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ILLINOIS STATE

NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY

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REPORT OF

State Fish Commissioners

From October 1, 1898, to September 80, 1900.

INDEX.

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APPENDIX.

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CARTHAGE LAKE CLUB HOUSE.

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT.

To His Excellency, JOHN R. TANNER, Governor:

We beg leave to submit herewith our report as Board of State Fish Commissioners for the two years ending September 30, 1900.

The two seasons passed since our last report have been, in some respects, the most eventful and profitable in the history of the com- mission. The commercial phase of the fishing industry has been won- derfully developed, and has taken its place among the larger of the legitimate business interests of the State. Large areas of water, hith- erto of comparatively no value, have been leased or purchased for the purposes of fishing, and become part of the valid possessions of the fish dealer. Fish are not now, as formerly, marketed as soon as caught, but are placed in enclosures or pens and held to await a fair market price. The economy of this method has been demonstrated, as it provides against the inevitable loss following forced sales in an _ overstocked market.

The attention of the fishermen themselves is being drawn to the necessity of a longer close season, or at least, to the fact that seining during the hot months of July and August is unprofitable. In fact, the experience of practical men engaged in the business has demon- strated the necessity of prescribing some limit to the drain on the waters if the supply of the future is to be preserved, and they will join with the commission in a request for such legislation as will better protect the fish during the summer months as well as during the spawning season. The whole history of the enactment of laws for the protection and preservation of fish has been one of education, the outgrowth of knowledge gained by experience and experiments. For many years it has been the practice to take fish whenever or wher- ever they could be caught, regardless of time or condition, the the- ory seeming to be that today was productive of certain results, to- morrow might be doubtful. In this way tons of fish were taken be- cause they could be easily obtained, and usually a large proportion went to waste for lack of a market, it being impossible to hold them long owing to their perishable nature. Practical business men, with foresight to realize the possibilities of this industry, have gone into it with the purpose of making the greatest possible amount of money out of it, and they have seen “the importance of guarding the soutte of supply to an extent beyond that heretofore asked in legislation even by your board.

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It is to us a matter of surprise that a business of such magnitude of so much importance to the general public, and so far-reaching in its results, dividing its proceeds as it does, between the fisherman, the dealer, and the transportation companies, should be so little known and understood. This is particularly true of the Illinois river, which, from its peculiar nature, forms one of the greatest fish producing streams in the country. Its bottom lands abound in lakes or depres- sions which the overflow of the river forms into lakes, and all these are: filled by these frequently recurring overflows, several times a year, and these lakes, large or small, deep or shallow, afford an im- mense area of spawning ground which should provide a supply practically inexhaustible if properly protected. The shallow wa- ters usually dry up during the hot weather, and the young fish so left should furnish our supply for purposes of distribution. The many deeper lakes having a continuous connection with the river form additional spawning ground and safe harborage for the fish.

In this connection it may be well to say a word on a subject which has caused much discussion; that is, the relation of the commercial and the sporting interests of the fish question. The commission is often charged with favoring the market fishermen as against the angler. We believe that, if the facts were understood, it would be seen that while we are doing everything we can to promote the in- crease of the coarser food fishes, we are, at the same time, increasing the supply of the gamier varieties proportionately. Let it be remem- bered that, of the whole product of Illinois waters, 85 per cent of the output is formed of the coarser varieties, the fish which are used for shipping throughout theState and to the East for commercial pur- poses. This estimate includes, in numbers according to the order in which we name them, carp, buffalo, white perch, catfish and bull- pouts. The remaining 15 per cent is made up of sunfish, crappie, black bass, white bass, war-mouth bass and the pickerel family, with some yellow perch, wall-eyed pike, etc. These fish are all more or less carniverous and subsist chiefly on live food. Minnows and the young of the carp, buffalo and sunfish form probably the greater part of their food, and were it not that nature has so nicely balanced the production of the young of the coarser varieties to provide this sup- ply, it would only be a question of time when the streams would be depleted of all but the carniverous varieties, when they would de- stroy their own young until the survival of the larger fishes only would result. This has been demonstrated by experience and observa- tion; one instance bearing on the fact may be quoted here. In Min- nesota, about fifteen miles above Alexandria, is a lake known as Ver- mont Lake, from which nothing but bass and pickerel were taken, and all were large fish, no small ones appearing. All were thin and gaunt, and when dressed and cooked showed by the formation of the bones, particularly the ribs, signs of extreme age. These had, un- doubtedly, in the course of time destroyed all other fish, including their own young.

The carp were especially prolific, the adult female dropping from 200,000 to 600,000 eggs at spawning time, and these being adhesive, attach themselves to sticks and stones and mature and hatch very

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quickly. While they form an easy prey to the carnivorous fishes, still, being produced in such numbers, a large percentage of them es- cape and reach maturity. Being rapid of growth, within two years the young are large enough to meet the size requirement for com- mercial purposes.

The buffalo can be classed with the carp as to their reproductive qualities. The suntishes, too, are found everywhere in great num- bers. The catfishes are not so plentiful as they once were, owing to the great drain upon the supply of young in former seasons by the use of what is known as fiddler baskets; however, these fishes are now increasing in numbers and we may again hope to see them as plentiful as before.

Before the passage of the size limit in our fish laws it was not un- usual to see large boatloads of fish that would not average more than one and one-half to two ounces each when dressed, one of the most outrageously wasteful practices ever perpetrated by fishermen.

The increase of the coarse varieties has demonstrated beyond ques- tion that with this increase in their food supply the gamier varieties have been added to proportionately. Another feature of the question favorable to the increase of black bass is the fact that, owing to their being less tenacious of life than the coarse fishes, they do not ship so well, and consequently the market demand for them is limited and the catch of bass is very small compared to the whole amount taken.

ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW.

The past two seasons, as in the two succeeding ones, the knotty proposition of the commission to solve has been how best to enforce the law. A rigid and exact enforcement of all the provisions of the law, as they stand upon the statutes, would be to work hardship to a great commercial industry. The waters, particularly in the Illinois river, Fox lake, Calumet lake and river and many of the smaller streams, have become thickly populated with the carp, which, from the very rapid growth and development, ‘added to their immense powers of propagation, has filled the waters to repletion. They do not bite at the hook and line as voraciously as do the gamier varie- ties, and should be taken out of the water when large enough for market. With this end in view, the commission has allowed no par- ticular restrictions to the placing of hoop and fyke nets in Illinois waters, when, in the judgment of the commission, there has been a necessity for taking the coarse fish. Then, too, in lakes which are admirably adapted to the gamier varieties of fish, where carp have increased to an extent that makes it a necessity to remove them, we have given permits to have them removed by use of seine and nets under the supervision of the warden designated by us, and paid for by the parties removing the fish, this, however, only under the con- dition that all interested must join in the request for such removals. In spite of all precautions and constant surveillance, men will slip to the river some place and use small mesh seines, giving as a reason for so doing, that they are undertaking to catch the bull pouts, which exist in innumerable quantities along the Illinois river. If the tak-

a

ing of the bull pout alone should be consummated, there would be no serious objection to such procedure, but men who will use unlawful appliances to catch fish, will not hesitate, of course, to keep every- thing that comes to their seines. There is, no doubt, a great deal that could be argued in favor of the smaller mesh, say, one inch and one-half to replace the present two inch mesh now in use. The bull pouts thrive everywhere, and as adults rarely ever reach the size per- mitted by law to be offered for sale, and there is no doubt that a two inch mesh is too large to successfully take them.

We are inclined to believe from such experience as we have had, after carefully noting the workings of the two-inch mesh all along the Illinois river, that an inch and one-half mesh should be allowed to be used during the season when it is lawful to use anything, and a vigorous prosecution made, or rather a vigorous enforcement of the law relative to size of fish which shall be offered for sale. The waters would be better for a greater reduction in the quantity of these fish, they are marketable and found everywhere in the State of Illinois. We believe there would be less illegal fishing with seines if the meshes were reduced to the size sufficient to take the bull pouts. The size limit of fish that can be legally offered for sale, has had a thorough test and has proven to be one of the most successful and practicable laws so far enacted. We have had a very large number of violators of this law all over the State, particularly in Chicago. The general impression gaining ground among the commission men there, that any fish shipped from outside of the State to the Chicago market, whether of under size or not, could be legally handled. As a result, that point has been hotly contested by the Chicago fish deal- ers, and the abuse has extended of course to fish shipped in from all portions of our State, and it could not be accurately determined whether they were fish from Illinois, or from states where it has been found consistent with the law to have permitted the sale of fish from other states. The ruling of the commission has been backed by good legal advice that the State of Illinois through its Legislature had the right to say what should be legally offered for sale within her own borders. Whenever under size fish have been found in the posses- sion of the dealer, when not offered for sale, they were confiscated and turned over to the Chicago charitable institutions. This met with some opposition at first, but we are pleased to say that the bet- ter classes of dealers in Chicago have become convinced of the cor- rectness of the opposition, and as a rule now refuse to receive con- signments of fish smaller than allowed by law, and if such consign- ments are received and found to be mixed with larger fish and not detected until after receipt, were voluntarily turned over to our war- dens for disposition named. While all parts of the State were well supplied with shipments of fish from various markets, they are, many of them, too small to be legally offered for sale, and it has re- quired a great deal of time and patience to enforce the law in these instances, and yet not work hardships. Our wardens have been in- structed, when such fish are found in the possession of dealers, to notify them that they are too small, obtain the name of the shipper and notify him also of the infraction of the law. This for the first

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offense. If the offense is repeated, then in every instance to prose- cute. Fish, smaller than those authorized by law that can be offered for sale, are not wanted in the markets, they are not in any sense de- sirable and are known among fishermen as trash. The dealers, them- selves, admit that there is no profit in handling them. ‘The last ses- sion of the Legislature enacted laws compelling shippers to label their barrels or boxes, such label expressing kind of fish, from whom and to whom. This has given us an opportunity of tracing always the shipper of small fish. The clause mentioned makes both the ship- per and transportation company liable. We wish to say here in this connection that we have been greatly indebted to the transportation companies for the very prompt way in which they have notified their agents that packages of fish must not be delivered unless they are properly labeled. The companies have uniformly given us all the aid possible in enforcing this section of our law. The use of the tram- mel net is still kept up in some localities. From the nature of its use it can be readily handled in all the better classes of lakes along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers; quickly set and murderous in its use, a net of this description can easily be taken in the boat, it being very light, and carried into the lake and used readily in the night, then can be quickly removed and detection is impossible. Several cases, in which we have prosecuted for the use of the trammel net, have resulted in our defeat, the courts holding that the trammel net was a seine and used as such. This, while erroneous, has had its effect in making such prosecution very difficult. The use of the ‘trammel net should be abolished entirely. In the enforcement of the fish laws, as we find them, we have been badly handicapped. In some counties conviction is almost impossible, even when cases have been clearly made against the violator, all preponderance of evidence usually being with the fisherman and seemingly easily supplied. The great difficulty we have is in getting witnesses to testify to a state of facts they are perfectly familiar with, because of their fear of some retaliation and frequently the negative support of the State’s attor- neys, who, for reasons of their own, do not care to prosecute.

This has been evidenced in a number of cases, where cases brought and prosecuted by the State’s attorney have resulted in a verdict for the defendant. And similar cases in same localities, tried by an at- torney engaged for the purpose, have resulted favorable to the prose- cution. During the months when it is unlawful to use seines or nets of any description, we have maintained complete control of the Illi- nois river. This we have been able to do well the past two seasons by the use of our steamer Reindeer, she being very swift, enabling us to overcome long distances in the night, or a short space of time. We have had to inject into our enforcement of the law such practical methods as seemed to be to the best interest of the community as a whole, protect the fish and at the same time not work any hardship to the industry itself. The very large increase in the output of fish upon the Illinois river, particularly in the last ten years, has demon- strated what may be accomplished if we take the means within our power to rigidly enforce the law when it was necessary todoso. The commissioners should be empowered with the right to confiscate, at

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all times and under all circumstances, any appliances used for fish- ing which are of a nature contrary to law, such as seines with too small mesh, as fyke or hook nets, that contain parts of improper mesh, or as trammel nets, fiddler baskets, wing nets or battery of nets with unreasonable leads, all so placed as to obstruct the free passage of fish contrary to the provisions of the law. This law is working with admirable effect in all of the adjoining states, and has been the means of a better enforcement of the law by a Jarger per cent than we have been able toshow. Under the proper heads of this report we submit a synopsis of such a law as we think would meet the requirements. The time has come in the State of Illinois when the rigid enforcement of some law is a necessity, and we are free to admit that some of the provisions of our present law should be so amended as to make the enforcement of the law possible and complete without doing injustice to those legitimately engaged in the business of catching and selling fish. We note with a great deal of pleasure a large increased number of dealers and fishermen who are inclined, not only to obey the law, but to assist us in its enforce- ment. The Illinois Fishermen’s Association has numbered amongst its membership a large number of men who inject into their business practical methods, and believe in the necessity of providing for the future, if a successful continuance and profitable outcome of their business is to be had. We are in receipt cf a number of letters from the prominent fishermen and dealers along the river, asking that the close season be so lengthened as will include the hot months, taking the position that there are very many more fish ruined and wasted when caught during the months of July and August than are suc- cessfully saved and marketed. We have under advisement the propo- sition, and will make an exhaustive investigation of the concensus of opinion along the river, and submit to the next session of the Legis- lature our views as to the advisability of the measure. We would also advocate an absolutely close season in the taking of bass and kindred fishes during certain seasons of the year covering the spawn- ing season, within a limited distance of any dam. This for the rea- son that more harm is done by the indiscriminate taking of spawning bass at or near the base of the dam during the spawning season while the fish are congregated there, making an effort to get up over the dam to spawning ground. It has not been an unusual sight to see large numbers of such fish taken in a single day under such condi- tions.

C)LLECTION OF FISHES.

The collection of fishes for distribution depends always on the condition of the season, whether the water is high or low, the weather hot or cold, and the distribution must, naturally, be propor- tionate to the collection.

The season of 1899 was above the average, that of 1900 was cur- tailed on account of high water in the Illinois river, and just the contrary condition in the Mississippi river, which was very low. The water rose early in the season on the Illinois river from the usual

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natural causes, the carrying off of the snows and rains, and was kept up to abnormal height by the influx of water from Lake Michigan through the drainage canal. The result to us was a great scarcity of small fish at the time when they were usually found in the low flat ponds and lakes along the Illinois river. The water was high enough early in season to allow the adult fish to go out into the shal- low lakes and spawn, but the usual conditions were completely changed, and instead of having the product of the numerous tem- porary ponds and lakes which the falling water leaves easy of access for collection, the river kept up and out of its banks and gave the fry plenty of time to grow large enough to go out into the deeper water, the river and deep lakes, before the water receded, and then, when it did go down, the ponds were left filled mainly with adult fish, so that the work was delayed until late in the season and the greater part of the output had to be of adult fish.

This, however, has its advantages, as it will be the means of add- ing to the river a large number of fish that would otherwise perish in ponds and lakes so remote from the river as to make collection from them impossible, on account of the expense and loss attending the carrying of fish such distances.

Our work of collecting has been carried on on the same general lines as heretofore, except that with the steamer Reindeer we have the advantage of being able to transport larger quantities and for greater distances than before. Our earlier collection indicate a large increase in the pickerel family, large numbers of the young having ‘been taken early in the season. For several years they have not been seen in the river in any large numbers.

We are glad to say that the young of the dog fish have not been so plentiful, partly on account of a demand for dog fish in some of the markets, and partly owing to their destruction by the market fishermen. . ;

A large drove of hogs was fed during the whole of the season of 1899 on the dog fish which were taken and thrown out on the bank by one gang of fishermen on Clear lake, a lake owned and fished by Mr. John Schulte of Havana, IIl.

The channel catfish show an increase also, but not large. Since the size limit clause of the law was enacted fewer small ones nave been taken, more, however, have been brought to market than there is any excuse for. As before stated we noted a slight increase in this variety in our collections, but not what there should have been.

Now and then we have found a specimen of lake herring in our catch, with an increase of ring perch, which would indicate that an occasional lake fish strays into the river, but the natural conditions necessary to sustain these fishes, particularly the herring, are lacking in our river and lake waters, so that we need not look for any perma- nent addition of this kind in sufficient quantities to excite comment.

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DISTRIBUTION.

The distributron of fish after the collections are made is no easy task. They require great care in the handling so as to have them in proper condition for shipping. Any fish showing signs of bruises or injuries of any kind must be taken out and returned to the river, the remainder must be kept in water sufficiently cool to permit them to harden so that they may be ready for the next change; then the water into which they are placed when brought in by the collectors must be gradually reduced in temperature, as they are frequently taken from water whose temperature would register from 90 to 100 degrees, and the change to that of from 60 to 65 degrees, a tempera- ture necessary for shipping them, would be apt to prove fatal if the change was not gradual. After these preliminary steps they are placed in charge ofa messenger and are transported in the baggage cars on passenger trains, one messenger taking all he can care for safely, or that will be given room in the car, so that they may not interfere with the regular duties of the baggageman. It is expensive work to transport fish. They can not be carried safely without a messenger accompanying them, because frequently, in fact, nearly always, changes must be made from one line to another, occasioning delays of one or more hours, which would be fatal unless the tish had the necessary attention. The water must be disturbed so that it may become oxygenated, they must be carefully watched, and water aerated by use of a dipper if they show signs of distress. Then when the water into which they are to be placed is reached the temperature of water in can must be, regulated again to bring it near that of the river or lake for the same reasons. Ice is nearly always used in ship- ping the fish, as they carry better in water of low temperature.

As arule the fish are carried free of charge, except a fee to bag- gagemen, but generally the messenger accompanying them pays his fare, although there are some generous exceptions to this rule. On the whole, when the per diem of messenger, his expenses enroute, telegraph service, ice and hauling are considered, a trip rounds up with a considerable expense bill.

The board has had the matter of general distribution under con- sideration for several seasons with a view to determining the advis- ability of supplying private ponds unless all the conditions relating to the probable results are made known to the commissioners, such as the nature of the pond and the water, as to size and quality, and their suitability to the requirements of the fish asked for. In fact, it has been a question in our minds whether or not only public waters should be supplied, except in cases where the applicant defrays the cost of the plant. The limited amount which we have to cover the cost of collecting and distributing must be used economically to get the public waters supplied, and while we have made a practice of supplying private applicants so far as we could, we can not supply all, that would be a physical impossibility. It is evident that many who apply do not know what they want when they ask for fish. Our greatest demand is for black bass, and there can be no greater mistake made than to undertake the cultivation of black bass in a

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limited space for profit, and they should not, in any case, ever be placed in a pond by themselves. They are predaceous in their habits, and if other live food is not to be-had they will devour their own young and the smaller of their species. We have tried hard to im- press upon those who have ponds the necessity of supplying, as nearly as possible, all the conditions necessary to the life habits of the fish if success is to be expected, that is, to have all of the coarser varieties present with the finer fishes, so that the amount of food necessary for the latter may be provided by the former varieties, but as arule people who make fish ponds will insist upon some one variety to the exclusion of everything else, and, also as a rule, want the “pirates” of the lot.

REARING PONDS AT URBANA.

The output of the rearing ponds at Urbana has been very satis- factory. We give in the appendix a list of fish taken from these ponds and planted in that section of the State. It has saved a great deal of transportation and demonstrated the expediency of such ponds.

The cost of maintenance has been very slight. We have in mind a project to improve these ponds, if retained, and if satisfactory ar- rangements can be made, to permanently locate them at this point. Crystal lake is in close proximity to the ponds, from which breeders may be taken, and the surplus of the pond used for distribution.

TRANSPORTATION.

