island, along Suisun Bay ; staff of Board and Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 550. 3. Honey Lake Waterfowl Mgt. Area; SE. Lassen Co. ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 523. 4. Imperial Valley Waterfowl Mgt. Area; Imperial Co., near Salton Sea ; Div. of Fish and Game. Proj- ect No. 536. Description One of seven key waterfowl management projects to provide feeding grounds, I'csting areas, and pulilic shooting. Ap- prox. 3,578 acres, plus possible 1,000 acres addl. (Orig. Upper Butte proj- ect consisted of 5,760 acres located farther north.) One of seven key waterfowl management units to provide feeding, resting, and public shooting grounds. Approx. 8,600 acres. Construction of ponds, canals, control structures, etc. One of seven key waterfowl management units to provide feeding, resting, and public shooting grounds. 16 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION WATERFOWL PROJECTS— Continued Name, Location and Sponsor 5. Lower Butte Creek Waterfoivl Mgt. Area; Butte Co., N. of Marysville Biittes ; staff of Board and Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 548. 6. Lower San Joaquin Waterfowl Mgt. Area; Merced Co.; staff of Board and Div. of Fish and Game. Proj- ect No. 506. 7. Madeline Plains Waterfowl Mgt. Area; Lassen Co. ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 522. 8. Madera Waterfowl Mgt. Area; Ma- dera Co., in the San Joaquin River Valley ; staff of Board and Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 532. 9. Upper San Joaquin Waterfowl J\fgt. Area ; Kern Co. ; Staff of Board and Div. of Fish and Game. Proj- ect No. 551. Description One of seven key waterfowl management units. Expansion of present Gray Lodge Refuge. 4,020 acres in area originally proposed. One of seven key waterfowl management units. Expansion of Present Los Banos Refuge. 0,678 acres to be purchased on San Luis Island (alternate to original area of 5,660 acres). Equipment, construction of ponds, roads, etc. One of seven key waterfowl management units to provide feeding, resting, and public shooting grounds. Approx. 5,120 acres. One of seven key waterfowl management units. Tupman Elk Refuge plus 4,060 acres of adjacent lands. GENERAL PROJECTS Name, Location and Sponsor 1. Airplane Hangar; Sacramento Co., at the Sacramento Municipal Air- port ; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 1008. 2. Central Laboratorp and Statistical Building: Alameda Co., Berkeley; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 1001. 3. Delta Fish and Game Operations Base; Contra Costa Co., near S. end of Antioch Bridge, four miles E. of Antioch; Div. of Fish and Game. Project No. 1010. 4. S. Humholdt Bay Public Recrea- tional Area; Humboldt Co., ap- prox. 5 miles SW. of Eureka ; Div. of Fish and Game and Northern Humboldt Fi.sh and Game Club. Project No. 1006. Description Constr. of 60' x 80' hangar for two Div. of Fish and Game planes, complete with workshop and storage space. Building to house statistical department, now unsatisfactorily located on Ter- minal Island, and to furnish laboratory for all research w^n-kers of the Div. of Fish and Game. Construction of centrally looated field op- erations base for Bureaus of .^lariiie Fisheries, Fish Conservation, and Pa- trol, including 40' x 60' warehouse and net workshop, 40' x 40' net rack and berthing facilities. Acquisition of approx. 760 to 900 acres of land along the bay for recreational purposes, particularly surf fishing and waterfowl shooting. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER The Fish and Game Commission requested the Department of Finance, through its administrative analyst staff, to make an adminis- trative survey of the Division of Fish and Game, with a view toward reorganizing the division. Following submission of this report of survey the executive officer held many conferences with representatives of the U. S. Forest Service, the U. S." Fish and Wildlife Service, and the State Division of Forestry, all of whose activities are similar to our own, to determine the best plan for an administrative reorganization of the Division of Fish and ({ame. The recommended plan of the executive officer and the bureau chiefs, which was submitted to and accepted by the commission on June 27, 1950, at Shasta Springs, California, is quoted herewith : RECOMMENDED PLAN FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REORGANIZATION OF THE DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME The last reorganization of the Fish and Game Division activities took place in 1926, and the following comments published in the quarterly magazine for January of that year are interesting : COMMISSION'S WORK REORGANIZED The work of consei'viiij; tlio fish and same resources of California is a sreat undertaking and the numerous employees of the commission must work together if real acoomiilishments are to l)e attained. Just as the efficient administration of any larjie corporation is dependent upon a selected si'oup of department heads u])on whom responsibility is fixed, so in the woi"k of the Fish and (Jame Commission similar departmental orsanization has become necessary. In fulfillment of the promise to give conservation work a thoroujjhly businesslike administration, the work of the commission is to be accomi)lislieil throus'b certain departments and bureaus. The main departments will be Administration, I'ati'ol. Fishculture, Ladders and Screens, and Commercial Fisheries. Less important branches of the work will be desisiuated as the Bureaus of Accounts, Education and Research, Publicity, and Game Farms. At the time of this 1926 reorganization the division had approxi- mately 200 employees with an annual budget slightly in excess of $800,- 000. Approximately one-quarter million hunting licenses were sold in that year and slightly less than one-quarter million angling licenses. At the present time the division has over 700 employees with an annual budget of $5,500,000, not including Wildlife Conservation Board appro- priations. The sale -of hunting licenses has increased to approximately one-half million, while angling license sales have almost reached the million mark. It is a]5]iarent that the system which was satisfactory 20-odd years ago cannot handle the tremendous increase in the work load today. The executive officer and the bureau chiefs have held many con- ferences and have reached the conclusion, after discussions with repre- sentatives from the U. S. Forest Service, the State Division of Forestry, and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, whose activities more or less correspond to our own, that a line and staff organizational setup, with regional offices, will best suit our requirements. (17) 18 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION I. FUNCTIONS OF THE DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME The work of the Division of Fish and Game falls into several major functions: A. Assistance in formulation and application of fish and game policies. B. Fish and same management and habitat conti'ol. C Law enforcement. D. Propagation of fish and game. E. Fisli and game research. F. Conservation education and public information. G. Jjicense sales. H. Fiscal, budgetary and personnel controls. II. DEFICIENCIES IN THE PRESENT ORGANIZATION Several deficiencies in the present organization of the Division of Fish and Game hinder the efficient accomplishment of the above functions. These can be listed as : A. An important shortcoming in the present organization is the fact that the chiefs and intermediate staffs of the present bureaus have a dual capacity ; policy making and interpretation, atid the problem of actually administering this policy in the field. Most modern organizations of the size and complexity of the Division of Fish and Game separate the functions of policy leadership and interpretation under one category which is generally designated as staff, and the administrative responsi- bilities generally known as line authority. It is felt that an over-all organization within the division of the line and staff type would go a long way toward overcoming this deficiency in our present organization. B. A second major deficiency in the present organization is the lack of coordi- nation among the field personnel of the present bureaus. In general, coordination among the functions of the present bureaus is fairly satisfactory at the bureau chief level where constant contacts are made among the various chiefs in the San Francisco ofiice. At the field level, however, there is in various areas of the State a lack of under- standing of the problems that arise from the functions of the present bureaus. In many cases staff and operating members of one bureau are fully aware of commission policies and commission aims with respect to handling certain fish and game manage- ment matters, whereas the personnel of another bureau lack such understanding, and the resulting confusion, as far as statements to the public are concerned, puts the whole division in a poor position. This is perhaps the greatest deficiency in our present organization. Establishment of regional offices in which middle level personnel could have daily contact and regional direction would aid materially in such coordination and should be considered as a first step in any reorganization plan. C. The public is unable to obtain information or a clear statement of commission policy and activities on the local level. Established commission policy and activities should be readily available to the public locally. D. Many of the administrative difficulties of the Division of Fish and Game result from the organizational set-up in Sacramento, both between the division and the Department of Natural Resources, and between the division and the other agencies of State Government through the department. Fiscal control and the processing of personnel and other documents are unduly complicated and slow. Reorganization of the Division of Fish and Game alone will not correct these shortcomings. It is, how- ever, suggested that within the division itself many administrative procedures be standardized and placed on a regional basis. III. PROPOSALS FOR AN IMPROVED ORGANIZATION It is proposed that the Division of Fish and Game be modified into a line and staff type of organization together with the establishment of regional oflBces. A. Regions It is suggested that the State be divided into 11 administrative regions with headquarters as follows : I. Eureka VI. Modesto II. Redding VII. Monterey III. Chico VIII. Fresno IV. Sacramento IX. Bishop V. San Francisco X. Los Angeles XI. San Diego FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 19 The basis for determining tliese regions is a dual one — taking care of tlie func- tions of the division as listed in Section I above, and of being of service to the public. The plan takes into consideration natural fish and game habitat zones, routes of travel and conveniently spaced population centers that may serve as headquarters for regional administrative offices. These offices must of necessity be of such size and nature that they will serve adequately all executive, staff and administrative per.sonnel neces.sary to the proper functioning of each region. The division already maintains at least a small installation at each of the regional headquarters proposed except for Modesto. Additional (luarters would be needed at some but not all of these points. The proposed regions would not be so large as to make proper administration difficult. The regional staff would be able to visit all installations frequently and maintain close touch with all personnel. Adequate administration would be possible along the entire coast, justified by the importance of the ocean fisheries. Aside from the division's administrative needs, one of the principal fund ions of the regional offices will be to serve as centers of information for the pul)lic, and fiir that reason alone they should be situated strategically and not too few in number. Tlie U. S. Forest Service is responsible for the administration of about one-fourth the land area of California, and has an organization similar to the one proposed herein. This agency has found it necessary to divide its work among IS forest super- visors. The State contains 11 higliway districts and several other state agencies have districted the State on about the same basis for administrative puri^oses. Creation of any lesser number of regions would result in such large adminis- trative units that it would be necessary to subdivide the regions and establish bi-anch offices with subordinate staff's. This would be cumbersome and expensive, and would add one more link in the administrative chain. B. Suggested Organization The over-all pattern suggested for the reorganization of the division is a line and staff organization wherein the various functions listed under Section I are admin- istered as a result of staff advice and leadershij) through the various regions listed in Section IIIA. This organization is roughly the same type as that used in the U. S. Forest Service, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Michigan Department of Conserva- tion, the Pennsylvania Department of Game, and Washington Department of Game. It has been adapted from these various plans to fit California conditions. The California plan as herein presented involves a state administrative set-up which has as its head a Chief of the Division of Fish and Game, aided by assistant chiefs who will aid him in matters of policy as it affects various subheadings of his over-all responsibilities. These assistant chiefs of the Division of Fish and Game are : Assistant Chief, Game Assistant Chief, Wildlife Protection Assistant Chief, Inland Fisheries Assistant Chief in charge of administr.'itive matters including finance and fiscal matters, budgets and accounts, personnel matters, license distril)U- tion Assistant Chief, Marine Fisheries Also responsible to the Chief of the Division of Fish and Game would be a Supervisor of Conservation Education who would act as a staff advisor. Responsible to the Chief of the Division of Fish and Game would be the 11 regional managers who would be in charge of the execution of all functions in their regions. Each would be organized according to the rough pattern of the over-all state organization. In other words, attached to each regional manager would be staff assistants for game, inland fish, marine fish, law enforcement, and fiscal and personnel matters as needed in each region. In some regions more tlian one function might be handled by a single staff assistant. Such functional enii)loyees as wardens, trappers, game farm iierscuuie], fish hatchery personnel, upland game management crews, stream improvement crews, etc., as would be necessary to fulfill the action or line functions undertaken by the division in each region would be responsible to the regional manager of the respective region. The staff' of the regional manager would aid him in matters of policy and leadershi]) in carrying out the several functions within his region. Research direction, being state-wide in its nature, would be carried on as a function of the state level staff. Assistance in carrying on research would be given by the regions as necessary. 20 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION C. Regional Managers The whole success of the siigKested plan hinges upon the caliber of the men selected as resional manafrers. The major change brought about by the adoption of the line and staff organization would be the decentralization of the work of the division and the delegation of responsibility to the regional manager for the work of the divi- sion in each area. The selection of these regional managers and the size of the areas they are called upon to administer thus become the major factors that will determine the success or failure of the new organization. The following are the main iiriuciples upon which the regional managers should be selected : 1. The best opportunity for finding suitable men is among the TOO employees of Fish and Game. 2. The examination for these positions should be open on a competitive basis to all men with a reasonable amount of experience, maturity and previous re- sponsibility, including men from outside the division who can qualify. 3. Salaries should be above those now paid to any of the men to be under the regional manager's supervision. 4. The qualifications and knowledge required should give a fair opportunity for men from all of the fields of law enforcement, management, research and administration. D. Statements of Commission Policies No decentralized organization can function properly without established policies for guidance. Without them the several regions might be administered quite differently, resulting in uneven service to the public and inequities to the personnel, as well as shortcomings in wild life management. There is at present a lack of written commission policies on various phases of fish and game management, accompanied by a poor distribution to men in the field of such policies that do exist. Such lack of written policies has resulted in employees making individual interpretations on fish and game matters that are quite often at a variance with sound procedures both as far as the wild life itself is concerned and as far as the public is concerned. Such firm policies should be adopted by the com- mission dealing with each of the major species of fish and game as well as their major management problems. Such policies should not be considered as fixed and unchanging, but should be regarded as living policies subject to continual revision by the commission upon recommendation of the staff and the public. With the type of organization such as t)utlined herein, dissemination of policies to all per.sonnel would be a simple matter. These policies would be made known to the people of the entire State by the regional personnel uniformly ;ind without delay or distortion. ,£. The Need for an In-Service Training Program In order to implement the organizational plan presented herein and to insure its success, it is recommended that the division institute an in-service training program. Almost as important as the necessity for reorganization of the division is the need for various pei-sonnel of the division to be informed on all fish and game matters since virtually every employee of the division is called upon at some time or another to explain the work of the division as a whole or he may be called upon to explain the work of other members of the division, work with which he has no particular contact in the ordinary course of his duties. A well-planned, permanent in-service training program could do as much to put the Division of Fish and Game and the Fish and Game Commission in a better position to perform their services as would any reorganization that might be devised. It is suggested, therefore, that some plan such as the following program be adopted. Five in-service training officer positions should be set up as follows (one of these positions is already in the budget) : 1. Law enforcement instruction. 2. Administrative, fiscal and personnel matters. 3. Game management. 4. Inland fisheries management. 5. Marine fisheries management. These in-service training officers should be attached to the assistant chiefs in charge of each of these functions and should in addition act together as a body, as FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAIj HKPORT 21 an in-service training: faculty to indoctrinate thoroushly all personnel of t!ie division, and to conduct periodic schools for all permanent employees on a i)lanned, rotatinj;- basis. It should he the responsibility of the in-service training staff to prc'pare maniials of procedure and policy. Corollary to the general need for an in-sei-vice program as outlined above is the need for periodic inspections of field functions by state level staff as well as the need for periodic, planned regional meetings of regional staffs at which state level staff should be in attendance and take part in the program. As soon as a determination is made by the commission of the number of regional districts which would be most suitable, I recommend the proposed plan be submitted to the Senate and Assembly Interim Committees, the Director of Finance, the Per- sonnel Board, the Legislative Auditor, sportsmen groups, and the press for their study, with a request that their suggestions or comments be returned at an early date. (Signed) E. L. Macaulay Executive Officer PERSONNEL CHANGES DEATHS Arthur L. Stager, Fish and Game Patrol Captain Oct. 28, 1948 August Bade, Chief, Bureau Game Farms (retired) Feb. 11, 1949 S. H. Dado, Assistant Chief, Bureau Marine PMsheries (retired) Mar. 12, 1949 Carl J. Walters, Fish and Game Warden June 9, 1949 Eugene Piatt. Game Farm Superintendent July 11, 1949 Ethel W. Murphy, Intermediate Stenogra])her-Clerk July 25, 1949 Abe Woodard, Fish H:itchery Man (retired) Sept. 15, 1949 C. S. Bander, Assistant Chief, Patrol (retired) Sept. 27, 1949 Earl Hiscox, Fish and Game Warden Nov. 3, 1949 Gen. H. H. Arnold, Former Commissioner Jan. 15, 1950 Fred Hecker, Fish and Game Patrol Captain Jan. 20, 1950 Henry Ocker, Fish and Game Warden Jan. 26, 1950 Frank Schuhneyer, Game Conservation Aid (retired) Jan. 30, 1950 Rudy Gerhardt, Fjsh and Game Warden Mar. 17, 1950 RETIREMENTS Brian Curtis, Supervising Fisheries Biologist . Nov. 30, 1948 K. T. Hogan, Supervising Clerk, Grade 1 Sept. 1, 1948 J, H. Sanders, Fish and Game Patrol Captain Aug. 31, 1948 Abe Woodard, Fish Hatchery Man Oct. 31, 1948 Carlos O. Fisher, Fish and Game Warden May 4, 1949 C. S. Bauder, Assistant Chief, Patrol June 30, 1949 Cliff S. Donham, Fish and Game Warden June 30, 1949 Chas. Sibeck, Fish and Game Warden June 30, 1949 J. S. Hunter, Chief, Bureau of Game Conservation Aug. 31, 1949 Raymond Coons, Fish Hatchery Assistant Sept. 14, 1949 Frank Schulmeyer, Game Conservation Aid Dec. 16, 1949 W. C. Blewett, Fish and Game Warden Dec. 31, 1949 Elvin C. Anderson. Fish Hatchery Assistant Dec. 31, 1949 Charles Ledshaw, Hunter and Trapper Feb. 11, 1950 Ben R. Saunders, Senior Accountant April 30, 1950 Thos. J. Smith, Fish and Game Warden June 30, 1950 AVm. F. Kaliher, Fish and Game Warden June 30, 1950 Bessie W. Kibbe, Senior Librarian June 30, 1950 APPOINTMENTS T. W. Schilling, Assistant Chief, Patrol July 1, 1948 Leo Shapovalov, Supervising Fisheries Biologist Jan. 1, 1949 J. F. Janssen, Jr., Assistant Chief, Marine Fisheries July 1, 1949 R. F. Classic, Assistant Chief, Patrol July 1, 1949 S. R. Gilloon, Assistant Chief, Patrol July 22, 1949 Ben Glading, Chief, Game Conservation Sept. 1, 1949 J. E. Chattin, Assistant Chief, Game Conservation Mar. 1, 1950 P. M. Roedel, Editor, "California Fish and Game" Mar. 10, 1950 22 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION CONSERVATION EDUCATION Durinp- the hieniiium. greater em]^hasis was placed on better coojiera- tion with the State Department of Edneation and the state colleges and schools. Five leaflets were prepared and pid)lished: "California Valley Quail, " " Beaver, " " Salmon, " " Trout, ' ' and ' ' Striped Bass. ' ' All were written and stjded for the fourth and fifth grade levels, and each eon- tains a color print of the species, and maps or sketches to illustrate the text. Distribution is handled by the Bureau of Textbooks and Publica- tions of the Department of Education. Response from teachers has been tremendous, with requests for "more leaflets on more subjects." Three of the division's motion pictures were re-edited and the nar- rations rcAvritten, especially for use in schools. These have been given "XX-Excellent" ratings by the Audio-Visual Division of the State De- partment of Education and are being widely used. Active participation by the supervisor in conservation educational coiiferences, with lectures and pictures at workshops conducted by the various state colleges, and at teachers' institutes held in many counties has undoubtedly aided in furthering the proposed program of integrat- ing the teaching of conservation of natural resources in the schools and state colleges of California. PUBLIC INFORMATION SECTION Using primarily the mass information media, the public information section attempts to inform and educate license buyers and the general public concerning their obligations toward fish and game conservation. To better fulfill this mission, headquarters of the public information officer was transferred from Sacramento to San Francisco in March, 1949. The new^ location permits easier contact and closer liaison with important news media, division personnel, and the commercial fishing industry. The 1949 Legislature authorized the appointment of an editorial assistant in the information section. Partly because of a shortage of eligibles willing to accept the comparatively low salary, the post was not filled on a permanent basis. A major step toward standardizing the information program was accomplished in the spring of 1949. At that time, the public information officer took over the duties of distributing publications which were for- merly handled from five or more separate places. Aside from technical matters, the section now handles state-wide distribution of bulletins, publications, photographs, maps, and abstracts of regulations. In addi- tion, most telephone calls and letters requesting general information re- ceived at the San Francisco office are processed, as are requests for back issues of California Fish and Game, the quarterly magazine. These duties are performed by an intermediate stenographer-clerk at San Francisco. Since inaugurating the standardized distribution program, an aver- age of 5,000 pieces of literature were distributed by the section each month. Mail requests averaged 450 per month, telephone requests 125 per month, and personal requests at the counter, 200 per month. In addition, literature was provided for distribution at division offices and license agencies, and at fairs and sportsmen's shows. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 23 Starting' from seraleh. an exhibit program was undertaken in the Slimmer of 1948. Portable display units, capable of being shipped or carried with ease, have been assembled for exhibit use at sportsmen's shows, county fairs, and schools. Servicing the press remains the most important function of the section. During the biennium, the mailing list of Outdoor California weekly was brought up to date, and the quantity of information material to the press increased. Response from publications of all types was excellent, with the division receiving more newspaper clippings than any other state agency. The increase in the numbers of license buyers and the general inter- est stimulated in fish and game matters throughout the State calls for maintenance of a well-balanced information program. To assure con- tinued acceptance of the commission's policies, and to gain ground in the solving of complex public relations problems, it seems necessary to expand these activities in keeping witii the increased activities of other division functions. LIBRARY Early in 1949 direct supervision of the library was delegated by the executive officer as a staff' function of the Public Information Section. At the same time, the responsibility for filling certain types of outside requests for publications and information was taken over by the latter section, leaving the librarian with more time to devote to serving the staff of the division, by mail and in person. The work load was also eased by the employment of a clerk-typist in July, 1949. Crowded quarters became the major problem, but a change of location is planned for July, 1950. Considerable attention was devoted to the binding of periodicals and serials. During the biennium, the collection grew to a total of 4,500 bound books and periodicals and 10,752 pamphlets. "CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME" The eiglit issues of the quarterly journal California Fish and Game published during the biennium contained a total of 670 pages, with 42 major articles and many shorter notes. The material included in the magazine is largely technical or semitechnical and the subscription list includes large numbers of professional biologists, educational institu- tions, and libraries. The majority of the subscribers, however, are non- professionals who are interested in the more technical aspects of con- servation work. Demand for the magazine has increased steadily and it was necessary to inci-ease press runs from 5,500 to 6,500 copies during the two-year period. FISCAL Financial statements for the biennium appear in Appendix A. Total revenue for the 1948-49 (100th) Fiscal Year was $5,529,046.65; for the 1949-50 (101st) year, $5,626,113.22. These receipts are substantially greater than those for the preceding biennium : $3,556,426.26 in 1946-47, and $4,335,994.15 in 1947-48. Expenditures were $4,291,873.67 in 1948-49 and $4,530,864.64 in 1949-50. REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF GAME CONSERVATION Each year California's unattached hunters are finding fewer areas on which to hunt, because trespass without permission and damage to crops, livestock, fences and other property by a minority of unsports- manlike hunters have created an unfriendly situation between sportsmen and landowners. This hostile relationship between landowaiers and hunters was especially prevalent in the rice-growing region of the Sac- ramento Valley where most of the State's pheasant population is found. Opening these areas to controlled pheasant hunting has been one of the most urgent problems confronting the bureau. An experimental pheasant study area, the Sartain Eancli, initiated by bureau game biologists, w^as instrumental in the development of regu- lated hunting on private lands in California. Hunting on this ranch was successfully controlled in 1947 and 1948 by the bureau in cooperation with the landowner. The experience gained during these two years led to the development of a cooperative hunting plan in 1949. In this year Senate Bill No. 677 establishing cooperative hunting areas was passed by the State Legislature and was included in the Fish and Game Code as Section 1159. Rules and regulations for the management and control of these areas were then drawn up by bureau employees and enacted by the Fish and Game Commission. In order to minimize the problem of supervision and control, and at the same time to accommodate a large number of hunters, it was required that on any prospective area a minimum of 5,000 acres in a continuous tract be open to public hunting. A provision was made to allow the landowner to collect a daily fee not to exceed $2 per hunter if he so desired, with the stipulation that 25 percent of the total collected was to be used for wildlife maintenance and habitat improvement. Three types of zones were provided for in 1949: Closed zones (for protection of crops, buildings and livestock) on which no hunting was permitted ; restricted zones, on which permission to hunt was granted solely by landowners; and open zones, which were open to public hunt- ing by permit. Restricted zones were limited in size to 20 percent of the total area ; open zones had to be either a 5,000-acre tract or 50 percent of the entire cooperative hunting area, whichever was larger. The maxi- mum number of hunters allowed at any one time was one per five acres of open land, with the stipulation that the number of hunters could be decreased as conditions warranted. During the 1949 pheasant hunting season, six cooperative hunting areas were established by the bureau. On only one area (Sartain) was a fee charged for hunting privileges. By maintaining checking stations on each area, bureau personnel were able to control hunting, issue per- mits, and gather pertinent information regarding the pheasant kill. Reactions to this hunting plan were recorded and favorable responses to this type of controlled shooting far exceeded unfavorable remarks. On the Sartain area some criticism was directed toward the fee for hunting. However, most of this censure was voiced by unsuccessful (24) FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 25 COOPERITIVE ! nimm mu i m^r-i^ H '^^K ^ I ii 4>v ■Hv> *«.^^« 1 Figure 1. Cooperative hunting areas provide shooting for the unattached hunter hunters. Nearly all hunters expressed wishes for cooperative hunting areas. Table 1 lists the areas with the amount of land open to hunting, and it shows the number of hunters using these areas, their success and the reaction to this type of hunting. One of the most impressive points of the plan was that the 24 cooperating landowners, when contacted by questionnaires or in person, were all in favor of this method of controlled hunting. Hunter damage to cooperating landowners' property was negligible during the entire season. The cooperative hunting area plan should do much to alleviate one of the largest problems confronting the bureau, namely that of opening land to hunter access where wild ring-necked pheasants are plentiful. TABLE 1. COOPERATIVE HUNTING AREAS IN USE DURING 1949 HUNTING SEASON Area Number of acres open to hunting Number of hunters using area Number of pheasants shot Percentage of successful hunters Reaction of hunters to these areas by percent Favorable Unfavorable Staten Island Williams Sutter Basin Natomas Grimes Sartain* 7,500 5,000 8,900 8,800 15,800 12,450 5,717 3,906 6,726 10,922 9,377 4,518 1,556 1,193 2,330 2,122 3,518 2,733 27 31 35 19 38 60 94.2 96.2 97.4 95.7 92.5 76.4* 5.8 3.8 2.6 4.3 7.5 23.6 Totals 58,450 41,166 13,452 33 94.5 5.5 * Fee charged. 26 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD PROJECTS During the biennium conservation activities in California received greater impetus as a result of the Wildlife Conservation Act. This act, authorized by the 1947 State Legislature, provided for a recreation program, and for the acquisition and- construction of lands and facilities for the propagation and conservation of wildlife. The Legislature also provided for the creation of the AA'ildlif e Conservation Board to formu- late a conservation program and authorized $9,000,000 for financing this program. Once the plans for state-wide projects had been drafted, it became the responsibility of the Division of Fish and Game to put the program into effect by constructing, operating, managing and maintain- ing the projects. All projects that entailed game conservation activities are adminis- tered by the Bureau of Game Conservation. Listed below are the Wildlife Conservation Board projects now being managed by the bureau. Project ^0. 519-7 519-8 519-9 519-10 549 503 521 554 515 GAME FARM PROJECTS Name, location Chico Game Farm (Butte County) Marysville Game Farm (Yuba County) Porterville Game Farm (Tulare County) Brawley Game Farm (Imperial County) Status Project completed. Accounts closed with end of 1949-1950 Fiscal Year. Project completed. Accounts closed with end of 1949-1950 Fiscal Year. Project completed. Accounts closed with end of 1949-1950 Fiscal Year. Project completed. Accounts closed with end of 1949-1950 Fiscal Year. OTHER UPLAND GAME PROJECTS Coast Counties Quail Habitat Improvement (Central Coast Coun- ties) Desert Quail Development (Desert region of South- ern California) Owens Valley Pheasant and Quail Development Areas (Inyo County) Quail Habitat Develop- ment (all of California south of U. S. Highway 40, with major empha- sis south of the Tehach- api) Doyle Winter Range (Lassen County) Project completed. Merged with No. 554. Project completed. Merged with No. 554. This project has been canceled due to oppo- sition by lessees on City of Los Angeles lands. Project funds of approximately $45,000 have been restored to working balance of WCB. Equipment, materials and supplies for this project are purchased by WCB. Salaries, travel and vehicle mileage are paid from federal aid in wildlife restoration funds. At present, eight full crews are working. This project will continue during the 1950- 1951 Fiscal Year on essentially the same basis. During last year 401 quail "guzzlers" were completed, numerous brushpiles were constructed and springs were developed for quail use. Project completed except for construction of residence. This has been deferred pending final determination of area boundaries and land acquisition under federal aid funds. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 27 WATERFOWL PROJECTS Project No. 507 550 523 536 548 506 522 532 551 Name, location Butte Sink Waterfowl Management Area (Colusa County) Delta Waterfowl Man- agement Area (Solano County) Honey Lake Waterfowl Management Area ( Lassen County) Imperial Waterfowl Management Area (Imperial County) Lower Butte Creek Waterfowl Manage- ment Area (Butte County) Lower San Joaquin AVaterfowl Manage- ment Area (Merced County) Madeline Plains Waterfowl Manage- ment Area (Lassen County) Madera Waterfowl INIanagement Area (Madera County) Upper San Joaquin Waterfowl Manage- ment Area (Kern County) Status ' Area not yet acquired. Acquisition in hands of Public Works Board. Land purchased March 30, UIHO. Ecpiipment ordered. Supervisory personnel hired. Fed- eral aid development project California 40D approvi'd effective July 1, 1950. Project completed. Further developments cur- rentlv being made with federal aid funds. (California FA 38-D-2.) Project completed. Further developments cur- rently being made with federal aid funds. (California FA 36-D.) Area not yet acquired. Area not yet acquired. Project completed. Further development with federal aid funds. Area not yet acquired. Area not yet acquired. GAME INVENTORY POLLS Another noteworthy event that occurred during the biennium was the joint game inventory poll conducted by the Opinion Research Center of the University of Denver and the bureau. Information gathered by these two surveys was used to determine the annual kill of game species, and evaluate the State's game resources. The information was obtained by instigating a dual plan as follows : 1. The Opinion Research Center contracted to furnish state-wide and regional records of the kill of the several game species. The method employed was to interview 1,250 respondents randomly selected from the 1948-49 hunting license stubs. 2. Bureau personnel selected a random sample of 2 percent of the purchasers of 1948-49 hunting licenses, distinct from the personal inter- view sample, which was used in mailing post card questionnaires. Infor- mation derived from the cards returned was projected to obtain the game kiU by counties and for the State as a whole. In order to minimize a.ny error in the post card answers, either accidental or by intent, a portion of the personal interview respondents were mailed coded questionnaires. 28 PISH AND GAME COMMISSION Comparison of these questionnaires with the completed interviews should indicate a correction factor which may be applied to the entire post card sample. In theory this correction factor may be used in a few subsec^uent years, unless there is a complete change in either the methods of hunting or the general economy of the State. The results obtained by each sam- pling method for the state-wide game kill are compared in Table 2. TABLE 2. RESULTS OF GAME INVENTORY POLLS Species Total estimated take Difference O. R.'C. Postcards Actual Percent Quail, all species Doves-- _. . . 1,902,400 2,359,300 554,800 347,100 2,853,300 344,300 90,300 761,000 1,150,600 2,800 104,300 r 1,683,400 2,486,000 575,100 318,700 3,075,500 354,800 100,000 575,700 790,600 2,200 75,900 219,000 126,700 20,300 28,400 222,200 10,500 9,700 185,300 360,000 600 28,400 —11.5 +5.4 Pheasants Pigeons,. .. + 3.7 —8.2 Ducks + 7.8 Geese . + 3.0 Deer_ _ _ __ . + 10.7 Rabbits — Brush and cottontail —24.3 Rabbits — Jack —31.2 Bear.. __ _ . . —21.4 Tree squirrels - —27.2 Totals -__ 10,470,200 10,037,900 432,300 — 4.1 UPLAND GAME BIRD PRODUCTION The production of upland game birds by state game farms reached an all-time high during the biennium when a total of 177,517 birds were liberated. Of this number 172.217 were ring-necked pheasants, 166 Reeves pheasants, 2,252 chukar partridge, 2,776 valley quail, and 106 wild stock turkeys. A summary of the game bird liberations will be found in Appen- dix b". Part of this increase in upland game bird production can be attrib- uted to the new game farms that were placed in operation. The two game farms at Porterville and Brawley w^ere developed and enlarged from former sportsmen's groups pens that were taken over by the bureau. Three game farms of entirely new construction were placed in operation at Chico, Marysville and Los Banos. A policy for the distribution of pheasants has now been adopted by the commission. This policy not only provides for planned releases to be made on areas open for public hunting, but also includes lands that wull be closed to all pheasant hunting for five years ; these closed lands are to be considered as seed stock areas. It further states that releases will not be made on lands considered to be totally unsuitable pheasant habitat. Considerable time was spent by game farm personnel inspecting the increased number of private game farms, and checking the operation of game management areas. The work on the game management areas con- sisted of inspection of each area, and the banding and liberation of birds on these areas. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 29 GAME MANAGEMENT AREAS The game inanaoeineiit area plan has now been in operation for 10 years. This plan was initiated in 1939 by the State Legislature as an effort to stimulate the landowners' interest in the game crop. It was intended to foster and increase the supply of upland game through land management and stocking of 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. Since these areas were to be open to any licensed hunter, the income from the game produced was to be obtained by charging hunters up to a designated maximum fee for shooting privileges. Actually the income received from the game crop could not compete with the high prices being paid foi- farm crops which these areas could produce. The land- owners also found it too difficult to control the public on these areas. In 1947 the State Legislature modified the plan to allow for non- commercial areas where the public was excluded. These private areas are now supported by season memberships, or by a share-the-cost arrange- ment with the operator. Most operators are now satisfied with the plan. There are now 43 operators who control 44,556 acres of land. During 1949 they liberated 20,720 pheasants and killed 11,539 in 5,446 man-days of hunting. WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT AREAS Waterfowl management areas were created not only to provide the unattached hunting license-holder with a place to shoot, but also to pro- vide waterfowl with areas where they could feed and rest. The second part of this program includes management of land and water areas to the degree where waterfowl would be attracted to these areas and forego their depredations on the crops of surrounding agricultural lands. Until this biennium, all development and farming operations on these areas were carried out under service agreement with various contractors. This arrangement proved wholly unsatisfactory, as certain seasonal agricul- tural practices were not always performed at the opportune time. Start- ing in July, 1949, when the necessary equipment became available, all development work has been done by bureau personnel. On these areas hunters were offered their choice of three types of shooting grounds as follows : 1. Fully developed areas with blinds for a fee of $5 per shooter. 2. Partially developed areas with no blinds for a fee of $1 per shooter. 3. Undeveloped or natural areas with no charge. Hunting success varies with weather conditions and the waterfowl migration, but on the whole hunters expressed satisfaction with the plan. The waterfowl management areas and the extent of their use by liunters are listed in Table 3. 30 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION TABLE 3. WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT AREAS IN USE, 1948-50 Area Acreage open to hunting Number of hunters checked Number of waterfowl shot Average number of waterfowl per hunter Imperial 1948-49 - - -- - - 3,580 1 ,358 1,216 586 558 93 75 2,078 1,992 425 518 37 161 1.53 1949-50 ___ - -__.- 1.64 Honey Lake 194"8-49 -. - - - --- 1,750 .73 1949-50 - - ______ .93 Madeline Plains 1948-49 _ _ 4,775 .40 1949-50 __.. . . ______ 2.15 Totals 10,105 3,886 5,211 1.34 GAME MANAGEMENT During the bienninm the number of game management districts was increased from five to seven. This expansion completed the state-wide division into districts for better supervision of liabitat development and control of game populations. These districts and the corresponding game managers in charge were as follows : North Coast, Nathan Rogan ; North- eastern California, Russell M. Bushey, Sr. ; Sacramento, Lawrence 11. Cloyd; San Joaquin, David M. Solleck; Inyo, Arthur L. Hensley ; South Coast, John Laughlin ; Southeast Desert, Fred Ross. It is the responsi- bility of each game manager to investigate game problems and apply corrective measures, also to administer bureau installations within his district. Game Manager James D. Stokes supervises the district game managers, and coordinates their efforts into a common program. Roland E. Curtis, who formerly supervised this group is now on leave with the Wildlife Conservation Board. SPECIAL HUNTING SEASONS ANTELOPE HUNT The last antelope hunting season was held in 1945. From 1946 through 1948 aerial surveys showed that the number of adult male ante- lope was not sufficient to warrant a hunting season. However, in 1949 the antelope population had again increased and a controlled hunt for bucks only was held August 27th through September 5th in Modoc, Lassen and Shasta Counties. As in previous hunts, permits selected by lottery were issued to 500 hunters. A check of all hunters revealed that 349 antelope were shot during this season. Listed in Table 4 are the results of recent antelope hunts, and the annual antelope population as tallied from aerial surveys. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 31 TABLE 4. ESTIMATED ANTELOPE POPULATION AND RESULTS OF HUNTS, 1942-1950 Year Estimated antelope population Number of hunting per- mits issued Number of antelope shot Percentage of successful hunters 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 3,752 5,338 6,147 4,739 2,798 3,949 3,592 4,675 3,852 452 452 500 500 Hunting season closed Hunting season closed Hunting season closed 500 No hunting season planned. 405 362 322 307 349 90 80 64 61 70 Figure 2. A herd of antelope in a close-up view from a Division of Fisli and Game airplane ELK HUNT The last special hunting season for reducing the Tule Elk herd in Owens Valley of Inyo County had been held in 1943. That year 75 per- mits were issued by lottery i'or taking 75 bulls. A check of all hunters revealed that 43 bulls were" harvested. Since that time population counts of this elk herd made by aerial surveys showed that the herd had been steadily increasing in numbers. By 1949 cattle ranchers, maintaining that the increase in the elk population was depleting the range, agitated for a hunting season. Consequently, a controlled hunt was held from December 2d through December 11th. A total of 125 permits was issued 32 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION by lottery for taking 75 bulls and 50 cows. Records kept at hunters' checking stations showed that 61 bulls and 46 cows were shot, for a total of 107 animals. TABLE 5. ESTIMATED ELK POPULATION AND RESULTS OF HUNTS, 1943-1949 Year Estimated elk population Number of hunting permits issued Number of elk shot Percentage of successful hunters 1943 1944 1945 189 129 268 305 324 450 495 75 No hunting season No hunting season No hunting season No hunting season No hunting season 125 43 bulls 107 (61 bulls and 46 cows) 57 1946 1947 1948 1949 86 CATALINA DEER HUNT For a number of years the deer population on Santa Catalina Island had been increasing until the range suffered from extreme overbrowsing. In 1948 an attempt was made to control this population by trapping and removing deer from the island. These operations accounted for 150 deer. The deer population still remained high so in 1949 the Catalina Island Company requested a controlled hunting season for taking deer of both sexes. A 13-week hunting season was set for November 1, 1949, to Januarj^ 31, 1950, with a total of 1,950 hunting permits issued by lottery. Since permits were only valid for a one-week period, they were issued at a maximum rate of 150 per week. Checking station records showed that 724 hunters took part in this hunt, and that they bagged 246 bucks and 231 does for a total of 477 deer. PREDATOR CONTROL The predatory animal catch, which bad been previously recorded for each fiscal year, has now been changed to a report for the calendar 3'ear. Reported here is the predatory animal catch for the 18-month period of July 1, 1948, to December 31, 1949. The report for the six-month period January 1-June 30, 1948, was presented in the last biennial report. During this 18-month period a grand total of 5,193 coyotes and 2,081 bobcats was taken by our predatory animal hunters and trappers. A total of 5,290 other lesser predators was taken during the same period. A summary of the predatory animal catch will be found in Appendix B. MOUNTAIN LION CONTROL On May 18, 1948, the ten thousandth mountain lion was brought in for bounty. This lion was taken by Charles W. Bucknell of Bell Springs in Mendocino County. The first lion to be bountied was also taken in Mendocino County on October 2, 1907, by Jake Newcomer. It was in 1907 that the first bounty on mountain lions was proposed by Commissioner Fred Van Sicklen, and a payment of a $20 bounty was authorized. Com- FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 33 missioner Van Sieklen was very much interested in deer hunting, and he believed that by rediieino- the number of lions in the State, deer could be increased. The deer popidatioii had not yet recovered from the heavy drain of early days brought on by tlie liide and market hunters. In 1917 the original bounty of $20 was increased to $30 on female lions. The Legislature in 1945 authorized a further increase to $60 on females, and $50 on males. In 1918 Commissioner Bosque recommended that Jay Bruce be em- ployed to devote his entire time to lion hunting. Later, Charles Ledshaw was also employed. Both of these men have now retired from active lion hunting. During their hunting days Bruce accounted for nearly 700 lions, and Ledshaw 308. At the present time there are five lion hunters detailed to different sections of the State. A total of 199 mountain lions was taken during the calendar year of 1948, and 202 in the calendar year of 1949 ; for a grand total of 401 lions during this two-year period. Of these 401 lions, 109 were taken by state lion hunters and 292 were bountied by private persons. State trappers operate where there have been com]i]aints by stock ranchers which usually means they get into country that is not readily accessible to the general public. A summary of the mountain lions taken from 1907 through 1949 will be found in Appendix B. Over lialf of this lion kill has been taken in the northwestern portion of the State. Other areas recording a high kill are the four central coast counties from Monterey to Ventura, and in the south Sierra from Fresno County south. Humboldt County (3,507 square miles) has bountied 1,080 lions, the largest number taken for any one county, but Lake County (1,332 square miles) with a take of 502 lions has produced more lions per square mile than any other county. CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME LANDS OTHER THAN GAME FARMS Tehama Winter Deer Range with 42,896.90 acres was purchased from 1943 to 1950, inclusive, to protect winter range from natural food depletion by heavy stock-grazing. Additional purchases are pending. Doyle Winter Deer Range with 13,429.15 acres was purchased from 1948 to 1950, inclusive, to protect winter range from natural food deple- tion. Additional purchases are pending. Honey Lake Waterfowl Management Area with 3,519.70 acres was purchased from 1942 to 1944, inclusive. Additional purchases are now pending. Imperial Waterfowl Management Area with 535.24 acres was pur- chased in 1948. Additional purchases are pending. Madeline Plains Waterfowl Management Area with 5,176.10 acres was purchased from 1945 to 1949, inclusive. (xrav Lodge Waterfowl Refuge with 2,541.51 acres was purchased in 1931-32." Imperial Waterfowd Refuge with 2,064.43 acres was purchased in 1931-32. Los Banos Waterfowl Refuge with 3,000 acres was purchased in 1929. Suisun Waterfowl Refuge with 1,887 acres was purchased in 1932. 