Without the assistance of the railroads of the State our work would fall very short of a successful showing. They haveas a rule favored us in every way they could consistently, carrying our fish in the bag- gage cars on passenger trains when such service was often a detri- ment to them; have stopped their trains at streams to give us time to make our plants, and frequently hauled a car over their lines to and from points we desired to make. We have had only courteous treat- ment from the employés, and except in rare instances have never been refused a reasonable request. We desire to express through you our thanks to the following railroad companies, from whom we have from time to time received valuable assistance: Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy R. R. Co., Wabash R. R. Co., Illinois Central R. R. Co., Chicago & Eastern Illinois Ry. Co., Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Ry. Co., Mobile & Ohio R. R. Co., Chicago & Northwestern Ry. Co., Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis R. R. Co., Iowa Central R. R. Co., Toledo, Peoria & Western Ry. Co., Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Ry. Co., Wisconsin Central Ry.Co., Wabash, Chester & Western Ry. Co., Jacksonville & St. Louis R. R. Co,, Indiana, Illinois & Iowa R. R. Co., Lake Erie & Western Ry. Co., Fulton County Narrow Gauge a Lo Elgin & Eastern R. R. Co., Quincey, Carroliton & St. Louis

O.

FISH WARDENS.

We give in appendix a list of the fish wardens of the State. Very many of them sought appointment because they thought there was

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direct compensation for the work, and a disappointment resulted as soon as the nature of the work and the fact that they would have to depend upon such fees as were obtained from convictions as remun- eration for that work became known. These fees constitute their sole compensation, except in cases where they are given special work to do by the commissioners. The whole system is wrong and should be changed. We have a large number of wardens in the State, and a glance over our reports from wardens will show that but little inter- est has been taken in the enforcement of the law. Few men care to risk the enmity of their neighbors by giving information, and fewer care to appear in the role of a prosecutor. In some of the river dis- tricts fear of retaliation on the part of the fishermen deters prosecu- tion. Then again, where men are found who will vigorously prosecute offenders, they too often meet with great difficulty in obtaining con- victions, and consequently have their labor for their pains. Even when convictions are obtained, it too often happens that the half of fine which should go to the warden is retained by the State’s attor- ney as payment for fees, which seems all proper enough so far as the law governing the State’s attorney’s office is concerned. It is an un- pleasant and thankless task, at best, to undertake to enforce the fish laws under these circumstances.

The sentiment in favor of the enforcement of the laws is growing, but not fast enough. The neglect of a proper enforcement is usually attributed to the commissioners by parties who do not take the con- ditions into consideration. This State is almost an empire in extent, so great in length and of such diversity of conditions that new com- plications in the enforcement of the law arise continually. To give proper personal attention to each individual case would be impossi- ble; first, because it would be a physical impossibility to attend per- sonally to all, and next because the board, serving without compensa- tion, could not afford to devote all their time to this work, so we are compelled to depend upon wardens or persons interested to give these matters attention, and for the reasons given this has not always been successful or satisfactory in the results obtained. The interest is great enough to warrant a remedy, and we think it can be done by dividing the State into five or ten districts, appointing a good man for the work and paying him for it, not depending upon fines ob- tained, but making the fines payable to the Secretary of State, to be applied to a fund to pay wardens, and make the payment of such fines obligatory on the part of the courts to the Secretary of State, that is, such part of it as should go to the complainant. By this method the commissioners would be relieved of a cumbersome piece of machin- ery, and work would be done that would result in a saving of many thousands of pounds of good food, and it would also do away with the alleged “blood money prosecutions” occasionally complained of.

We give herewith extract from the law creating wardens and their duties, compensation, ete.

Src. 4.—Appointment and Duty of Wardens.] The Governor, on request of the fish commissioners, shall appoint fish wardens, who shall enforce all laws relating to fishes, arrest all violators thereof, prosecute all offenses against same. ‘They shall have power to serve processes against such offenders and

11

shall be allowed the same fee as constables for like service, and shall have power to arrest, without warrant, any person for violating any of the pro- visions of this act; but such wardens shall receive no fees, except on cases where convictions are obtained. Such fish wardens may be removed at any time by the Governor.

POLLUTiON OF STREAMS,

Sometime in the future the people of the State of Lllinois will awaken to the fact that a prominent cause of disease exists in the pollution of the water supply of the State. In some special instances this seems to be unavoidable, but a very large percentage of the causes could be eliminated. We are frequently in receipt of com- plaints of fish being killed by the introduction of refuse from differ- ent manufacturing or other establishments, which is being turned into the rivers and streams, and while we have, in every instance, given the matter personal investigation, we have found also that, no matter how flagrant the case appeared, our powers in the premises are limited to the investigation, we, as fish commissioners, having no authority further than that of any other citizen, and we could only point out the sole means of relief, a suit for damage by nuisance. But it has ever been a matter of surprise to us that water used for drinking purposes should be allowed to become so foul that it would kill fish and still be used for all purposes in the family. We have found some streams that at one time during our connection with the fish commission were ideal ones, with water almost crystal clear, and hard and sandy bottom, now always foul and with a deposit on bot- tom in places that is two or three feet deep, of such a character that no one seeing or smelling it could doubt for a moment its probabil- ities for disease, lying dormant and only kept in abeyance by the rapid current of the stream and the washings of the usual spring rises. This is a growing evil, and to us it presents the feature of destroying more fish, both mature and in embryo, than all the methods used by fishermen and anglers, and our only wonder is that these streams, the natural homes for the best of our fishes, have not become entirely depleted.

If no means of preventing the escape of such refuse into the waters could be found and the life of the various enterprises depended upon the use of our rivers as sewers, as we are often informed by the par- ties interested in the case, it would be another thing, but as a remedy can be had, and a sure one, it would seem to be incumbent on the people interested to demand such protection as the law can give, not alone for the future of the fish, but what is of vastly more import- ance, the health of the people themselves.

We have on file a large number of complaints and the findings re- sulting from our investigations, but deem it hardly proper to give them a place here, as it does not legally enter into our work, but we can always produce them should such showing become desirable.

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EFFECT OF DRAINAGE CANAL ON ILLINOIS RIVER.

The speculation as to what would be the result of turning the water of Lake Michigan through the drainage canal into the Illinois river was wide spread, and wild statements were made as to what would be the effect. The efforts of parties to obtain an injunction against it, and the newspaper comments are matters with which the public are famil- iar. Anticipating such criticism, we, together with Prof. S. A. Forbes of the State University, made a trip over the river on the steamer Reindeer, taking samples of the water of the river at short intervals which were tested analytically, so that we might be prepared to note the results following the opening of the canal.

Tests of the water after the introduction of the lake water have shown an improvement rather than deterioration as a result. Opin- ions as to the question whether as a whole the valley has been bene- fited as regards navigation, etc., differ, but with this question, we as fish commissioners have but little todo. On the fishing industry it has had a temporarily unfavorable result, but it will be only tempo- rary, as the ultimate outcome can only be good and increase the sup- ply. The water has maintained an unusual height during the sum- mer months, so much so that it has been difficult to use seines during the summer in the river itself. To use the fishermen’s parlance “the fish were out in the woods.”

The output of carp and buffalo has ee reduced to some extent, but as the area of breeding ground has been naturally increased we can but believe that the future will show a very large increase in the production. The high water has enabled the gamier varieties to de- posit their spawn, rear their young and go out into deep water, thus avoiding the very large loss of fish which were formerly stranded and perished in the shallow ponds. We believe the increase in the game fishes will show up large the coming season.

We have had ample opportunity of giving the matter close obser- vation, from the frequent trips made over the river, and feel sure that the introduction of the water from Lake Michigan has been of mater- ial benefit, and in no sense detrimental to the interest we represent.

We are inclined to think that, from a sanitary standpoint, the river itself has been benefited, but doubt whether or not the localities di- rectly connected with the canal itself have been or will be gainers by the opening of the canal. Our reasons, however, are only the result of personal observation, and could not in any sense be taken as valid against scientific examination and testimony. That the river can be polluted by turning into it the refuse of sewers and manufacturing establishments there can be no doubt, but that it may escape reason- ably pure where no obstructions to a free flow exist, and a current more or less rapid is maintained after the river is reached we know by experience and thorough tests.

On the whole, as before stated, the introduction of lake water through the canal into the Illinois river has not hurt the fish in- terests further than temporarily reducing the catch of fish.

13 Boarpb oF FisH COMMISSIONERS.

APPOINTMENT—DUTIES, ETC.

We are frequently called upon to take active part and give per- sonal attention to the enforcement of the laws in remote parts of the State, and if from lack of time or any other cause, we do not go we are usually informed that we are not doing our duty or earning our salaries, and a great many times during the year are reminded that officials drawing the salaries we do should give the work more attend tion. In order that our position may be properly understood we herewith give the law creating the fish commission and enumerating the duties of the commissioners in full, so that there need be no further mistake regarding the question. The commissioners have never received a cent of salary, as the law distinctly provides that the work be without remuneration. The position is an honorary one, and when the board was created it was understood that their duties were to be more of a supervisory nature than otherwise, but little importance being placed upon the work. As time passed and the necessity of protecting the fish and fish interests became apparent new legislation was had and the work assumed greater magnitude and more importance. As attention was called to it, the general public seemed to take it as a matter of course that it was a salaried commission, and that the commissioners should give their entire time to the work. This is, of course, impossible under existing cir- cumstances. While the appropriations allow compensation to . wardens and persons employed by the commission in the pursuance of their duties, and the commissioners when employed in the service of the State are allowed their actual expenses, such as traveling and hotel bills, and liberal allowance for such expenditures as may be needed to carry on the work, yet no compensation, of any kind, has ever been received by any member of the commission from the date of the enactment of the law up to the present day. We make this statement, as before said, so that those who may have felt that they had reason for complaint for censuring the commissioners for seem- ing neglect of duty may better understand the real facts.

BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS.

An act entitled “An act to establish a board of commissioners to increase the product of the fisheries, by artificial propagation and cultivation.”

Approvad May 13, 1879. In force July1,1879. L. 1879, p. 171.

Paragraph 1. Board of commissioners created.] Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That it shall be the duty of the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint three persons residents of this State, who shall constitute a Board of Fish Com- missioners. The persons so appointed shall hold their office for the respective terms of one, two and three years, the Governor designat- ing the term each member shall serve as said commissioner from the

14

time of their first appointment, amd their successors to be appointed at the expiration of the several terms of office, and shall each hold their terms of office for three years.

Paragraph 2. Duties.] Section 2. It shall be the duty of the persons so appointed to select suitable locations for State fish hatch- ing and breeding establishments, take all measures within their means for propagation and increase of the native food fishes, and also for the introduction of new varieties of-food fishes into the public waters of the State, upon the best terms possible; to employ a practi- cal and competent fish culturist as a superintendent who shall have general charge and care of such establishments, and perform all such duties as the commissioners shall direct. Said board shall not re- ceive any compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed their actual expenditures for traveling and hotel expenses, not to ex- ceed in any event the sum of $300 per annum for the entire board. Provided, That if no appropriation be made no expenses shall be incurred.

Paragraph 3. Expenses—how paid.] Section 3, The said com- missioners or any two of them shall have authority to draw upon the State Treasurer from any appropriation made in pursuance of the purposes of this bill, as the same may be required, to defray expenses incurred, and shall report to the Governor of the State, all and singu- lar, the items of such expenditures together with the business trans- acted under their commission, such report to be made on or before the commencement of each fiscal year.

“ FISHING ALONG THE LAKE FRONT IN CHICAGO.

For a great many years it has been a customary thing to see the piers and projections along the lake front literally filled with large dip nets, raised and lowered by winches, the net of small mesh, and tons of small fish have been so taken and distributed throughout the city.

The work was ostensibly done to catch minnows for bait, but this was mainly used as a blind, and was carried on to such an extent as to become a nuisance. In the enforcement of the law enacted at the last session of the General Assembly we caused printed notices to be served on all that it must cease, and through our very efficient warden, Mr. G. R. Ratio of Chicago, this class of violations has been nearly broken up.

REGULATING 'THE CATCHING, SHIPPING AND SALE OF FISH.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly: That it shall be unlawful for any person or per- sons or corporation to take, catch or kill, or attempt to take, catch or kill in any manner or by any means, whatsoever, in the waters of Lake Michigan, any white fish or lake trout, between the fourteenth day of October in each year and the succeeding thirtieth day of November. It shall be unlawful for any person to set or cause to be set or used in the water of Lake Michigan within one-quarter of a mile of the main shore thereof, any gill, pound or fish net. No dip-nets shall be used except for catching minnows for bait, said dip-nets not to exceed twenty inehes in diameter.

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THE USE OF SEINE.

At the last session of the General Assembly a great effort was made to enact a law to prevent the use of the seine in any of the waters of the State, of any sized mesh. While it is unlawful to use a seine or net in most of the streams of the State, yet the Illinois river has been made an exception.

Section one of the law is as follows:

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly: That no person or persons shall place or cause to be placed or erected, any seine, weir, net, fish, dam or other obstruction in or across any of the rivers, creeks, ponds, streams, lakes, sloughs, bayous, or other water or water courses within the jurisdiction of this State, in such a manner as will obstruct the free passage of fish up and down and through such water or water courses, and it shall be unlawful for any person to catch or take fish, except minnows for bait, with any device or means other than hook and line, within one-half mile of any dam constructed across any of the rivers or creeks or other water courses within the jurisdiction of this State.

That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons, at any time, to catch or kill any fish in any of the rivers, creeks, ponds, lakes, sloughs, bayous or other water courses within the jurisdiction of this State, by the use of lime, spear, acid, medical or chemical compound or explosives.

That it shall be unlawful for any person to catch or kill any fish in or upon any of the lakes or rivers within the jurisdiction of this State with any device or means when such waters are covered with ice. ‘

That it shall be unlawful for any person to catch or kill or attempt to catch or kill any fish with any trammel net, seine or other devices and as a seine in or upon any of the rivers, creeks, streams, ponds, lakes, sloughs, bayous or other water courses within the jurisdiction of this State. Nor shall the * meshes of any weir, seine, basket or trap of any net or seine used for catch- ing fish, except for catching minnows for bait, be less than two inches square.

Provided, however, that seining shall be lawful and allowed between the first day of July in each year, and the fifteenth day of April the following year, with seines, the meshes of which shall not be less than two inches square, in such rivers or streams as are used for navigation within the jurisdiction of this State, and also in the navigable bays or lakes connected with such navi- gable streams within the jurisdiction of this State, and not extending beyond the overflowed bottoms of such rivers or streams: Provided, also, that it shall be lawful for the fish commissioners or persons authorized by them to take fish in any way, at any time and in any such places, as they deem best for the purpose of propagation, distribution or destroying of objectionable fish.

From facts they have been able to gain the commissioners believed it to be a necessity, that is, if the commercial phase of the question was to be considered. A glance at the table of fish taken on the Illi- nois river will show a very small percentage of anything other than coarse fish, also that a very large number of these coarse fish have been taken, and that each season shows a decided increase in the output. As before stated, carp particularly have increased to such an extent that if not taken out they would soon, by their rapid in- crease in numbers, crowd out all gamier fishes, and while this is true of the Illinois river and its adjacent lakes, it is becoming so of a large number of inland lakes as well. There is only one method of getting out the carp in sufficient quantities to be effective, and that is by the use of a seine. To entirely abolish the use of seines would be a mistake in more ways than one, as it would destroy, to a certain

16

extent, a very valuable industry, and deprive a large number of men of employment. What is of much importance, it would take away from the river towns especially a large part of the business upon which they subsist, and in the end would defeat the very onject de- sired by those advocating the abolishment of the seine, vz: The in- crease of the game fishes for angling purposes.

A great hue and cry is raised about the immense damage the seine does on the Illinois river. I think that we can safely assert that more harm is wrought by the injudicious use of hook and line in the river itself than by the seine. We have given this matter especial attention, and note that more fish of less than prescribed market size are brought in and offered for sale by the anglers than by the oo men who use seines of proper mesh.

We have, at various times, seen hundreds of small bass and crap- pie taken by an angler in a day’s fishing near the dams, and many of them were thrown away as too small to use, or after being kept on a string all day they were either dead, or injured to such an extent as to make it useless to put them back in the water. There is no limit to the size of fish that can be taken with hook and line, but there should be.

The fish commissioners conceive it to be their duty to undertake to protect the fish, for the angler, but not for him alone, and do not believe it to be incumbent on them to destroy a great industry to gratify personal pleasure.

The time will come in this State, as it has already in older coun- tries, when the waters will have to produce their fuil share of food, as a matter of public economy, and there will always be, as now, a necessity for the use of some means of taking the fish when of suffi- cient size for use, and to do it we know of no other appliance better than the seine, but that, of course, to be used under proper restraint.

We are informed that another effort will be made during the next session of the Legislature to enact a law to prevent the use of the seine. The matter should be very carefully considered, and the facts thoroughly canvassed before legislation is enacted, and it should be prompted, not by sentiment, but the consideration of the best inter- ests of all concerned.

FISHWAYS.

But few fishways have been put in during the past two seasons, Several have been ordered repaired, and but little complaint has been received on this account.

In appendix we give illustration of the plans of fishing in use in this State.

CARP.

We can not omit mention of the carp. As amoney producer the Illinois waters have never had its equal, and while there are many objectionable features resulting from its introduction into parts of the State, etc., as a whole it has to the mass of the people been of

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17

vital importance. In spring lakes where the percentage of game fishes run high, natural breeding grounds for the basses, it has prob- ably worked some harm. Noton account of destruction to the spawn and other fish as alleged, by its combative tendencies, but from the fact that as a vegetable feeder they destroy, to some extent, vegeta- tion and keep the water stirred up. This objection however, can not be made in the greater portion of Illinois waters.

Great flat lakes, with muddy bottoms line both sides of the Illinois river for a greater part of its length. The Illinois river itself, from its character, is a natural home for them and a proper proportion of bass, and crappie are always found everywhere, and as constantly in- creasing as are the carp. There is and can be no reason to regret their introduction in such waters. We have no need to defend them or their usefulness, the figures and facts show for themselves. A glance at report of Illinois River Fishermen Association will show the results.

Some criticism has been made as to the act of the commission in introducing them into our waters, but mainly from the anglers’ standpoint. In fact we have been told that the carp have so depleted the wild grass of some of the lakes that it has caused the wild ducks to change their breeding grounds. And intimations have been made that not even the corn fields adjacent to the river were safe from their invasion. Be that as it may, as stated before, while in some few localities the carp may not be just what people want, but the fact remains that the carp are giving to the people of the State more employment, more money, and more food than all other of our native fish combined, and the prejudice early existing is fast giving way, and almost every hotel table in the State, carp on bill of fare, can occasionally be found.

It may bea matter of interest to note what they have accomplished. In 1885 the first plant was made in our public waters by the United States commission and we give here the itinerary of the trip and location of plants.

Copied from Report of 1886:

Last season the first experiment was made of stocking the rivers of Illinois with carp. The United States Fish Commission gave ‘the State a carload of carp, and sent their car No. 3 in charge of J. F. Ellis to this State to dis- tribute them under the direction of the State Fish Commission, which was accomplished, by placing them as follows:

LE LOD GUT GST. Shy els Rs Aa Oe eT ae Sek ee | er a oe 3,000 BRUMTSEC TU CRORE ewe te eset Soe) SEES eee BE TY stor ote OM ee 2,000 “than AWURyori clas nya peta Saad Oe a ais anak sea ne 2,000 VITO CEONVGE Ne ok me iMesh yen eens eae ROE ee te eee ton ds 2 O00 OTe 2b Ld ger Ee tle BEE SIS a Ce oo 2,000 ce tEhl co LUGS ay SR oral GEE cas foi i adc eM RN Aa RT 500 MIIMVOISeRIVers....'-.ce... ROTO, BET GRNS GS ACRES RAS REI IER Ge Af A ee 6,000 REL [Dinar 2 ie fey AE ee CA gM RSPR 1 alt OO dO Ae eC 2,000 SURE yee) te) ee me ee ee) SE oe MTS Oat 2,000 [oe LSS alsigd 24/qgC) aie MR SOIR, oA ho Fo a i | CN Oe Rae aia ae LL GB eh 3,000 Mannan rE Arie MARS VONICGHEGLG Mets ree ee. or ee ee Pe oe: 1,000

South Park Lakes, Chicago —2 F.C.