2 — 49247 u FISH AND GAME COMMISSION FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION (PITTMAN-ROBERTSON) The Pittman-Robertson prof>rain has expanded during the biennium until California now receives its maximum apportionment of federal aid. For the Fiscal Year 1948-49 California received $496,627.81, and for fiscal 1949-50, $478,548.26 was received. California's contribution, as required by the act, broujiht the total available for expenditure during the biennium to $1,300,280.75. A total of 22 projects was in operation during all or part of the biennium. Of these, nine were of the surveys and investigations category, seven were development j^rojects, four provided for the acquisition of lands, one was a maintenance project, and one a coordination project, which directed and supervised the other projects. Following is an account of the various projects which have been undertaken. SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS Project 1!)-K. The Study of the Life History and Maiia^eineiit of Mtniiitaiii Quail in California. Emphasis was placed on reproduction, effects of man, and the food, water and cover requirements. This project was tei'miiiated as of June 80, 1050, and a final report prepared hy project leader K. V. Miller. Project 20-R, A Survey of Waterfowl Food Plants of California. This will determine the location and abundance of waterfowl food plants, and decide on areas where planting of natural foods would he feasible. The results of this study will l)e published as an illustrated manual of California marsh plants. Through a service agreement with the University of California, Dr. H. L. Mason is leader of this project. Figure This artificial quail roost not only provides roosting cover for quail, but also furnishes shade for deer FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 35 I'roject 22-R. The Life History and Management of the Rin;;-necive(l IMieasant in California. This project is evaluating;- the effects of agricultural practices on pheasant populations, especially in the Butte Sink area. Also, the survival of released same farm pheasants raised from wild stock is beins: compared with pheasant releases made from regular game farm stock. Managi'ment practices lieing tested include food and cover plautin.gs. water develojuncnt. and trap])ing wild pli(>asants in heavily ]iopulated areas for restocking depleted areas. Hunters are checked during the pheasant hunting season to determine hunting pressure, the pheasant kill, crippling loss, and the survival of relea.sed and wild birds. At the same time hunting season controls as they ap])ly to hunters and land uses are l)eing studied to facilitate farmer-sportsmen relationships. Harold T. Harper is the leader of this i)reopold as leader. I'roject 30-R, A Stiuly of Production, ^Migration and Wintering Areas of Water- fowl in California. An evaluation is being madi' of the production and wintering grounds of the principal waterfowl areas of the State, which includes Suisun Marsh and the Sacramento-San Joa(|uin Delta, the Inyo-]Mono and Owens Valley area, and the northeastern section of California. These studies include large scale trapping and banding o|»erations of resident and Tuigratory waterfowl. Also, an investigation is being conducted on the effects of reclamation projects and land uses on waterfowl populations. A. W. ^liller is the leader of this project. Project 31-R, A Study of the p]ffects of Brush Removal on Game Ranges in California, will determine sound methods for management of brush areas for wildlife habitat imprcjvemeut. The project is under service agreement with the T'niversity of California, with Dr. H. A. Biswell as leader. Project 33-R, An p]valuation of Quail Development and Management Practices in California. Studies are being conducted to determine the effects of cover planting and water development on quail populations. Types of construction and the value of r-r.^«3«'«ff' .'^V .^V^< «.« HWAT«6™«ll«.'4-'-'. Figure 4. Installing one of the new type plastic gallinaceous guzzlers 36 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION artificial roosts are being tested. Also, tlie effects of cover removal, grazing, cultivation, controlled burning, rodent control, predator control, and hunting pressure on quail populations are being investigated. This project is under the leadership of Wallace G. Macgregor. Project 35-R, A Study of Diseases of Wildlife Species in California, is concerned especially with those diseases which are of definite known importance in respect to wildlife, and which ap])ear to offer possibilities of being controlled by management practices. Merton Rosen is leader of this project. DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Project 0-D, Suisun Waterfowl Refuge, involves 1887 acres of land to provide waterfowl feeding and resting areas by construction of levees, ditches and tide gates. Project 13-D, Gray Lodge Waterfowl Refuge, involves 2,542 acres of land to provide waterfowl feeding and resting areas by construction of levees, ditches, roads and buildings. Project 2()-I), The Restoration of Valley Quail, Gambel Quail and Mountain Quail in California. This project represents the major effort in habitat development for California quail, and includes plantings for food and cover improvement, the erect- ing of artificial quail roosts, and the construction of "gallinaceous guzzlers" or rain catchment basins for providing quail with water. Through this habitat development program, many ar(>as that were formerly unsuitable as quail range are now producing quail for California's hunters. The program has received help through financial aid from county fine moneys, and physical labor from sportsmen and other interested groups. The "gallinaceous guzzler" progr.-un has been accelerated by the use of prefabri- cated plastic basins and glass mat (asphalt emulsion) catchment aprons. The installa- tion of the plastic model requires about one-fifth the time needed for the construction of the concrete type of guzzler. Another advantage gained by using the plastic model is that it can readily be moved to a new site, if the original location proves unsatis- factory. During the I)iennium r)74 guzzlers were installed, bringing to 734 the number now in operation. Project 34-D, Game Trapping and Transplanting, to restock formerly occupied habitat, to extend the range of a species, and to supplement remnant species. The work consisted of live-trapping and transplanting game mammals where required. The project operated periodically only wh(>n the need foi- this type of work arose. Project oti-D, Development of Imi)erial Waterfowl Management Area, involving 12.000 acres of land, provided waterfowl feeding, resting, public shooting areas and facilities for the in-oper management of the area by the construction of levees, ditches and buildings, and by the development of the land for farming of waterfowl food crops. Project 38-D, Development of the Honey Lake Waterfowl Management Area, involves 3,520 acres of land for the provision of waterfowl feeding, resting and nest- ing areas and facilities for the proper management of the area by construction of levees, ditches, roads and buildings. Project 39-D, Development of the Madeline Plains Waterfowl Management Area, involving 4,776 acres of land, provided waterfowl feeding, resting and nesting areas and facilities for the proper management of the area by construction of levees, ditches, roads and buildings. LAND ACQUISITION Project 10-L, Tehama Winter Deer Range. This area provides winter feed for deer migrating down from the mountains. To preserve this winter range 33,963 acres have been acquired, and more land may l)e i)urchased if it becomes available. Project 11-L, Honey Lake Waterfowl Management Area. An area of 3,520 acres has been purchased for waterfowl feeding, resting, nesting, and to provide public shooting areas. Additional segments of land will be purchased as they become available. Project 17-L, Madeline Plains Waterfowl Management Area. To provide water- fowl Avith feeding, resting and nesting areas and to furnish the public with hunting grounds, 5,176 acres of land have been purchased. More land will be acquired as it becomes available. Project 21-L, Doyle Winter Deer Range. An area of 11,700 acres of land has been purchased to provide winter feed for the migrating interstate deer herd. Further purchases will be made as the land becomes available. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 37 MAINTENANCE Project ;^7-M. Tliis project inspects and maintains the installations that have been developed to provide cover, water and food for (piail. COORDINATION Project 29-C. It is the responsibility of this in-oject to select, idan, direct and supervise the other I'ittinan-Rol)ertson jirojects and nniivc certain tlnit thes<' jirojects are pi'odnctive of results, DISEASE LABORATORY Disease investigations, have been greatly enhanced by the addition of a special mobile laboratory. This laboratory, built on a one-ton panel truck, was desioned to till the need for rapid diagnosis of wildlife diseases in the field. The emphasis was placed on mobility and maneuverability so that the site of a disease outbreak could be reached quickly even in areas that might be considered somewhat inaccessible. The laboratory contains all the necessary facilities for complete diagnosis in the fields of bacteriology and parasitology, making it a completely self-sustained unit. The mobile laboratory was first used at the south end of San Fran- cisco Bay to diagnose an outbreak of avian cholera among waterfowl, gulls and shorcbirds. KSeveral control measures were })ut into ett'ect, but an estimated 40,000 waterfowl succumbed to this disease. An extensive project is now in progress to determine the blood pic- ture of deer, including blood chemistry, in the expectation of finding reliable factors that can be used as an indicator of the animal's condition. It is anticipated that the results of this study will form a base that can be used as an index of the state of nutrition of the deer as it relates to range management, and will incidentally classify the anemias that may occur in these animals. Perhaps the greatest progress in disease control has been made at the state game farms. Pullorum, a bacterial disease of the intestinal tract of gallinaceous birds, has been eradicated through a control pro- gram. Other control methods have been used to eliminate avian tubercu- losis in adult pheasants and chukar partridge. Studies are also in progress on controlling gapeworm infections and ulcerative enteritis-quail disease. PUBLICATIONS BY STAFF MEMBERS OF THE BUREAU OF GAME CONSERVATION Quarterly progress and final rejiorts are prepared on all work con- ducted by the Pittman-Robertson projects. Summaries of these reports are published by the United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service. During the biennium other reports and ai'ticles w^ere published by bureau personnel as follows: Dasmann, William P. 1948. A critical review of range survey methods and their application to deer range management. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 34, no. 4, p. 189-207. 1949. Deer-livestock forage studies on the interstate winter deer range in Cali- fornia. Journ. of Range Management, vol. 2, p, 206-212. 38 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION Fen-el, Carol M., and Howard R. Leach IO.jO. p"'ood haliits of the prong-horn antelope of California. Calif. Fish and (Jaine, vol. 3(i. no. 1. p. 21-26. Ferrel. Carol M.. llarohl Harper and Jack Iliehle 15)4!). A progress report on pheasant hnnting season studies for the years l!)4(l. 1<.)47 and 1948. Calif. Fish and (ianie. vol. :!.->. no. 4. p. 301-322. Ferrel, Carol .M.. Ilowai-d Twining and Xoi'nian 15. Hei'keidiain 1949. FoikI iialiits of the ring-necked iiheasant i I'lKiniaii ux colvhiciis) in the Sac- i-aniento Valley, California. Calif. Fish and (Jame, vol. 35, no. 1, p. r)l-69. Hensley, Arthur L., and B. C. Fox 1948. Experiments on the management of Coh)rado lii\er Ijeaver. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 34, no. 3, p. 115-131. Herman, Carlton M. 1949. A new host for the eye worm 'riichi-ia ((ilifonnensis. Calif. Fish and (Jame, vol. 35. no. 2, p. 139* Herman, Carlton M., and Arthur I. IJisclioff 1949. The duration of Ilaeiiioi)rot(i(s infection in California (piail. C.-ilif. Fish and Cami', vol. 35, no. 4, p. 293-299. 19.50. I'ai)ill()ma. skin tumors in deer. Calif. Fish and (;aTn(\ vol. .3(>, no. 1, ji. 19-20. Herman, ('arlton M., and Richard Kramer 1950. Control of gajteworm infection in game farm hirds. Calif. Fish and (Jame, vol. 3(), n c o \. ^^ .^' = 60 S 40 -X>=^ :^_ .— ,^-^^' ,-• 20 1 1 1 1 1 ""^1 5 - w fO -* m V 'J T ff> 1948 1949 Figure 7. California landing.s of albacore, bluefin, skipjack and yellowfin, 1940-49 44 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION was almost a failure. The I!);")!) snninier fishery for bliiefin was equally poor with practically no fish lauded by mid-siimuier. Because of better facilities and an enlarged staff we were able to expand our tuna investigations. One trip with the M. V. N. B. Scofield was made to the Hawaiian Islands where much material was collected for an analysis of auy differences between the mid-Pacific populations of skipjack and yellowfin and these fishes taken oft' the coasts . of the Americas. Several trips were made offshore and along the California coast to determine conditions which govern the presence or absence of albacore. Fish were located offshore and just prior to the regular season but no albacore have yet been taken during the winter months. On these cruises gill net and long line fishing methods were used as well as trolling. A regular system of sampling the catch of albacore, yellowfin and skipjack has been set up to determine the sizes of fish in the catch. Pre- liminary studies of tagging methods have been made. In October, 1949, a meeting of all investigations studying tunas in the eastern Pacific was held at our Tei-minal Island laboratory. Similar meetings are planned annually to coordinate the work of all the agencies working on these fishes in the Pacific area. SALMON After the peak years of 1945-46, the salmon catches of California have dropped. The commercial catches of 1948-49 have been about the average of the periods since 1916 (Figure 8). The ocean catches of these Figure 8. California landings of commercially caugiit salmon, 1940-1949, showing poundages tal^;en from the ocean and from the Central Valley rivers FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 45 two years were approximately equal, but the river landings of 1949 were considerably lower. The difference in the river catches was primarily due to a strike by the river fishermen in the fall of 1949. In the early part of the 1949 fall season before the salmon had begun to appear in any numbers, the fishermen received about 18 cents for fish under 14 pounds and 20 cents for those over 14 pounds, and evidently expected that this price would last through the entire season. However, on September 8th fish began appearing in quantity ; on September 9th the dealers cut the price to a fiat 18 cents per pound, and the fishermen promptly went out on strike. This strike lasted through the entire remainder of the season ; hence, the bulk of the fall run w^as lust to the industr.y. A few fish were taken by non-striking fishermen. A somewhat larger number were taken upon the orders of the union itself. Each day a few fishermen would be assigned to go out, make their catches, and deliver these catches to the union, which would in turn market the fish. The number of fishermen operating at any one time was small. The total number of fish landed during the strike was only a fraction of that which would have been landed under normal fishing conditions; but, of course, it is impossible to estimate how good the catches would have been had fishing operations been normal. Catches of the few boats that were operating and of the Division of Fish and Game boat Striper (which was catching salmon for tagging purposes) are not at all conclusive, but such catches indicate that the season would probably not have been much better or much worse than that of 1948. The future of the salmon run in the main stem of the San Joaquin Kiver looks bleak indeed. This is due to an intensification of the water supply problems which have ruined the runs for the past several years. In the Fortieth Biennial Report of the Division of Fish and Game, there is a brief description of fish rescue operations in which part of the spring salmon run of the San Joaquin was trucked past a dry stretch in the San Joa(iuin River. This turns out to have been a wasted effort, since it was not possible to get enough water to enable the young of these salmon to reach the sea in the spring of 1949. In order to avoid a repetition of this waste of money and effort, the 1949 spring salmon run was diverted into the Merced River instead of being trucked up the San Joaquin as was done with the 1948 run. This diverting was done by stretching a net across the San Joaquin River exactly at its junction with the Merced so that fish coming up the San Joaquin would be diverted into the Merced in- stead of having to back downstream any distance in order to find their way to this river. The salmon accepted this rerouting with very little fuss, probably because the small flow of return irrigation water coming down the San Joaquin was so warm that it would have been fatal to salmon to have had to stay in it for any prolonged length of time. Pre- sumablj^ the fish realized this instinctively and were willing to accept the cooler and more copious waters of the Merced River. Unfortunately, the salmon ascending the Merced River did not have a high rate of survival. This was because the fish ascended the river rather slowly and the great majority of them were too far downstream at the time when the irri- gators started diverting almost the entire flow of the Merced River. Sum- mer flows in the Merced are so low that salmon cannot or will not try to ascend the riffles from one pool to the next. As summer advances, water temperatures in the lower Merced become so high that the salmon are 46 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION iuial)le to survive. The salmon Avliicli went farthest upstream found water which remained relatively eool all summer. In previous years, the salmon wliich went beyond the town of Snellino' found water cool enough so that the survival was high. Ilowevei-, in 1!I4!) tlie survival was poor except among the relatively few fish whieh got as far as the Merced Irrigation District dam about four miles upstream from Snelling. 1950 started out to be a repetition of 1949 in that there was no water available for salmon in the San Joa(|uin River, and in that the Bureau of Marine Fisheries erected a diversionary net at the mouth of the Merced River and started the run going up that stream. The course of events in 1950 was influenced by the outcome of a court trial in which the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation w^as sued to compel them to allow a sufficient flow of water to maintain the salmon runs in the San Joaciuin River below P^'riant. Without going into the details of a very complex and confusing trial, suffice it to say that the court arranged for the Bureau of Reclama- tion to release a flow of 25 cubic feet of water per second which was to be used by the Division of Fish and Game to get the salmon run upstream through a series of irrigation canals. One of these canals (the Delta Canal) crosses a body of water known as Salt Slough on a flume and trestle. The desire of the court was for the Division of Fish and Game to build a fish ladder at this point so that the salmon could climb from Salt Slough into the Delta Canal at the point where the two crossed. Salt Slough gathers a moderate flow of irrigation water from the farming land in the vicinity of Los Banos. Eventually the slough flows into the San Joa(|uin River a few miles above its junction with the Merced. The inten- tion of the court was for a route to be ])r'epared by whicli the salmon could swim up the San Joa(juin River into Salt Slough, up Salt Slongli to the crossing of the Delta Canal through the fish ladder to be constructed by the Division of Fish and Game and into the Delta Canal, up this canal to its junction with the larger Arroyo Canal, and up the Arroyo Canal to the point where it was diverted from the San -loacjuin River, thence up the San Joaquin to the spawning grounds in the vicinity of Friant Dam. ITnfortunately this court directive came too late to be effective as far as the 1950 salmon run was concerned. The order was issued in mid-May. Construction of a fish ladder of this height (12 feet) is a matter which usually requires many months of red tape and construction time. On this occasion the red tape was dispensed with in a matter of hours. Bids were obtained, one was accepted, and the ladder was operating on June 16, 1950, about a month after the issuance of the court order. This was far too late. To have been effective the ladder should have been in operating condition about May 1st, a matter of several days before the court's totally unexpected action. As it was, the bulk of the salmon run went up the Merced River and only Sd fish availed themselves of the fish ladder which was constructed for their use. By June 26th it was obvious that the salmon run was over. Water temperatures in Salt Slough were so high that there was no chance of any more fish getting upsteam to the ladder. Hence, by agreement with the division, the Bureau of Reclamation turned off the flow of water which was being used for these fish. The spring run of 1950 was officially declared ended. The program for the construction of fish screens and ladders has received tremendous impetus from additional funds made available under the Wildlife Conservation Act. However, as in any other long FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 47 range and large scale program the mechanics of operation have been slow of achievement. The engineering help necessary for the drawing np of plans for large projects is now more readily available than when the Wildlife Board first began to make allocations of fnnds. Detailed plans have bcH^n completed for the constrnction of two fish ladders on the Dagnerre Point Dam on the Ynba River. This location is abont 10 miles above Marysville. Plans also have jnst been finished for the constrnction of a fishway on the Sutter-Bntte Dam on the Feather River. This dam is located abont 10 miles below Oi-oville. Figure !t. Mill Creek electric fish screen The fish screen sliowii in Figui-c !) has been bnilt at tlie heading of the Los Molinos Water Company on Mill Creek. This site was chosen because of its suitability for f nrther experimentation on electrical screen- ing. EU'ctric fish stops so far have not been very snccessful. This screen incorporates several new ideas in its constrnction and hope is held that a trnly etfective electric screen may yet be produced. Four small wooden fish ladders were installed in gravel diversion dams along the Pierced Kiver. Their efi:'ectiveness has been donbtfnl dne to lack of water at the proper time. This lack of water during the salmon run is not so much due to lack of runoff' as to the mismanagement of this fiow. Almost the total flow of the river is imj^ounded early in the salmon season often allowing sections of the stream bed to dry up. Later when the dam is full, a larger spill occurs w'hich is often damaging to both small diversion dams and their fish ladders. A more extended period of water release would make a great difference in the salmon production potential of the Merced River. The Division of Fish and Game has worked closely with the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation in the designing of a fish screen for the Tracy pumping plant. When completed this diversion will be the largest in the 48 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION State ; and as it.s water will be drawn from salmon streams, a screen has been considered necessary. This installation is also expected to save large numbers of striped bass and other species of fish. Bids have already been received for a pilot screen 200 feet lonp- to be located in a temporary chan- nel. This structure will be adeiiuate for the diversion capacity of the first three years of pump operation. The pilot screen wall contain several types of debris-cleaning- mechanisms and should give the information necessary for the designing of an effective permanent installation. Dur- ing the life of the pilot screen it is planned to transport the small fish out of the danger area by barge. The construction of a building at Elk Grove has supplied a much needed headquarters and shop for the men working on stream improve- ment in the Central Valley. This shop when finished and eciuipped with power tools will greatly increase the efficiency of the personnel working in this area. This installation was constructed with funds provided by the Wildlife Conservation Board. As part of an interstate investigation involving California, Wash- ington, and Oregon, the Bureau of Marine Fisheries has started tagging salmon in the ocean. Taggers have been working out of San Francisco, Fort Bragg, and Eureka. In addition, the bureau has tagged salmon in the Sacramento-San Joacjuin Delta as part of an investigation which is unconnected with the Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission. TABLE 6. NUMBERS OF SALMON TAGGED Area Silver King Total 1948 Eureka and Fort Bragg 143 662 2 2,573 805 San Francisco _ 2 Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta 2,573 Totals 143 69 1 3,237 461 371 864 3,380 1949 Eureka and Fort Bragg-- _ - 530 372 Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta 864 Totals- .