Des Plaines: River vis. 30s ee ds. . tei 28s Seles > ic 1,000 Reservoir Illinois Central Railway, Clinton..-.....1.2+...+..20005 eee 200 C., B. &Q. reservoir, Mendota «10.00 0.20 20.64) «n+. tees le a oo 200 WO Warder Rver «vice sg deb tmeny riagcioce s+ 9.3 nase ops emphases ees chan 1,000 Quiney’ Bay. 2... Ge, a a een cad 7 oe due oid s © le ytele seen 2,000

This witha supplementary shipment, was the gift of the United States Com- mission to the State of Illinois, as well as the expense of the car and crew, engaged in the distribution. Car came into the State over the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railway to Vandalia, from which point fish for Okaw, Big Muddy, Saline and Little Wabash Rivers were sent by express. Car came over Iili- nois Central Railway to Springfield, where the Sangamon River and Clear Lake were stocked, ear laying over there one day. From Springfield via Illi- nois Central Railway to Clinton, where the reservoir was stocked; thence te LaSalle, where plant for Lllinois River was made. From there to Mendota, stocking the Chicago, Burlington ’& Quiney Railway reservoir. From Men- dota the fish for Rock River were sent to Dixon. Car then went over Chi- eago, Burlington & Quincy Railway to Aurora, planting Fox River; then to Naperville for the DesPlaines River, reaching Chicago at night. From Chi- cago fish were sent to Kankakee River. Lakes in Lincoln and South Parks were supplied from Chicago.

Copied from Report of 1828:

On November 13, 1887, car No. 2, United States Fish Commission, in charge of Mr. George H. H. Moore, arrived at Quincey with a load of carp for distri- bution in the public waters of the State. Leaving Quincy at 5 o’cloeck same day, on Wabash Railway, 1,500 blue carp were planted in Illinois River, 500 in lake at Jacksonville, 1,000 in ponds on State Encampment grounds, at Springfield. Car left Springfield at 4:30 p. m. of 14th, on Illinois Central Railway, planting 500 at Clinton, Illinois Central reservoir, arriving at Kan- kakee at 4 o’clock on morning of 15th. Planted in Kankakee River, at Kan- kakee, 5,000. Left Kankakee at 7 o’clock same morning. Ran to Centralia, where carp were left for the following points:

Crooked Creek, 250; Clear River, 250; Little Wabash River, 250; Big Muddy River, 250; Okaw River, 250. Leaving Centralia at 8:50 morning of 16th, ran to Decatur, where 1,000 carp were deposited in Sangamon River. Left Decatur at 4:30 p. m., on Wabash Railway, for Quiney, arriving at 12 o’elock at night. Left Quiney on Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railway, on morning of 18th. Left 250 carp in ponds of Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railway, at Galesburg. Arrived at Meredosia at 12 o’clock, sending 1,000 carp by messenger to Rock River, at Dixon, and leaving 1,000 at Mendota, for Mendota Lake. Arrived at Aurora at 1:15, planted 2.000 in Fox River, and sent 500 by messenger to Naperville, for DesPlaines River. Arrived at Chicago at 2:45, from there 250 carp were sent to Rockford, for Roek River, and 400 to Richmond, for lakes in McHenry county. Car left for Washington on the night of November 18.

Carp were distributed to private applicants two years previous to first plant in public waters. Many of the ponds were destroyed by freshet of 1884-5, which earried down iuto the rivers the fish from the ponds. A very large number of large 2arp were taken the first year of the plant in public waters, and must have been the fish so eseaping.

To quote from the report of 1886 again:

Of this planting we have not as yet had any report, but that earp will thrive in our rivers, has, we think, been demonstrated beyond a question. About September 10, 1886, Messrs. Schrall and Boles, of Meredosia, tele- graphed to the writer, at Quincy, that they had caught a large carp in the Illinois river near Meredosia, that it was alive and if we wanted it to send for it. I at once sent a messenger and ease for it. On its arrival I found it to be a mirror carp, measuring 3044 inches in length and weighing 15% pounds. The week following another telegram arrived from the same source, telling of another large carp, which, upon arrival here, proved to be almost

19

identically of the same size and weight as the other, weighing one-half pound more and about same length. Both fish are now in the basin of the park fountain at Quincy, and have grown perceptibly since their arrival. These fish, no doubt, had escaped from some ponds connected with some stream tributary to the Illinois river, and perhaps by the carrying away of the dam to carp pond during a freshet, the fish become liberated and found their way to the river. From Smith & Co., of Beardstown, and fishermen at Havana, Pekin, Peoria, and various points on the Illinois river, reports come to us of the catching now and then, of carp, all quite large. On the Mississippi river carp are frequently taken, both the old and young, showing that they not only grow in the rivers, but increase as well. In the Sny Eearte, in Pike county, we are informed that some seine fishermen caught at one baul of the seine about 100 carp, averaging in weight about three pounds each. This catch was reported to us by the fishermen themselves. We did not see the fish, and the statement may be erroneous, but enough has been learned in regard to the matter to demonstrate to our satisfaction that the carp can be successfully introduced into our rivers, and with that end in view we shall undertake to propagate a supply, which, together with those furnished from time to time by the United States fish commission, shall be adequate to people all the streams in the State with them.

THE FISHING INDUSTRY.

The extent and value of the fish industry of the State is so little known and understood that it may be worth while to call attention to some of its features. Few people, in the State at large, know any- thing about it, and so that they can now and then obtain good fish

_at fair prices, care for little else regarding it.

Chicago is one of the great fish markets of the world. There are probably more concerns dealing in fish there than of any other one commodity, drawing as they do not only from the State, but from all other states, its supply. We intended, in this report, to give the statistics of the extent of the trade in Chicago, but owing to some cause clearly beyond our control, figures were not ready.

We give herewith a copy of an article from New York Fishing Ga- zette which will give an idea of the trade. in our locality, and its im- portance as a food, particularly for the working classes.

We also give herewith report of Illinois River Fishermen’s Asso- ciation for the year ending December 31, 1899.

This report covers twenty towns on Illinois river, and only in- cludes the fish bought, caught and handled by members of the asso- _ ciation, which comprises only a part of those engaged in market fishing for a livelihood.

006 *Z0% 1@2 ‘OL O6P ‘PIL 08S '6SP 186 °26 090°29% = |O0T66P 000° The PSL'ShL'S |066'28E'9 =| °°" ne > ERT Tennis iat ‘salads Yovo Jo spunod 000'9 |o0s't — |o00'z ~—-fooo'st ~—joo0's ~—jo00'z ~—joov'9 ~—jon0‘or ~—joo0‘oot ~—jo00‘0z SF ic CARA. oe 000‘ |000°r |o00'e joon'et —jooe*t ~—sfoog't_~— ooo ~—Ssoonet ~—joog‘gnt © |ooo'ze gp ce ac cel redacted “ees=" CIpae HL 000's loog'r —joog*r —jooo'sz ~—jov0's ~—sosz‘t ~— jon‘ ~—=sooo'oz ~=—j0000ce»«|ooo'6e = J Spee a RNR ke “erTasdurey 000'9 joor't —joos*t —jooo‘or_~—foogtr ~—jooz't_~—jooo‘t —jonn'oz ~—ooo*ozt © fo00‘06 Reo ricgcaais see 1 Oe penis <n aera a ea persian TF 000'r |o00't |oog'r — jooo'or ~~ joor'z_~—fooo'z_—. lon0'z_~—-foo0's ~—jo00*06 ~—jo00‘o9 ie Mie? Aa reas s Pec eee ag nas ie TSM SOUR 006, 08" 1000‘ — |000°P |000°8 + oo0"6r * jooo'z —jooL't —|o00°06 —oo0‘oor BSR I RE te eg ---"* saidun 000‘2t 00g’ foookz_—fooo’e —-fovo's-—fooo'@t —fooo'er —foo0‘or ~—|o00'00r ~—_|00009r Wide are ak oy aeghcgs c iae ore visopala 000'st |oor's — fooo‘or + oo0'6» —ooo‘at —jooo'tz —foog‘6e + jooo're ~—foon‘o0n © joon’s06 fv rtcrre rect “""* UMOo\spavoag 000° |o0z't — {000'2 —|o00'8 ——jooo'e ~—-jooo'st ~—jooo"6 ~—— fone © fooo'aoe joon'sep fuss rrr “99 BOLO MOLE 000 @ OOF 008 000 '% 008 000° 000 (3 000° 000'19 = — 000 ($8 Reais be. WNT? CS a Rae f iebasioasde te ee oo0'st foxo'z —jooo‘zr —joos‘sr —fooo‘z —jooo‘ez —fooo‘ar + foon's © foon*oor + jooo’oor, fun: tr crocs sabes a 000'se |ig0'2t joos‘sr losz'er lgoz‘er looo'ze joor'se fooo'st lect‘oor lose sort | cuit rs crrees* GOBARH 000°9 jogo’ [000° — |o00"er ~—«fosa‘t —joao‘z ~—«jooo‘st ~—joon’st ~—-jooo‘e9—jo00‘08 2c eae pe ah ep joodsear'y o00'st |o00'6 —|o6o'er —|o00'z —-'jooo9~—=Ssjoog*ze ~—fooo‘er ~—foor't §=—ooo'o0t ~oon‘one, | critiecicitiit " yYvod9 seaaddog puv ulyed 000's2 lores — foog‘et —on0'ts —loo0’s ~—«fooo'0g ~—foao‘orr jooz't —— lon0‘o0e§fooo‘ose‘t [vit BL08g 000‘2t 00°39 joo0'rt — joo0‘02 — jooo'9 ——joog*tr —joon‘o9 + jooz'z —jooo'oze © fooo'oon fv “++ dooNry puw aqI091/ 110) 000°ZT |000°6 |000°zt — joo0'sz |oo0'9 + jooo'et ~—fooo'te ~—-jooo'z_~—«fooo‘oet jooo‘oog =| * ete x 5 5 i eat “-" mguInd pure S007 000 ‘ST 0&6 000 ‘2 000°9 002 ‘T 000°3 000°L 0022 000 *09 000 ‘98 ie ree 4901;) neeing pue uldeune

‘OOGBL ‘[ Srvnuvp Suipuo ‘aved ysvd 10} ewes jo on[vA puB yYSnvo Ysy Jo Spaly pus junowe poyBUITso oY} BULALS ‘IOATY STOUTT[T O43 UO symiod Surddiys yuoseyIp oy} WoIJ poatooos sjtodey wWo1j petidmoy

:stouypy fo ajnqg ay) fo suauoissumMmog Ysig fo pAvog a]/qQvLOUoT] 9Y} OL, ‘NOILVIOOSSV S.NAWYAHSIA SIONITTI AHL JO LHYOdAY TVONNV HLaNOd

21

Pounds. Value.

MO RETR terse ata eae whose: elniaiaic aicletaraiciete% stares eaeneaese Ba SCOR OS DOUe De On Denes 6,332,990) $189,980 70 BATE al Cette rere craraticdoe ad Pena tae bcos eablne ee oe Mtoteed isin Ce Lae elas ate 3, 148, 154 94,294 62 COPEL ae Se a aie sa ea, ee as ee Sok 8 Weta ies write Ue oe Re 241, 9,640 00 ib nllll WTF apoemadonnenapes abe Ber eb dboadian teas Cau Aa OE ano mUDeUEpSsenee | 499,100) 19,964 00 Sun-fish and ring perch.................. He eae Wess hy Pe ES = Es 3 az 252, 050 7,561 50 in ped Bass sce nig. one cane 25-1 OS Seat Odi Io Donan Tac OH ONR AD OM BDE ECT Ie ac 92,931] 4,646 55 \ W/L TOO VisohonhocanGanaorinGsanimos po odoAbCodke = adoae sesobrdbe qonbuaeoc: 459,580) 13,787 40 RUETIOP ss ee tesa ec tives widitie ck Seat Gee pedis weet eels Wee o A Ey oc ha Pp euen ae 114, 490 6,869 40 URC RMON ens ee eticn se ceecccanjo cd vate ARE seals § c/s Se RRS Ce te I oe 70, 221 7,022 10 Number of turtles, 202,900.......... ADE Hind Sabo DARE RE Beee a Dee ae SU en eaaree rics 8,471 50

PURGE tre etary re cianem ctot stu aes Kieiace mia aracch stole od eis Se lett overt ae dete oleie’e ara1a/ble lore eterctose 11, 205,516) $362,246 77

Grand total: Pounds, 11,205,516; value, $362, 246.77.

M. D. Hurtey, President, JoHN A. SCHULTE, Treasurer, ALEX SARGEANT, Secretary, Peoria, Ill.

THE FISH MARKET OF CHICAGO,

The City of Chicago is unique in many ways, but it stands alone in one thing, viz., the Jewish fish market, where the Bohemians, Poles and Hebrews go to buy their fish. There is nothing like it in the United States. South Jefferson street, from Twelfth to Maxwell street, on one side of the street is lined with small, dingy buildings one story high, in which the retail fish merchant displays his stock of fresh water fish. On the outside is a stand on which the fish of all kinds are piled and mixed indiscriminately—black bass, black fins, bullheads, crappies, herring, mullet, pike, pickerel, perch, rock bass, suckers, sheapsheads, sunfish, trout, whitefish, and white bass. On the inside of the store are tanks, where the live buffalo, carp and dogfish are displayed, and the customer selects the fish, it is caught in a net, then wrapped in newspapers (a large pile being always on hand), and given to the customer, who takes the live carp and walks out of the store feeling sure of its being fresh. After the fish is wrapped in the paper it is perfectly quiet, although just previously it may prove highly pugnacious in its efforts to escape from its cap- tor with the net. Possibly its new surroundings may numb its faculties or maybe it is smothered in the close wrapping of the paper. — This is all the more strange as the carp will live longer out of the water than any other fish. Its tenacity is proverbial. The buyers are of all kinds, from the poor woman that takes two or three small suckers, to the prosperous merchant’s wife, who brings her basket for a mess of black bass at 14 cents a pound or live carp at from 8 to 10 cents.

All go through the same routine of buying, selecting the live fish or taking up the dead fish in their fingers, examining it, smelling it to test its freshness, then handing over to the salesman the quantity of fish selected, who wraps it up in old newspapers and ‘hands the fish over to the customer, taking pay for the same invariably in silver. The whole transaction is free from wrangling, for the cus- tomer selects his own fish and is to blame if it is not satisfactory.

22

Many stands are located on the curb along the street, where only dead fish are sold. The side streets in the neighborhood have also their stands. The fish are usually bought from the West Side Fish Company at a uniform price and sold for one price by all the dealers. The small dealers mix up several kinds of fish in one lot and cry out the price—three, four, or five cents a pound, as the case may be. The dealer that has the strongest voice usually sells the most fish. The stores handle the best quality, some of them selling live fish, the quality being graded down to the poorest as ths small dealer is reached, who only has a pushcart to sell from.

In the season some of the retail merchants handle cured herrings, including Scotch and Holland. They display the fish in a barrel on the sidewalk, as in fresh fish. They are also subject to examination. Thousands of barrels are sold annually.

There are more fresh water fish sold in this market than in any other place in the United States. During the holidays it is not un- usual to see ten thousand people buying fish. They always pay cash and take their purchases with them. Every one interested in the fishing industry should visit this market. It is one of the sights of Chicago.

REMOVING THE COARSE FISHES.

The commissioners have adopted the plan of permitting the re- moval of the surplus of coarse fishes from the lakes and streams, when done under the direct supervision of a warden, whose per diem and expenses must be paid by the parties interested in the removal of the fish.

In many of the lakes that are fed wholly, or in part, by springs, such as Fox lake, for example, carp have increased in great numbers, as they_can not well be kept down with hook and line. Citizens and owners of property on the lake petitioned to have a warden appointed under whose supervision they might remove the gars and dogfish, and, at the same time, the surplus carp. ‘This arrangement was made and we sent Mr. G. R. Ratto, one of our best wardens, to Fox lake to attend to this work. This was accomplished, and over 60,000 pounds of carp were taken out. We were much surprised to find carp of such large size and in such great numbers where the water was of such low temperature. A number of the carp weighed forty pounds or over, and one was taken that weighed fifty-five pounds. While taking out the carp, a muskalonge weighing forty-nine pounds was caught. This specimen was preserved and mounted, and is now in the possession of Mr. Cohen.

From Calumet lake and river nearly 100,000 pounds of carp have been taken during the past two years. From the Sni Ecarte Club preserves in Adams and Pike counties, nearly 100,000 pounds of carp and spoonbills were taken. From Eagle Lake Club grounds, op- posite Burlington, 4 large number of carp were taken out, and from

93

at,

drying pools thousands of all kinds of fish were taken and put into deeper water near. (See appendix for report.) All this work was done under the direct supervision of a warden selected by us, and their reports were sent to us.

THE STEAMER REINDEER.

The boat formerly owned by the State, which we used in our work, having become, by age, unfit to go through another season, besides being too small and slow to accomplish our purposes, we were forced to look for another and better boat. Upon consultation with Gover- nor Tanner, it was arranged that if the Legislature would make a proper appropriation, he would approve it. This was in the month of December, 1598. We advertised for a boat and after looking over a number which were offered for sale, we found one that suited us. It was the property of the Mississippi River Packet and Towing Co., of Clinton, Iowa. After an unsuccessful season they had concluded to sell out. We took an option on the steamer, called the Reindeer, for $3,900, for sixty days, believing we could tell by that time what would be the probability of the necessary appropriation. The boat cost to build nearly or quite $12,000, but was twelve years old, though perfectly sound, except the hull, which we knew would need renew- ing in afew years. As the upper works and machinery was in every way perfect, we realized that we had a bargain, but by the time the option had expired we were in no better position than at the start, so far as knowing what could be expected from the Legislature. Com- mittees had hardly been organized, and no one could tell what the probabilities for an appropriation would be. As half a dozen others stood ready to pay a thousand dollars advance on our option should we not perfect purchase, we concluded to take the risk and buy the boat, and hold it until we knew what the Legislature would do.

Immediately after the purchase we were offered a substantial ad- vance on our cost price for the boat. The Legislature very gener- ously made the appropriation, and the boat was refitted and placed in commission, and used by the commissioners until the appropria- tion was available, when we were reimbursed for the purchase money.

The Reindeer is 127 feet long, 28 feet beam, full cabin, and has seven state rooms and offices for the commissioners. The machinery is very powerful, and of the latest improvements, and the boat has electric search light, and is fully equipped. It is one of the swiftest boats on the river, and when we get a new hull under her will be one of the staunchest, and would readily bring double the amount of her cost to the State. She is equipped with a complete circulating ap- paratus, large galvanized iron tanks, and can hold 10,000 young fish on board for several days with safety.

With her we are able to do good service patrolling the rivers, and with her great speed we can cover long distances quickly. Her pres- enée on the Illinois river has done much to bring about better en- forcement of the law, and while illegal fishing has not been entirely abolished, it has been materially diminished and kept in check.

24

There will always be more or less illegal fishing so long as unlawful tackle exists, and there is but one sure plan to stamp it out, and that is to give the commission power to confiscate and destroy all unlawful tackle when and wherever found. With the Reindeer and such a law in force, we could clear up the rivers of the State, otherwise the enforcement must necessarily be, to some extent, ineffectual, assome men will always take the opportunity offered by night and absence of authorities to use unlawful tackle. ~

We give in appendix, log of the boat for seasons of 1899 and 1900, covering a mileage of nearly twelve thousand miles during the season.

RIVERS AND STREAMS OF ILLINOIS.

By request of a number who are interested in our water ways, we give in the appendix the list of the rivers and their tributaries in this State, nearly all of which are tributary to the Mississippi river, and this list will give an idea of the possibilities afforded the fishes of the great Mississippi for finding their way to almost every part of the State, if all the streams gave a free course to them, or were properly provided with fishways. This list was pre- pared several years ago for the convenience of the commission themselves. With its aid we were able to become familiar with the several water ways of the State, and give them intelligent personal inspection, and note the existing conditions and needs. Most of them have been visited either by boat or on foot by the commis- sioners for that purpose.

If all streams were provided with fishways, and perfect enforce- ment of the law could be had, a few years would give to every part of the State an abundance of fish in every stream, where sufficient depth of water could be maintained all the year round. But fish- ways are not all in, or in working order. The laws are not per- fectly enforced, and the commissioners at best can only keep, in part, the proper balance, by constantly adding to the depleted streams by distribution, and with as rigorous enforcement of the laws as the limited means at their command will permit.

We are often met with the complaint that fish are not so plenti- ful in certain streams as they used to be years ago. There is little to wonder at in this state of things when all the causes which combined to produce it are considered. In the first place, conditions themselves have greatly changed. Cultivation has done away with the timber and the waste lands of the bottoms and woods have been cleared and taken up, subjecting the streams themselves to varied changes.

Then, along the entire length of almost every one can be found, on every log or shady bank, an angler or a party of them, almost every day in the week for the entire season, taking everything that will take the bait. Here, in Quincy, we are often asked why it is that our adjacent lakes, once so plentifully supplied with the best of qur game fishes, now offer so. little to the angler. Men do not stop to consider that where, a few years ago, two or three anglers a day on any of the lakes would be the limit, now, on any Sunday particu-

25

larly, from the opening to the closing of the season it is safe to as- sume that one thousand men, women and children will go out into the bottoms above and below the city for a day’s fishing, and all take some fish from the waters. Once each year these lakes are filled by the overflow from the Mississippi river, but after a few weeks, at most, the fishing is poor. If the fish taken from them could be accounted for, few would ever ask why there were none left in the lakes. The amount of fish taken from the Illinois waters with hook and line during the season would seem fabulous if it could be ascertained. Everything, large or small, that will take a hook, is kept and strung and brought home, if only to be thrown away.

The work of the seine, under proper regulation, is not nearly so fatal to the increase of the game fishes as is the promiscuous tak- ing with hook and line. To this we refer in another part of this report.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

We would respectfully recommend that the law creating wardens be so amended as to divide the State into large districts, appoint wardens to each, and compensate them for their work; that all fines collected be turned over to the Secretary of State and be applied to a fund to pay the salaries of the wardens, and that proper pro- vision be made to insure the collection and remittance of fines when imposed.

We would also respectfully recommend that the fish laws be so amended as to make it the duty of the Fish Commissioners, or per- sons authorized by them, to confiscate and destroy all illegal fishing tackle, wherever found, and make the possession of such illegal tackle a violation of the law. Also that a close season be made to cover the spawning season of fish, and prohibit their being taken by any device whatever during such close season.

We would also recommend that the size limit, as applied to those varieties mentioned in the body of this report, be reduced to cor- respond with the adult size of these fishes.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

We desire to acknowledge our indebtedness to the railroad man- agements of the State. In our work we have had no better friends than they have been. They have proven their interest in our work in a very practical way, and have placed us under repeated obliga- tions.

To the press of the State we are indebted for full accounts of our work, and descriptions of our methods, etc. Public attention has been frequently called to our distributions of fish, and the move- ments of the cars and boat. Very much of the increased public in- terest in the protection of fish is due to the influence of the news- papers.

To the various clubs throughout the State we are deeply indebted for valuable assistance.

26

To Colonel J. R. B. Van Cleave, we are under obligations for assistance in the purchase of our new boat, and for the interest shown by assisting us in the making of valuable collections.

We wish to acknowledge our obligations to Governor John R. Tanner and his secretary, Colonel J. Mack Tanner, for their uni- formly courteous treatment, and the interest they have manifested in our work.

“

APPENDIX.

In the appendix will be found the following:

Financial statement of disbursements for the two years ending September 30, 1900.

The list of public waters supplied with fish. The list of private applicants supplied with fish. The list of Fish Wardens.

Reports of Fish Wardens.

Reports on fish removed under permits.

Copy of the fish laws as they now stand.

We also give, by request of those using our report, the list of the fishes of Illinois, by permission of Prof. S. A. Forbes, under whose direction the list was made from collections made by him and his associates. Prof. Forbes is not only a man of national reputation, but is considered an authority in every part of the world where his work is known, and hence we have not only availed ourselves of the . use of the valuable paper published with our report, but feel much favored in keing able to do so.

SUMMARY.

In concluding our report we wish to say that taking all the cir- cumstances into consideration, we believe we have done the best we could.

We have been very generously dealt with by former Legislatures, and have always received courteous and careful attention from the individual‘members.

For reasons previously stated, it has been impossible for us to give our entire time to the work, and we have had to depend largely upon the wardens for the enforcement of the laws. Our warden system can never reach the desired efficiency until such changes as we have suggested, or similar ones, have been made.

That we have been greatly censured for the existence of flagrant violations we have no doubt, and also because we have not promptly responded to every call made upon us; this we couid not help, although we have given our personal attention to every case of any kind when it has been possible to do so. The work has grown from one of merely honorary supervision to one that is of great com- mercial importance, and it has required careful management to do justice to all concerned and accomplish the greatest benefit to the

27

greatest number. Our aim has been to produce the greatest possible amount of food as the result of our work. Our methods may be criticised, perhaps they are, but the results must have demonstrated that these methods are not all faulty. We have had to stand be- tween the angler and the market fisherman, and we have tried to do equal justice to both, since each is equally entitled to our consider- ation. As we see it, we can but believe that in increasing the supply of coarse fishes we must increase the game varieties proportionately. Still, we are accused by the angler of favoring the market fishermen, and some of the latter see, in every law that is enacted, only a blow at their industry. It is necessary that each should make some con- cession if the future of the fish is to be considered.

Again we repeat, we have done the best we could, and respectfully submit to you this account of our stewardship.

Respectfully, Nat. H. Conen, President. S. P. Bartuett, Secretary and Superintendent.

AN F ae, ) Falla ave hae oils 0B Cad ith 4 pee (PLE ok J} ait dcunoly AY ni a Nike fs ay Dida ok BAe TH cr cae Ue te

" a tui RAN 6 Ale hai Mae Asai bi Pies efi lod, “0b ee penta Uied ba ab lone omer ; an: Oro tl oyu) ae ime ¢ Ay Alt iP tie cava OF athe A) | AL aaliite ry wt it appa Ut tani. ave itt Mmeiaens 4 tls, Wit ar oh Pit “Ad Wk Awe

Wohin Vi OT a Wi ‘JOLE Wb wits 1 eee a

dak anus ote’ WA TRA fk eee WEEE a3",

wet! POLLS | Ne Oh eh Math Tie vif)

he

1 in ts wt har dhy Os Wisttikin. aa mal P iH eg r; ie ow jan s/ - At [fat / ewenenly Lébi Ww iT Peis ari . ipa Pats ears ie aa ‘

‘ TE a)r) \) 1 Vato 1 if i, é :

aM ‘vir Nitta Ok cure py ULE ee ,

1 " ‘ 1 ’ -¢ * i ij i ¢ ' ‘kes, ‘] vi 4 1 a ia é ' {te 4 ee } *. | 1 - ” ah ‘ ue 4 , ° j Ted > ie } i VP | 4 ‘ \ aes 2 \ ! | 4 et

APPEN DIA

31

Recapitulation of expenditures by Illinois State Fish Commission for maintenance of Steamer Reindeer from October 1, 1898 to Sep-

tember 30, 1900.

Bills of particulars and vouchers on file with State Auditor.

Momappropriation/avatlable: duly 1, 1899) ss. ccosncceesnien cocsccchecceeeses

Cr.

By expenditures (vouchers) for month of July, 1899 .................... ee ee oe ee August, 1899 September, 1899

ae oe oe ae

To amount on hand October 1, 1899 To appropriation available July 1, 1900

Cr. By expenditures (vouchers) for month of October, 1899...............-. oe oe a a November, 1899 .............. a °F ee ne Sheba aes ot ee cee eases noe

ae oe oe os

August, 1900 September, 1900

oe se oe ae

Amount on hand October 1, 1900

$2,500 00

$577 55 2,500 00

$8,077 55

$2, 236 19 $841 36

$719 76 790 00 412 69

$1,922 45

296 07 281 48 482 38 675 38 500 88

$2,236 19

Recapitulation and expenditures by Illinois State Fish Commis- sion as purchase, repairs and equipment of Steamer Reindeer.

Bills of particulars and sub-vouchers on file with State Auditor.

Loappropriation avallablerd uly 1, 1S809Nn..sshacsces macsccsessanacsae cas To proceeds sale of Steamer Lotus, (See note)

Cr.

By purchase price Steamer Reindeer, (voucher) By repairs and equipment, (voucher)

Amount on hand October 1, 1900

ee eee a

$5,000 00 1,000 00

$6,000 00

$5,985 86} .

$14 14

$3,900 00 85 86

$5,985 86

Recapitulation of expenditures by Illinois State Fish Commission

from October 1, 1898 to September 30, 1900.

Notre—The Steamer Lotus was sold by and on authority of the Governor to Mr. Harry L. Means, 602 Equitable Building, Louisville, Kentucky, and delivered to purchaser at St.

Louis, April, 1899.

32

Bills of particulars and sub-vouchers on file with State Auditor.

To amount on hand October 1, 1898................---+++- pstecodaeemnnes $2,021 70 To appropriation available July B89 ees os ie ae oe Gwin as cote owene ce 5,000 00 $7,021 70

Or. SS By expenditure (vouchers) for month of October, 1898............2...00).eee eee eee | ay VP KG 5S INOVember) 1898 >... cc so| seca cesceeee |

op = re : December. 1898 )j2-- osccec sor a| ees ese eee

fd ie ‘i DANUATY 1809) 3 iano eeclbee eee Mebrn ary, 1899 cnc occseun tee e =| Once eee

March, 1899.) 02220 stseccie race veaues coca

e ck April 18995 Se fos ses sees ee aac ee : My SOG Ee aie” nrcieais ne tie sores oe eeaeate

: : : DUNG 1899 ee ees ose eee see SNM ROO 288 acl oe eect eee ee

24 i (ATIOUISE, 1809 bet aie cssce nee eee ees

, ae ; September; 1899). 2ojnees coaces eee eee $3,012 20)

Mo amountionsnand October lel soge ss. meat neta eres teeta eee eats $4,008 80 Mojaporopriation availapled uly, 900i amos see sis eee eee oloat a 5,000 00 $9,008 80

Cr. SS

By expenditure (vouchers) for month of October, 1899.................. l wave caseuee ie he “ ae November, 1899 ..........- | isaoe aes eee oy ‘ r December, 1899 .. A ees) ae DAN ary; LOU ee. see sac eae4l ween een

J i ; HebruaryeOu0 vs cc.ce. sees ec ee Soe ee

a nh ; March, 1900. 465). .cteaec eee ae eee

ri % APIALT 900: oniSest acts toe cee | bys eae eae

. : : Miny S900 hi ia5 sce cova ce caar ae ae eee

Yes BVOCs eee eS | PALATE ST

H UNLV ged GUO Patan SEN ean nec ceme ale nee eee

i UE OUST 100K. a coe ane iciie beer ie | Cos eee

September, (900i. ect eee Blas bee

$4,424 36

Amount om hand October 1, 1a00 rete ceiestiseteteceeacics cme cece aise cee $4,584 44

SERESReRaE BBSSSSSNAE

SS -_ w lad a9

8 <4 & $

SESS

2888

am EYSSNBZSIaGS

ww i

0 $4, 424

|

$

Recapitulation of expenditures by Illinois State Fish Commission for general expenditure, collection and distribution of fish, etc., from October 1, 1898 to September 30, 1900.

Bills of particulars and sub-vouchers on file with State Auditor.

To amount to credit of commission October 1, 1898..............2..+---- To amount appropriation available July, 1898......................---0 Cr.

By expenditures (vouchers) for month of October....................-. me ye oe <I November, 1898 ............-. a a = ~ December. 1898 .............. : Gt ; Be PAMUATY. 1609 wcicniewccseeuans Ep es cw HE DEWAEY dd o cee ceneenenee s es . sy Ey Oe EE ae cose anoeene yi z BS APPIN SOO Sec cceekeememeees oe ne oe ae IE a Lio) Daye Say: ay x el ie WANs 1899 RNS Stan teenies at fe on: ae DULY TI BOO en ciate een eewinwen nar ~ *e 3S AUP USTCIS9D. co con canc amt eenee 4 7 oe “i September, 1899.............. AmMoUuntionihand October decd sogrcocacwesen ce wehinrscenknek neces emenee

To appropriation available July 1, 1900 To earnings Steamer Reindeer

sewer cece ce[eceesececsss

$13, 640 34

ze a

s BSELSISENAS

229885

Ly

4 z z

<b

wis ©

,

a * we isiees 4 ‘

“

Pores

"HSSIGNISY YSWVILS ‘NOOY ANIONS

e: =

yy hee

‘saploulywy snsagdosor pe "SSV@ AOV1IE GAHLNOW-OI8 3HL

THE SAUGER. Stizostedion Canadense,

(‘sneon1log *4na) “sidung snuadlig ‘'ddvO Y¥SHLV]aT 3HL

_ -_ ~ - * “* vr . “

33

Bills of Particulars and Sub-Vouchers—Concluded.

Cr.

By expenditures (vouchers) for month GUOCTODSTHIBION oncaine cicincacsl scat ccinaee ce $735 03 November, LOG Fos oe) clecmace tei datda see 526 34 ve BH os WECM E Kal noo s sacrasoceteaa etre claeac rare 744 82 re Ny a PANIIT A YOUU mace ieee noe e. ln ccmeceniese 641 80 ay ve a HEDTUSK Yau cs ce dolce eet lneeeeuaecen a 420 94 5 s* WMiarGh lO b ccs camn cee ce caeclllamamas st ones 489 06 a ifs = DTU LINO Recent coseen cciscalen uccucsene 795 55 wt 24 td MY IID ete ciertsccecouiee see clone cue eue cic 599 96 ee a on RUT O WE OO aero ioe sche cteth vocal tte cieter cicreteies 861 78 S 5 A PHIL YL GUU Raa ntesae sivic oc ceicteoce | someecormeaa 659 23 + iy e PRUE USE LOCO wilai= sisis) oie wveyeieielcian'| ise cnleleciarderte 532 78 * me *s September ni gu0 sree teen lee cen aoc enne 683 21 $7, 760 50 $7, 760 50

FANMOUMULONUNATIO OCLODEE 1, 1900s aicewies choice » c1e wine siarewic soled cloiweesniec(ot os $5,879 84

PLANTS IN PUBLIO WATERS.

HG Rae AGE eeeoniciacisiclaisinis © oes bein lores ches Siac aie Somonauk IRIVOMs.oea tarde ccecceteeees PAMREMVA ONY Noon arn cleo ace waleeinigss sie iesneseuee dacoee Henderson Sou, Mae Gicie haclseceGato sie noenmee NE VINM INE O nein c Casicciacew salve on aerate aldaeeetieses DuPage Sha. Baste WA cloisiotk anicice aaa LGB PAK Matec hoo cic.c maincacisiels, arte aivecavessse Green She) “wae ae ctdtacejue Sersiek ee eae MORITA GHEULV.OL occ oeacies ccs ne co temesesebcienc co Spoon Aa | aiomoaswinics soewac ce me eee Fox, River, FATIRON Aa cewine seciine samebee as ovcleceos Spoon Rb lates coe coer Nee GELONTY. hoses esos vena se dees ce Edwards Pee A aehin Sou eclcenetearenne hs ES AENEAN arelare-o seieicw wiayee eae als wren ares Ss Mackinaw WS ig aiaiatals eam Meese SIE SS PIN Soca cas eeica acioae es eissiogpiaslesis Sal Cree kein ae neko sore neice nak cess dee ee is SEMOHAFIOSS 5225. elena tecarenigeate Sangamon River, near Springfield....... a MORE EOMICEY, Eu ctouinisioatyieeecieaas re at Decaturtere. ccc. sees Rock River, Oregon... ue ~ at) Rivertones..s) see Sterling Maat Mare taeccees oe nehate sees ot = near Oakford.......... on SINNOCK eee te cc wecsins See aeetee ittlesWabasht > 5:1) i sne22 coer te se eae a VOC ESB AI AE e oem coats a farm ctreeeiee ceres Big Muddy ESAT en Cote rs Msteup er aeate nee Kankakee, River, WaANnKAK GC) cem.\.cscetine ccs Vermilion ates Se Pe ee ea achooc OMONCOs cc cwccceeienietscss mbarras 12 it las Succ cew te on sscreteee TFOGHOIRMRILVOD oc oer conc cecces os os sn cceudascees Done diake; ake: Co: lllsccssocsss coaccneeeeen

East DesPlaines River

pal Ones co saoesn St 500 black bass awnetown, Ill., lake

Jacksonville, [ll., lake f°" 14 cans fish

RORY ALAMO ss coe cs cee cei 110 black bass ..

Crystal Lake and creek .

Salt Fork

er

Wood River...........

FISH SUPPLIED

PUBLIC WATERS.

From Urbana receiving ponds, Urbana. III.

..1,405 black bass

Perret errr eee eee eee ee eee eee eee ee er)

672 Crappie

Clement’s Soldiers’ Home

~~ ‘Lake, Danville

686 black bass fingerlings

naciewacedcae ais a 534 Crappie, adult..

, 480 black bass, 220 War Mouth, sunfish,570.

“and 150 ring perch

H. ae ponds near Dan-

ville

eee ta raeae eas nn teres 250 adult fish

'—3 F.C.

Betis Noes 535 Crappie

ee ry

eee ee

b4

FISH SUPPLIED APPLICANTS.