- -- ---- 70 28 2 1,696 376 809 1,766 January 1-June 30, 1950 404 San Francisco Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta 811 Totals 30 1,185 1,215 The numbers of fish tagged are shown in Table 6. An innovation in tagging methods, tried for the first time in 1949, was moderately successful, and was tried again in 1950. The second time it was an overwhelming success. Sport fishing boats operating out of San Francisco Bay were contacted before the salmon season opened. Arrangements were made with 15 boats to donate their time and catch salmon for tagging before the season was open. This included 11 charter boats, three private boats, and one commercial troller. Each charter boat's .skipper contacted some of his best customers and asked them if FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 49 they would like to p-o salmon fishinji' without charge, the reservation being that they were to donate all fish for this tagging program. The idea appealed to the sportsmen and the skippers had no trouble obtaining full crews. The Division of Fish and Game furnished a minimum of one tagger to go with each boat. On a few boats, two taggers went along. On the twenty-sixth of March, 1949, this armada put to sea, and spent the morning and early afternoon fishing for salmon. Fishing was only fair and 69 fish were landed by the 15 boats. This operation did a great deal to promote better understanding between the division and the boat operators and the sportsmen, and it was decided to repeat in 1950. The 1950 salmon season opened earlier, i.e., on March 1st; hence, it was decided to hold "Tag Day" on February 26tli, the last Sunday before the opening'of tlie season. Operations were much as in 1949, except that the weather was a little better and the fishing was a great deal better. Twenty boats tagged a total of 365 salmon during the day's operations. Twelve fish were killed during the course of the tagging operation. These were all turned over to charity. The most important result of this ocean tagging has been to show that the great bulk of California's king salmon originate in the Sacra- mento-San Joaquin Kiver systems. An earlier tagging experiment con- ducted from 1939 to 1942 also demonstrated this fact. The present experiment confirms the older findings and conclusively demonstrates that if we are going to have a salmon fishery either in the river or the ocean, we are going to have to be very careful about what happens to the spawning beds of the Sacrameuto-San Joacpiin River systems. Interesting but much less important than the mass movements of salmon into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Rivers are the occasional long range and high speed movements shown by a few individual fish. One king salmon went from San Francisco to southern Canada in 31 da.ys. Another made the trip to the Columbia River in 22 days. One salmon tagged ofl: Oregon was recovered in the Tuolumne River. Another tagged off the Washington coast was recovered in the Sacramento River. One tagged off southern Canada was recovered oft' New Years Point, between San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Silver salmon are much less important in the California fishery than the kings. The landings of silvers amount to only about 10 percent of the State's total catch. Tag returns show that the movements of silvers in no way resemble those of kings. Most of the recoveries from Califor- nia-tagged silvers were made in the waters off' Oregon or in Oregon streams. This northward movement shows in returns from both the 1939-42 tagging and from the present tagging experiment. Another experiment involving cooperation by the States of Cali- fornia, Oregon, and AVashington was the marking of salmon in the rivers of the three Pacific Coast states in order to determine what streams were providing what percentage of the marine catches of salmon in what specific areas. This work was started in 1950. California's share was to include the marking of 200,000 hatchery-reared fish from Coleman Hatchery on Battle Creek, 200,000 wild fish from the Sacramento River and 200,000 fish from a coastal hatchery. As actually carried out, the work included 234,000 wild fish from the Sacramento River (marked by removing dorsal and left ventral fins) ; 235,000 from Coleman 50 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION Hatchery (marked by ren]()vin<:' dorsal and riji'ht ventral fins) ; and 187, ()()() from Prairie Creek Hatchery near Oriek (marked bj" removing anal and left ventral fins). It was expected that the wild fish could be caught by the use of seines, since this method of catchino- younp; salmon had proved quite successful in the American River and in some of the rivers of the San Joaquin A'adey. IIoAvever, when seines were tried in the Sacramento, they proved to be utterly inadequate as only a few hundred fish per day could be obtained. The method of attack was immediateh' shifted and 22 fyke nets mounted on rectauji'ular frames were built and set in the riffles of the Sacramento River. These nets did the job, but the proper setting of them proved to be quite a task. If they were placed in water which flowed too slowlj^ they did not catch enough fish. But, if they were ]ilaced in water which flowed too rapidly, they caught many fish but killed most of them. Intensive experimenting was required to find suitable places, but once these spots were found the nets produced an entirely adequate supply of good healthy fish. The wild salmon were carried to Coleman Hatchery, marked by the same crews tliat were marking the hatchery fish, and then returned to the Sacramento River. Coleman Hatchery is operated by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Serv- ice, which donated the hatchery fish and the facilities for marking- hatchery and wild fish in tliat area. The C-oleman Hatchery staff took an interest in this work, made suggestions of great value and gave us a list of experienced fish markers residing in that area. The division wishes to thank the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and John Pelnar, the district supervisor who is in charge of Coleman Hatchery. MACKEREL The Pacific mackerel fisluny remained nt a relatively low level dur- ing the biennium. The 1947 year-class, which formed a large portion of the catch in 1947-48, continned to support the fishery in 1948-49 and 1949-50. Landings in the Los Anueles region, which acconnt for virtually all of the State's catch, fell to less than ;:!7,0()(),000 pounds in 1948-4 li- the lowest figure since the fishery became of major importance in 193)}. In 1949-50, landings rose to nearlv 4!), 000, 000, a substantial gain but still far below the record season "of 1!)85-;J() when about i:30,0()(),()()0 pounds were processed. Both scoop and seine boats were active. In 1948-49 scoop fishermen caught nearly 28,000,000 pounds and seine fishermen 9,000,000. Preliminary figures for 1949-50 show roughly ecpial catches for each tvpe of gear. State-wide landings were approximately 38,000,000 pounds" in 1948-49 and 50,000,000 in 1949-50. Routine sampling of the commercial catch continued without in- terruption. These samples provide the basic information regarding the size and age of the fish which enter the fishery. Studies of the age com- position of the catch for the period 1939-49 were completed. At the close of the biennium the data were being compiled in manuscript form. Results of the tagging program were published as Fish Bulletin 73 in 1949. This program was inaugurated in 1935 and the last tagged fisii were recovered in 1947. The fishery for jack mackerel is carried out almost exclusively by seiners. Landings were substantial, though far short of the banner 1947-48 season when the catch passed 142,000,000 pounds. The state-wide ^ORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 51 140 — 1 1 1 1 1 1 CALIFORNIA MACKEREL LANDINGS 1 1 A / \ — 120 / \ / \ " 100 / \ — Pounds Ol CD o o x/^'X^ / \ / \ ,^ c o _- 40 5 — / \.^ ^ ^ 20 "__ _^ _Jock ^^ocve-i -^ _ __ ^^ / -^^^ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 — ^ r CM ro ^ in ^£l r-- ^ ^J 'J -? ^ ■^ GO (T' o in o 01 - OJ ro ^ in ID ^ ^ ^ "^ ^ ^ 0^

cr> (Ti CTi 1947- 1948- 01 KiGniiK 10. Landings (jf I'acific and jack mackerel Cur the past Id seascms. The mackerel season Is considered to start in May and end in April. cateli ill tlie 1948-1:9 season was nearly :)(i,()(){),()()() and in I!)!!)-.')!) about (i(),(){)0, ()()(). Los Angeles region landings jjiodnced hv far the greatest tonnage: a])ont 4:i()()(),()()() ponnds in li)4H-49 and over 54,()()(),()()() in 194f)-r)(). Tlic IMonterey I'egion re]i()rted landings of api^roxiinately 9 and 4 million pounds in the two seascuis and the (Santa Barbara region i-oughly 4 and 1 million. Investigations of the jack mackerel, begun on a limited basis in 1947, were gradnally intensified. The original progi-am inelnded studies of the size and age composition of the commercial catch. This work is being continued on a routine basis. In 1948, a study of the i)ox)ulations in the Central and Southern California areas was inaugurated. This led to a broader study of the distribution of the s})ecies along the entire Pacific Coast. A considerable body of data bearing on these problems was ob- tained and was being analysed at the close of the biennium. Maturity studies were started in 1949. These must be continued for at least another year before any conclusions can be reached. Finally, a survey of fishing localities is being made as time permits. BOTTOM FISH The otter trawl fishing for sole, sand dabs, flounder, turbot, rockfish, and other bottom fish takes a greater tonnage of fish than any other fresh fish industry of the State. The landings of flatfish and rockfish for the last ten years are shown in Figure 11, but this graph does not tell the entire story. Rockfish used to be taken primarily by means of hook and line, but a type of trawl was developed which was quite satisfactory for catching theme in quantity. This, combined with the almost unlimited demand for fish products during World War II, resulted in the boom of the rockfish fishery which reached its peak in 1945. The subsequent M FISH AND GAME COMMISSION Figure 11. California landings of rockfish and flatfish (flounder, sole and turbot) decline lias resulted partly from poor market conditions and partly from a shortage of rockfish on some of the banks. The increase in catches of sole has resulted from a steady increase in tlie number of boats, increase in the efficiency of gear, development of new fishing grounds in waters deeper than were formerly fished, and in the utilization of species for- merly regarded as trash fish. For example, the previously unutilized Dover sole now provides the largest poundage of any single species of flatfish. The increased use of this species was largely responsible for the fact that the cateh of flatfish in 1948 was the greatest ever recorded in the State's history. The industry is just beginning to take large quan- tities of scaly-fin (Bellingham) sole, another formerly unutilized species. In spite of the increase in total landings, the trawl fishery is not as healthy as it would seem. There has been a decided decline in the catches of previously utilized fish and to some extent in the Dover sole, a condition that has seriously worried the industry. Part of this has doubtless been due to a great increase in the number of boats, but part of it has also been due to unnecessary waste of small fish, and the resulting decline in the numbers available. Prior to l!i40, the trawlers were com- pany-owned, and there were relatively few companies. At the suggestion of the Division of Fish and Game these companies voluntarily limited themselves to the use of nets with a bag of five-inch mesh or greater. This permitted the escape of large quantities of small nonsaleable flat- fish. In more recent years the boats have been operated by individual owners ; hence, the old agreement between the companies no longer held. The boats have been using nets with a mesh as fine as 24 inches, and the use of such gear resulted in the loss of large quantities of fish which FORTY-P^IRST BIENNIAL REPORT 53 "would have -ipcr is a 28-foot Frazer River tyi)e <>ill-net boat witli a power reel for windinji' up gill nets. Tt is equipped with bunks and facilities for cooking'. When used by Fish Conservation, most of the Striper's KicJLKK 14. Fish and Game boat .s7;-(;jf)- jointly ii.'^ed liy tlie Bureau of ^Aiarine Fislieries and the Bureau of Fish Con.servation for research in tlie Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Photoyruph h>/ Ktamrr Adams. time is spent working on striped bass. Marine Fisheries uses most of its share of the boat's time on salmon investigation but has done some work on crabs. The boat has been used for tow net hauls, for the dragging of small trawds and dredges, and for gill-netting to obtain striped bass and salmon for tagging. The power-operated net reel makes this last opera- tion far easier and more efficient. The use of this power reel makes it possible for the operators to make as many as six comparatively short gill-net drifts wdiere a crew w^ith a hand-pulled gill net would find it possible to make no more than two long drifts. This means that the fish spend a relatively shoi't time tangled in our nets, hence are much less weakened by being held. A net is strung out in an appropriate place and allowed to drift for wdiatever length of time seems most desirable, usually about an hour, and then is picked up. To pick up the net, one operator steps on a treadle in the rear of the boat. This starts the big reel turning slowl.y and brings in the net until a fish is reached. One man can fish with this type of boat ; two men can both fish and tag if the fish are not very abundant. In the event of a heavy run of either salmon or striped bass, three men are desirable. FOKTY-FIKST BIENNIAL REPORT ()'■) UNDERSEA OIL EXPLORATION Tlie major oil companies continued their exploration for undersea oil deposits until mid-July, 1949. By that time all of the areas in whicli the companies were interested liad been explored by seismic methods and tlie connnission denied applications for more work south of Point Con- ception prior to 1952. The commission required that all exploratory work carried on be a joint project of all companies concerned. This prevented re-exploration l)y each individual company and did much to reduce the kill of fish. The Bureau of Marine Fisheries maintained an observer with eacli seismic crew during' all operations. The cost of the observers was borne by the oil comjianies. PUBLICATIONS BY STAFF MEMBERS OF THE BUREAU OF MARINE FISHERIES fliroular No. 23. Statistical Report of Fresh and Canned l''islier,\ I'mducts, Year T.MS. Cii'cular No. 24. Statistical Hejiort ul' Fresh and Canned I'^isiieiy I'rddnets, Year 1!)4!). Fish Bulletin No. (iS. ConinKin .M.-iiine Fishes of California. 15.V I'hil M. Koedel. 1<.»4S; ino p. Fish Bulletin No. (•;». A,i;e and Lenf^tii Composition of the Sardine Catch Off the Pacific Coast of the Fuited States and Canada, 1941-42 throiiuh 1940-47. By Frances E. Felin * and Julius B. Phillips. 1!>4S ; 122 p. Fish Bulletin No. 70. A Preliminary I'opulation Study of the i'ellowfin Tuna and the Albacore. By H. C. (iodsil. 1948 ; 90 p. Fish I'.ulletin No. 71. Growth of the Sardine, Sardiiioiin raenilca, 1941-42 tliroui;h 194t)-47. By Julius B. Phillips. 194S ; IVA p. Fish Bulletin No. 72. Trawling Gear in California. I'.y W. L. Scotield. 194s ; (id i,. Fish Bulletin No. 7'!. Tasgins' Experiments on the Pacific Mackerel, Pmuhiiilophorus diego. By Donald H. Fry. Jr.. and Phil M. Roedel. 1949 ; C.l p. Fisli liulletin No. 74. The Conunercial Fish Catch of Calif(nnia for the Yeai' 1947 With an Historical Review, 191t)-1947. By the Staff of the Bureau of Marine Fisheries. 1949 ; 2G7 p. Fish Bidletiu No. 75. California Sharks and Rays. I'.y Phil M. Roedel and \\m. Elli.s Ripley. 1950; 88 p. Fish Bulletin No. 76. A\erage Lunar Month Catch \\\ California Sai-dine Fishermen, 1932-33 through 1948-49. By Frances N. Clark and Anita E. Daugherty. 1950; 28 p. Bonnot. I'aul 1948. The Ahalones of California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. .•^4, no. 4, p. 141-109. P>onnot, Paul, and Wm. Ellis Ripley 1948. The California Sea Lion Census for 1947. Calif. Fish an.G(l()..")U 507,068 1,482,442.00 .504,021 1,440.172.00 496,975 ANGLING Year Value Number Year Value Number 1938 $705,611.00 348,227 1944 $883,841.00 436,940 1939 746,061.00 366.4.52 1945 1,120,661.50 557,536 1940 791,472.00 390,-342 1946 1,-553,706.00 768,816 1941 933,586.00 460,715 1947 1,793,368.-50 884,772 1942 876,003.00 4-33,4-31 1948 2,931,724.00 960,146 1943 - 899,782.00 447,352 1949 3,023,579.00 991,903 Year Value Number Year 1938-.39 $487,763.-50 252,117 1944-45 1939-40 528,952.00 270,095 1945-46 1940-41 -565,395.00 291.507 1946-47 1941-42 643,700.00 331,878 1947-48 1942-43 522,985.00 268,128 1948-49 1943-44 557,254.00 284,370 1949-50 1944:::::::: i7s:25o.oo :::: i"*' 318.748.(k. I 70 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION DEER TAGS Year Value Numier Year Value Numier 1938 $141,598.00 1945 $214,662.00 1989 1.52.924.00 1946 282.0<;().()0 1940 163.2S5.00 1947 299,610.00 1941 173.699.00 1948 300..384.00 1942 116.121.00 ( Citizen. 1943 147.795.00 ,„„, o-,o^oard recognizes that the interest of the Department of Natural llesources in pollution control is as great as that of any other state agency, but this recognition is not widespread. The pollution control investigations carried on by the three state depart- ments interested in the problem have now been grouped and the entire pollution investigation program of the State is administered by a coordi- nating committee composed of three representatives, one each from the Department of Public Health, the Department of Public Works, and the Division of Fish and Game. In the past, agencies dealing with water use have not recognized the fish and game aspects or the magnitude of the industry they support, partly because of the limited program of the Division of Fish and Game as compared with those of the other state de|)artments. Tliis attitude is unfortunate, particularly insofar as pollution is concerned, because of the extreme interest of the sportsman in clean M^aters and the vital need of using all waters possible for recreation in our existing society. It is regrettable that any waters that could be used for fisli, wildlife, and recreation in this day of water shortages should be befouled by sewage beyond the point of any possible use. The years 1948-50 have seen a great deal of construction for domestic sewage treatment. The postwar building programs of cities have finally produced results and treatment plants are being completed and put into operation. A good example is the eastern side of San Francisco Bay. Plans were started before the war, the bond issue was passed in 1947, and construction will be completed in 1951. This will relieve the septic con- ditions along the bay and estuary and also the odors along the Eastshore Freeway. Much work needs to be done before the industrial waste problems in the State can be solved. The food processing industry has installed a number of screens and in cases where the city disposal plant accepts the 92 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION waste a considerable amount of treatment is provided, for example at Stockton and Modesto. The San Jose-Santa Clara area has passed a bond issue for construction of treatment facilities, but the plant will not be completed for two or three years. It seems likely that we will soon see additional pulp mills in the State ; in fact, preliminary negotiations have begun with the builders of a proposed pulp mill on the McCloud River. A great deal of work remains to be done by the lumber industry all over the State. The cutting and hauling operations result in a large amount of debris being deposited in the streams, with resultant obstructions to migrating fish and pollution due to sawdust and bark. The problem of the effluent from millponds entering streams and killing fish is also serious and an educational campaign is being carried out in order that sawmill operators will drain ponds only during periods of high flow. One of the most common causes of complaint is the recurring prob- lem of oil spills, particularly from ships. The number of cases has de- creased considerably since the years before the war, probably due to the patrol activities of the Division of Fish and Oame. The prosecution of oil pollution cases may take place under either federal or state statutes, but in practice the majority of cases are handled in tlie local state courts by local patrol personnel. Probabh^ the most encouraging development during the last bien- nium has been the increased number of potential pollution cases that have been taken care of before j)ol]ution has occurred. This has been made possible by the increased public attention being given to water pollution and is the ' ' payoff ' ' of many years work by agencies and organi- zations, such as sportsmen's groups interested in water pollution control. With the establishment of the regional water pollution control boards, it is anticipated that no new sources of pollution will be allowed to dis- charge into state waters to the detriment of fish and aquatic life. Our experience has shown that the best time for pollution prevention is while plans are in the formative state, not after the treatment plant or the new industrial plant is completed. Two recent instances demonstrate this point. The Masonite Corpo- ration has recently completed a new plant at Ukiah. Originally it was proposed to use the Russian River for waste disposal and it was apparent that this would create intolerable conditions in the river. After nearly two years of negotiations the problem was solved by the installation of evaporators before the plant went into operation, thus creating a "tight" plant with no waste discharge. Another example of this predischarge control occurred at the City of Gridley. Without realizing the conse- quences the city proposed to put a series of sewer ponds immediately adjacent to the Gray Lodge Waterfowl Refuge. The hazard of botulism to waterfowl feeding in septic ponds is extremely serious, and any pro- posal to locate sewage disposal ponds in close proximity to any concen- tration of ducks must be treated with extreme caution. In this instance negotiations wdth the city and the consulting engineer resulted in the removal of the treatment plant site to the other side of town, near the Feather River, where gravel deposits are much more suited to pond construction because of the additional percolation. By this planning the hazard to waterfowl was eliminated and when final plans were completed the cost to the treatment plant had been reduced. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 93 The state program for pollution abatement is based on preventing all new sources of pollution and then setting requirements to be met by the existing cases. The first portion of this program is well under way and the second phase is getting started. It is hoped that progress will continue until the present hazard to our fisheries resources is removed and the large areas of streams and bays now unsuitable for recreational use are restored to a useful condition. INTERSTATE WATERS In addition to the program on the Colorado River being conducted jointly with the State of Arizona, several conferences were held with personnel of the Nevada Fish and Game Commission, resulting in co- operative working plans for interstate waters which should assist both states in better management of these waters. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD PROJECTS At its 1947 Session the State Legislature adopted an act known as the AVildlife Conservation Act of 1947 and transferred $9,000,000 due the State from horse racing operations from the General Fund to the Wildlife Restoration Fund. This fund, to be used for capital expendi- tures, is administered by the Wildlife Conservation Board. The board receives proposals for projects from sportsmen's and other conservation groups, federal and state agencies, and individuals and passes on their worth. Approved projects are allocated funds, which are then transferred to the Fish and Game Commission, which carries out the actual construc- tion, operation, management, and maintenance of the projects. Figure 17. Right wing of flow maintenance dam at Stony Ridge Lake, El Dorado County. Note outlet box in left center of photograph, at end of dam, to regulate flow in stream below dam. 94 FISH AND OAME COMMISSION It is obvious that such a comprehensive- program must draw heavily on the services of Division of Fish and Game personnel at all stages. As projects involving the inland sports fisheries, other than hatchery projects, have been submitted during the biennium the members of the biological staff have been called upon for field investigations, planning, and preparation of reports and recommendations. A summary of the status of Wildlife Conservation Board nonhatchery fish projects at the end of the biennium is presented hei-ewith : PROJECT 1. EL DORADO FLOW MAINTENANCE DAMS Board allocated $3-5,000 6/.3/40 and $65,000 8/2.3/49 ; Fish and Game Commis- sion approved 9/2.3/49. Barrier dam at Richardson Lake and flow maintenance dams at Stony Ridge and Crag Lakes completed in 1949. Active plans are under way for the construction of three flow maintenance dams in the Ruhicon River drainage, scheduled for compli>ti<>n this summer. District Fisheries Biologist J. C. Fraser is now working on contracts for pack stock. $2,000 was transferred from this project to the Division of Water Resources in .June to cover costs of survey investigations. PROJECT 2. DEEP CREEK STREAM IMPROVEMENT (HOLCOMB CREEK DAM) Board allocated $25,000 1/26/50 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 1/28/50. $1,500 has been transferred from 7XD.52 to Division of Water Resources for plans and sui'veys. Mr. Norris of the Division of Water Resources and District Fisheries Biologist W. A. Evans are scheduled to make a field inspection on or about July 14, 1950, in order to reach a final decision regarding location of the dam site. PROJECT 4. PINE CREEK FLOW MAINTENANCE DAM Board allocated $43,.")00 6/3/49 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 9/23/49. A fish trap was constructed in 1950 for counts and studies of migrating fish. Studies are now being conducted by District Fisheries Biologist H. A. Hanson and project held in abeyance. PROJECT 12. MENDOCINO FOREST STREAM IMPROVEMENT Board allocated $5,000 5/18/.j0. A reconnaissance of stream improvement possi- bilities on Stony, Grindstone, and Thomes Creeks was made by District Fisheries Biologist G. I. Murphy and Dr. P. R. Needham of the University of California in June, 1950, and the results of their investigation are now being studied. PROJECT 16. EMIGRANT BASIN FLOW MAINTENANCE DAM AND STREAM IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Board allocated $50,000 8/25/49 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 9/23/49. $2,000 was transferred from 7XD32.1 to the Divi.sion of Water Resources for plans and investigations in June, 1950. PROJECT 41. GRANITE CREEK FLOW MAINTENANCE Board allocated $30,000 8/25/49 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 9/23/49. A cooperative agreement is being drawn up by the U. S. Forest Service and should be transmitted shortly. The Forest Service is prepared to start construction at the close of engineering studies. PROJECT 42. MARSH LAKE LEVEL MAINTENANCE Board allocated $4,000 8/25/49 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 9/23/49. Final report and plans needed before any construction can be undertaken, but it is hoped to complete the work in 1950. PROJECT 43. BENNETT AND SMITH FISH LADDER Board allocated $6,000 8/25/49 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 9/23/49. Division of Architecture is working on plans and specifications, and permission was received on June 12th from the owner to go ahead with construction. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 95 PROJECT 44-2. BURNT RANCH FALLS FISH LADDER Board allocated $8,000 8/25/49 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 9/23/49. Studies to date indicate that feasibility of this project is somewhat doubtful. Division i)f Architecture requested to make study and report. PROJECT 49. TAHOE FOREST FLOW MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Board allocated $40,000 8/25/49 to initiate program and couii)lete essential work. Fish and Game Commission approved 9/23/49. Barrier dam at Miller Lake completed in 1949. $1,000 was transferred in June from 7XD35.2 to the Division of Water iiesources for plans and investigations. PROJECT 5 1. SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST FLOW MAINTENANCE PROGRAM Board allocated $50,000 8/25/49 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 9/23/49. Sample agreements for the construction of Millwood and Indian Basin Lakes w^ere received from tlu' V. S. Forest Service on June 2(;. The sample agreements were very satisfactory and the signed agreements are expected shortly for submission to the Department of Finance. PROJECT 5 7. SAK DIEGO RIVER FLOW MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Board allocated $35,000 8/25/49 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 9/23/49. Progress in the investigation of this project has been delayed pending receipt of basic information from the County of San Diego. PROJECT 5 8. SAN DIEGO COUNTY FLOW MAINTENANCE PROGRAM I'.oanl a!h>cated $25,000 8/25/49 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 9/23/49. Project requires further detailed study. PROJECT 61. SHASTA RIVER FISH COUNTING DAM Board allocated $10,000 8/2.5/49 ; Fish and (Jann- Commission approved 9/23/49. A lease for site has not yet been approved in Sacramento. Project was turned over to the Division of Architecture and Public Works Board. Approval was asked on June 22, 1950. PROJECT 62. CANYON CREEK FISH LADDER Board allocated $10,000 12/13/49 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 1/6/50. The Goldfield Consolidated Mining Corporation is giving up their lease on this prop- erty on June 30, 1950. During the month of June, District Fisheries Biologist J. H. Wales investigated this project with the general objective of removing the dam com- ])l('tt'ly or building a smaller dam some distance upstream, since the estinuited cost of a tishway was excessive. Negotiations will be undertaken with the owner of the dam to achieve one of these objectives. PROJECT 63. SAWYER'S BAR AUXILIARY DAM Board allocated .$3. .500 (J/3/49 ; Fisii and (iame Commission ai)proved 9/23/49. Division of Architecture is drawing up plans and specifications, and permission for preliminai-y planning was received from the owner on June 20, 1950. PROJECT 67. SACRAMENTO RIVER WEIR (ROUGH FISH CONTROL BARRIER) Board allocated $18,000 3/19/49 ; Fish and Game Commission approved. Project being further studied. Construction ])eing defei-red. PROJECT 7 2. RAMER LAKE This project is completely authorized and Public Works Board approval was requested on June 5, 1950. An inspection by an engineer from the Division of Water Resources and District Fisheries Biologist W. A. Evans is pending. PROJECT 73. CRYSTAL LAKE LEVEL MAINTENANCE Board allocated $20,000 8/25/49 ; Fish and Game Conunissiou approved 9/23/49. Forest Service will make installation for the Division of Fish and Game during the summer of 1950 under an approved cooperative agreement. 96 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION PROJECT 74. COACHELLA VALLEY PUBLIC FISHING AREAS Board allocated $32,500 1/26/50 ; Fish and Game Cominis.sion approved 1/28/50. No water supply commitment has been received as yet. Maintenance has been tenta- tively accepted by the Board of Supervisors of Riverside County. District Fisheries Biologist W. A. Evans is planning a meeting for field inspection. PROJECT 7 6. CLEAR LAKE REARING POND Project completed. PROJECT 77. LINDO LAKE PUBLIC FISHING AREA Board allocated $11,000 1/26/50; Fish and Game Commission approved 1/28/50. Agreement was received from the County of San Diego on .June 20tli and forwarded to Sacramento for approval. On June 29th the agreement was sent back not approved because the amount of money to be expended was apparently over the $10,000 limit on projects that may be performed with the services of the Division of Architecture. Attempts are being made to straighten out this difficulty. PROJECT 7 9. SULPHUR CREEK DAM The original cost estimate of $22,000 received from Division of Architecture was too high and it has been requested to resurvey the site at lower water flows. PROJECT 81. SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST Board allocated $.35,000 1/26/50 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 1/28/50. Field investigations are under way. PROJECT 82. DRY LAKE LEVEL MAINTENANCE Board allocated $4,500 1/2G/50 ; Fish ami Game Commissiuu approved 1/28/50. Conferences with the U. S. Forest Service are planned. PROJECT 83. BIXBY SLOUGH PUBLIC FISHING AREA Board tentatively approved allocation of $100,000 at April, 1950, meeting, for a cooperative development of Bixby Slough. Necessary data and commitments from local interests being awaited. PROJECT 86. SAN ANTONIO CREEK PUBLIC FISHING AREA Board allocated $20,000 5/18/50 ; Fish and Game Commission approved 5/19/50. Field investigations being conducted. PROJECT 1010. DELTA FISH AND GAME OPERATIONS BASE Board allocated $27,000 5/18/50 ; Fish and Game Commission api)roved 5/19/50. Negotiations to secure site under way. CHILDREN'S FISHING WATERS Many municipalities were aided in establishing permanent fishing ponds for children. For example, the Los Angeles City Park and Rec- reation Department was assisted in establishing its successful fishing program in the city park lakes, and catch data were obtained. STEELHEAD AND SALMON The steelhead trout and salmon of California represent a tremen- dous resource. This resource, of the greatest importance in the economy of the State, is under constant threat from large-scale dam construction. One of the main goals of the Bureau of Fish Conservation, therefore, has been to acquire as rapidly as possible the essential facts necessary for the preservation and management of our steelhead and salmon fisheries in our expanding and changing economy. The present applied steelhead and salmon management program of the bureau includes rescue of fish from drying streams, removal of FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 97 abandoned dams and other barriers, construction of fishways, and stock- ing with hatchery fish. The activities of the biological staff in connec- tion with these phases of the program are described elsewhere in the report. ►Some of the important special fact-finding investigations carried on during the biennium are summarized herewith. For some years the Bureau of Fish Conservation has carried out counts of spawning steelhead and salmon at various stations. Such counts provide a basis for legislative and management programs and for rec- ommendations in connection with proposed large dams. In 1950, all such work not already under the direction of the district biologists in the respective districts was placed under their supervision. Listed below are the counting stations operated by the Bureau of Fish Conservation : Station Name of stream County River system Klamathon Racks Klamath River Siskiyou Ivlamath River Shasta Racks Shasta River Siskiyou Klamath River Sweasy Dam Mad River Humboldt Mad River Benbow Dam Eel River, S. Fk Humboldt Eel River On November 1, 1948, a graduate college student working as a stu- dent biologist began a study of the efficiency of natural propagation of our steelhead and salmon and the factors affecting it. This study is being carried out in the Prairie Creek drainage, Humboldt County, and will include two -winter seasons of field work. The first of these seasons was that of 1948-49 and the second will be that of 1950-51. Another study which will in part complement the above was started at Fall Creek, Siskiyou County, in 1949. In this study different numbers of king salmon will be allowed to enter and spawn in Fall Creek each year. The resulting offspring will then be counted on their downstream migration to the Klamath River. From known numbers of parents and known numbers of offspring we hope to determine the most effective number of king salmon for a spawning tributary such as Fall Creek. The planting of steelhead in the Sacramento River from the federal hatchery at Coleman was supervised by the biologist in charge of Dis- trict 2. A number of these steelhead were tagged with celluloid disk tags in an attempt to determine the return to the angler before and after the fish had gone to sea. INLAND TROUT Although existing evidence indicates that the bulk of the trout caught by anglers in California as a whole result from natural propaga- tion, the hatcheries of the State play a very important role in supplying fish to a number of waters which otherwise would be incapable of pro- ducing satisfactory angling. In this program it is one of the principal functions of the biological staff to make the necessary initial surveys of waters and then to check them as necessary in order to keep stocking and general management policies in line with existing conditions. The records and policies for each managed water are kept current by means of a state-wide system of "hatchery management binders." These are permanent records in loose-leaf form, kept at each hatchery, with duplicate copies at the dis- trict office, which show the essential survey data for the managed water, 4 — 49247 98 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION a summary record of past stocking, and the basic stocking and general management policy as determined in conference between the biological and hatcherj^ staffs. Special investigations dealing with the inland trout fisheries car- ried on by the biological staff include studies of hatchery diets and fish diseases, test water programs, and studies of important individual bodies of water. These are described elsewhere in this report. In order to test the value of stocking interior-stock fall-spawning rainbows in steelhead and salmon waters, 50.000 advanced fingerlings were marked and planted in several streams along the Mendocino County coast. Less than 12 authenticated returns to the angler in the year after stocking indicate that such stocking in coastal streams is not justified. Figure 18. Marking rainbow trout at San Joaquin Experimental Hatchery, Fresno County. One of two fins is removed with clippers, so that after stocking the marked fish can be recognized as belonging to the particular group regarding which information is needed. Photoc/raph by Scott Soule. WARM-WATER FISHES The warm-water fisheries program of the Bureau of Fish Conserva- tion was greatly intensified and expanded near the beginning of the biennium. Two members of the biological staff were assigned to warm- water fisheries investigations on practically a full-time basis, and other members of the staff have devoted considerable time to the program. Following initial exploratory studies, several typical problem w^aters were selected for intensive study. These included Clear Lake in Lake County, Millerton Lake in Fresno and Madera Counties, and Don Pedro Reservoir in Tuolumne County. The intensive studies at these waters have been followed by widespread sampling of the populations of young fish in a large series of reservoirs throughout the State. Results gen- erally have indicated adequate largemouth black bass reproduction coupled with very inadequate forage for the bass of the year's hatch. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 99 Steps to correct this situation by introducing golden shiners and other forage fishes were being taken at the end of the biennium. Other work in connection with the warm-water fisheries is described elsewhere in this report. Figure 19. Fish tagging at Millerton Lake, Fresno and Madera Counties. A num- bered metal strap tag is being attached to the upper jaw of a largemouth blaclt bass. Tags are used when information regarding individual flsh is needed. Photograph by C. K. Fisher. STRIPED BASS The catch record system for this important fishery was coordinated and placed on a firm foundation. A large volume of party boat records which had accumulated since 1938 was analyzed and interpreted. The handling of records of this type was put on a routine maintenance basis. Together with the statewide postal card estimates they now provide a continuous, up-to-date inventory of the fishery. A fairly ambitious tagging program aimed at evaluating the rate of harvesting by anglers was begun early in 1950. It was made possible by the acquisition of the 28-foot boat ''Striper." A total of 1,899 striped bass was tagged late in the biennium. Special studies were also made to test the resistance to corrosion of various metals used with disk tags. Such corrosion has proved to be a serious problem. Surveys of the abundance of fingerling striped bass on the nursery grounds in June and July revealed the presence of large numbers in 1948, 1949, and 1950. There have not been enough of these surveys to establish a norm, but there is every indication that spawning and survival 100 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION to the fingerling stage has been average or better in the three years mentioned. Liaison was maintained with the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation in connection with the Delta Mendota Diversion near Tracy. This diversion threatens to destroy significant numbers of striped bass. The Bureau of Reclamation has agreed to install complete fish screens at the initial temporary small-scale diversion and to carry on intensive studies of fish losses there. The Bureau will also investigate the practicability of the various remedial measures which have been suggested. FARM POND PROGRAM It is the policy of the Division of Fish and Game to supply an initial stock of warm-water fishes to private ponds too small to support public fishing and which meet certain other requirements. Trout for such ponds must be purchased from a Licensed Domestic Fish Breeder. The usual combination of largemouth black bass and bluegill sunfish has not worked out well in some ponds, and so we have initiated some experiments with other combinations in a few scattered ponds repre- sentative of the area in which they are located. In all, the biologists spend about 5 percent of their time on the farm pond program. They process applications for fish and inspect the pond if there is doubt as to its qualifications or there is possibility of escape of bass and sunfish into trout waters. In summary, during the biennium 467 applications for stocking of private ponds were processed, 222 ponds were visited, and 325 ponds were stocked with fish. LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS Recommendations for changes in fishing laws and regulations, based on survey data on their general knowledge, have been submitted by members of the biological staff as required. PUBLIC INFORMATION Personnel of the biological staff devoted considerable time to appear- ances before sportsmen's clubs and other conservation groups and on radio and television programs, as well as to the preparation of printed information. About 280 talks were made at meetings throughout the State, plus 22 radio and 6 television appearances. In addition, conserva- tion motion pictures were shown many times. Numerous conferences in connection with fishery protection and development were attended and advice was rendered to sportsmen in connection with a number of club projects. The printed material consisted of published articles, which are listed in this report, and also of mimeographed information leaflets, pamphlets for school children prepared in cooperation with the State Department of Education, and fishing maps. The latter, issued as folders with the map on one side and informational material on the other, have proved very popular. The ' ' Striped Bass Fishing Map ' ' was published during the biennium and maps of the Colorado River area, the Marble Mountains Wilderness Area, and black bass fishing waters were prepared and will be issued shortly. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 101 PUBLICATIONS BY STAFF MEMBERS OF THE BUREAU OF FISH CX)NSERVATlON Calhoun, A. J. 1949. California striped bass catch records from the party boat fishery : 1938-1948. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 35, no. 4, p. 211-253. Trout in San Francisco's backyard. West Coast Sportsman, vol. 6, no. 12, p. 40. 1950. California's striped bass. Outdoor West Magazine, vol. 2, no. 3, p. 6-7, 28-29, May-June. Calhoun, A. J., and C. A. Woodhull 1948. Progress report on studies of striped bass reproduction in relation to the Central Valley Project. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 34, no. 4, p. 171-187. Calhoun, A. J., C. A. Woodhull and Wm. C. Johnson 1950. Striped bass reproduction in the Sacramento River system in 1948. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 3G, no. 2, p. 135-145. Curtis, Brian 1949. The warm-water game fishes of California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 35, no. 4, p. 255-273. Curtis, Brian, and J. C. Fraser 1948. Kokanee in California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. .34, no. 3, p. 111-114. Evans, Willis A. 1950. Aquatic weed control and fi.sh life. Report Second California Weed Con- ference, p. 85-87. Evans, W. A., and O. L. Wallis 1949. Fishes of Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Nature Notes, vol. 23, no. 1, 1944. 2d edition, revised 1949. 32 p. Murphy, Garth I. 1948. A contribution to the life history of the Sacramento perch (Archoplites interruptus) in Clear Lake, Lake County, California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 34, no. 3, p. 93-100. Notes on the biology of the Sacramento hitch (Lavinia e. exilicauda) of Clear Lake, Lake County, California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 34, no. 3, p. 101-110. 1949. The food of young largemouth black bass (Micropterns salmoides) in Clear Lake, California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 35, no. 3, p. 159-163. 1950. The closed season in warm-water fish management. Trans. 15th North American Wildlife Conf., p. 235-251. The life history of the greaser blackfish {Orthodon microlepidotus) of Clear Lake, Lake County, California. Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 36, no. 2, p. 119-133. Taft, Alan C, and Garth I. Murphy 1950. The life history of the Sacramento squawfish {Ptychocheilus grandis) . Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 36, no. 2, p. 147-164. Soule, S. M. 1950. Initial planting of golden trout in Hooper Creek drainage, Fresno County, California. Central California Sportsman, vol. 9, no. 7, p. 132-133, 136-137. Vestal, Elden H. 1949. A Piute trout transplant. Central California Sportsman, vol. 8, no. 10, p. 164-166. 102 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION TITLES AND ABSTRACTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS SUBMITTED BY THE BIOLOGICAL STAFF July 1, 1948, to June 30, 1950 Beck, Ralph V. Creel Returns From Crowley Lake, Mono County, California, Season of 1949. Submitted November 18, 1949. 10 pp., including 7 figures and 4 tables. Abstract : A creel count was made at Crowley Lake by members of the fish- eries staff during five four-day periods in the 92-day fishing season. During the 20 days of census 3,930 anglers fished 21,313 hours and caught 2,925 fish, including 2,349 rainbow (80.3 percent), 219 brown trout (7.5 percent), and 357 Tahoe cutthroat trout (12.2 percent). The average catch was 0.74 and the average catch per angler per hour was 0.14. In 1947 the average catch and average catch per angler per hour was 1.2 and 0.19 respectively, and in 1946 they were 2.0 and 0.33, indicating a gradual decline in the fishery. The percentage of brown trout and Tahoe cutthroat trout caught was greater in 1949 than in the two previous years. It is estimated that 52,249 people fished Crowley Lake during the entire 92-day season and caught a total of 38,887 trout of all species. Calhoun, Alexander J. 1946 Angling Catch Records. Submitted July 28, 1948. 80 pp., 26 tables, 10 figures. Abstract : Angling catch questionnaires were .sent to a random sample of 3.9 percent of the 766,75.3 licensed anglers in California in 1946. Total catch trends in recent years appear to have been relatively stable for trout, salmon and catfish. They appear to have decreased slightly for striped bass, and to have increased for black bass, sunfish and crappie. Numbers of anglers have increased sharply for all species, and there has been a corresponding decrease in the mean annual catch of all species, least extreme in the case of spiny rays. The validity of estimates derived from postal card survey, the county of residence distribution of licensed anglers, and migrations of trout and striped bass anglers from county of residence to county of catch are discussed in the report. Calhoun, Alexander J., and G. M. Christman Migration of California Trout Anglers in 1948. Submitted September, 1949. 5 pp., 10 figures and 2 appendixes. Abstract : The 1948 migrations of licensed California trout anglers from six residence areas to eight trout fishing regions within the State are outlined in a series of tables and diagrams. Estimates of the numbers of trout caught by anglers making the various migrations are included. Calhoun, Alexander J., and Charles E. Warren The Effect of Increased Towing Speed Upon Tow-net Catches of Small Striped Bass. Submitted August 2, 1949. 8 pp. Abstract : The tow-net used in studies of striped bass fry is described. Results of a series of test toAvs at different speeds indicated decreasing efficiency of the net at speeds over 2.7 feet per second. No significant difference in length frequencies was apparent at the different speeds used, ranging from 2.7 to 6.6 feet per second. Coots, Millard Fish Rescue 1949. Stream Improvement Headquartei-s, Treka. Submitted April 3, 1950. 2 pp. including one table. Abstract : During the summer of 1949, 56,688 young salmonids, consisting of 21,832 silver salmon and 34,856 steelhead, were rescued from drying streams and irrigation ditches tributary to the Scott and Klamath Rivers. This work was done by a biological aid with assistance from the Stream Improvement Headquarters staff. Creel Census — April 29, 1950. Klamath River, Siskiyou County. Submitted May 16, 1950. 3 pp. Abstract : Angling activity on the Klamath River was checked on this date. 222 anglers were counted between Copco and the Scott River, a river distance of about 53 miles. 87 anglers were interviewed, including 42 who had completed their angling effort. The average fishing time was 3.5 hours, the average catch 9.4 fish, catch per angler hour 2.7, estimated total catch 2,082. The catch consisted mostly of immature steelhead, plus a few spent adult steelhead, immature salmon, and yellow perch. 261 trout were measured, ranging from 4.0 inches to 13.9 inches (fork length). The mean length was 6.58 inches. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 103 Curtis, Brian Report of the Activities of the Biological Staff of the Bureau of Fish Con- servation for the Fortieth Biennium, July 1, 1946, to June 30, 1948. Abstract : Describes the activities of the staff. Printed in large part in "Fortieth Biennial Report of the Division of Fish and Game" as part of the report of the Bureau of Fish Conservation. Douglas, Philip A. Rough Fish Control in Elizabeth Lake Canyon Drainage, Los Angeles County. Submitted December 28, 1949. 21 pp., including 13 figures, 6 tables, 1 graph, plus Appendix A and 2 sketch maps. Abstract : A decline in the fishing success for largemouth black bass, bluegill, erappie, catfish in the Elizabeth Lake Canyon drainage, Los Angeles County, necessitated a study of causative factors. A heavy population of greaser blackfish Ortliodon microlepidotus (Ayres) was found to be present in the four major bodies of water in the drainage, and stomach analyses indicated that they were of little forage value to the largemouth black bass in the area. Plans were laid for a 2-day treatment program distributing 1,600 pounds of cube root-33 percent rotenone, over 160 surface acres or 655 acre-feet of water, or a concentration of 0.90 p. p.m. of the chemical was used. (A high concentration of rotenone was used due to the alkaline waters involved.) The blackfish was found to be the most susceptible to the chemical, appearing in distress within thirty minutes following application of the rotenone. An estimated kill in waters treated was 605,601 rough fish (95 percent) and 26,017 game fish (5 percent). One lake had a natural kill October 12, 1949, and no new fish appeared following treatment. A restocking program for 1950 for the public lakes is based on a comparative basis of percentage compositions by species of the original stocking between 1938 and 1945 of Lake Hughes, and the percentage composition of the same fish popu- lation estimated following the chemical treatment of November 26, 1949. From the above figures the following was noted : Largemouth black bass decreased slightly ; bluegill decreased considerably ; catfish increased moderately ; and black erappie increased considerably. A stocking program for the public waters has been proposed for 1950. p]vans, Willis A. A survey of the city park lakes of Los Angeles in relation to their proposed use for children's fishing recreation, Los Angeles County. Submitted March 20, 1949. 