We CaMitchell femacceneseaaeseanes Belleville | Ainsworth & cee je soe Sean aes Pare WodwiTieopoldiiva sss. spices sciec sa bore Belleville H. F. Tallyan . Se hatte oe teas Ueda F183 SMT Li nacoccodrcriodecus <1 Alton | Riley L. Sheren... 2.0.20 0002020..oilisies Pari Damon Ge CVunniclitestsssscstess.ceee Macomb B. E. Hutchinson. 2.5.2. 12scanseee itacubert Alan Mi Clement, 225 /p-)- es «<0 Chicago of Hi. DROMpsOn?. 7. 2s--2.s- sce Prentice Pas mo linger seacsssassecsee: Galesburg A, Townsend: c2s70s0sc-edeeeeee Galesburg OLTAS Kreébszkastescse ce ccecteneass Belleville K e Zimmerman... 2222036 som5 Carterville Chas TD ORs to hclas coche eekies etd Peoria Decatur Jets Cloagh. =. 8-s.cseiacee teases Harristown hig Drile El CMON esaaasecen peace eee Dwight andalia B. F. Pickrell . Lanesville Dahlgren B. B. Boecker.. . Naperville M Carbondale i WeaWs B.Bull.cocssss osteo ee Quincy M.S: Hight .22..5.22.c«0<oeee one Vienna C. W. oe eoonoobEponddudctCocobad Hillsboro | E JEATNGT) sos che aes EA luka Ms Wow MUP SOM jersertioecesewanee Carbondale WOR: Siow. 222208 ee Walnut Hill O. B. Philling SRA Sat SOD ECE IOSCe Carbondale Harry Garren. 2-c0..22 se eee Walnut Hill Viva SH hetaings ik situcces cad see ae Joliet RC) Zimmernnan’ >, .c..epeee see Carterville Illinois H. Press Brick Co....... Collinsville” |W CPostaliis.css2<te= ae. eee ee Chester Charles 1Gibsonernrssseeceseseaacee Kangley | Henry Scharman .............-. Germantown MMM ATKO2 cack wescs bese cweeeesicneces Decatur Benj. Wilkens... <..4 sean scenes Germantown Ut (Gi MIB VIIET cocaposooncasocuabo anc Springfield ;| Hon:(Chas: Wi. Hull’. -22o.0522 ueseees Salem Edwin H. Conrades.......--.-- St. Louis, Mo. Wesley BKaer. .. 2.0 cc.ccs 03 seseenee Smithton Albert Ahrens.......... Ssognadconn.nane Chicago | Wim) Jackson-27. <2. . 2.22) eee Godfrey Frank Child & J. J. Alvies..... Farmingdale FISH WARDENS. Name. | Date. | Postoffice. AOA Dh WEAN) Sossoar ess50s965- 2000b eds oso docScdeonoocee May 9, 1890|Glochester .............7. TQ ii | DIO SOMA Soa opps oasn sessed scdeedesosu soooEe ssode- June 3,1890/Sterling ................-. INHOMASMROLRY ~weeier dleroeeceeeeee cernee eee neeee se June __ 6, 1890) Terre Haute.............. Mhomasih MUuSlenspcmssceteneceeneceacaee cee sees July 8, 1890| Anna 325. 02. eee James (Pi Camp bellir cso. cosas coe aetecmn ere seeds cactee - Browning ¢:-.<s--.seeeeee IRichardthiarknessuaccos ce adenine eeetec oem cntece ae aden’ Aug. 5, 1890;Macon county............ Henrys DULnen 3... cccec dace cciaccRameretcecune tact Sept. 18,.1890| Virginia, 5-2-2. .o. eee Jes, SUEVENS: 2. x's iosions azine weenie mee seenineeooeinasiniah ete Oct. 13, 1890] Nobl@:.c. 2. £2 seer AMOS HIPS nie. geos pane nae seeiaee cat ittetiamiese, cuceencace March § 2, 1891)Moline....i-2.e ce ueeeeee DrVO RMR NiKe sos sacn hewaiee oa ee One er isi e nines nists May . 2, 1891) Waterloo: 2: oso. ceases KMred Schauline:<-sccscusenodect sone trees dec seeenes . | Morris’ ....:.-eeneceaeeeee James W. Moon ...... eves 22, 1891,Ogle county.... George M. Berkley. : x Lee county..... Ney MaBensontes-es eh, rele ee Se | DF a 2 (6 Ws On Ot) He Si Dixon. Wm. Rinesmith .... ../June 13,1891 Clinton county. i Dan’! Harrah ......... oe oa \Coles county . < sees J. VEG TES Ge racers stores ctatalore oe rere rere aibiahe eacisotare erento oraton |'DeWitt county... a Uaoeonn Hawardsh -SWestcotts. 2c cat spesemde aces exces sacweooee July 25,1891) Ottawa. ..... ccemeeeeenes VAMOS ELAMINGON Cac oes posceen cccdeiieceniceemenceneces Aug... -25,1891| Morrison ..2ccesesueseen JAC WPArkesvaeccsccais sec cecoeibewssioncn soeesisswosmeaaee March 18,1892)JoDaviess county........ AN NGMIAS Ea aL Gra eeiacces cise cmos cdeicheialols Seles peta eet aatek March | 22, 1892) Tazewell co ...........-.- @harles:SCloSthise nc: e6 ck wiachle toes ctecee ee cletatnle secs mito Be Per Pee 8. WOH Se oecctn on lenecoereemrnte meas St ech toe March 31,1892) York........-..-...+----+s MheodoretR gEaAcKNeYy, sce sncsencee ecu matice a tee oeisioties May 10, 1892! White Fisll .223.cctacennees GRAW SE WiSr dscns ojoncdes mus cnsreuine joan ecen bees emesis ser May 24, 1892| Macoupin county ........ Onn P: HOOK tas. cccwewacis oocssssine senioteee mes ws celeis ewle May 27, 1892| Fulton county............ John Ey Rittenhousesc, Mesercccecnccsecwe cee cemeceecees July 11, 1892| [roquois county.......... CHESTER StITIG ae ccctitie men cacitie clause tec caret eeniesice July: 23,1892|Byron.......cseeeeee eee Henry yaee bee SRM alain Coinine Retoahikie Caeeee ets seers seiclowia Feb. 6, 1896] Kendall. <-.0. cos ceaeeeee WV TELE ILO ONG oan, orca carcscccioreye creiniose cle Caterers tore bhare ote re minneveta fain i 1, 1896) Danville .<i cc ceccueeeane Charles ae Miller Cerone i Ra sero ie eR GTICIE eC laren erecrccetors Ma 13) 1896 Alton... occ cc ceeenenes ‘ RGDSHtI ROWE vrs. cuk cock edec oun earce bet cides Ceeeneomeee 16, 1896] DeKalb.... .. Scceeckeeeeen DOWN Wise DAY os ca sescie ctor bbacn eA leerie loan save Cae come mnie ian 22, 1896/Clinton ... Oy MANGE ee eioec conten Cece. - Hoopeston Coa, SuZenSmotecovs 22,1897) McHenry Otte eastern noe a3 Freeport.. EL AMGOTE sa. cok sch cookie a Danville . Lyman Andrews........... 2, 1897/ Dundee. <. .<c.vaccme eee Eugene Lavenne................ as Alton. oo can cccbicccesneeen WV oes DORON Koc an cunwk cceeeontes Kumara out cette Sreerere a ArCole ..issssccs.acceeee POND AROS. dis hive seinicusisit, Webs his ese Mee eek eeu keine he Springfield . La nccsuengeee ELST EVES EGU 227 sen anon mccscwee wemecetmeeececleceebine se te Ripl6y: oo... <.csec seen AVION. cece sce cecces seuecoatscuntren ceenereeeeeee a Noble... ....s.ccscccuseeens YS LO SC) a NR) SR BR RIS we Pavisss . J. .ackcaccuaeeneee JOHN GUL occa ccc csnnetawscucceveee reueus cueteunenes 2 Newton . ic .ci... ccceeeeeen

JOHN We SHALE. cota cicas om twee ceccannetd ceeemeeeeeee ee Charleston (3... cceecuee “

35

Name Date. Postoffice. John ERM eee ne ecateran/elceiee asics mmeiciellsmrreitelsise ines June QMISOTIAI WANE: elas asena santos ci, SHIGE ESS AAA ES 8 SCSORN LOBODOEDEDEBOSS oA Sen DSOnpSEnoe es FOMET Maen eons tose eee Toh . IG we ll Metat acide aclecticiccicilee eed de cts iciticw shies cree June 4 189i Waukegan oo..-. osceeece MME TC ENECH Ds a Os SALT oei esters tatctatalete: tstctc victoleintotl tee dieta’s elaietete oceiats Sune, iT ASHTIStreator. 5.0... secs coc REATPINEI CU TAINA TD falc ctelciclaictolaie’ slotsioleclalots a stetdisto's!s'atcleislatelets'slate June » 16; 1897| Chicago: .. 3.2255. belece lilies: SW) See Sec oub OC RHnD Stioc RODEO CC ERE ACC CCreL fom June | 18,1897 Kankakee .. oe CIO CUE eines cata naireeiipeicminuucrseie’ch ainieinais vicieinesia Banner ..... MIMBO VOIN ANY. cic wccn wiecinecldwicicesicsecticcielewees ssc sels July , 10,1897 Roodhouse .

SUPA TIRSRSS Hid Cts tetas i ePricnl ener seataele oe heehee IXON ees: FIRE DMEM OCLASKOY cescicececneisip.s seicieis scissile e diaisiensitoes Km Watseka....

MMV OMNIS ee Ceisciniclare creicisiel sie (ein aicle wire as sislscre sisieie'e'e it Taylorville. SMP IS ERIBITGIOb Loo ccs e nad ons sas + cchogedederacncoencs July — 16,1897/Thornton .. TL, i JS ORUI GR iodeceoot caticseeecoroneeporor.cuacteronbarcd es Monticello... UME ESS SILC Cl ie nee tcee ocean iniajais:cieiaisicipiotelate ots) (einictaialeseieeln’e ts Gib Peeenee MVPRVUPESTIUIED eo caer cisions Wace ccicalectes sacle aseeioulsleaae'ewras yy LaMoille ...... RUCHTIG MP DULG ets tc tiewcteratlacis jcievus wcweeeccweeiae clades ers se North Dixon SU Pinta Ta cae ate ie «Lieve ctciniare cis sisiejeiel cle slefe sieisreiale’s w eins sis oe Genoa crac aise eswte ee MT ATP RUA VOL UME accc cine vine Guleis SoSmaincisiog teres ebalnsimels's a Potomac enoccce coset eee TUUMMES LER etree cece nce dene cotasien ateicleg att sels ecuie Oe bewiStONs...ccsceseceet ee OMTPIMONTOAY. coos ccs ccccacccccseene ccecee sume spoteceeise we ACWOOE Ree selncunesaeee AOHR ON GHULT] Oo ae oe coc icidartieecm ae esniois ide Seulewenecenest le KMankakee isso. snecuscnecce (8. IR. TREO pase aonebe coppocondano nseObcoodSdcoosnEaSedn> oo CHicaro ee see IWAN Oe FLIMNZ Gs ccc <cisis cs saoeies tie wajeaajeiivie’.s.cnslegeiereins July 20,1897)/East St. Louis ........... IPM SIOCOMD fae sen toe cece sed ssiswcceigasis ce cminc ole es.s ie ainfielaun seoncsson aes BGG. 1B WIGIEN? cobbcbaseboobbodaoractsaepasoeoapneercone Aue 1897 MOPnisi oes cece secese eer PISO ROIS ees cocci sain slo cicisie dac'edldeldalstanctesislccetteaectcis Sept. 911897 DIxOn.: ~chou2s te ee ER TT VATS CELL OL toc ratcisiel ciate’ siole’s'ajalocclsivla’ela's'c/als\o1ss cinta c)e'ein's Sie ia Warlisletecsccncene sree BUSTS TEENY). scale ctote cicicctsteicia'e's'ale'e lal oe'elend dlelelstelcioleie cis'ele Oct. 2051897 |BellevPines.<.. eee ee eee BURINOSVELILCH COCK, cco ciasiiewtetcinsmclsialats sedosccssnsoe des t MpiiViernon sites seseeceeee PPM NEOD tac s <cesiscte< soc susies vic eGicu ct ube a wer siaew acess Nov. 26,1897/Hammond=?.:. cs. -sesene- NCBI OLY, (sas cieiae dais eieaceniecies sarcteeele eae’ siniedcnac eines Dec. 841897 Clinton. cecssesueesee AAC RED COGS te reraic oe claveiae cisiwleio'eistasciowieleisie eisTolnatorelbrerela’s oe 6 Dec, (pest Sullivans esceceseacce cee TOS Wye ETN Ge copsonoddobveseocos coop edEos Se seEDEdscc Feb. 24,1898/Urbana................... Samuel Frazier ............c000.esese-omecsssewasccccs Feb. 25,1898|Rockwood ............... TB inginl ony WANE TTR Ac osoecoonopoce suse ocoossasbeecsDobC March 26,1898)LaHarpe ................. IBGLE Tine NWiLLLGh cscs ceils a c(ccmieles crs moive ciciscticcste ers Am riley, s651898|Masonys: s2 6. scecas coecice BUDD CH APUG) oe wctacrere sasa.s clsiels clei seis sia .esiv'sisre.cisinie s sieis vlevers ca Henderson county ...... Upmann DUO eietcts icieisc, crank Sic leleleascielciae o sielciecccie sais April) 230; 1898|iRarisie:.scccscceeciacssucee PAPI SETHOMID SOM ~) cues secon cemsicce cecsecacesiee tes emecs May 2451898| Orezon Ass asecees aos AGU MACH ATIC OFSOD ion ac wainca sities csion sh/eosawemasnineeccese May 2551898 DuQu0 mn soccssce cece cece POBETOES CLC nec eoeicoie canccine <ialcense cenniscsetOnatisietione June 321898| Clintons ce eee MRL GSU ECU ES Ollie se itemrers ce awelaccicescoe arlene acme Sept. 2,1898)Sycamore ................ PATENT RE LM OP 2 ance conc css saicnes cancmanesasweabren cr Sept. 9,1898|/Greenville................ MOS Ter VBENUATNGG Dirge rec nen ica leinninac iss savin inisine Deleared Sewicinar wae Jan. 2651899 Savanna <1. <ccencseceswe WATTS MLC MANN case wacels oss ceicslaciccecccmcnspeuicneecs acs March _ 9,1899 es Wak@.; ossccecease eee PMU LVMESIER Sec re tecece oa cies Goce cee cchieeuions sce’ eens at Decanar soto ee PIS ELIE D UU Beene esac oceania rene nuaceisdaeaeecmeece. March 23,1899)Collinsville .............. IBHGMIGSCATIMSLLON GS sa7sc. = vic scsceicacteinsevcsaecce swecie March) 2761899) Eincoln 55.2. ct o2.-ceasee. MIFOULO ALS LON: corse rene aia lnins ce teletig Uo cas noeeketioes March 31,1899}|Kankakee ................ MAAR AUI EUS amie o ntioie eis ninsale este matamionaes o bismuie Sls ce SS eile hc ds oe ea rate TR repel betsy Be) UDC es a ea ce Re a Aprilie® 26;1899| Oregon. s.50 5200 ce aoe one MOH NERO ISSR ata coos aie diic cia cielas siaieelonsacee mae oeemnene May 1S*1899 Aurora sor. scecteaae ee seine

Alexander Holycross Leonard Cope ......

R. F. Thornberry. AG Te ROCK. .oce.: Chester Anthony. John F. Fisher... A. J. Reese......

Samuel Cromwell .... Norman T. Bourland iy SGM ASS VW EMIRIIS ono afore meee umes mareicartcc ce sane’ wa INE IVC DPA TO LM atic aca tereco cee veloc eiciorersielersiaiaierelstocmeece Gtr Ee VWiS KOM eat 5 cana cdssce tucccddelasec yee wee

eae F. Hixson

i a ry

jillian TDI iui WNT) Ree aie Se er Se a Saal ee Se PE OU GEURITOU orca ccle tec Cece ca cae ee eee erie

Parkville . = " DOLMEGe ee ane ..|Aug. 19,1899)Delavan....

, - Cobden.... he Momence. Peoria .... cS Havana ...

Nov. , 11, 1899 Eureka.... DuQuoin .. Jan vA 1900! Lake Villa. Chicago ...

June 2, 1900 << Peoria:2-27: July 13,1900/Oswego.... July 26,1900 Elgin...... Aug. 3,1900|\Chicago ... Sept. 12,1900|Joliet......

Oct. cas 1900 Somonauk.

Sheridan .. Clarkson ..

Oct. 10,1900 Harrisburg

eT

@Colesicounty 242.017 ates

36

REPORT OF FISH WARDENS.

Report of G. R. Ratto, Chicago, Cook county, for two years ending Sep- tember 30, 1900:

Niiiber of Arrests iiisecsacivsa scene oo 000ccatins odie se so cade iat sida lead aono.cee eae aera 127 Num ber: of CONVICTIONS Ss cdc oo 6. 3. smec lo ctualo ooc.02 Sacls 2:0lee oto aia in eho ecees ow oe oo 111 Niumiber discharled 2 ce.ccas acedccs <corehe nt dicosvens ogee duvonhsaes asso cae ades See 16 Number'of jail ‘sentencesi.. o.ie. eden see ee oe Mic wre wnt pads ne cue ouddase sc cans oe pon eee 0

Streams in County—Lake Front, Lake Michigan, Calumet river, Calumet lake, Fox lake, Fox river, Des Planes river, Little Calumet river.

Number of dams provided with fishways—N one.

General remarks. I have confiscated 9,220 pounds of small size fish. En- closed you will find the balance of the receipts. Mr. Bartlett has the others.

Notre—It has been a practice in Chicago, when small fish are offered for sale, to take them and send them to the different hospitals in Cook county. This covers fish that are sent in to be sold by the Chicago wholesale houses, and run too small in size to meet the requirement of fie lige Mr. Ratto has taker. receipts for all fish so taken and utilized.

Report of John Kelley, Alvan, Vermilion county, fortwo years ending Sep- tember 30, 1900:

MNitimiber OL AYPEStSs << 6, gia's sacs, s Sess oS culo tiaiele eo. 6 o elereic, 0 acaciaie/e atovel cle ase erarpieiate lee a ea ere ee aa 8 Number Of CONVICTIONS: <6 oan co.cc S0 sce cise cin'e'e on. 2's ace.g a e.5,0 tie meio atard ara'ae ere aio eeceee ae a 0 Nitmber discharged a. icicsoc..cacte soe c/o. arate oie ejete'cie'se oe yee eels ca slate sco d.c.cieiclacie acy aaa 8 Number ‘of jail sentences sisis s/asicvc'. seeeatics oc ove sverslojeieitie cic'e o.c,0.wic.ee.cvles =n a/ere me maeeeere iete 0

Streams in County—North fork, East fork, Jordan creek.

Number of dams in county—One at Marysville, one at Danville, one at Wood’s mill; all on North fork.

Number of dams provided with fishways—One. Number of dams unprovided with fishways—T wo.

Report of Henry Bender, Carlisle, Clinton county, for two years ending Seetaber 30, 1900:

Number Of arreststnictce sc cias ccs «ols Sell eels shew cie's awiede cca saswitlaeacieincas mele cam eke = aan 1

Number Of Conviction s22 yecise< cscs sctaclas aclvic Suvcslowwisvset ee sic owe wece seecie mersemenmn ie naan enn 0 Number discharge d\cceccecccs ccc ciceiciloclels cle access nin cnc aerseuinencsae cs uee tome ee Pe Number of jail sentencess :. coc: jeachints siscce cle occveceweelc cctdewucees scare cases a tEEe i= —————=—m 0

Berean in County—Kaskaskia river, Shoal creek, Beaver creek, Lost creek,

Number of dams provided with fishways—None.

Report of Chas. T. Bronson, Chicago, Cook county, for two years ending September 30, 1900:

INU MD er OL ATVOSTS) snisia.< esate satareepere's eintewie Saiose c wav .sa erereitele cieWwiew sie else's eigje w/a ee wee awa ee eee 27 INTWTMMDEN OF CONVICTIONS: « scjerse ade.srecergeseporene alo eye «tle a8 oan 6 Uetabeielee Gm ele Grc-e'e clutupa'setatieaal nr 23 INTIM DESL AIS CHAPS OC” coisas. ces cas cise views cas wgeie.e ear ore wrejere clea hore mw ee eee cen ea eee ea 4

Streams in county—None. Number of dams provided with fishways— None.

Notre.—Mr. Bronson has also confiscated and sent to the different county institutions a large amount of fish.

Report of A. Sites, Homer, Champaign county, for two years ending Sep- tember 30, 1900:

Number of arrests sc cssS 2s Ges ce Sea eictasae wu oicintalele'sron uterajutie ote 6ittn a's oin;eyetrtutelatys ei klel ola cyanea 62 Number Of CONVICTIONS) «6.6.0. 6 eeces: cise we ois foreelesclcw here's wicreiere leew eve ore ein 0 cian eee ioc ie ae 48 Number Gischarged sei ccs tesdc th ccwe se atew ee voice ce reumre a clefelle'grers ell wtc-o-t'atkie s sla tse ait cena 8 Number of jail sentences. oo. cSccus cb ctce ck enw ccc ewcsine ee cewanninvene «cave ub shee siete 1

Streams in county—Salt fork. Number of dams provided with fisnways—None.