22 pp., including eight figures and five maps. Abstract : A survey of the five Los Angeles City park lakes was made during January, 1949, to determine their adaptability to a children's fishing program. Thi*ee out of the five lakes are believed suitable for development and use within the year. The other two may be utilized as brood ponds to serve the other three. Fishing should be carried on under as natural conditions as possible. Physical and biological characteristics of the individual lakes are briefly discussed and recommendations for fish management in each presented. Fraser, J. C. Supplementary Report No. 1 on the Emigrant Basin Flow Maintenance Dam and Stream Improvement Program (Wildlife Conservation Board Project No. 16), Tuolumne County. Submitted January 6, 1950. 23 pp., including three tables, 1 photograph. Abstract : Describes certain subprojects, including 4 new ones, and gives a revised status of subprojects in this program based on field sui'veys made in 1949. 1949 Lake Tahoe Party Boat Catch Records, Placer/El Dorado Counties. Submitted January 9, 1950. 8 pp., 3 tables. Abstract : Seven guide fishermen operated from California ports in 1949, making 357 trips with a total of 587 anglers. Catch consisted of 1,009 mackinaw, 6 rainbow trout, and 5 brown trout, total weight of all trout 3,433.5 pounds ; average weight of all trout 3.4 pounds ; average catch per angler 1.7 ; average catch per hour .37 ; average catch by weight per angler 5.8 pounds. 104 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION The Frog Lake (Nevada County) Fishery in 1948. Submitted March 7, 1949. 5 pp., 5 tables. Abstract : Discusses and summarizes the 1948 catch returns from this test lake. Catch records for 1938 through 1949 are tabulated. Practically negligible returns of a marked plant of 15,000 rainbow (2.5-13.0 per ounce) made in 1947 is discussed. A Report on the Emigrant Basin Flow Maintenance and Stream Improvement Program (Wildlife Conservation Board Project No. 16). Submitted March 18, 1949. 74 pp., 16 sketch maps. Abstract: Describes, discusses and evaluates the nineteen individual retain- ing and check dam projects within the program. Lists additional information needed for some of the projects. Sketch maps of the project area are given for 16 of the projects. No cost estimates are given. Report on Proposed Power Projects, Middle Fork Stanislaus River, Tuolumne County. Submitted September 28, 1949. 15 pp., 7 figures, 4 tables. Abstract : Gives description, present status, or probable effects on the fish- eries of the proposed Beardsley and Donnells Dam projects on the Middle Fork Stanislaus River, Tuolumne County, applied for under Federal Power Commission Project Nos. 2005 and 2018 by the Oakdale and South San Joaquin Irrigation Districts. Recommendations for protection of the fisheries to be afEected are given. German, Eugene R. Creel Census at McCloud River Mouth, Shasta County, May 1, 1949. Sub- mitted May 15, 1949. 6 pp., including 3 tables. Abstract : The fifth annual creel census at the mouth of the McCloud River was conducted on May 1, 1949. Of 61 anglers, 11 fished the river and took 36 trout (mostly small rainbow), while 50 fished Shasta Lake and took 58 trout (lai-ger rainbow, brown and Dolly Varden). There were more dollies than in other years. Angling was better than in 1948. Aerial Fish Planting in District No. 1. Submitted October 31, 1949. 12 pp., including 2 tables. Abstract : Describes first full scale aerial fish plants and problems involved. Rough figures show planting costs per fingerling to be $0,004 by air and $0.02 by pack stock. Creel Census at McCloud River Mouth, Shasta County, April 29, 1950. Sub- mitted June 15, 1950. 3 pp., including 1 table. Abstract : The sixth annual creel census at the mouth of the McCloud River, on Shasta Lake, was made on April 29, 1950. 35 of 41 anglers fished the lake itself. Catch per hour from shore was .41 and by boat was .14. No fish over 14 inches were taken, but fish were in excellent condition. The catch consisted mainly of rainbow, only 2 Dolly Varden being taken. Handley, John G. Progress Report on a New Type of Fish Screen Tested in Trinity County. Submitted November 14, 1949. 9 pp., including 6 figures. Abstract : The history of the bar and rotary type fish screens is told briefly. The new perforated plate fish screen is described and its advantages given. Note is made of the importance of the by-pass flow. The tests made by Handley and Coots on the perforated plate screen on the Jim Lee Ditch, Trinity County, are described. These tests showed that during the 1949 irrigation season approximately 8,280 steelhead and salmon fingerlings were stopped by the screen, diverted through the by-pass opening, and carried back to the river. Hanson, Harry A., and H. P. Chandler Dispersing Rotenone at Morris Lake, Plumas County, California. Submitted February 10, 1949. 5 pp., including 1 map, 1 sketch of equipment and 1 photo of operation. Abstract : Report of method used to disperse 1,000 pounds cube root powder (4.9 percent rotenone content) in a forty-acre lake having a volume of approxi- mately 750 acre-feet. Apparatus used : Two 10-foot light metal row boats, one used as a towboat and the other as a barge. Mixing was done in a 60-gallon oak barrel by means of a 2J h.p. Lausen air-cooled outboard motor. Dispersion was by gravity through two one-inch garden hoses of 8- and 20-foot lengths. Rate of dispersion was about 200 pounds of powder per hour by two men. Suggested improvements in the method included by the authors. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 105 Johnson, William C. A Bottom Dredge for the Striped Bass Investigation. Submitted September 16, 1949. 7 pp., including 5 figures. Abstract : A bottom dredge was designed to survey shallow water areas where the standard tow net could not be used for the striped bass investigation. A descrip- tion of the net and its construction is given in detail ; dimensional drawings and photographs are also included. Analysis of 1949 Striped Bass Party Boat Fishing Effort. Submitted June 14, 1950. 7 pp., including 1 table, 1 exhibit. Abstract : This is a routine report analyzing the fishing effort of the striped bass party boat operators during 1949. The analysis is made up from the daily logs the operators have submitted and other methods of contacting them for reports. Kersnar, Frank J. Chlorination of Crystal Lake. Submitted September 15, 1949. 21 pp., includ- ing 8 figures. Abstract: Crystal Lake was chlorinated in an effort to eradicate all aquatic life. Plan was to chlorinate so that residuals of 10 p. p.m. were obtained, but mechanical difficulties encountered prevented reaching this standard. Residuals slightly greater than 2.5 p. p.m. were obtained throughout the lake. Results achieved were good, although higher residuals would have given better results. Description given of apparatus and method used. Kimsey, J. B. Wildlife Conservation Board Project No. 49 FT(0), Tahoe National Forest Flow Maintenance and Improvement Program. Report of Surveys in 1949. Sub- mitted March 20, 1950. 46 pp., including 4 maps, 8 photos, 2 tables, and appendix. Abstract : Report of surveys made in 1949. Five units listed, two unsatis- factory. Unit 1. Two check dams proposed. Dams on three other lakes tentatively recommended pending work in 1950. Unit 2. Chemical treatment of lakes — not rec- ommended. Unit 3. Barrier removal on south fork Yuba River, Nevada County. Recommended removal three impassable falls in first two miles of stream. Unit 4. Chemical treatment of lakes — not recommended. Unit 6. Retained dams recom- mended on Lower and Middle Loch Leven Lakes. Chemical Treatment of Miller Lake, Placer County, August 21, 1949. Sub- mitted March 27, 1950. 4 pp. plus map, 2 photos, blueprint. Abstract : A description of the lake, its fishery and past stocking is given. The survey and subsequent chemical treatment is described. The treatment appears to have been successful and thousands of suckers and only one large brown trout were removed. A barrier dam was designed and constructed to prevent entry of rough fish from outlet waters. The lake will be restocked in 1950 with 15,000 rain- bow trout. Chemical Treatment of Richardson Lake, El Dorado County, August 20, 1949. Submitted March 27, 1950. 4 pp. plus map, 2 photos, blueprint. Abstract : A description of the lake, its past stocking and fishery is given. The chemical treatment was successful with thousands of introduced minnows and suckers being killed and only one eastern brook and one rainbow trout killed. A bar- rier dam to prevent rough fish migrations into the lake was designed and constructed. The lake will be restocked in 1950 with 8,000 eastern brook trout. Notes on Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka kennerlyi) spawning in Donner Lake, Nevada County, 1949. Submitted June 30, 1950. 18 pp., including 6 figures. Abstract : Spawning Kokanee and their nests were observed periodically from November, 1949, to February, 1950. Drawdown of lake by power and irriga- tion companies exposed nests. Most of eggs were killed by prolonged freezing. Some eggs which were frozen for only short periods continued development as did eggs in seepage areas. It appears successful natural reproduction of Kokanee in Donner Lake is possible, providing water levels can be manipulated reasonably. Discussion of possible remedies, including moving gravels into deeper water. Miller, Richard G. A Study of the Food of Lake Tahoe Fishes. Progress Report: 1948. Sub- mitted April 29, 1949. 27 pp., including 11 tables and 2 figures. Abstract: Summarizes findings of first half of proposed two-year program investigating ecology of Lake Tahoe fishes. Lists 10 species present, with lake chub and sculpin as principally utilized forage fishes, whitefish and sucker as incidental 106 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION forage, and red-sided shiner and speckled dace as unutilized. Tables of stomach sample analyses given for 8 species, including mackinaw trout, the principal preda- ceous fish. Interrelationships noted include : rainbow-mackinaw, cutthroat- mackinaw, brown trout-forage species. Historical account of fishery summarizes pos- sible causes for disappearance of Lake Tahoe cutthroat. Natural reproduction ap- pears to be perpetuating mackinaw and brown trout in the lake. Appendix (pp. 2'A- 27) partially discusses effects of season, wind, and temperature, with thermoclines of two stations graphed. Table A (p. 25) breaks down the total sport catch logged at one station (2,947 pounds for 131 days) into monthly data for mackinaw, rain- bow% and brown trout, including: average weight per fish (4.25 pou;ids), average number catches per day, and average number fish caught per day (5.4). Conclu- sions expressed are tentative, pending final report. Bibliography of 9 titles. Outline of Work to Be Done on the Food Habits of the Forage Fishes of Lake Tahoe in 1949. Submitted April 29, 1949. 8 pp. Abstract : Proposed study of Lake Tahoe ecology, with special emphasis on food relationships of 5 species of forage fishes, is intended to reveal the kinds of organisms utilized and their volumes. Seven sections outline the methods and pro- cedures for sampling, size of samples, location of sample stations, and supplemental observations proposed for determining : (1) food habits of 5 species of fish at 3 sta- tions (by statistical analyses of stomachs), (2) seasonal dietary change, (3) food habits of various sizes of a species, (4) diurnal variation in feeding and (5) inter- relationships. Appendix lists equipment needed, its source, and estimated cost. Murphy, Garth I. Experiments on the Tolerance of Sacramento Perch to Copper Sulphate. Submitted November 29, 1948. 3 pp. Abstract : A series of aquarium experiments indicate that Sacramento Perch {Archoplites interrupt us) can stand copper sulphate in quantities up to 0.5 p. p.m. in Clear Lake, Lake County, water (pH 7.8-8.1, total alkalinity 16 p. p.m.). The 1947 and 1948 Fishery of Conn Valley Reservoir, Napa County. Sub- mitted January 11, 1949. 23 pp. Abstract : Conn Valley Reservoir, constructed in 1945, has a depth of 110 feet and a surface area of 950 acres when full. Ecological conditions in the lake are bordei'line for rainbow trout. Rainbow trout and green sunfish are the principal con- stituents of the lake population. In 1947, the catch consisted of 30 percent hatchery trout planted at 25 to the ounce in April, 1945, and 70 percent wild trout. In 1948, the catch was 96 percent catchable trout planted in March, 1948, and 4 percent wild trout. Factors responsible for the lack of wild trout in the 1948 catch, and recom- mendations for future management and research, are discussed. The 1948 Fishery of Clear Lake, Lake County. Submitted February 17, 1949. 13 pp., Appendix A, 2 figures. Abstract: In 1948, the catfishery was about one-third better than in 1947 in terms of catch per angler by number, apparently through the appearance of a stronger year class (1947) in the fishery. A good forage fish crop was produced in 1948 and probably because of this survival of young bass, Sacramento perch, and catfish to the early fall was exceptionally good. The outlook for an improving fishery at Clear Lake is good. Fish tagging. Submitted March 16, 1950. 26 p. Abstract: This report is an annotated partial survey of the literature on fish tagging. 110 papers are cited. Fish rescue and stream improvement work in the North Coast Area in 1949. Submitted April 15, 1950. pp. 1-2, 7 tables. Abstract : In 1949 4 fish rescue crews were in operation. One was stationed at Prairie Creek Hatchery, one in Humboldt County, and two in Mendocino County. One of the Mendocino County crews was financed by Mendocino County. The four crews combined rescued 783,313 trout and salmon. Returns from marked fall spawning rainbow trout planted in several Mendo- cino County coastal streams in 1948. Submitted May 12, 1950. pp. 1-6, 4 tables. Abstract : 50,000 rainbow trout were planted in 9 streams, at approximately 6,000 to a stream. Plants were made in September and October. No serious effort was made to obtain returns. Spot checks and reports from w'ardens and sportsmen re- corded 8 of the marked fish in angler's catches in 1949. Reasons for the poor returns are discussed. FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 107 Shapovalov, Leo Fish rescue and stream improvement work in the North Coast Area in 1045. Submitted June 7, 1949. 11 pp., including 6 tables. Abstract : In 1945. 2 State fish rescue crews operated 173 man-days from May 8 through October 26 and rescued 842,200 trout and salmon in Del Norte, Mendocino, and Lake Counties. These fish weighed 34,872 ounces and averaged 24.2 fish per ounce. They were planted in streams and lakes in Del Norte, Mendocino, Lake, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. On the basis of 1945 Prairie Creek Hatchery costs, the total cost of producing and planting the rescued fish at a hatchery would have been $4,588.74. Fish rescue and stream improvement work in the North Coast Area in 1940. Submitted June 10, 1949. 12 pp., including 6 tables. Abstract : In 1940, State fish rescue crews operated 206 man-days from May 2 through October 3 and rescued 981,544 trout and salmon in Del Norte, Mendocino, and Lake Counties. This is the largest number taken in any season in this area. These fish weighed 38,719 ounces and averaged 24.4 fish per ounce. They were planted in sti-eanis and lakes in Del Norte, Mendocino, Lake, and Sonoma Counties. On the basis of 1946 Prairie Creek Hatchery costs, the total cost of producing and planting the rescued fish at a hatchery would have been $7,326.75. Fish rescue and stream improvement work in the North Coast Area in 1948. Submitted April 7, 1950. 14 pp., including 9 tables and appendices. Abstract : In 1948, State crews rescued 326,626 trout and salmon and the jNIendocino County crew 108,750, a total of 435,376, in Del Norte, Humboldt, Men- docino, and Lake Counties. The fish were planted in various streams and lakes in these counties. The State crews operated a total of 132 man-days, from May 17 through September 29. The combined fish rescues weighed 35,309 ounces and averaged 12.3 fish per ounce. On the basis of 1948 Prairie Creek Hatchery costs, the total cost of producing and planting the rescued fish at a hatchery would have been $12,578.70. A limited amount of stream improvement work, mostly of an annual nature, was also done by the Upper Eel River crew. Fish rescue and stream improvement work in the North Coast Area in 1947. Submitted April 3, 1950. 15 pp., including 10 tables and appendices. Abstract : In 1947, State fish rescue crews operated 206 man-days from May 16 through August 2 and rescued 381,700 trout and salmon in Del Norte, Mendocino, and Lake Counties. These fish weighed 12,270 ounces and averaged 31.1 fish per ounce. They were planted in streams and lakes in Del Norte, Mendocino, Lake, and Sonoma Counties. On the basis of 1947 Prairie Creek Hatchery costs, the total cost of producing and planting the rescued fish at a hatchery would have been $2,345.80, A considerable amount of stream improvement work, mostly of an annual nature, was also done by two of the crews. Trout and salmon rescue operations in Napa, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties are included in the appendices. Soule, Scott M. Power development in Kings River drainage, Fresno County, California. Report Number 1 : General description. Submitted May 27, 1949. 1 plus 21 pp., including 1 figure. Abstract : Describes Kings River drainage, water supply, existing irrigation and power developments, access roads and trails, and recreational development and potentialities. Upstream power development — long delayed because of interference with downstream irrigation rights — is now possible through reregulation of river flow by new Pine Flat Reservoir. Gives a brief account of present development plans proposed by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Fresno Irrigation District, Francis N. Dlouhy, City of Los Angeles, and U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, and describes the fishery threatened thereby. A summary of pertinent correspondence and reference literature together with a table showing partial recreational use is appended. Creel census at Hume Lake, Fresno County, May 1, 1949. Submitted May 27, 1949. 11 plus 22 pp., including 5 figures and 6 tables. Abstract: Gives a brief description of Hume Lake (surface area, 94 acres) and its past fishery, including 1940 and 1947 poisonings and summary of stocking since 1940. Out of 914 anglers checked out between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on only road leaving lake, completed records were obtained for 886, who caught 4,939 trout, 4,931 rainbow and 8 brown, for an average of 5.46 trout per fisherman-day or an average of 0.75 trout per fisherman-hour. The rainbow trout averaged Si inches fork length. 10.7 percent of all anglers made limit catches (15 trout) ; 17.4 percent made licro 108 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION catches. About 60 percent of total anglers fished from shore and accounted for 49 percent of total catch, as against 40 percent who fished from boats and made 51 percent of total catch. Estimated total number of anglers was 1,044 and total catch was 5,683 trout. Recommends further creel studies at Hume Lake and a comparative study of Hume and Sequoia Lakes, stocked with spring and fall spawn stock rain- bow respectively. Power development of Kings River drainage, Fresno County. California. Re- port Number 2 : North Fork of Kings River. Submitted October 21, 1949, viii plus 56 pp., including 19 figures and 3 tables. Abstract : Describes the North Fork Kings River, its present trout fishery and power development. Lists the proposed power developments as planned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Fresno Irrigation District, and the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. Discusses the probable effect of these developments on the fishery. Con- cludes that the fishery can be partially saved by water releases of between 3 and 4 percent of the mean annual flow of the river, or that it could be replaced in kind by improving or creating other fishing waters at the expense of the agency developing the power resources and that the fishery should be saved by one of these two means. Recommends that the Division of Fish and Game notify all interested agencies of the threatened loss of fisheries value and negotiate to save the fishery by obtaining water releases or by a replacement of the fisheries value to be lost by having agency developing power improve other waters. Occasional creel censuses at Hume Lake, Fresno County, during 1949. Sub- mitted April 7, 1950. 1 plus 31 pp., including 14 tables. Abstract : Describes Hume Lake (94 acres) briefly ; gives summary of stock- ing since 1947 (i.e. after last poisoning) . Results of 8 creel checks show fishing good early May but poor late May through mid-September, then picked up to fair by season's close (October 31). The estimated total season's catch was 17,000 rainbow trout, by an estimated 7,000 angler-days of fishing (estimated average catch/day of 2.4 and estimated average catch/hour of 0.51). Season's pressure estimated at 74 anglers/acre ; season's catch estimated at 180 rainbow trout/acre. Angling pressure, catch and stocking data are compared with same for Castle, Crystal, and June Lakes. Concludes that nearly all of the 1949 catch was of planted rainbow trout and discusses their age, growth and condition. Estimated about 75 percent of basic annual plant (30,000 spring-spawn rainbow trout at 4i inches in September) was harvested in 1949, and on basis of estimated $35/M planting cost, each creeled rainbow trout cost slightly over 6 cents. Recommend continuation of present basic stocking policy and trial planting of 10,000 catchable rainbow trout spaced during summer. Concludes that unless trial planting of catchable rainbow trout succeeds, there is little hope of raising the quality of angling during mid-season months when the lake temperature attains or exceeds 70 degrees F. Recommends further O2 and temperature studies and investigation of success of spawning in tributary streams. Soule, Scott M. and William A. Dill Pine Flat Reservoir, Fresno County. Submitted July 12, 1949. 15 pp. plus 1 table and 1 plate. Abstract : Chronological summary of all developments re permits and protests on Corps of Engineer's Flood Control Project on Kings River near Piedra. Describes : river and fishery in project area ; projected dam, reservoir and its operation ; effect on fishery. Dam will store 1 million acre-feet with surface area of 5,900 acres. Fluctuation may be 393 feet annually, and no provision is made for dead storage. Report gives recommendations for minimum pools, impoundments outside reservoir area if minimum pools are not provided, construction of borrow pits to provide fishing ponds, screens, minimum flows below dam. Suggests these recommendations be put into form of a resolution by California Fish and Game Commission. Vestal, Elden H. The creel census at Rush Creek Test Stream, Mono County, California, season of 1948. Submitted November 30, 1948. 15 pp., 5 tables, 2 figui-es, 1 photo. Abstract : Tlie creel project at Rush Creek was operated for a total of 169 fishing days. All plantings were doubled over 1947 and a 3-day post-planting closure following each catchable plant was tried. From April 28 to August 11, 1948, 19,945 rainbow trout averaging 7 inches long (marked right ventral) were planted. (5 spaced plants each of about 4,000 rainbows were made). On October 13, 1948, the second winter carryover plant of 8,000 rainbows (average 4 J inches) was made; as in 1947 these plants were made in two groups of 4,000 each : fall-spawned from FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 109 1947 eggs (marked dorsal and adipose) and spring-spawned from 1948 eggs (marked adipose) . In addition, two 1948 summer plants of fingerling brown trout (4,000) and rainbow trout (4,000) were made for an additional carryover test. During the 1948 season, 8,384 anglers fished 31,962 hours for a total of 20,379 wild and planted fish. Marked hatchery fish contributed 93.6 percent of total catch. Out of the 19,945 catchable rainbow trout planted, 18,362 (92.1 percent) were caught. Only 72 (3.8 percent) of the fall-spawned 1947 carryover plant and 175 (8.8 percent) of the spring-spawned 1947 carryover plant showed in 1948 creels. No 1947 carryover fish were taken after August 14. Wild fish contributed 6.4 percent of total 1948 catch : 1,131 (87.6 percent) were brown trout, 140 (10.8 percent) were rainbow trout, and 21 (1.6 percent) were eastern brook. Average angler catch per hour for the season was 0.63. Sixty percent of the right ventral fish were taken in only 20 fishing days (4-day samplings following the post-planting closures). Additional treatment of aquatic plant beds at Twin Lakes, Mammoth, Mono County, California. Submitted December 28, 1948. 6 pp., 1 figure. Abstract : An area of 2.8 acres between center and lower Twin Lakes, in the Mammoth Lake Recreation Area, choked by dense growths of chiefly Anacharis, was treated with 885 pounds of sodium arsenite powder (75 percent arsenious oxide) giving an initial concentration of 21.2 p. p.m. arsenious oxide ; partial collapse and a "burn" of plant growth down to a depth of 6 inches was observed a week later. The high concentration used forms a test of sodium arsenite in a disturbed water situation where wave action, stream flow, and ground seepages might easily nullify caustic action of the poison at lower concentration. Control of plants in the interlake area will restore the area to angling, interlake boat travel, and to recreational use of hundreds of vacationers using the Twin Lakes camp grounds. Creel inventory at Rush Creek Test Stream, Mono County, California, 1949. Submitted December 19, 1949. 13 pp., 2 figures, 4 tables. Abstract : The creel inventory was conducted for 179 fishing days. From April 29 to August 29, 19,975 rainbow trout averaging 7^ inches long (marked VV) were planted at six intervals. Two special summer plants of fingerling browns (3,003) and rainbow (3,000) were made for a further carryover test. During the 1949 season, 10,004 anglers fished 36,417 hours for a total of 18,020 wild and planted fish. Marked hatchery fish contributed 90.8 percent of the total. Out of 19,975 catchable rainbow (marked VV) planted, 15,995 (80.0 percent) were taken. Only 54 of the fall-spawned 1948 cari-yover plant and 114 of the spring-spawned 1948 carryover plant (2.2 percent combined) were taken in 1949 creels. Wild fish contributed 9.2 percent of the 1949 total catch ; 1,373 (83.0 pereeent) were brown, 279 (16.7 percent) were rainbow and 5 (0.3 percent) were eastern brook. Average catch per angler hour for the season was 0.49 with the catch per angler day at 1.8. Chemical treatment of Upper Twin Lake, Robinson Creek, Mono County, Cali- fornia. Submitted April 15, 1950. 