General remarks.—I would recommend that a law be made to confiseate all seines with meshes less than two inches.

dT

Report of E. A. Sickels, Dixon, Lee county, for two years ending Septem- ber 30, 1900:

Number of arrests.............. Number of convictions........ Number discharged.......... Number of jail sentences

Streams in county—Rock river, Green river. Number of dams in county—One, at Dixon, ill. Number of dams provided with fishways—One. ne of Chas. H. Buell, Sycamore, for two years ending September 30,

AM ERTIR OTS OT ALT CR US rare cia.a'ecc/orais caieialayh > 0,sieicloiashiisl oe thvelclc’e ainie e wicuiere dlelels'e piles abate’ Seceiseie oles ole Gales apble 4 PEM EEG RC OTE CULOIIS) ca sticjec so ce micleetine cies minis olosa olamlelese cis Ge ouisitie Ws ae els wiraie'ou,ad dtu c'omalgecs oo 4 REF OPC SCH ANS Gite rec Creticni crea chee ett crate alae lacie nic claw lctole ards Od oblate’ slojkbaleoaeiee d baidasewe 0 EE Marti Alles ONL LONGCOR. coocevacicine co xiecaniccue + coe ee miesisidatt elon slate eels wewaalicecsbeeeneltececs 1

Streams in county—None. Number of dams provided with fishways—None.

General Remarks—One arrested, convicted, released as pauper; one ar- rested, paid fine with costs; one arrested, not yet settled; one arrested, set- tlement still pending.

ee of Joseph MeClaskey, Watseka, for two years ending September 30,

MET MOO ALE CSLSN o. 0. cre sese oe ceeiciceisacle tec cdcses vaceisle cbteice venetine scoot clan sacs ccaeecsees 0 IPB TOE COMMICLIONS cece n monic: ae cence ence a cence ee wins wine bicloe Salas dele acutaindatineaaecicwionen 0 INPIMDOROISCNALLOM soe ais) maori serseaisinicenomine cer westnniebics cca erepiois ecto aismisievect sjeieliwieicve ovela-e eyete 0 NMED OTOL AIL SONLENCOSIs «nec ne cron cee weth vides a 'ceule ne Sobis cil ejen obese ciae eee ecbcoceeeecue ages 0

- Streams in county—Sugar creek, Iroquois river. Number of dams provided with fishways—None. auepert of Louis Bernero, Somonauk, for two years ending September 30,

SN ETO ATOR S weer eee meeisene tae css cineeiteseisainslacin sion sielawianteciomme evinclecneecieclcsiciseccsies <eae 0 INTFAOE OL CONVICTIONS soso sc ve celsiclcciaciseis cists since eae elejeisiesowrs/e'o e's ole ces e@icle's pace wieeeiclses ove eacbine 0 TIMIBBETOISC MALO CO yc cet ae cos ce daseccccnee sce Sc eee dea weeccaaeeec nes cap capetaceeseeuetcreuseime 0 BEMMEDETIOl] al SONGCENCES oreo ce psasoc cite oe ernie steels on ac ae vis eiowico ace tics bie nc nue eenmemecm ese eeewe 0

Streams in county—Indian creek, Somonauk creek, Big Rock creek, Kish- waukee river.

General Remarks—The undersigned’s appointment being so recent, he has been unable to fully investigate his territory to ascertain the number of dams, fishways, ete.

wore of N. F. McDaniel, Eureka, for two years ending September 30, 1900:

IPD OE OF ALTOSES: oeccuacc sess cee sess ore 7 Number of convictions........ 0 Number discharged ........... 7 Number of jail sentences 0

Streams in county—Mackinaw river. Number of dams provided with fishways—None. con tale of Thomas Armstrong, Lincoln, for two years ending September 30,

WEEN NO HOM ALONE 4.2 oboe oo oer Cee ene bat cate a Pamntecubes ees cksbeeetoehcebocacugepeds cane es cc 4 PGC MOMCONWICUONS To. pemeceu sontee er concn ers wee ocacnecs chem tedeca. dence vesmcnetuesetse 2 PMO MOIRGHAR ZOOL tao cac ne ceRc dca dae, cictcce cece un cbse ubewoconk doe hoor ce decadacweceevecce 2 Rin HOrasr era IN OMEOTICOG vy secon ashy cone co ua sow snow seis anmlea’on auc nloae sad pon cue Me eelaame vias cn 1

Streams in county—Sugar creek, Kickapoo creek, Salt creek, Deer creek. Number of dams in county—Two; lecated in Salt creek. Number of dams provided with fishways—One.

38

Number of dams unprovided with fishways—One.

General Remarks.—The streams in this county have been filled with fish- traps heretofore, and during my term of office I have destroyed over 100 traps, and am determined to clear the stream of all of them, if possible.

Report of Samuel Cromwell, Momence, Kankakee county, for two years ending September 30, 1900:

Numb6r of Srrests sj..c sce cisick sade sed od cee asda vocbeeksme.cd Uetaenice ss 0eetews tect nn 0 Number of: Convictions i. a2c2 <c.5 2 cin oe saints 2/ninw ois siiniceio tle. cafelancelaie oeletana,s botie o ooees ae 0 Number discharzedi: sa02 ccc iccsg cia taciae cc caves o sole dbwlee cece susesces.se sun se 20 ete eae 6 INumberioLigailisentencesies cat sales > estiseeaicicins oe soe Hegwsietihas cece buses eceuse tae 0

Streams in county—Kankakee river. Number of dams in eounty—One at Waldron, one at Kankakee. Number of dams provided with fishways—One at Waldron.

Report of I. C. Milton, Belle Rive, Jefferson county, for two years ending September 30, 1900:

NUMDEF Of ALLOSTS). 5.::.iec.0. wsrciseieeine sede ueecleieiberele ale e's ae vena dcecwpa stows soa ean eee eee 0 Nim DeriOf CONVICTIONS dc :cc0cccvleiels teields.coea gee civelenel/s<cesucie ceneice sca Se me someon ae 0 Number discHarGed soi c ccc cc. cee veeueeee cece crete locale vu eelaem ae steiclocelatsrnte apreee a teentmaenanan 0 Numbervof jail Sentences 235208. be Pa kev nek on cose ae cis sicteeuein e's cre nle!ineotetetateld «ieee bonnes en 0

Streams in county—Big Muddy creek, O’Cier creek. Number of dams provided with fishways—None. Few ere of R. &. Thornberry, Vienna, for two years ending September 30,

Streams in county—Cache river. Number of dams provided with fishways—None.

Report of L. S. Carter, Hammond, Piatt county, for two years ending September 30, 1900.

Num ber.of, ALLOSTS soos ccteteie Siccre's Sle a lar ain(ern'eracinye\aseietere aia ule miss alm uralsinselmara acu ataca eet ete ae 0 WNumberiof COnViCtions 20s... dssctcec cee ciee bik/s1s cmalnale cave owes apace q nine ceciee s clatelaaiate sae 0 Number discharged vccaccssde aces deeaans wane cwaia mules damccuececc ech sicaul soon Geen ee eae 0 INtimber Of jail SENTONCES.. occ ccin ee cinowle(sia cine sens vinawc amen cuss cu Gewetb nee outwit e aan 0

Streams in county—Sangamon river, Lake Fork creek, Okaw creek.

Number of dams in county—One at Oakley.

Number of dams provided with fishways—None.

General remarks—I have personally inspected the streams in my locality and find no violations of the Jaw this season.

Report of George Woodruff, Bauner, Fulton county, for two years ending September 30, 1900.

Niimber of arrester ogoeecl kde tad Eos T Oe ad Sas Tee en eae Oe i ace Sees aie 0 NUM ber OL CONVICHONE ss nee eels oc ee See cues ee cceceweh Cen teaGuee Che cweenaned ok nenenn 0 Nitiniber- discharged. 3... sccusssclecciasias cee bene bop weees supebeucesuns eis declet cael eats 0 Number of jail sentences... ccc hes acces nec cu ceswclene eccccmarteusncckslck becb et ce ene emltt———————E 0

Streams in county—None. Number of dams provided with fishways—None.

General remarks—There is only one way to better the fish interests in this locality: Make a law that is plain, and make it the duty of officers to destroy all illegal nets and seines.

39

Report of Wm. D. Milner, Clarkson, for two years ending September 30, 1900.

RPRETERI TO SENOS LG eect aero oa cioe cine a hiahalaiat en ans ale maiwiarvinialals ave ccm alals) X/a/atcjaia’s Ce: cmialelcle so aisiataleld om siete 0 MMIST ETE EROS ULOIIR EG c ericce cies ce ciinete celcoe sa cmenioct cle sbcde otaasmatidadale i aae oblaclae 0 NPEPIEH TROIS CH TO Olde cents eee cminiets cin cine oles ait b cine sla ainiee-c cojate sie eels toh ae old Made dc aminee «hae at 0 TIPS C a LI SUN LONGO Since tien cee acae oe orohetsid neo cal wicseiaa/aletey in sraloic een vista oni minletose.o'aimro'aieis'e w.0's/s e(aye 0

Streams in county—Little Wabash river, Skillet Fork and tributaries. Number of dams provided with fishways—None.

Report of John Reiss, Aurora, for two years ending September 30, 1900.

neo ETO GIMEROS GS oe oe sei areloreinra ne oa oreo A ciaintatele alates sicivarsia alaresc'e diclela-sislaald olareiu dtd 0.0 aleinioie s Sielsvaloeteoete 2 RPE C OL VCLIOU Rea amen sete cicmie eit sete ciniclsleiv te cote nomic coe Sates cnetve ceceteacebwaeeceoe 2 Wien ralt@re GHG Rete GOS Sas Se GRU EIR GEICO oI OEIOTD 5 cS SIS RCI er RE RS a a 0 RINE LTO Leia SON LOR ON eb c sare n coe cee ateieiatiecls cleve me rserh eters elilefclore, c/a a'elaib/e cheistelsidigteeaialaiec's.dajeielercis's 2

Streams in county—Fox river.

Number of dams in county—One at Saint Charles, one at Geneva, one at North Aurora, two at Batavia, one at Aurora, one at Montgomery.

Number of dams provided with fishways—Seven. Number of dams unprovided with fishways—None.

mo of Daniel A. Bellis, Oregon, for two years ending September 30,

UMEEMILIN EITC ie ATO SER e107- 125i clee creicioe «ro srele(an cise wie Sie Note alee wate We Niniaicldie bles She wis wie odie dcdeys sboetesions 12 Number of convictions.............. mea aT te erate ciate oeie ata eloiorcleiera alciuiaNeicia sieve wines tele Sle'eitieteleiniers 4 AHP O LR IS EN APOC cise tere ct asta ite se eit alate ate aiaie o, Slaeioias sales elsiaa Sto mleieid eels 8 Wie vfeleseieelerviogiete 4 MIRIOLO fed WIS ONLONECOS cer ce cise aren Doe he cee ta eee Sot owls Genie acid elec as lewisio eins Suitee seceee ns 0

Streams in ecounty—Rock river, Leaf river. Number of dams in county—One at Oregon, III. Number of dams provided with fishways—One. Number of dams unprovided with fishways—None.

General remarks—I have eight suits pending in the circuit court before Judge Baun. When I get decision will make report, and if decision is favor- able ean do some good work here.

Report of P. C. Bell, Joliet, for two years ending September 30, 1900.

RRTINETO CEO CATT OS LSheyrye ce, arc, clavae Gotaia sis eieres ais om wine a oie vs Td arate dai nto oi aietnl teialnta < Sic ain aie lela ase, ielenlae Siclaetars 0 PrN OMOLCOMVICGION Sas hamscet cee aoe riicar nis cane eels op oacici soaioonie chlostaceeoas Nie Siena 0 NUTTIN Ta CLES LST Oye pet cine tome Eaters ee ree eel SEIm wate ania ature, cesloisreisrelateiel cere oeioteiale 0 NA OLIG Log Ally SON LOCOS spice seine inte eis niavelosiars ames at an Se abso hac ira y Sie wa eetaiete Seat wielein clolers ste 0

Streams in county—Part cf DuPage river, part of Kankakee river, Des Plaines river, Jackson creek, Hickory creek, Rock Run.

Number of dams in county—Below Wilmington, three oun Kankakee, one on Des Plaines rixer, two on Hickory creek.

Number of dams drovided with fishways—One on Hickory creek at Higin- botham’s.

Number of dams unprovided with fishways—All but one.

pe eport of Luther W. Palmer, Greenville, for two years ending September

URANO OL REO RLS teria weet cos ee else eae Solara Tale clciaw clon neo ace ee teeauskaenad’ecasvne test 0 MULLEN TEO MA COMMIGHONG crear c seite once = ese nia Seka sigeeinae clesjois sine ontacisie woh uanweisaeelscssecere 0 IN eee G FETA OEE GG Bae OS aan Sane OR SO RAR EER DO CORO BEE O EEOC PAM ORO ROE AEC COOHIRa AS UTE O CREE SBEOEe 0 PPM Ofe] AIP MOM LON COS sac.yatceccec eine ils cele os clcalec vieicn wclsaluslocie steels soaeee sebewens swcae. 0

Streams in county—Shoal creek, East Fork.

Homher of dams in county—-One ten miles west of Greenville on Shoal ereek,

Number of dams provided with fishways—None.

General remarks—This dam is controlled by a man by the name of Samuel Brown; his postoffice is Old Ripley, Bond county.

40

Report of C. C. Emery, Clinton, for two years ending September 30, 1900:

NUMA ber OL ANTOSE As 46.0 0s cicieina cacti akas epee delenlewes awl ois gitebdoa aed acme ce as nee =e ae eee 0 Number. of. CONVICTIONS, v5 sci sia cise ce chocedonslae ome clane 360 ecis bee oe oe ete 0 Wurmber: discharged 0 ooo. 5. cacwac seavvltse rds cdee scenes ov.sis'doe ee cotee ats saan aoe een 0 Number.of Jail sentences. oii cc ccs koe acs decedaedee tive ecareooels joe) ne pppoe nee ee 0

Streams in county—Salt creek, Ten Mile creek.

Number of dams in county—One near Kenney, one near Berkebec. Number of dams provided with fishways—One.

Number of dams unprovided with fishways—One. z

General remarks—Hight cases of violations have just been reported to me, and will be prosecuted at once. <

Report of Peregrine White, Mason, Effingham county, for two years end- ing September 30, 1900:

NUMbEr Of ALTeSES J. 22: oindes oe ve eRedacl sls Hoe vecedeseode cue coledals } ace Seeee ae ae 0 Numiber'of conviction siett).2 sec coe coc ciceciedcaes eps dh ccssane beaut es len nee eee if Number discharged sacs s oc020.ccce gece stoaicisiomete oats ase fe iemo oneranie © te wee aero ete ae 0 Numberiof jail. sentences... 6 .cadssddciows ovoid Seeenwdeiecececbaccee dh auunes os seme eee n Eee 0

Streams in county—First and Second creeks, Big creek, Fulfer creek, ae aud Big Salt creek, Bishop creek, Lucus creek; all feeders of the abash.

Number of dams in the county—One at Effingham Water Works, one at Tucker’s Mill.

Number of dams provided with fishways—N one.

General remarks—The dam at Tucker’s Mill does not amount to much ex- cept in very low water; I advised in my last report that a warden be ap- pointed at Louisville, as most of the violations of the law are committed in Clay county.

Report of Albert Reese, Nippersink, Lake county, for two years ending September 30, 1900:

Number. Of arrests <...)s,.2.qsriecs aca veteseed anise acleses tai ca celow eelsamree ok « auc se eee tee 3 Number of cOnvictions..72 ci... ccs ceece ca cose tess or ce cece cs cueen che chee cee eden conn aan 3 Number (discharged! ooesc.0e cece cnc ecoece ulgce «akon Berea tee ane aae wiaeseesew 0 Number'‘of jail sentences’. 25 cd<c.cc ccs ssuds cdot co gac decades eoenuacecueneds oa ene 0

Streams in county—Fox lake, Grass lake, Pistaqua lake, Duck lake, Petite lake, Round lake, Fourth lake, Cedar lake, Deep lake, Crooked lake, Long lake, Zooster lake, Fox river.

Number of dams provided with fishways—None. nee of George S. Medley, Morris, for two years ending September 30,

INUMDEY OF AFKeStS. ¢ /ais. se ciwsdi oes cemaes an Sieve cet aweee cen sen ee Acone Ue tace oe oceania 3 Number of: convictions 2.5: .o.5. veces vou ots tout otek Succes nae be eek oO nen ce eran 2 Number discharead i. '.02 losis cating sad + Sans omen oo veces ciate alien Ok Sree oe 1 Number of jailisentencess i..\.fc.s0 ssc ot laccow casinos clececdacd te ebeusenebae eee R eCCEeEeEIEE 2

Streams in county—lIllinois river, Kankakee river, Auxsable creek, Mazon ereek, Waupacan creek, Canal Nettle creek.

Number of dams provided with fishways—None.

Report of M. L. Taylor, Noble, Richland county, for two years ending September 30, 1900:

Num Der O£ ALKESTS . calc Vies cb he wees he bible siewne awe vi ek de wale wis Re ce/ae Ouse chu ae ene een 0 NUmMber Of CONVICTIONS vancsccu gee cnte ew sec cc od vlcsokn Lelwceeue ee cur eee nc citicue bees elena 0 Number discharged. .ot. cs foccctecccteeddcleawancaote ewan Ocoee bace seem aioe ace ee 0 Number Of ‘Jail sentences oss voce cviccrsit nbs nei cate cole x egw seNie sowie Ox relent RR eee ee aan 0

Streams in county—Part of Little Wabash, part of Big Muddy river, part of Fox river.

Number of dams in county—One near Olney, IIl. Number of dams provided with fishways—None.

General remarks—I have very little fishing ground in my jurisdiction for anything except hook and line, on account of the logs and drift wood. There has been some dynamiting, and I have been unable to get proof.

41

REPORT OF CHIEF WARRDEN—ILLINOIS RIVER— GEORGE T. WILLIAMS.

Hon. Nat. H. Cohen, President Illinois State Fish Commission, Urbana, Ill:

I beg leave to submit my report covering the two years ending September 30, 1900. As ordered by the board, in connection with my duties as Master of Steamer Reindeer, I have given the enforcement of the law careful at- tention. On the Illinois river the law is constantly being violated, but such violations are, generally speaking, confined to the irresponsible fishermen who live along the river, and while it is true that a number of men engaged in fishing as a business, and who control a large number of fishing rigs, have been caught with illegal mesh seines in their possession, yet, for the most part, they have ceased to use them on notice todo so. The incentive to use any means to take fish when they are plentiful, is great, and the temptation is often too great to resist, but, on the whole, [ am glad to report a better condition of affairs than for any previous season.

_ I have personally notified every fisherman on both rivers within my juris- diction, to give careful heed to the provisions of the law, and have furnished copies of the law to all. I have made a practice of warning all at first offense, and prosecute for any subsequent one.

I have removed all fyke nets found too thickly placed, and kept the river free as possible from long leads and outrageous obstructions. I have always removed wing nets and all obstructions to the streams running into the rivers. I have taken a number of large seines of one and one-half inch mesh, and have them now in warehouse. I have always notified owner, when he could be found, of such seizure and offered the return of the seine if property was proven. The fact that there are on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers within my jurisdiction, a large number of small meshed seines can not be disputed, but [ have no authority to take them unless while in use, so that I have been powerless to interfere with them. I have found them very frequently, lying on the banks, drying out, and as instructed, [ have not made seizures unless found in use, or with evidence enough to prove that they had been used. The fiddler basket has caused great destruction to the channel eat fish, but the number used has rapidly diminished since the size of fish that ean be offered for sale has been regulated by law.