41 pp., including 14 figures, 9 photos, 3 maps, 6 tables, 2 graphs. Abstract : Upper Twin Lake, Robinson Creek, Mono County, 14 miles south- west of Bridgeport, was treated September 8, 1949, with 16,835 pounds of cube, rotenone averaging about 5 percent, to remove a large population of chubs, sandbar suckers, shiners, and sculpins. The lake at spill has 265 surface acres with a maxi- mum depth of 112 feet ; maximum temperature is 65° F., and there is unusually high oxygen deep into the hypolimnion. Plan of the project is described and embodied in Figure 5, p. 8A. Only 194 trout were reported from the lake, while over 100,000 rough fish were killed. End concentration of cube used was approximately 0.68 p. p.m. ; 15,200 pounds of cube was used in lake treatment and 1,635 pounds in treat- ment of about 4 miles of tributaries. Spill from the lake was nontoxic to trout and whitefish 75 days after treatment. Restocking and proposed management program is discussed and recommendations presented. Chemical treatment of Tamarack Lake, Mono County, California, 1949. Sub- mitted January 26, 1950. 8 pp., 2 figures. Abstract : Tamarack Lake, 12.7 acres at an elevation of 9,700 feet near Bridgeport, Mono County, California, was infested with sand-bar suckers (Catosto- mus arenarius ) , introduced about 1879 by pioneers of the Bridgeport Valley as for- age for trout in the lake. Elimination of the sucker population was accomplished September 21-23, 1949, with 535 pounds of cube (rotenone 3.9 percent) as a necessary step in preparation for the proposed chemical treatment of Lower Twin Lake as well as for restoration of Tamarack Lake as a trout water. 110 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION Vestal, Elden H. and Ralph Y. Beck Preliminary report on the proposed chemical reclamation of Bridgeport Reser- voir, Mono County, California. Submitted August 23, 19-48. 14 pp., 1 figure. Abstract : The Bridgeport Reservoir, of the Walker River Irrigation District, is located near Bridgeport. Mono County. It has a capacity at spill of 42,460 acre- feet with a surface area of 3,070 acres and maximum depth of about 49 feet. The reservoir at one time produced reasonably good trout fishing, but since about 1934 has become overrun with carp. Exceptionally dry seasons of 1947-48 have created the first opportunity for carp removal from the reservoir and tributaries in 15 years ; and feasibility for the project is expected by late September or eai-ly October this year. The method of continuous distribution of rotenone at 1 p. p.m. in the tributaries with backpump treatment of nonflowing "pockets" is outlined. Treatment of the reservoir will follow methods used at Gull Lake, with a concentration of rotenone of 1 p. p.m. Fish rescue is not considered practical and it is desired that dead fish be left to refertilize the reservoir. It is recommended that 200,000 brown trout finger- lings be used to restore the sport fishery. Report on the stream-use census at Rock Creek, luyo and ]\Iono Counties, California, 1948. Submitted December 17, 1948. 22 pp., 1 figure, 4 tables, 1 graph. Abstract : A stream-use census was conducted over chiefly 6.3 miles of Rock Creek during the entire 1948 angling season of 184 days. The project was in support of a protest by the Division of Fish and Game against application of the City of Los Angeles to divert 50 c.f.s. and 40,000 acre-feet from a point 0.9 miles above Tom's Place, Mono County. Special car samples totaling 120 in June, July, and August showed an average of 2.86 persons per car, of which 73.2 percent were anglers. Some 14,114 cars were recorded in the project area in 1948 ; the total number of recrea- tional days was estimated at 40,366. indicating an estimated 29,548 angler days in the 6.3 miles during the season. Average daily use per mile per day was about 25.4 anglers. Angler use was greatest in July with 9,851 angler days (50.4 per mile per day) and least in October with 2,037 angler days (10.4 per mile per day). Assuming a cost per angler of 20 dollars, the 6. .3 miles of stream were valued at $590,960 in 1948 to fishermen. Possible developments for the future in Rock Creek Gorge might provide for 9.347 more angler days. The 1948 creel count showed that 3,963 anglers fished 6,119 hours for a total of 11.956 trout; 9,956 (83.2 percent) were rainbow trout, 2,004 (16.7 percent) were brown trout, and 5 (0.04 percent) were eastern brook. Zero catches totaled 990 (32.5 percent). Average catch per angler per day was 3.0 and average catch per angler per hour was 1.9. Vestal, Elden H. and Leon A. Talbott Aerial fi.sh-planting in the High Sierra, Season of 1949. Submitted March 7, 1950. 16 pp., including 2 tables. Abstract : A report of the first large-scale airplane fish planting in the High Sierra Region of California. July 20 to 29, 1949. Includes tabulation and discussion of a series of practical fish-planting tests at Virginia Lakes. ^Nlono County, as well as a detailed list (Table 2) of all plants made. Estimated cost of the planting work is discussed. A summary of the planting is provided on page 11. Wales, J. H. Some thoughts on trout management. Submitted May 27, 1949. 16 pp., in- cluding 2 figures. Abstract : Ideas are expressed regarding : 1. Improvement of environment. 2. Reduction of predation. 3. Introduction of new species. 4. Planting of native species. Creel census. May 1, 1949, Shasta River, Siskiyou Countv. Submitted May 31, 1949. 3 pp., including 2 tables. Abstract : Second annual creel census of angling iu a section of Shasta River from highway 99 crossing near Treka downstream. Anglers checked — 36. Catch 140 fish or 3.9 per angler day. All immature steelhead, average length 7.1 inches. Klamath River fish count, Klamathon Racks. Submitted February 23, 1950. 11 pp., including 2 tables and 1 figure. Abstract : The racks were placed in the Klamath River on August 15 and removed on November 17, 1949. During this period 11,212 king salmon, 541 silver salmon, and 2,836 steelhead adults were counted through on their spawning migra- tion upstream. This is the first year that a complete count of the silver salmon has FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 111 been kept. Since 1925 there have been 16 years in which the king salmon have been counted. The average annual count for this period is 12,068. An electric eye counting device was tested and found reasonably successful. It is recommended that next year the racks be left in the river until the silver salmon run is completed and longer if possible. Shasta River fish count, Siskiyou County, 1949-50. Submitted March 10, 1950. 4 pp., including 2 tables. Abstract : The Shasta River counting station was put in operation on Sep- tember 15 and was maintained until January 19, when high water caused a rotten timber to give way and several sections of the racks were washed away. The first king salmon passed through the racks on September 28, the last October 14 ; total king salmon count was 193. The first silver salmon was counted on October 24, the last on December 20; total 312. The first steelhead apjieared on Octol)er 3 and to the time the racks washtul out 401 fish were counted through ; probably the greatest part of the run occurred after this. It is recommended that if a new station can be established before September, 1950 the present station be abandoned; if this cannot be done the present station should be used to count the king salmon run only. Creel census, Shasta River, Siskiyou County, April 29, 1950. Submitted June 8, 1950. 6 pp., including 3 tables. Abstract: On the opening day of the 1950 fishing season a creel census wa.s made on the lower 7 miles of the Shasta River. 48 anglers were interviewed and 63 fish measured. 109 anglers were counted and 200 estimated to have fished the section on the opening day. The estimated catch per day was 11.5 and the catch per hour was 4.35. All fish seen were immature steelhead ranging in length from 4.5 to 9.5 inches, with an average of 7.0 inches. Rough estimates of the pressure on this section of the river indicate that while fishing lasted (April 29-May 21) the total catch in this section was 8,500 fish, largely 2-year old steelhead. Sacramento River Experimental Streard, 1949 report. Sul)mitted May 22, 1950. 21 pp., 11 tallies. Abstract : Results of the creel census on the South and Middle Forks of the Sacramento River and on 14 lakes and 2 tributary streams are reported. Results of shocking experiments on the South Fork are given. Following is a brief summary for the 2 forks : South Fork — 439 anglers ; 2,581 total catch ; catch per hour 2.59 ; wild rainbow trout 2,077 ; hatchery rainbow trout 470 ; eastern brook 14. Middle Fork — 179 anglers; 1,555 total catch; catch per hour 2.55; wild rainbow trout 1,184 ; hatchei-y rainbow trout 371. Pine Creek Basin, Modoc County, Stream Improvement Project. Submitted June 16, 1950. 4 pp. Abstract : Recommendations are made for lake and stream improvement in Pine Creek Basin, Modoc ("ounty. The following projects are recommended : 1. A rock and dirt fill dam to form a 15-acre lake in Pine Basin meadow. 2. A rock and dirt fill dam to deepen a small lake already in existence. 3. Several small dams to form pools in Pine Creek itself. Up to 10 such small dams could be constructed. Wales, J. H., and M. Coots Creel census. May 1, 1949. Klamath River, Siskiyou Countv. Submitted June 6, 1949. 3 pp. Abstract : The Klamath River was checked on opening day from Copco to Humboldt line, a distance of 134 miles. Anglers counted, 357. Estimated catch 5 fish per angler or 1,785 fish. All immature steelhead, average length 7.0 inches. Wales, J. H., and E. R. German Castle Lake trout investigation, 1949 season. Second phase : Eastern brook trout. Submitted May 16, 1950. 23 pp., including 20 tables. Abstract : Catch for 1949 was 4,928 trout in 1,067 angler days ; 4.6 fish per day ; 1.78 fish per hour. Of yearling eastern brook planted in 1947, 48 percent had been caught by end of 1949 season. Of fingerling eastern brook planted in 1947, 21 percent had been taken by end of 1949 season. Of the eastern brook fingerlings planted in 1948, significantly more were caught with mark of LV and Ad than of Ad mark alone. High survival of plants has caused reduction in food and in growth. Fingerling plant after two yeai's in lake averages only 6.7 inches. 112 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION Castle Lake trout investigations — Report for 1948. Second phase : Eastern brook trout. (Siskiyou County). Submitted May 24, 1949. 19 pp., including 20 tables. Abstract : Anglers' catch for 1948 was 5,199 eastern brook trout by 1,213 anglers for an average of 4.3 per day and 1.36 per angler hour. Two year groups were represented. Up to the end of the 1948 season 46 percent of the 1947 yearling plant had been caught and 8.9 percent of the 1947 fingerling plant. 28 percent of the angler days resulted in zero catches. The largest were continually being caught so that no large fish ever developed. There was a large movement out of the lake with the overflow in the fall. 1,653 fish went down the outlet stream in November. Growth rate was relatively .slow, slower than in the Mt. Shasta Hatchery. The C. F. was only medium, the lake may be slightly overcrowded. Plankton seemed to be returning after having been killed out by rotenone. Pounds of bottom food was estimated at 149 per acre. Sacramento River Test Stream report for 1948. Submitted July 22, 1949. 17 pp., 5 figures. Abstract : Results of the creel census on the South and Middle Forks of the Sacramento River and on 15 lakes of this basin are reported. Following is a brief summary for the 2 forks : South Fork — 564 anglers ; 2,.500 total catch ; catch per hour 1.44 ; wild rainbow 1,749 ; hatchery rainbow 696 ; eastern brook 54 ; brown 1. Middle Fork — 122 anglers ; 839 total catch ; catch per hour 2.40, wild rainbow 698, hatchery rainbow 140 ; eastern brook 1. Warren, Charles E. (Student Biologist) The extent and efEect of pollution resulting from the Modesto Sewage Farm Levee Break. Submitted August .30, 1949. 12 pp., including 5 figures and 3 tables. Abstract : A break occurred in a levee at the Modesto sewage farm on August 21, 1949. This report covers an investigation of the extent and effect of damage done as a result of the sewage break. Through oxygen depletion much fish life was destroyed in the Tuolumne River ard down the San Joaquin River to Salmon Slough. Here the main pollution passed into Salmon Slough, dissipating itself about seven or eight miles below its mouth. Damage was inflicted on most species present, but the loss of fork-tailed catfish was probably most important. The damage to the sport fishery on this fish alone was estimated at $135,000. WoodhuU, Chester Observations on handling the sampling gill net. Submitted May 19, 1949. 8 pp., 5 figures. Abstract : Observations on methods for easy handling of the sampling gill nets are noted. Directions are included for the construction. A gill net rack that facilitates laying and hauling of the nets, especially for one man operation. Four photos illustrate operation of the net and rack. REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF PATROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT The number of employees remained about the same as in the previous biennium. Promotional and open examinations were held for wardens, and as a result, some 30 assistant wardens were advanced to warden positions. Further appointments of wardens authorized in the present fiscal year from the open list created will be reflected in the next biennial report. Promotional examinations to fill captain vacancies created by various causes were also held. These appointments will be made in the 1950-51 Fiscal Year. The personnel of the bureau as of June 30, 1950, was as follows : 1 Chief of patrol 1 Intermediate stenograplier-clerk 6 Assistant chiefs of patrol 2 Intermediate clerks 10 Land captains 1 Master, fisheries vessel 2 Marine captains 1 Motor vessel engineman 2 Captains, fish patrol boat 2 Assistant motor vessel enginemen 173 Wardens and assistant wardens 4 Deckhands, fish patrol boat 2 Warden pilots 1 Ship's cook 2 Senior stenographer-clerks No change in the general administrative program was made during the present biennium. For patrol purposes, the State is divided into five land districts and one marine district, with headquarters at San Francisco, Redding, Sacramento, Fresno, Los Angeles and Terminal Island, each in charge of an Assistant Chief of Patrol. The Wardens' Reserve Force was increased during the period. A unit was established in the San Francisco area, another in the Fresno district. Appointments are made only after thorough training, the applicant being required to attend a course of instruction in law enforce- ment technique one night a week for a period of eight or ten weeks, after which he must pass a satisfactory examination before being eligible for appointment. These units select their own captains and squad leaders. The leaders are held strictly responsible for the conduct of their men to the local patrol headquarters. They furnish their own uniforms and equipment, and are instructed to work closely with the regular warden in the district. These men have exhibited none of the selfish characteristics of some of the old-time volunteer badge-holders, and are always willing to set aside their personal desires to hunt and fish in order to assist the regular warden in his duties of protecting fish and game. No training schools were held for the regular patrol force during the period of this report. Most of the men had this training in previous classes. It is intended that a school will be set up early in 1951. Six small power boats for patrol activities were acquired during the period of this report, some being replacement units for boats which were surveyed because of age and obsolescence. A 36-foot steel boat was built for San Francisco Bay patrol. This proved to be unsatisfactory for patrol work, and was transferred to the Bureau of Marine Fisheries for use in coastal research work. The two 63-foot A. C. R. boats purchased during the previous bien- nium, equipped with radar, have proved most successful in patrolling Southern California waters. Negotiations are now under way to acquire (113) 114 PISH AND GAME COMMISSION Figure 20. 63-foot Fish and Game patrol boat BLUEFIN. The commission operates two of these vessels in Southern California waters. Equipped witli two 630-h.D. Hall Scott Defender engines, radar, radio and full marine equipment. Photograph hy Vernon M. Haden. San Pedro. another vessel of this type to cover San Francisco Bay and ocean waters adjacent as far south as Monterey. The next fiscal year's budget provides for this purchase. Considerable progress is being made with car and boat radio com- munications for the warden service. A number of areas in the State which in the past have not had this type of communications are operating satisfactorily with either county sheriff's installations or state facilities. In many instances the counties furnish the equipment. We had hoped to report that arrests and convictions for the biennium would have decreased over the previous period, but this is not the case. Total arrests for the biennium were 12,947, an increase of 1,616 over the previous like period. The average fine was over $43, a slight increase over the last biennium. A survey of arrests and fines throughout the Nation indicates the average fine to be $21 for fish and game law violations. The commission and the bureau at this time wish to thank the California courts for their cooperation in assessing penalties more than twice the general average for the Nation. It will be noted that the arrests, fines and forfeitures were con- siderably higher during the first fiscal year than in the second fiscal year of this report; however, the jail sentences were more than two and one-half times greater in the second fiscal year than in the first. A recapitulation of arrests, fines and seizures will be found in Appendix E. APPENDICES 11(J FISH AND GAME COMMISSION APPENDIX A STATEMENTS OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT OF REVENUE For the Period July 1 , 1 948, to June 30,1949 One Hundredth Fiscal Year Revenue for fish and game preservation fund 1949 series Angling Hunting Deer tags Fish tags Game tags Market fisherman Fish importer Fish party boat permits Fish breeder Game breeder Kelp license Game management area license. Game management area tags Salmon tags Total 1949 series. 1948 series Angling Hunting Archery-resident Archery-nonresident. - Commercial hunting club Commercial hunting club operator. Trapping Fish packer and shellfish dealers Archery-deer tags Deer tags Fish tags Game tags Market fisherman Fish importer Fish party boat permits Fish breeder Game breeder Game management area licenses Game management area tags Salmon tags Deer meat agents — locker permits. Deer meat agents — Wardens Waterfowl permits Total 1948 series. 1947 series Angling Debit Hunting Archery-deer tags Debit Total 1947 series Total license revenue- Detail $1,699,074.35 64.00 15.00 6,337.75 165.15 73,300.00 80.00 647.00 535 . 00 2,865.00 30.00 330.00 .54 48.00 ,445,847.55 ,497,107.10 1,956.00 25.00 700.00 230.00 1,272.00 16,265.00 734 . 00 300,313.00 3,981.24 438.12 69,080.00 10.00 184.00 60.00 375.00 120.00 367.83 146.94 10,600.50 937.00 3,198.00 $59.00 958.50 10.00 Total $1,783,491.79 3,353,948.28 889.50 $5,138,329.67 FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 117 STATEMENT OF REVENUE — Continued For the Period July 1 , 1 948, to June 30,1 949 One Hundredth Fiscal Year Revenue for fish and game preservation fund Other revenue Fish packers tax Sardine tax Kelp tax revenue Lease of kelp beds Salmon tax Confiscated fish Miscellaneous revenue — undetermined Miscellaneous revenue Court fines Interest on surplus money investment fund- Total other revenue Total Fish and Game Preservation Fund_ Less : License Commissions Net fish and game preservation fund revenue- Detail 5166,737.41 87,991.07 2,236.50 998.10 52,084.03 61,556.86 24,138.30 43,111.84! 177,273.301 23,198.64 Total $639,336.15 $5,777,665.62 248,618.97 $5,529,046.65 118 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION STATEMENT OF REVENUE — Continued For the Period July 1, 1949, to June 3 0, 19 50 One Hundred and First Fiscal Year Revenue for fish and game preservation fund 1950 series Angling Hunting Trapping Fish packers and shell fish dealers- Deer tags Fish tags Game tags Market fishermen Fish importers Fish party boat permits Fish breeders Game breeders Kelp license Game management area licenses-. Game management area tags Salmon tags Total 1950 series. 1949 series Angling Hunting Archery-resident Archery-nonresident Commercial hunting club Commercial hunting club operator. Trapping Fish packers and shell fish dealers.. Archery deer tags Fish tags Game tags Deer tags Alien nonresident deer tags Market fishermen Fish importers Fish party boat permits Fish breeder Game breeder Kelp license Game management area licenses Game management area tags Antelope permits Salmon tags Pheasant tags Catalina deer permits Deer meat agents — locker permits. Deer meat agents — wardens Waterfowl permits Elk permits Total 1949 series. ] 948 series Angling Hunting Deer tags Deer meat agents — locker permits- Total 1948 series Total license revenue. Detail $1,712,956.00 83.00 2.00 570.00 3.00 ,332.15 121.80 ,560.00 85.00 780.00 700.00 ,465.00 20.00 460.00 14.85 160.00 10,; 80, i ,326,234.85 .451,298.03 2,625.00 65.00 750.00 215.00 1,176.00 2,515.00 882.00 6,535.50 479.76 308,773.00 9,910.00 76,370.00 5.00 170.00 110.00 505.00 10.00 90.00 518.58 3,500.00 37.51 170,190.00 1,918.00 10,311.50 1,196.00 4,028.00 1,250.00 $269.00 2,099.50 11.00 11.00 Total ,810,372.80 3,381,668.73 2,390.50 5,194,432.03 FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 119 STATEMENT OF REVENUE — Continued For the Period July 1, 1949, to June 3 0, 19 50 One Hundred and First Fiscal Year Revenue for fish and game preservation fund Detail Total Otiier revenue Fish packers tax Sardine packers tax Salmon packers tax Kelp tax Lease of kelp beds Miscellaneous Confiscated fish Court fines - Interest on surplus money investment fund. Total other revenue Total Fish and Game Preservation Fund. Less : license commissions Net Fish and Game Preservation Fund revenue. S295,431.79 168,540.64 33,098.57 2,861.25 1,934.90 16,703.24 8,336.22 60,724.56 94,569.83 $682,201.00 $5,876,633.03 250,519.81 .15,626,113.22 120 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES (as of June 30, 1950) For the Period July 1, 1948, to June 3 0, 1949 — One Hundredth Fiscal Year Salaries and wages Operating expenses Equipment Less reim- bursement for services to em- ployees Total major function $67,851.81 776,005.06 251,193.16 526,710.16 486,854.45 44,006.31 16,018.88 $232,023.49 375,879.09 126,946.99 427,572.21 232,184.32 39,787.51 78,697.15 $5,072.96 76,221.23 30,848.80 111,303.79 96,587.71 225.45 3,276.70 $304,948.26 Patrol and law enforcement Marine fisheries —$20.00 1,228,085.38 408 988 95 Fish conservation —13,813.78 —11,113.76 1,051,772.38 Game conservation 804,512.72 Licenses ._ _ - 84,019.27 Conservation education and public information _ 97,992.73 Pacific Marine Fisheries Com- mission - -- 12,500.00 Special item (administration) 435.60 Unallocated (administration) 3.35 Retirement (administration) 209,136.30 89,478.73 Total expenditures $4,291,873.67 STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES (as of December 31, 1950) For the Period July 1, 1949, to June 30, 1950 — One Hundred and First Fiscal Year Salaries and wages Operating expenses Equipment Total major function Administration . $83,806.81 $290,071.84 $7,931.10 $381,809.75 Less reimbursement — rent and utilities — 25,425 . 92 Less reimbursement — use of auto and op- —58,037.43 Less reimbursement — subsistence — 2,984.49 Patrol and law enforcement _ _ 781,737.07 297,097.16 580,122.02 533,933.70 48,283.56 23,105.24 388,250.59 141,326.53 347,090.58 297,058.53 91,145.02 52,104.57 128,435.51 18,564.06 59,639.90 157,977.19 530.83 4,980.29 1,298,423.17 Marine fisheries 456,987.75 Fish conservation.. ...___ ... 986,852.50 Game conservation ._ . 988,969.42 Licenses _ . 139,959.41 Conservation education and public information Retirement (administration) 80,190.10 270,080.56 1,539.82 Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission 12,500.00 Total expenditures $4,530,864.64 FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT APPENDIX B GAME STATISTICS 121 TABLE 1. GAME BIRD RELEASES Liberation of Game Farm Birds, January 1, 1948, Through December 31, 1949 County Ring-neck Reeves Turkey Chukar Valley quail Total 304 3,013 4,432 35 9,791 3,874 20 304 Amador 3 013 Butte - - .-_ ^ 94 4,526 35 Colusa 9 791 Contra Costa 3 874 Del Norte 20 El Dorado. _-_ . _ _ 69 69 Fresno 11,899 6,233 682 9,880 4,413 6,580 1,624 349 2,640 1,123 1,429 690 1 269 11 899 Glenn 25 6 258 Humboldt- . 682 193 10 073 Inyo -- 4.413 40 451 60 7,071 1 684 Lake 349 Lassen - -____ 2,640 20 429 1,572 1 429 Marin _ _ 64 754 Mendocino 1 269 Merced 10,183 6,835 629 290 1,923 470 1,703 16 5,790 3,587 277 7,278 1,811 10,114 149 1,372 1,033 111 1,587 1,116 4,007 5,480 224 6,474 7,715 3,467 9,323 240 2,000 3,506 3,227 10 183 Modoc - 6 835 Mono . 629 Monterey 64 354 Napa 182 115 2 105 585 Placer . 1,703 16 Riverside 210 . 423 6,423 Sacramento 3,587 San Benito - 35 312 San Bernardino- - _ 3 682 1,087 345 50 8,308 San Diego 2,948 San Joaquin 10,114 San Luis Obispo 7 156 1,372 Santa Clara _ . 1,033 Santa Cruz 111 Shasta 1,587 Sierra - 100 1,216 Siskiyou 4,007 Solano 5,480 Sonoma 224 Stanislaus .. 532 7,006 Sutter 7,715 Tehama 3,467 Tulare- _ . 9,323 Tuolumne _ _ 240 Ventura 20 2,020 Yolo 3,506 Yuba 3,227 Totals 172,217 166 106 2,252 2,776 177,517 122 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION H- C H Z D O U u H U < o H ) -r -^ c TT iQ LC — 00 "T 3: CO — oi -^ — o ■M t^ ^ ^: « c^i t^ u- ■rj lo ^ o oo (Mccr; "5'OQC'^Oi-o^ffiOoooocD '1"t)< — fcooaoi.oi-ot^t~ooo~. -"t^-^-^oo ! CO rf ^ O -< O 'I' ' 00 'I' CO ^- f— t t. o o — ococncot^m— 'Ot>.'Hoo>-ioi03 •-'Oc;t^c. o U ^ 00 t~ CO t^ O -< CO CM og uo O rr c — ?i x o T S ^ CO X O X O'l — « -X — C CO 'I' CO ':r C-. 