I have offered assistance to anybody and everybody on the river, when such help was needed, towing fish boats when | found them afloat or hard to man- age, other steamboats when in trouble, and have followed your instructions as closely as possible in helping the flood sufferers when banks of river were overflowed. We have removed stock and household goods, and given fami- hes shelter and food while carrying them to places of safety.

I have either removed or caused to be removed during the time mentioned, 2,730 hoop nets, 134 wing nets or obstructions near the mouth of streams or creeks emptying into the rivers. I have taken 41 nets of small mesh, one of them 500 yards long, and but few have been returned to owners, as in a large majority of cases, they have not called for their property, and so we still hold them. With other wardens associated with me, I have made 121 arrests, with 59 convictions. These cases have been disposed of in various ways, in

42

some instances, the fines have been remitted by the State’s attorney, some are still unadjusted. I have, as a rule, undertaken to enforce the law with- out litigation, and in a number of instances have not prosecuted when parties would themselves destroy the seines or nets.

I am reasonably sure that if the law would permit me to take such illegal seines and nets as I found, whether in use or not, I could soon rid the rivers of al] unlawful tackle. I[t has been very difficult to get convictions, as we have only our crew to prove violations, and we are nearly always met with a strong force of witnesses ready to refute our testimony. If seines and nets could be taken at sight there would be none used.

My time has been occupied from the opening of the season until July first, in patrolling the river, and preventing, as best I could, the use of any seine. The latter part of season it is given to the collection of fish, though still en- gaged in watching for violations.

My crew consists of the following persons: George T. Williams, master and pilot. William V. McKinley, engineer.

J. D. Crompton, fireman.

L. Verniaud, fireman.

F. Grussenmeyer, watchman.

A. T. Lorenz, cook.

Wm. Clark, helper.

We run only in daylight, except when necessity compels a night run, as we have only a single crew. The boat has made the following distances:

Season of 1899, miles. Season of 1900, 6,137 miles.

She has covered the Mississippi river from Keokuk to East St. Louis, and the Illinois river from Grafton to La Salle. The greater part of the time, however, has been spent on the Illinois river.

During the two seasons we have had no serious accidents to either boat or . erew. A slight ‘damage to the wheel at Peoriaon the night of the great wind storm and a slight damage to head of boat in the La Grange locks in a storm being the extent.

Respectfully submitted, (Signed): GEORGE T. WILLIAMS, Chief Warden Illinois River.

LoG—STEAMER REINDEER—FOR SEASON 1899. Boat left Quiney with steamer Lotus in tow for St. Louis, where Lotus was delivered to her purchaser.

Leaving Quiney at 6 o’clock, a. m., May 6th; arriving at St. Louis on 7th at 9 a. m.

Left St. Louis at 2:50 p. m. for Illinois river arriving on May 8th at Mere- dosia 5:50 p. m. on 9th.

sett Meredosia on 10th for Quincey, IIll., arriving at Quiney at 5 p. m. on Ula,

7

il April 12 to 20.—Laying in Quiney Bay repairing and renovating boat. April 20.—Left Quiney at 1:45 p.m. for St. Louis arriving at 2 p. m. on St;

Left St. Louis at 5 a. m. on 22nd arriving at Meredosia at 5:15 on 23rd. April 24.—Run from Meredosia to Beardstown. April 25 to 29.—Working between Beardstown. and Havana.

43

May 1 to 3.—Workng between Havana and Meredosia.

May 4 to 6.—Working between Meredosia and Peoria, returning to Beards- town.

May 7.—Beardstown to Meredosia. May 8.—Cleaning boilers at Meredosia. May 9 to 11.—Working between Meredosia and Havana.

oe Havana, working down to Meredosia arriving at 6:10 p. m. on 14th.

> May 15 to 17.—Worked from Meredosia to Montezuma and back to Mere- osia.

May 18 and 19.—Worked down to Kampsville and back to Havana.

May 20 and 21.—Worked from Havana to Hennepin.

May 22 and 23.—Worked from Hennepin to Meredosia.

May 24 to 30.—Worked from Meredosia to Grafton and return to Meredosia.

June 1 to 5.—Worked from Meredosia to mouth of Illinois river, up Missis- sippi river to Quincey, LIl.

June 6.—Quiney to Hannibal, Missouri.

June 8-15—Worked down Mississippi river to mouth of I[llinois and up Illi- nois to Peoria, Ill.

June 16—Left Peoria for Grafton, arriving at 4 o’clock p. m. on 17th. Left Grafton on 18th at 4:10 a. m. arrived at Meredosia at 7 p. m. June 19-23—Worked from Meredosia to Peoria and back to Meredosia. Q June 25-30—Worked down Illinois river to mouth and up Mississippi river to uiney. July 1-5—Worked Mississippi river to mouth of Illinois and up to Havana. July 17-22—Worked from Havana to Peoria and returned to Havana. July 22-24—Worked from Havana to Meredosia and returned to Havana. July 25—Worked from Havana to Clear lake. July 26—Worked from Clear lake to Havana. July 27—Worked from Havana to Pekin. July 28—Worked from Pekin to Copperas erzek. July 30—Worked from Copperas creek to Havana. Aug. 14—Worked from Havana to Copperas creek. Aug. 5-12—W orked from Copperas creek to Meredosia. Aug. 14-17—Worked from Meredosia to Havana. Aug. 18—Worked from Havana to Matingue lake. Ang. 19-21—Havana to Meredosia. Aug. 22-24—Meredosia to Havana.

Aug. 25-28—Collecting between Valley City and Beardstown and back to Meredosia.

Aug. 30-31—Meredosia to Bath Shute and back to Meredosia.

Sept. 1-5—Working between Meredosia and Havana, Havana and Clear lake, and back to Meredosia.

Sept. 6-8—Working between Meredosia, Ill., and Bedford, [ll., and back to Meredosia.

Sept. 9-12—Working from Meredosia to Peoria, IIl.

Sept. 14-16—Working from Peoria to Havana.

Sept. 17-21—Working from Havana to Pekin and back to Meredosia. Sept. 22-26—Working from Meredosia to Grafton and return to Meredosia.

44

Sept. 27-30—Worked from Meredosia to Hardin and returned to Meredosia. Oct. 2-5—Worked from Meredosia to Peoria and back to Havana.

Oct. 4—Left Havana at 8:30, passed out of Illinois river on morning of 6th, arrived at Quincy on evening of 8th.

Oct. 9-18—Laid up, making repairs at Quincy.

Oct. 22—Left Quincy for Illinois river passing out of Mississippi on morn- ing of 23rd, arriving at Meredosia on evening 23rd.

Oct. 23-29—Working from Meredosia, Ill., to Chillicothe, Ill., and return to Meredosia.

Oct. 31—Left Meredosia for Mississippi river working that river until close of season.

Total miles made, 5,375.

Loa—STEAMER REINDEER—SEASON OF 1900.

Left Quincy April 8 for Keokuk to go on docks. Left Keokuk April 15 for Quincey.

Left Quiney April 18, 1:30 p. m., for Illinois river. Arrived Grafton—12:00 noon on 19th.

Arrived Meredosia—12:30 p. m. on 20th.

Left Meredosia April 23, with Warden Sites on board, for Stewart’s lake and way points, returning to Meredosia at 6 o’clock p. m. on 24th.

Left Meredosia for mouth of river, examined all nets and seines, returned to Meredosia April 28 at 5:50 p. m.

Left Meredosia at 9:05 a. m. April 29 and run to Havana, Ill., laid one night at Havana. Worked river between Havana and Lancaster until May 3.

Left Havana May 3 for Peoria.

May 6—Run from Peoria to Rome Flats and return. May 7—Run from Peoria to Pekin and return to Peoria. May 9—Run from Peoria, Ill., to Havana, Ill.

May 12—Run from Havana, IIl., to Meredosia, Ill.

May 13—Run from Meredosia, Ill., to Kampsville and returned to Meredo- sia on the 19th.

May 20—Run from Meredosia to head of Meredosia bay. May 22—Run from Meredosia, IIl., to Peoria, Ill.

May 24—Run from Peoria, Ill., to Pekin, IIl.

May 25—Run from Peoria, Il]., to Meredosia, Ill.

May 26—Run from Meredosia, Ill., to Grafton, Ill.

May 27—Run from Grafton, IIl., Illinois river to Quiney, Ill., arriving on sist at 9:30) p. m:

June 2—Run from Quiney, Ill., to Hannibal, Missouri. June 6—Run from Quiney, Ill., to Canton, Ill. June 7—Run from Quiney IL., to head of Quiney bay.

June 9—Left Quiney, Ill., at 6:15 a. m. for Illinois river, arriving at Havana at 2 o’clock p. m. on the 11th, 253 miles.

June 12—Run from Havana, IIl., to Peoria, lll., 90 miles.

June 15—Run from Peoria to Kingston and return to Peoria, 40 miles. June 18—Run from Peoria to Havana and returned to Peoria, 100 miles. June 20—Run from Peoria to Lacon and returned to Peoria, 80 miles. June 22—Run from Peoria, Ili., to Havana, IIll., 64 miles.

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June 24—Run from Havana to Idlewild Landing and returned to Havana, 28 miles.

June 25. Run from Havana to Meredosia collecting fish; delivered load at Meredosia, 10 o’eclock, a. m., June 28, 1900.

June 29—Run from Meredosia to Havana, 83 miles. July 1—Run to Locks, collecting; returned to Havana, 42 miles. July 6—Run to Moseow Bay and returned, 40 miles.

July 9—Run from Havana to Browning and returned to Havana, collecting; 146 miles.

July 14—Devoted time to collecting above and below Havana, 155 miles. July 15—Run from Havana to Meredosia, 63 miles.

July 17—Run from Meredosia, Ill., to Havana, IIl., 63 miles.

July 18—Run from Havana to Sangamon Bay, 29 miles.

July 19—Run from Sangamon Bay to Beardstown and returned to Sanga- mon Bay and Beardstown, 44 miles.

d uly 20—Run from Beardstown to Havana and returned to Beardstown, 72 miles.

st aly 21—Run from Beardstown to Meredosia and returned to Beardstown, 2 miles.

July 22—Run from Beardstown to Sangamon Bay, 14 miles. July 23—Run from Sangamon Bay to Beardstown, 14 miles. July 24—Run from Beardstown to Meredosia, 17 miles.

July 25—Run from Meredosia to Sangamon Bay, 26 miles. July 26—Run from Sangamon Bay to Copperas creek, 41 miles.

: uly 27—Run from Copperas Creek to Frederick and back to Havana, 75 miles.

wey 28—Run from Havana to Queen’s lake and returned to Havana, 34 miles.

July 29—Run from Havana to Idlewild, 14 miles. July 30—Run from Idlewild to Jack lake, 22 miles, July 31—Run from Jack lake to Havana, 12 miles. Aug. 1—Run from Havana to Hardin, 100 miles.

Aug. 2—Run from Hardin to Grafton and up river from Grafton to Peoria, arriving 5:50 p. m. on 3rd, then to Peru, arriving at Peoria on return down Aug. 4th, at 7 p. m., 241 miles.

Aug. 5—Run from Peoria to Meredosia, III., 90 miles.

August 6-8—Run from Meredosia to Valley City and returned to Meredosia, collecting. (Several trips.) 64 miles.

Aug. 10-11—Run from Meredosia to LaGrange Locks, collecting, 18 miles.

Aug. 13-14—Run from Meredosia to Beardstown and return to Meredosia, 73 miles.

Aug. 15—Run from Meredosia to Havana, 41 miles.

Aug. 16-19—Run from Havana to Lost lake, Copperas lake and return to Havana, to Jack lake, Idlewild, Beardstown and Meredosia, 84 miles.

Aug. 20-21—Run from Meredosia to LaGrange locks, Irish lake, Beards- town and return to Meredosia, 42 miles.

Aug. 22—Run from Meredosia to LaGrange locks, 18 miles. Aug. 23—Run from Meredosia to Beardstown and LaGrange locks, 34 miles.

Aug. 26—Run from Meredosia to Beardstown, Idlewild and return to Mere- dosia, 76 miles.

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Aug. 27 to Sept. 8—Run from Meredosia to Hardin and return to Meredo- sia, 97 miles.

Sept. 9—Run from Meredosia, Ill., to Beardstown, 17 miles.

Sept. 10-16--Run from Beardstown to Idlewild, Havana, Clear lake, Spring lake, Kingston, Peoria, Chillicothe, Lacon and back to Meredosia, 358 miles.

Sept. 18-20—Run from Meredosia to Montezuma and return to Meredosia, 101 miles.

Sept. 21—Run from Meredosia to Beardstown, 35 miles. Sept. 22—Run from Beardstown to Havana, 33 miles. Sept. 25—Run from Havana to Beardstown, 33 miles.

abe 26—Run from Beardstown to Stewart lake and back to Meredosia, 59 miles,

pad 27-30—Run from Meredosia to Valley City and return to Meredosia, miles.

Oct. 1-4—Run from Meredosia to Havana and back to Peru, 189 miles. Oct. 6—Run from Peoria to Stewart’s lake, 64 miles.

Oct. 8-14—Run from Stewart’s lake to Chillicothe and return to Havana, 144 miles.

Oct. 15—Run from Havana to Meredosia, 50 miles. Oct. 16-22—Run from Meredosia to Henry, 153 miles. Oct. 23-25—Run from Henry to Kampsville, 190 miles. Oct. 26—Run from Kampsville to Quincey, 150 miles.

Noy. 1-15—Collecting on Mississippi river from Quincy to Warsaw, north; Quiney to Cincinnati Landing, south, 631 miles.

Total mileage made, 6,137 miles.

FISHWAYS.

We give herewith a cut of the fishway now in use by the Com- mission. It is simple in construction, and when properly placed is very effective. Specifications will be sent to all who desire to use them, and the work, under ordinary circumstances, can be done by any good carpenter without special supervision.

CARTHAGE LAKE CLUB.

We give an illustration showing the club house of the Carthage Lake Club, near Gladstone, Ill. This club has been an important factor in the enforcement of the laws and the protection of the fish.

BuRuLINGTON, Iowa, December 17, 1899. Mr. S. P. Bartlett, Quincy, Ill.

Dear Sir:—Herewith I make you my report of work done at Carthage lake under your permit and our supervision.

June 23—Water very high. Several hauls made, no particular success. Two or three hundred pounds earp and buffalo. Water about ten feet above low water mark.

July 17—Water still too high for good work. About six feet above. Seven or eight hauls. Catch about 700 pounds carp and buffalo, mostly carp. About 200 pounds dogs, gar and turtles.

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There are a great many crappie, few bass, several pike showed. Fisher- men elaim most of fish out in the shallow pockets and among lily pads, un- able to reach them.

- July 24—Eight hauls. Water about four and a half feet above. Catch about 1,400 pounds carp and buffalo. Three hundred pounds dogs, skips, gar, etc. Great many crappie, few big bass and large pike. Indications are there were finer fish in the lake than ever.

July 31—‘* West of the fill.’ Four hauls. Catch about 800 pounds, mostly buffalo, few carp and spoonbill eat. Fifty pounds refuse. Good many crap- pie, but few bass. Water three and a half feet above low mark.

August 1—Seven hauls, three of them ‘‘west fill,’’ balance lake proper. Catch about 1,000 pounds, mostly carp, few buffalo and spoons. About 300 pounds refuse. There are more crappie and big sunfish than ever. Many very large bass. Water three feet above.

August 2—Nine hauls, lake proper. Catch about 400 pounds earp and buf- falo. Men say coarse fish have run out and also thereare fifty fine fish in the lake to one last year, lots good bass. No estimate of refuse, but small. Water three feet.

August 23—Five sets made. Catch about 1,000 pounds carp and buffalo. Three hundred pounds refuse. Lots fine fish. In five hauls estimate 1,000 pounds crappie. More big sunfish than been for years. Dozens bass two to four pounds, one fellow about six to seven pounds. Few pickerel.

August 25—Five hauls. Catch about 700 pounds carp and buffalo. Many game fish showing. About 300 pounds refuse. Men claim fish gone to deep water lower end lake.

August 28—Seven hauls. Five lake, two ‘‘west of the fill.’”’ About 1,300 pounds earp and buffalo. Best catch ‘‘west of the fill,’? 700 pounds refuse. One spoon eat weighed fifty pounds. Not somany game fish. Men claim gone to deep water among snags.

August 30—Seven hauls. Three ‘‘west of fill’? four in lake About 600 pounds carp and buffalo, 300 pounds refuse. Crappie and bass good show- ing.

September 25—Four hauls, upperend lake. Skimmer. About 1,000 pounds pend buffalo, 250 pounds refuse. Lots nice crappie, sunfish, good many ne bass.

September 26—‘‘West of fill’? catch very poor. Good many game fish showing. Threee hauls. ‘‘Lake’’ four hauls, total catch, 100 pounds carp and buffalo. Game fish plentiful. Big seine used in deep water.

September 30—‘‘Running slough lake’’ five or six hauls, about 700 pounds earp and buffalo, 200 pounds refuse, unusual game fish.

October 6— Men decided to use seine in ‘‘running’’ but owing to illness two of the men failed to go. ‘

October 9—‘‘Lake”’ proper, Carthage. Six hauls, skimmer, upper end. About 1,300 pounds earp and buffalo, 300 pounds refuse. Not many game fish, they in deep water.

October 11—‘‘Running slough lake.’’ (Seine.) About 1,300 pounds carp and buffalo, mostly buffalo. Three hundred pounds refuse. Usual game fish in evidence.

October 12 and 13—Weather extremely hot, ‘‘90.’’

October 23—‘‘Running.’’ About 1,300 pounds, mostly buffalo, few carp. Usual crappie, ete.

November 8—‘‘Carthake lake.’’ Water four feet. Fish hard to get owing to vegetation caused by rise. Catch about 500 pounds carp. No game fish to speak of.

November 15—‘‘Carthage.’’ Three hauls, upper end. About 1,000 pounds earp and buffalo, 100 pounds refuse. Very few game fish showing.

In addition to this work we removed from Pau lake, a pond in the timber near the club house, several tubs full of small bass, crappie, ete. We did not have proper net to fully clean this pond but did very well and seined majority of the little fellows, which were placed in the lake.

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We had our main water in good shape but the last rise stocked us up again, but have done nothing since date last mentioned. I want you to allow our permit to stand good until the ice is sufficieutly heavy to do some work under the ice, which will thoroughly clean up and leave the lake in good shape for spring, for reasons which I’|] state.

We have according to the plans submitted to us by you, erected a dam and fishgate in our lake, which is now complete save a little more filling to be done. The work is ready for your inspection and approval and the directors desire that you inspect and approve the same at your earliest convenience. If you will notify me a day or two ahead of your coming, [ll make all ar- rangements for your stay. State if you come direct to Burlington, which pecpauly would be most convenient for you, and at what hour you will reach

ere. 4

We have two trains to the lake daily, leave here at 7:25 a. m. and 3:10 p. m., returning from the lake’at 11:20 a. m. and 7:05 p. m. Whichever way is most convenient to you will be satisfactory to us. Your coming would only necessitate your being from home one day, and we would like an early in- spection of the work, which we feel satisfied will meet your approval.

Itrust my report of the seining done is quite satisfactory and explicit enough to be thoroughly comprehended.

Very truly, J. C. LATHAM,

Secretary. BURLINGTON, [owa, Noy. 1, 1900. Mr. S. P. Bartlett, Quincy, Lil. ’

Dear Str:—Herewith is the report of work done at the Carthage lake un- der your special permit:

June 25—Five hauls in Willow Bay (upper end lake). About 1,000 to 1,200 pounds carp and buffalo, mostly carp. Very few fine fish, they in dep water. There are more carp than ever before in the lake.

June 28—Trammel net in the lilies. About 600 pounds carp, few buffalo.

June 29—Six hauls, upper end to middle lake. About 1,000 pounds, mostly buffalo, balance carp, very few game.