5-. X O ^ 3: CO — t^ CM — CM — ' CO t~ Tf 03 ■* CO O t^ — t^CMCMCMO;— •O— 'l-OCJ t-» OOCMC^COO^l I— I CM lO O b» ■* — I CO ^ COO-HX-fiCO'O— tccox CO C-1 -^ LO CO o r~-#05 — CM — ot^ — •* X CO -* X t-H CO — iCMXcO-^COOOCOLOt^ CMCOCMCO-hOX^CO Tf CM rH -o _; 2i- O C M c (O - 5 ^ S S »i o3 O •2- ^ J ^ c b. o o S -a c: M .jn =3^ >CflflCCC« o3 7J oj c3 o3 sS -2 = 1 >..2 4) M _S C ^^ l^ "^ ^ ^*T''^^*^*T!<*T*^^:r'^--3 03 03 03 03 03 33-=.-.— OitDlXl FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 123 (N 00 t^ t>. O t^ 05 (N t>. CC C4 "^ Ol C^ O M O) C<) CD b- 00 O »0 t^ (N t^ « ■* M t~ W m IN -H CS (N 05 Oi 00 CD CO O) r-. -rr CO <» ^ CD 02 i-H 00 CO t^ lO rt ■* (N 0 -^^ -^ iO C^ »0 CD Cv) ^^ ci cr. o C) o) t- --^ (N IM -« r-. OJ lO CD T(< t^ ^ CO O r-H O s w t^ oo a; O IM O o Oj lO lO o; CO -^ O c^ r^ CD CO t^ o ^ tC o" -«'" CO "O (M (N >C CO CD C^ t~ (M ■* •* (N .-I (^ IC CM •* 00 o cS 03 -3 0) t. 3 3 0) S m i-i i" h i-> > r^ CI -t3 O O 3) o s s 2 ""-^-^ AND GAME 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 10t7 1948 1949 Totals 1 1 2 4 5 20 • 3 . 1 1 27 I 2 ...... """"4"i""""r 3 3 2 1 I 71 1 3 1 63 1 1 2 1 3 3 1 ' ' V 8J 1 6 8 3 11 7 2 16 8 2 5 3 7 1 6 19 ...... 3 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 7 12 1 6 224 229 189 9 24 U 25 28 5 Ifi 7 22 6 7 12 5 14 19 7 11 3 18 12 24 i" 6 5 6 " i i 262 1 .osn 2 I 0 3 2 1 23 5 12 10 5 13 5 9 10 144 1 12 15 i 10 8 12 9 7 7 3 1 1 2 6 5 7 ( 1 5 502 13 8 2 0 5 3 1 2 I 101 .| 3 4 12 1 i) ' 102 1 i i 7 ""2 18 2 3 ...... 12 16 4 1" 1 4 15 146 21 U 31 20 S 20 1 6 691 7 _ 1 1 fi 1 3 18 2 29 34 24 17 11 1 1 19 U iu 1 10 1 G 17 14 13 R46 4 5 -i i ) 1 1 35 5 18 1 1 — . 7 4 2 1 3 117 j I'l 2 3 """"2"i::::::""T 5 1 5 i i 1 115 1 1 ! 1 3 65 2 6 4 14 4 4 15 11 8 10 6 0 2 2 1 7 2 5 9 4 8 3 10 8 172 275 0 :::::::::::: 2 2 4 5 4 5 2 i 7 3 4 5 1 9 6 2(fi i i 2 22 ..... "is 1 II 12 1 5 2 11 5 11 1 18 i 5 4 1 6 4 9 4 6 3 9 4 43S 144 4 18 8 11 8 7 5 18 9 4 10 699 2 3 1 4 ...... 2 3 1 10 I 5 "JT f) 43 18 18 22 12 31 13 540 0 i 1 1 32 3 25 1 II 22 14 "2 16 15 "6 18 8 2 6 29 8 3 10 28 15 1 9 50 13 3 4 38 24 17 12 1 6 6 19 8 2 23 6 17 13 17 3 11 15 21 2 15 26 18 I3H 933 505 185 1 1 9 0 1 0 ' 1 165 2 5 3 1 2 3i 2 202 45 Ifl5 199 224 253 292 228 243 ! 162 ] 150 1 ; 177 143 219 10,324 - FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL, REPORT 125 APPENDIX C MARINE FISHERIES STATISTICS TABLE 1. CALIFORNIA FISHERIES PRODUCTION 1948 1949 Total Total landings, pounds. ._ __ . _ 899,775,000 12,274,848 44,450 2,833,197 140,009 1,135,346,000 13,161,076 66,504 6, .591, 234 134,021 2,035,121,000 Cases of fish canned 25,435,924 Trips of fish menl prnHiif^pH 110,9.54 Gallons of fish oil produced 9,424,431 Gallons of liver oil produced 274,030 TABLE 2. POUNDS AND VALUE' OF COMMERCIAL FISH LANDINGS IN CALIFORNIA Species 1948 1949 Pounds Value Pounds Value Yellowfin tuna- 191,724,000 .58,772,000 362,037,000 37,623,000 7,769,000 11,890,000 39,386,000 72,898,000 21,655,000 2,481,000 6,697,000 10,446,000 1,518,000 3,229,000 2,126,000 6,.541,000 1,114,000 1,307,000 19,256,000 9,135,000 2,068,000 2,059,000 426,000 1,114,000 10,836,000 15,668,000 $32,437,000 9,329,000 10,732,000 11,019,000 2,009,000 1,261,000 1,381,000 2,136,000 1,139,000 1,051,000 1,125,000 1,163,000 549,000 371,000 330,000 396,000 268,000 269,000 518,000 1,062,000 175,000 173,000 27,000 355,000 348,000 890,000 185,612,000 78,575,000 633,475,000 44,279,000 6,848,000 11,117,000 49,771,000 51,250,000 19,693,000 1,552,000 4,389,000 7,319,000 1,780,000 3,568,000 2,474,000 6,044,000 1,412,000 1,263,000 6,859,000 1,835,000 1,769,000 1,654,000 1,336,000 198,000 3,322,000 7,952,000 $30,295,000 Skipjack 11,655,000 Sardine . 10,757,000 8,192,000 Salmon - - - - _ 1 678 000 Crab.. 1,294,000 Pacific mackerel. . . 1,286,000 .Tack mackerel 1111 000 Sole 918,000 Shark 833,000 Bluefin tuna . 713,000 Yellowtail 686 000 Spiny lobster . . 686,000 Abalone. . . 398,000 Barracuda. 368,000 Rockfish . . . 340,000 Whitft Sep. bass 291,000 California halibut 238,000 Squid . 184,000 Bonito 179,000 Sablefish ... . . 135,000 Lingcod 125,000 Shad 107,000 BroadbiU swordfish Anchovy . 88,000 56,000 All other 635,000 Totals. - - 899,775,000 $80,513,000 1,135,346,000 $73,248,000 1 Value to the fishermen. 126 FISH AXD GAME COMMISSION TABLE 3.. YEARLY LANDINGS IN POUNDS — COMMERCIAL FISH Exclusive of Mollusks and Crustaceans^ Year Pounds Year Pounds 1916 88,390,465 202,987,474 254,238,270 256,120,774 215,431,810 129,086,209 176,216,485 246,383,030 325,948,382 425,695,707 382,602,891 471,210,260 572,070,120 841,149,549 680,858,788 491,083,110 542,060,362 1933 811,002,474 1 378 154 189 1917 19.34 1918 1935 1 433 616 046 1919 1936 ._ ■ 1,753,632,108 1,354,050,220 1 298 036 943 1920 1937 ._. 1921 1938 1922 1939 1,472,988,721 1,284,881,633 1923 1940 1924 1925 1926 1941 1942 1943 1,517,533,106 1,166,614.194 1,215,161,305 1927 1944 1,430,202,850 1928 1945 -- 1 138 943 309 1929 1946 .. . 855,997,768 1930 1947 . 763,324,829 1931 1948 . 862,258,458 1932 1949 1,110,151,411 ^ Includes sardine deliveries to reduction ships and tuna importations. TABLE 4. COMMERCIAL FISHING FLEET Home port 1948-1949 1949-19.50 Eureka Sacramento San Francisco _ 546 394 750 406 244 2,230 845 307 581 369 800 Monterey . _ - . 434 Santa Barbara _ .. 244 Los Angeles. _ 2,362 San Diego - . 946 Alaska, Oregon, Washington 424 Totals . 5,722 6,160 FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 127 TABLE 5. NATIONALITY OF LICENSED COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN Nativity 1948-1949 1949-1950 10,152 10,734 1,386 1,401 772 690 446 523 414 468 204 194 143 170 98 99 87 91 51 70 52 57 59 56 55 53 59 61 37 35 30 33 31 32 185 205 14,261 14,962 United States Italy Jugoslavia Norway Portugal Great Britain Japan Sweden Mexico Finland Spain Germany Greece Denmark Costa Rica Philippine Islands Russia All others Totals TABLE 6. RESIDENCE OF LICENSED COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN Region of residence 1948-1949 1949-1950 929 917 665 619 1,292 1,325 1,267 1,319 622 594 5,832 5,961 2,914 3,273 716 918 24 36 14,261 14,962 Eureka Sacramento San Francisco Monterey Santa Barbara Los Angeles San Diego Alaska, Oregon, Washington Mexico Totals 128 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION X Q Z w < m O u to M Pi Q Z < O H H C/5 ■♦- c b- OOOOmOlMTfOCOOTfOOOOOOOCOOOlt^iOCOOt^rHOrt OOOOC^Tj>cOCg01'0500COOOOO-*OiO(NCOiOO'*t^'>J<05 COO'^_i-J_-^_C0050'-HlOi-C^XCOCO-^'-^OCD^'»^ O »0 C^ CO 00 (N lO »o' lo" 00 o" OO" CO »o' of 00 oT CO OO' CO t>.' lo' :£ '-^ O tC x" 003>0>0<0-*t~'HTrOOlNCD'*<0 O'^'t^TfirtcOC^ CO(N(NO ■* cort -^o^ ,-icO'^co.-'0 00 lo S r--oco G O e CD v C o 1 ' o . 1 o ' ■ > 1 1 1 ' ■* ! 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ! ! 1 1 ! 1 ! 1 ! 1 o 139,120 147,345 TABLE Hatchery R 03 25,600 33,768 o 'S "^OOcOO'NOO»OCO'^OOt^O>OCOOiOr^»Ot-iOt^C^Oi-( oooc^cococ60cooooococ^oo—i^ooe^co-HO'oo-*05 CO_ 0_ Tt<_ .-H in ,-H Tf 0_ 00_ 0_ ^_ -H^ C0_ •-<_ O ^_ 02 C^)_ O CD_ CD_ C0_ -<_ t^_ C0_ i-"_ Tj<_ oi co' t^ CO*" o' "O o' »o' ^*" oi o oi co" c^' o; t* o co' oo" co t^' co co' ^' o lo" oo COOiCO'C'^'^fCO^ON.Cv*'^'^'^ (N-^t^'-HiCCOOO oo^c^co •-I COt-H OOO .-HTt<.-H(M.-^CO CO t^ lO 1005 CO i : i : ! : M : ; M M i M : M i M§ ; i 1 i i i IJ i i J i i I J ; I 1 1 ; ! ; 1 :| FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 129 OTOOOO^-^root-oojoo-Hoo ■^(NO'-ioooO'-^as-HOiO'oooiNco (N 0_ — <_ 05_ rf ■^^ 0_ T)<_ t> TO -->_ c» IN cn ^_ ro CO CO" CO CO (N oT -^^ CO CN 05 O CO Oi ^ »o' o cc"-ii-i'-i coint^o-Hoicoos-^ODio to t> CO C^l 00 00 00 00 00 cd" i ! i ; ; ; ; i ; i ; : is i ; 1 1 . 1 1 1 1 . , , 1 . , t>._ I , 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ! IN 1 I , 1 I 1 , 1 IN 1 , O to i i i i : i i ■;§:;:: i ; 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 en 1 1 1 1 1 1 t^ 1 1 1 1 1 71,400 59,200 58,220 CO o 1 1 1 1 1 1 lOOOOOOOO 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 lOt^iOCcOiOTtH P 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 CO C^l 00 'O CO »0 CO 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 'i co" r-' ^' tc' t^ t^" ^" 1 1 ; ,coait^coooo5oo , 1 , ,-H '-' 1 1 o CO i co" CD co" 00 o lo Tt<_ Tf 1-, CD Th cn CO CD CO cd' in' o> '^' »o" «o r-^ cd' CO '-^ cd" »o o COt-H^r^ CO'OcOOOsOS^O'tOOiO O CD CO -^ IN 00 O 23 CO oo_ San Diego San Francisco San Luis Obispo San Mateo Santa Barbara Santa Clara Santa Cruz Shasta Sierra Siskiyou Tehama Trinity Tulare Tuolumne Ventura Yuba S a 03 u o -49247 130 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION TABLE 2. HATCHERY REARED WARM-WATER FISHES — 1948 Number of fish Smallmouth black bass Largemouth black bass Sacramento perch Bluegill 24,432 399 5,006 13.781 Total ■ 43,618 TABLE 3. FISH RESCUED — 1948 Trout Rainbow 1,880 Eastern brook 500 Steelhead 272,271 Brown 561 Cutthroat ol Total Salmon liing Silver Total State-county cooperative trout rescued Steelhead Salmon Total 108,750 275,263 16,290 53,914 70,204 84,300 24,450 Warm-water fishes Smafimouth black bass 34,300 Largemouth black bass 48,273 Striped bass — 2,157 Sacramento perch 6,021 Crappie 15,343 Brown bullhead 298,907 White catfish 2,509 Bluegill 51 ,652 deen sunfish 792 Warmouth 35 Total 459,989 FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 131 OS Q u H Z < en h-l c o U j; u T3 i) C « s "a COO!NOOiOOOOt^CS'HOai oo_ >o_ o_ oo_ oo_ 10 io_ C'j^ oo_ o_ 0_ "* t-. -H_ ^_ oo_ IN oo_ t-- tt co_ co_ o_ r- o_ en 03 05 00' 'f -<' to" ■*" i-T OOJt^OO 0«:r. C^^TOO:-H!NOt^t~t~^00iNroOTO TOTOcDt^lN"-! T»<(NC^'-H TfTO_0_ Ot^ TO"Tt< iOrt.-HCD_ '^0_^ f^^. "^ 0 "a 0 Qi c IS 0 ; ! ! I ; 1 0 ' ' i ' ' ■ ■ ' ' ' 1 ■ i 1 1 1 1 1 , 1 CM 1 1 1 1 1 1 ' 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 (,, 1 , 0 1 1 1 1 1 ' 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 79,980 20,000 155,400 140,720 3 S m 132,150 15,950 432,861 |1 130,080 25,000 15.000 8,000 464.500 171.681 117,612 53,600 108,046 35,550 429,054 289,062 104,542 106,733 0 TO 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 i 1 ! 1 1 ! 1 1 1 1 o3 1 , , 1 , , 1 , , , 1 1 1 1 •"! 1 399,500 312,799 9,388 0 ■3 TjHioOl-^OO^CCO'^OO'-iosOLO^OiNOiTOOi'^'^t^OOt^tOt^OO lO^TfOOOOt^OcDCD-^CiCD^CD^Ot^cDOOCMOi^O-^TOCM-^Oa: IM_ '0_ 0_ 00_ 00_ 0_ 0_ 'O 00_ 00_ C^l_ ^_ !--._ iC Tt-_ b- IN TO_ 0_ '^^ 00_ CO_ CD !--_ 0_ '1-_ C-l cs o_ 00_ lO IN t--' '-^' T).' cd' 0' 03 iC ^' t^' to' 00' m' IN tp' in "O' 00' 00' in" to" lO" ira" oT !>' rf 00' -h' to" Tf" -<" ■^OicOt^ CMINlNt^OOOi^'OOCDt^TO Xt^TO03C0 i-HINCDt^iNi-l T-irt(N— 1 0003 Tt< INi-iTO "O .-HiO CD CD03 CM c 5 0 i!2-2c3 "S 1 1 ' ~ csS !>> '§3c^o^oj° 1 1 iJcgio§„ , ^ 3"3'o'a32 giii = bv-^ g o^»5^ii°^2^ =3 Nevada _. Orange Placer ' Plumas Riverside San Diego ^ San Luis Obispp 132 FISH AND nA:\rF ro:\r:^rTssiON V 3 >. S W • *4 fl a o o o U 1 js 1 u (t\ rt t W 0\ a 13 «; Q w iti h < P4 (A El PC 0) n o ■* o — c 00 c^_ t-_ o_ 00 ""I o OO' »o" :C 00 •^' ^' ri ^' O O CD t^' "O" »0 tT 00 C. 'X O — ' ic O M ■* ■n ic "O o o o O OS in 10 "* "'. ■*. '^. a> «d" -* •* I— 1 iO I— I .—) o CD cd" 05 o CD OS CD 10 CO CD OJ CD CO 00 CO CO (N 00 o CD ooioOr-i— icoo(NOt>-*cn o lO 00 oo_ 00 00 oo_ 0!_ io_ «_ -h in cd_ 00 in CD ^' cd' t^' CD o:* o ^* ^ cd' lo" in oT CSt^tDrt C^^'^'^COCO-* OS ■^TT-'t fNCOOiCO CD .=3« c c CQOQ g 2 ^ 2 00 03 03 *^ -*^ c c 03 a 13 03 o FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT TABLE 5. HATCHERY REARED WARM- WATER FISHES — 1949 133 Number of fish Smallmouth black bass Largemouth black bass Sacramento perch 851 77,936 175 Bluegill 11,095 Total 90,057 TABLE 6. FISH RESCUED — 1949 Trout Rainbow Steelhead Brown Cutthroat Golden 2,176 486,584 1,250 2 380 Total Salmon King -; Silver 490,392 17,409 107,733 Total State-county cooperative trout rescued Steelhead Salmon 125,142 115,705 54,787 Total 170,492 Warm-water fishes Smallmouth black bass. Largemouth black bass. Sacramento perch Crappie Brown bullhead White catfish Bluegill Green sunfish Warmouth Carp Blackfish Fresh-water sculpin Total 13,062 289,720 175 31,292 62,669 6,826 638,228 7,649 81 211 227 2 1,050,142 134 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION G a o O u W Q w H ■T3 0) U4 l-J ID (U JS u w DC C3 O o o e 02 O o ffi O »0 ;C 00 O ^ O 00 r>j --H o »0 a: CC '-'^ O i-T t- irt C^ C O LO t^ O O O cDC^'^ooor^oc^4^-^'t'fOiiD^— _ o)_ o o oo_ iq oi CD 'O c^_ ^_ M'_ t^ 00 00 CO t c c^) C-) cc 00 t~ o r^ o ^' oo' t>." CO CO 'c" lo o; o ^' ^ >o o' c^^' cc ^" t^ c' t--' — ' t^' co ci o" r-^ X ^ 'C cr. a: — ^ 00 cc --^ 'C CC (M Lt -rf o t^ UT' (M '-H ^ -a 03 33 « a 5 o o o o o o o -* O Tt< lo" oo" o — o' : — " o ; t^ O lO O 00 O -J O 00 IM -H O 'O a: CO "C O ic ^I ic c^ CD !N '»< O Ol CO O C^ -1* ■* -* -i* O-j ;C t^ C-J i-C O C-. LO t^uo^'-H cDOOOtOCTJCD'CC'l'roOt^OOOOCO':^ !>) O 02 00 OU C-l •i" CO "C "O ro o — ■ 05 .-H r-l 00 CD rt « Ol If — t^ CO t^ o ■* a 03 O P 03 o c3 .S E» O . 0 0"^ t^ o3 o to a o £-< fe.S.S-l S ' -0 'E Ji' C 3 03 03 a > t^ o o o O CTj 02 o 00 00 t^ o t- CO (N lO "O (M ^ --^ CO --H f^ 03 --!-aajaj>iSM«o3c3Sa)(bOOOS5jgo33 ' c c . ^ o3 03 Oi t« CB FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 135 Oa3'-H;0OC<3t-o-*O00O ■-D O 0_ IC CO >C '0_ !-<_ 0_ cq 03_ O •* O lO -H Ov "o t^ (N (N O rt -f IC ^_ 0_ CO o^ lo" 07 Barracuda, pounds ._ Rock bass .. _ 71 239 9t Sand bass Striped bass _ 1,840 53 2.50 21 39 493 521 8,909 3.202 64 Blacl: bass White sea bass, pounds 1 650 Bass, pounds . 118 46 Carp . Catfish 7Qfi Catfish, pounds . 637 24,684 31 Clams Clams, pounds _ . Cockles 22,615 1 72 46.137 1 Corbina _ Crabs __ 179 244 88 42 2.51 Crabs, poimds 244 Crappie.- . ._ 101 8 • 158 8 110 546 5,023 TRQ g Frogs . .- -. ■^00 Halibut ___ s Halibut, pounds _ . 110 1,374 682 1,675 1,920 5 705 Lobsters, pounds 1 675 Mullet : : 5 1 5 Octopus_ _.. . 31 16 32 Octopus, pounds _ 16 9 64 139 9 Rockfish _- .. 64 Salmon _._ 82 421 28 153,. 504 ■'21 Salmon, pounds _ 421 Sardines _. - 28 Sardines, pounds . 850,193 6971^ 128 1 003 701 6971^ 128 Scallops _. 3 3 Shad 5 3,747 9 1 7,198 10 945 Steelhead __ 9 3 6 2,589 4 82,260 4 Sturgeon, pounds _ _ 6 Trout ._. 2,582 195 3,142 8,298 5 171 Trout, pounds '__ 199 85,402 Yellowfin, pounds. 8 298 72 72 FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 139 TABLE 3. SEIZURES OF FISH AND GAME — Continued Game Antelope Bear Bear meat, pounds . Beaver Coots Deer Deer meat, pounds. Doves Ducks Elk Elk meat, jars ... Elk meat, pounds Geese Grebe Grouse Migratory waterfowl. Moose meat, pounds. Muskrats Non-game Pheasants Pigeons Pine marten Quail Rabbits Sagehen Shorebirds Squirrels Swans __: Skins, beaver Skins, mink Skins, muskrat Skins, sea otter July 1, 1948 to June 30, 1949 1 60 112 279 2,476 1,406 2,639 1 26 400 129 13 4 11 79 347 117 1 105 106 2 23 16 33 4 4 38 2 July 1, 1949 to June 30, 1950 5 1 20 1 299 2,319 1,283 1,094 2 74 199 2 32 30 22 269 17 122 184 2 40 24 Total 5 2 80 1 112 578 4,795 2,689 3,733 3 26 474 328 13 6 32 30 11 101 616 134 1 227 290 4 63 40 33 4 4 38 2 140 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION TABLE 4. FISH CASES July 1, 1948 to June 30, 1949 July 1, 1949 to June 30, 1950 Offense Number Fines Jail Number Fines Jail of arrests imposed sentences (days) of arrests imposed sentences (days) Abalone- Undersize; overliinit; without permit; out of shell; closed season; no license; failure to show license on demand; using diving apparatus in Dist. 19A; taking in marine life refuge; failure to keep accurate books; failure to deliver tickets; using another's license 375 $10,290.00 38 523 $13 fi.55 00 1971^ Angling: No license; late angling; failure to show ^ *TJ,'.*»JT^ , \J\J 1— ' , 2 license; possession of gaff; using artificial light; night fishing; using another's Ucense; transferring license; illegal spearing; more than one line; fishing within 150 ft. of dam; closed waters; taking by use of firearms; more than 2 attractor blades; false statement in obtaining license; game fish for bait; m set hues; closed waters; using dip net; giU net; blocking stream; illegal seining; backdating license; chumming; trespassing to fish; using salmon eggs; chumming in inland waters 1,468 24,564.00 64? 2 1,242 2 19,109.50 861/9 Albacore: Sale of undersized 175.00 OU/^ Bass, Black: Xo hcense; closed season; using set lines; more than 1 pole; selling; possession of undersize 6 185.00 50 10 655.00 Bass, Kelp: No license 1 25.00 Bass, Rock: Taking overlimit; no Ucense; using another's license 4 125.00 8 230.00 Bass, Striped: Overlimit; undersize; set line; failure to show on demand; night fishing; offering prizes; taking with 2 rods; on commercial boat; sale; resisting arrest; borrowed license; mutilated fish and game plates 398 12,682.20 200 365 9,519.50 5 Bass, White Sea: Possession on purse seiner; under- size; sale of undersize 1 25.00 3 100.00 Barracuda: Taking undersize; overlimit; selling from sport boat 3 50.00 2 35.00 Carp: Closed season; fyke nets; night fishing; no license ; no wholesale Ucense 2 300.00 3 135.00 Catfish: Overlimit; operating fish trap; undersize; taking with fyke nets; taking without license; taking at night; other than by angUng; in District 22; with more than 1 line; sale of undersize; taking with spear ; failure to give receipt 46 2,208.00 63 2,210.00 50 Clams, Big Neck: Overlimit; no license 26 650.00 Clams, Cockle: OverUmit; undersize; no license; taking in closed season; using another's license; failure to show license on demand 79 1,610.00 92 1,885.00 18 Clams, Gaper: Overlimit; no license 7 125.00 Clams, Pismo: OverUmit; undersize; out of shell; taking at night; no Ucense; possession of forks and shovels in refuge; possession for commercial use; possession undersize in refuge; failure to return undersize to water; taking in refuge 482 12,250.50 115 448 11,887.00 250 Clams, Razor: OverUmit 1 25.00 Commercial: no license; failure to deUver reports; illegal gill net; using drag net in less than 25 fathoms; fish wastage; closed area; round haul net District 20; undersize fish; trawl nets in closed district; no dealer license; no boat registration; failure to issue receipts; no party boat Ucense; resisting arrest; undersize sardines; no aUen license; boat improperly numbered; failure to 259 9,215.00 45 343 9,107.50 Crabs: Undersize; taking females; failure to show on demand; possession of over 500 lbs. on drag boat ; closed season 7 155.00 18 1 675.00 10.00 Corbina: Spearing FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT TABLE 4. FISH CASES — Continued 141 July 1, 1948 to June 30, 1949 July 1, 1949 to June 30, 1950 Offense Number of arrests Fines imposed Jail sentences (days) Number of arrests Fines imposed Jail sentences (days) Crappie: Overlimit; possession closed season; taking 5 35 $95.00 875.00 13 16 1 58 $380.00 480.00 suspended 3,445.00 Frogs: Undersize; taking closed season; possession of spears within 300 ft. of prohibited stream Halibut' Failure to show license Lobsters: Closed season; oversize; undersize; op- erating traps in closed district; baiting traps with abalone; failure to show on demand; wilfully dis- turbing another's traps; use of traps in District 21" possession and sale of undersize 50 3 2,815.00 250.00 39 Mullet' Illegal nets Miissfls' No license 3 1 1 1 45 1 72 29 25.00 25.00 10.00 10.00 4,065.00 10.00 2,225.00 1,575.00 Octopus: No license _- 1 25.00 Pollution: Oil; sawdust; bilge; fish refuse; copper sulphate; bluestone; black leaf 40; clorax; cloro- 49 5,520.00 Rockfish* No license Salmon: Illegally taken; snagging; overlimit; shoot- ing; taking from spawning area; spearing; gaffing; closed season; at night; mutilation; taking within 250 ft. of fish way; taking without license; using fyke nets; using borrowed license; taking from closed stream; possession untagged; possession gill netted - 76 39 1 3,085.00 1,420.00 10.00 100 Sardines: Taking undersize; using illegal net in Dist. 16; no commercial license; taking for use by packer in closed season; using purse seiner in Dist. 20; canning sardines taken for bait Sea Urchins: Taking from Pt. Lobos State Park 2 2 3 20.00 20.00 suspended 4 40.00 Shark: No license Skipjack: Undersize 1 5 1 30 242 2 150.00 320.00 12.00 820.00 9,656.00 300.00 Steelhead: Closed season; taking other than by Sturgeon: Possession; taken in gill net; possession of roe Sunfish, Bluegill: Overlimit; taking other than by angling; closed season; taken too close to dam Trout: Using 2 rods; set lines; closed area; taking by hand; overlimit; using 3 attractor blades; closed season; no Ucense; snagging; chumming; taking at night; taking in District 103.6; possession gaff within 300 ft. of stream; using artificial light Tuna, Yellowfin: Sale of undersize . 5 40 258 16 3 275.00 1,025.00 7,745.00 890.00 80.00 27>i 50 YeUowtail: Undersize and offering for sale; taking overlimit; purchase of undersize and selling under- size . Totals 3,674 $99,052.70 62,826.43 5124 3,728 $97,601.72 753M Court forfeitures (Sales of fish) ■ Grand Total $161,879.13 142 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION- TABLE 5. GAME CASES OfTeiise Antelope: Possession closed season; taking female; using borrowed license; illegal possession Bear: Closed season; taking with trap Bear Meat: Possession closed season Beaver and Mink Hides: Hides and illegal possession. Commercial: No breeder's license Coots: Closed season; overlimit Deer: Failure to tag; closed season; doe; spike buck; forked horn; spotted fawn; defacing tag; overlimit; in refuge; night hunting; "A" tag in No. 1 deer district; tag not validated; using another's tag; spotlighting; no tag; failure to retain antlers; transport without iier.nit; tagging another's deer; taking in refuge; allowing dogs to run; using .22; full metal jacketed bullets; removing sex evidence; taking deer with Utah hcense (Calif, resident); overlimit does; failure to show deer on demand; taking another's deer; poss?ssi3n of guns and deer in refuge; Calif. resiJent possessing deer on Mon- tana license; no valil hunting license Deer Meat; Unstamped; closed season; doe; posses- sion illegally taken; possession more than 15 days after closed season; Calif, resident possession deer meat on Colorado resident license; no transport permit; no evidence of sex; possessing deer meat and gun in refuge 4F; failure to show meat on demand; possessing parts of doe; purchase of deer meat Doves: Late shooting; .22 rifle; from auto; over- limit; closed season; late shooting; illegal import; poisoning; unplugged gun; possessing nest and eggs; no license; using air i)istol Ducks: Closed season; purchase; overlimit; taking in refuge; unplugged gun; no stamp; poisoning; failure to show; offer for sale; illegal import; late shooting; shooting from motorboat; driving with airplane; illegal license; failure to declare; Cahf. resident using Utah license; using borrowed license; shooting from car; bringing illegal ducks into Calif.; making false statement on license; using live decoys; possession wooden duck in closed area; shooting at ducks with .22 rifle in game refuge Elk: Possession of meat; possession of elk; Calif, resident possessing meat with Idaho resident license; overlimit; taking of cow with bull permit; no evidence of sex; possession by Calif, resident on Wyoming license; no transport permit- Geese: Closed season; late shooting; overlimit; shooting from motorboat; unplugged gun; using .22 rifle; no stamp; possessing gun and geese on refuge; stealing game; night hunting; possession of cackling goose; on closed area; hunting without valid license Grebe : Possession Grouse; Possession closed season July 1, 1948 to June 30, 1949 Number of arrests 12 520 Fines imposed S350.00 100.00 20.00 115 159 574 325.00 45,Ui().00 Jail sentences (days) (13 July 1, 1949 to June 30, 1950 Number of arrests Fines imposed $850.00 275.00 510 UI.IJIU.OU 5,668.00 31,365.00 625.00 36 1,540.00 1 50.00 7 425.00 410 50 365 120 145 374 94 400.00 25.00 46,066.00 11,791.00 5,555.00 Jail sentences fdays) 425 2,950 1,071 15,937.50 450.00 3,137.50 35.00 FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT TABLE 5. GAME CASES — Continued 143 July 1, 1948 to June 30, 1949 July 1, 1949 to June 30, 1950 Offense Number Fines Jail Number Jail of arrests imposed sentences (days) of arrests imposed sentences (days) Hunting; In refuge; late and early shooting; from auto; at night; with .22; no license; from highway; metal jacketed bullets; power boat; spotlighting; unplugged gun; hunting on posted land; tres- p)assing on Game Management Area; hunting in closed zone in cooperative hunting area; illegal importation of game; failure to show license on demand; possessing arm band off cooperative area; making false statement on license; failure to return arm bands; non-resident using resident license; permit hunting on Game Management Area without dog in group; transferring license and tags 1 0.33 $40,516.00 33 'o 546 SI 8,382. 70 366 Migratory Waterfowl; From motor boat; closed season; taking fully protected bird; using .22; late shootine' no license; earlv shootmc 110 3,375.00 Moose: Calif, resident possessing meat on Montana 1 100.00 Mudhens: Closed season 1 50.00 Muskrat" Closed season 1 13.00 Non-Game Birds; Killing; possession, no license; 30 822.00 14 621.00 Pheasants; Closed season; hen; from auto; trapping; spotlighting; failure to tag; illegal importation; no evidence of sex; no license; overlimit; unplugged gun; taking in cooperative area without permit; trespassing on cooperative hunting area; taking cock pheasant on refuge; using .22 rifle; failure to show on demand; transferred tag; shooting from public highway; overlimit 278 21,384.00 164 295 15.572.50 275 Pigeons; Trapping; closed season; taking with rifle- 41 1,720.00 6 305.00 Pine Marten; Closed season . 1 ino.oo Quai 1 ; Closed season ; from a uto ; with rifle ; trapping ; using .22 rifle; holding valley quail without per- mit; trespassing on restricted cooperative area; taking in game refuge; taking with illega' gun; failure to declare birds taken in Mexico; overIimit_ 49 2,550.00 53 2,700.00 10 Rabbits: Closed season; night hunting; in refuge; unplugged gun; snaring; no license; spotlighting; early shooting; shooting from car; possessing and transporting illegal game into Calif. 102 2,901.00 50 186 5.697.00 Sagehen: Possession 2 1 185.00 100.00 4 635.00 Sea Otter; Possession of skins Shorebirds; Possession; killing; possessing curlew; taking snipe, plover, avocet, loon __ ,. 18 409.00 10 8 225.00 Squirrels; Killing gray squirrel; possession in closed season; possession tree squirrel; no license; illegal possession _.- •_ . _ _ ._ . __ 16 870.03 19 510.00 Swan; Possession 31 1,918.00 Totals.. 3,040 S169,779.C0 1,798 2,505 $132,645.20 5,134 49241 8-51 4,500 printed in California state printing office Date Due JA« li* '7 J " 1 ,j Library Bureau Cat. Ho. 1137 .'smaLfmf.^m Calif. Dept. of %t ^Lui'Lil Ufeisour-ces Biennial Repox-t, Ulst, 19i4.8-50^_of the Division of Fish and Game. Division of Fish and Game of CaLifomia, 41st Reports. 1948-50