July 2—Six hauls, middle to lower end. About 700 pounds carp and buffalo. Game fish scarce.

July 6—Seven hauls, lower end lake. About 700 pounds buffalo and carp.

July 9—Three hauls, upper end, three hauls below fill. About 6000 to 7000 pounds carp and buffalo; few bass and crappie.

July 17—Running Slough lake, trammel net. About 500 pounds carp and buffalo, good many goggle eye, few pike, no bass.

July 20—Six hauls ‘‘west of the fill.’ River up to three feet. Catch about 1,500 to 1,600 pounds carp and buffalo; very few game fish.

July 23—Five hauls ‘‘west fill.’? About 600 pounds carp and buffalo. River had fallen, fish ran out.

July 24—River three feet eleven inches. Rose ten inches.

July 26—River about four feet three inches. Two hauls running Slough

lake. Catch very poor, water too high. Fish in the lilies. About 100 pounds. Four hauls ‘‘west fill.’’ About 800 to 900 pounds buffalo, shiners, carp.

July 30—Three hauls ‘‘west fill.’? About 1,300 pounds, mostly buffalo and shiners; few carp. Three very large spoonbill cat (52 and 48 inches each), several small ones. Good many crappie, few bass, several pike.

August 1—Three hauls ‘‘west fill.’ Cateh, nothing. Six hauls Carthage lake. About 800 to 900 pounds buffalo and carp. Good many spoons. Quite few bass and goggle, few pike.

August 3—Lake. Kight hauls. About 900 pounds carp and buffalo; game fish not plentiful.

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August 6—Three hauls ‘‘west fill.’?’ About 1,300 pounds mostly buffalo, some carp, few spoons, game scarce.

August 8—Seven hauls, Carthage lake. About 1,300 pounds, mostly buffalo; quite a few game fish showed.

August 10—Six hauls, lake. About 1,100 pounds carp and buffalo, not many game fish.

August 14—Lake and ‘‘west fill.”’ Seven hauls. Catch light. About 600 or 700 pounds carp and buffalo.

August 15—Lake. Seven hauls. About 1,200 pounds carp and buffalo.

August 23—Lake. Four hauls, two ‘‘west fill.’’ About 1,200 pounds carp, buffalo and spoons. Very few game fish.

August 26—River back to three feet. Eight hauls lake, two ‘‘west fill.’’ ~ Catch poor, about 700 pounds carp and buffalo.

August 29—Lake. Five hauls, only 250 pounds carp and buffalo; quite few bass, crappie and pike. Four hauls ‘‘west fill.’’? Catch, 600 to 700 pounds spoons, buffalo and carp.

September 2—Three hauls ‘‘west fill’? and six in lake. Catch very poor, 500 pounds earp and buffalo.

September 4—Running Slough lake. Five hauls. About 75 pounds carp and buffalo (about 100 pounds magnificent crappie), no bass. Three hauls ‘‘west fill,’’ catch about 650 to 700 pounds earp and buffalo.

September 17—Lake four hauls, ‘‘west fill’’ threejhauls. Catch about 650 to 700 pounds earp and buffalo.

September 20—Five hauls ‘‘west fill.”’ About 500 pounds carp and buffalo, few spoons (small).

September 24—Five hauls ‘‘west fill.’ Catch very small, about 300 pounds earp and buffalo. River four feet six inches, rise of seven inches. Kose . thirteen inches in two days.

That is the last work done as the river kept coming till it reached nine feet here. Is now about six feet or probably five feet six inches. The refuse from each day’s work, gar, dogs, skipps and turtle, average from 200 to 500 pounds. The net we use this year, about 150 yards, full two inch mesh, lets Sa ae all through. We also return to the lake with game fish all small

uffalo.

Since the water has begun to fall hook and line fishing, especially bass, has been excellent and fine fish. [ saw a crappie taken measured fifteen inches, weighed two pounds strong. This rise stocked the lake, evidently.”

Hope this report meets your favor.

Very truly, J. C. LATHAM,

Secretary.

Fenn | ere I say ‘‘trammel’’ it was used where seine was useless, among ily pads.

—4°F. C,

MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES WHOLLY OR PARTLY WITHIN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

Qhio River, Big Muddy River, Kaskaskia River, Mary’s River, Illinois River, Fox River, Henderson River, Edwards River, Rock River. Plum River, Apple River, | Sny Ecarte River,

Creeks tributary to Mississippi River:

Clear Creek, Fountain Creek, Cahokia Creek, Piasa Creek, Kiset Creek, Mill Creek, Rock Creek, Bear Creek, Honey Creek, Dugout Creek, Cedar Creek, Ursa Creek, Pope Creek, Eliza Creek, Copper Creek, Johnson Creek, Big Rush Creek, Small Fox Creek,

Tributaries to Ohio River:

Saline River, North Fork of Saline River, South Fork of Saline River, Embarras River,

Tributaries to Big Muddy River:

Kingkaid Creek,

Beaucoup Creek, Pipe Stone Creek.

Galum Creek,

Little Beaucoup Creek, Swanwick Creek, Locust Creek, Painter Creek,

Big Crab Orchard Creek, Crab Orchard Creek,

Little Muddy ea er, Carson Creek

Middle Fork of Big Muddy River, Ewing’s Creek,

Gum Creek,

. Casey Fork, Atchinson’s Fork, Ray’s Fork,

Tributaries to Kaskaskia River:

Nine Mile Creek, Plumb Creek,

Silver Creek, East Fork,

Big Muddy Creek.

Elk Horn Creek,

Sugar Creek,

Shoal Creek,

Beaver Creek, Flat Branch,

East Fork of Shoal Creek, Dry Creek,

Middle Fork of Shoal Creek,

West Fork of Shoal Creek.

Crooked Creek,

Lost Creek,

Great Point Creek.

Prairie Creek,

Coles Creek,

Gibbs Creek,

East Fork of Kaskaskia River, Bear Creek, Hurricane Creek,

Hickory Creek,

Camp Creek,

Booz Creek,

Suck Creek,

Big Creek,

Beck’s Creek,

Richland Creek, Brush Creek,

Robinson Creek,

Sand Creek,

West Fork of Kaskaskia River, Apple Creek,

Lake Fork.

Tributaries to Illinois River:

Otter Creek, Macoupin Creek, Taylor Creek. Joe’s Creek. Solomon’s Creek, Otter Creek, Bear Creek, Honey Creek, Apple Creek, Big Grassy Creek, Big Sandy Creek, Little Sandy Creek, Walnut Slough, Bay Creek, Manvisterre Creek. McKie’s Creek, Willow Creek, Indian Creek, Prairie C reek, Crooked Creek, Little Missouri Creek, Grindstone Creek, Carter’s Creek, Camp Creek, Troublesome Creek, Panther Creek, Bronson’s Creek, Middle Creek,

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Long Creek, North Branch of Crooked Creek, Spring Creek, Sangamon River. Big Panther Creek, Clay’s Creek, Crane Creek, Salt River, Prairie Creek, Sugar Creek, Kickapoo Creek, Deer Creek, Salt Creek, North Branch of Salt Creek. Lake Fork Salt Creek, Rock Creek, Spring Creek, Lick Creek, Sugar Creek, Brush Creek, South Fork. Bear Creek, Flat Branch, Lake Fork, Willow Creek, Goose Creek, Camp Creek, Madden Creek, Stevens Creek, Otto Creek, Spoon River, Big Creek, Putman Creek, Coal Creek, Cedar Creek, Swan Creek, French Creek, Sugar Creek, Walnut Creek, Quiver Creek, Bucklin Creek, Mackinaw River. Mill Creek, Walnut Creek, Panther Creek, Northwestern River. East Branch, Six Mile Creek, Honey Creek, Bray’s Creek, Henline Creek, Kickapoo Creek, Richland Creek, Crow Creek, North Branch of Crow Creek, South Branch of Crow Creek, Strawn’s Creek, Crow Creek, Sandy Creek, Clear Creek, Big Burian Creek, West Indian Creek, Negro Creek, : Vermilion Creek, Wolf Creek, Otter Creek, Seattering Point Creek, Rook’s Creek, South Fork Vermilion River, North Fork Vermilion River, Covel Creek, Fox River, Big Indian Creek, Indian Creek,

Branch Mackinaw

Mission Creek,

Somonauk Creek,

Battle Creek,

Blackberry Creek,

Fox Lake,

Squaw Creek,

Nippersink Lake and Creek,

Nettle Creek,

Waupean Creek,

Mazon River West Fork of Mazon River, East Fork of Mazon River,

Gooseberry Creek.

Au Sable Creek, Saratoga Creek,

Kankakee River,

Prairie Creek,

Forked Creek,

Rock Creek,

Iroquois River, Sanganion River, Prairie Creek, Spring Creek, Sugar Creek. Exline Slough, Trim Creek,

DuPage River,

Little Cache River,

West Branch of DuPage River, Jackson’s Creek, Desplaines River,

Calumet River,

Little Calumet River,

Salt Creek,

Mill] Creek,

Green River,

Mineral Creek,

Spring Creek,

Mud Creek,

Coal Creek,

Hickory Creek, Willow Creek, Rock Creek, Little Creek, Sugar Creek, Spring Creek, Elkhorn Creek, Five Mile Creek, Three Mile Creek, Pine Creek, Clear Creek, Kite Creek, Leaf River, Kishwaukee River, Piasa River, Coon Creek. Rush Creek, North Branch of Kent’s Creek, Pecatonica River,

Rock Run,

Pillow Creek, Sugar Creek,

Otter Creek.

Tributary to Henderson River:

Cedar Creek.

Tributaries to Edwards River;

Camp Creek, East Branch, West Branch.

Tributary to Apple River: Irish Hollow Creek.

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FISH LAWS OF ILLINOIS.

“a

An act to encourage the propagation and cultivation and to secure the pro- tection of fishes in all waters under the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, representedin the General Assembly: That no person or persons shali place or cause to be placed or erected, any seine, weir, net, fish dam, or other obstruction in or across any of the rivers, creeks, ponds, streams, lakes, sloughs, bayous or other water or water courses within the jurisdiction of this State, in such a manner as will obstruct the free passage of fish up and down and through such water or water courses, and it shall be unlawful for any person to catch or take fish, except minnows for bait, with any device or means other than a hook and a line, within one-half mile of any dam constructed across any of the rivers or creeks or other water courses within the jurisdiction of this State.

That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons, at any time, to catch or kill any fish in any of the rivers, creeks, ponds, lakes, sloughs, bayeus or other water courses within the jurisdiction of this State, by the use of lime, spear, acid, medical or chemical compound or explosives.

That it shall be unlawful for any person to catch or kill any fish in or upon any of the lakes or rivers within the jurisdiction of this State with any device or means when such waters are covered with ice.

That it shall be unlawful for any person to catch or kill or attempt to catch or kill or attempt to catch or kill any fish with any trammel net, seine or other devices and as a seine in or upon any of the rivers, creeks, streams, ponds, lakes, sloughs, bayous or other water courses within the jurisdiction of this State. Nor shall the meshes of any weir, seine, basket or trap of any net or seine used for catching fish, except for catching minnows for bait, be less than two inches square: Provided, however, that seining shall be lawful and allowed between the first day of July in each year, and the 15th day of April in the following year, with seines, the meshes of which shall not be less than two inches square, in such rivers or streams as are used for navigation within the jurisdiction of this State, and also in the navigable bays or lakes connected with such navigable streams within the jurisdiction of this State, and not extending beyond the overflowed bottoms of such rivers or streams: Provided, also, that it shall be lawfnl for the fish commissioners or persons authorized by them to take fish in any way at any time and in any such places as they deem best for the purpose of propagation, distribution or destroying of objectionable fish.

It shall be unlawful for any person to buy, sell or have in possession any fish at any time which shall have been caught, taken or killed contrary to the provisions of this act, and any person so offending shall be guilty of a misde- meanor and fined as provided in this act.

@ 2. NOT TO OBSTRUCT PASSAGE OF FISH.] That it shall be the duty of any person or persons who now own or control, or hereafter may erect or control any dam or other obstruction across any of the rivers, creeks, streams, bayous or other water courses wholly within or running through this State, in such manner as shall obstruct the free passage of fish up and down or through such water or water courses, to place or cause to be erected in or in connection with such dam or dams, durable and efficient fish-ways, so that the

53

free passage of fish up and down said water may not be obstructed. All such fishways shall be maintained and kept in good repair by the person or persons so owning or controlling such dam or other obstruction during the whole time for the existence of such dam or other obstruction, as aforesaid, so that said fish-ways shall at all times be open and free from obstruction for the passage of fish.

And in ease the owner or person controlling, operating or using any damor ether obstruction, as aforesaid, shall fail or refuse, after ten days’ notice, in writing, by a majority of the fish commissioners of this State, to construct and keep in good repair durable and efficient fish-ways, as provided in this act, then the fish commissioners may construct or cause to be constructed, durable and efficient fish-ways, or place the same in good repair, said work to be let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder, and may recover in an action of debt in the name of the People of the State of Illinois before any justice of the peace or any court of competent jurisdiction, the cost of con- structing or repairing such fishway. Any person or persons or corporations owning or controlling any such dam or other constructions, who shall fail or refuse to comply with the provisions of this section with respect to the construction and maintenance in good repair of such fish-ways in any such dam, after having been notified in writing by the fish commissioners or a majority of them, to construct or repair the same, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and for each and every twenty days after’such notification that such person or persons shall neglect or refuse to comply with the pro- visions of this section in not erecting, maintaining and keeping in good re- pair such fishways, he or they shall be subject to a penalty of not less than twenty-five or more than two hundred dollars.

23. SurraBLe FisH-Ways—CoMMISSIONERS—DAMAGES — PENALTY.] All fishways built as provided in this act, if constructed to the satisfaction and approyal of a majority of the fish commissioners, then every owner or person controlling such dam or other obstruction, as provided in this act, may ob- tain from such fish commission, or a majority of them, a certificate that such fishway is constructed in compliance with this act, which certificate shall be a full protection against any prosecution for violation of this act for not pro- viding a fishway. Such certificate may be suspended at any time by the fish commissioners, when such fish-way is not maintained or repaired, as herein required. If such person or persons so owning or controlling any such dam or other obstruction, shall fail to construct or maintain such fish-way to the satisfaction of the fish commissioners, or a majority thereof, then it shall be prima facie evidence of the violation of this act: Provided, that no owner or owners of any dam or dams shall be required by this act, or any other act, to construct or allow the construction of any fishway in such manner as to en- danger the permanent durability of such dam or dams, or to impair their use- fulness. Nor shall they be required to construct or repair such fish-way by using some particular patent on which a patent fee is demanded, or to con- struct or repair such fish-way when high water or climatic conditions may render such work impracticable. The fish commissioners, or a majority of them, to determine whether or not such fish-way will endanger the permanent durability of such dam, or impair its usefulness as to such high water or elimatie conditions, and in ease the owner or owners of such dam dissent to the decision of such fish commissioners, or a ma- jority of them, then a_ board of arbitration shall be chosen to determine such matters: One by the fish commissioners, or a majority of them, one by the owner or owners of such dam, and the two so chosen shall select a third within thirty (30) days atter their selection, and if not so se- lected within thirty (30) days, then the third one shall be selected by the Gov- ernor of the State, and the decision of such arbitrators, so chosen, shall be final. If the owner or owners of such dam shall not choose the arbitrator, as aforesaid, within ten (10) days after notice in writing by the fish commis- sioners, or a majority of them, then the decision of the fish commissioners shall be final and conclusive. In ease of the destruction or damage resulting to the dam by reason of the construction of a fish-way, under the direction of = ah commissioners, such damage shall be repaired at the expense of the

ate.

a4

@4. APPOINTMENT AND Duty OF WARDENS.] The Governor, on requst of the fish commissioners, shall appoint fish wardens, who shall enforce all laws relating to fishes, arrest all violators thereof, prosecute all offenses against same. They shall have power to serve processes against such offenders and shall be allowed the same fee as constables for like service, and shall have power to arrest, without warrant, any person for violating any of the pro- visions of this act; but such wardens shall receive no fees, exvept on cases where convictions are obtained. Such fish wardens may be removed at any time by the Governor.

@ 5. PERSONS VIOLATING ACT TO BE PROSECUTED.] It shall be the duty of all sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables, fish commissioners, and fish war- dens to cause any person violating any of the sections of this act to be promptly prosecuted, and the several fish commissioners of this State shall have the power to arrest, without warrant any person or persons for viola- tion of sections two (2) and three (3) of this act.

26. It shall be unlawful to sell, or offer for sale, any of the following zamed fishes mentioned below which are less than the length specified for each:

[BEG eul8 0s aapnanscersceperpocagéur: gacer sueet none ace OF coy 25 eee er Eleven Inches NVinitG: OF StriDD CUB ABSo a asicect acres cert sm ee cor oiic <ccre pacenienicecee eee eae Eight ~s FROCKUBASS ook Soccoe acne oh bide Corste Sadness Gan cabs coe ca nae roan aoe Eee = 5 fi BlsckjorsRiver !Orapplesavacw seeks qcetenes ae 12 ae seiney sean e eee te Oe ee eee a ae Wintel rap pis ce ccsesiskecratenic Gisics eter eicin d Sere beni one Sa pee aie ae ee Nine es YEON yp Oye Lig rye) Ets tp pty coo docoe dacusundee: -eoese acc waebe aeebossese t+ 22: Eight ra Woall-éyed) Pike or Pike /PGrelH.o. ee oe ces cee eee cc ee Fifteen ae Pike Pickerelesesiscit eeeks oe dete. Het Ae Serie Ee ie Se eee Eighteen tz PS UTE LO Riera tre dns Sataie nye RS: citharctepicke oeiars aerate Sie aha > Biroa Sia oeiee Stet a a ea Fifteen Germans Can). s2 cit jas dee sinaeineiget esc See vase clecmenenc cus same aaaee avs ewer Thirteen IN'StPVEIO Ar D etek sa c.0 Geter lela oe wae tiene ene ole oc ee Ete ieee Be cede Se ee eee Twelve

STN BSS Peover seccnnn oe ahoh, cele hclecoia tana ss '@ svete ran heat RUS ae a ee Six ty Red Gviedyeike uns. i ecacn ane eee teins Ocoee ect iene tcG sch nrade Ana comes eee Six a CATS ee kee Eas eee tees Le ious BEd Tas tole Se eiiotat a tne lee eee ee Thirteen Asi White. Perch 25252 eetae hp ones senses waioh coeeore sed vain seu ee ets see eeeses Ten

And, provided further, that the possession of any of the above named species for the purpose of sale, or offering for sale, of less length than above desig- nated, shall be prima facie evidence of violation, and subiect the party or parties having them in their possession to the penalities of the law, hereinaf- ter mentioned.

¢7. FISHING WITHOUT CONSENT OF OWNER—PENALTY.] Any person or persons who shall, for the purpose of fishing, with seine or net, without the consent of the owner, trespass upon the lands of another, containing any fish pond or lake, whether natural or artificial, shall be deemed guilty of a mis- demeanor, and on conviction shall be fined in any sum not less than twenty- five nor more than one hundred dollars, and cost of suit for first offense, and not less than fifty nor more than two hundred dollars for the second offense, and the same for each subsequent offense, as for the second offense.

28. How ENForRCED—COMPLAINT—AFFIDAVIT.] To enforce the provis- ions of this act, all suits brought under the same, shall be brought in the name of the People of the State of Illinois, and shall be brought on the com- plaint of any person or persons showing by affidavit that some section of this act has been violated, giving the name of the person or persons violating if known, and if unknown, such affidavit shall state by some person or persons whose name or names are unknown, and such complaint shall be made before any justice of the peace of the county in which such violation has been made.

29. WHERE COMPLAINTS TO BE MApDE.] When such violation is alleged to have been committed upon that portion of a stream or water course whith may be the diyiding line between two counties, then the complaint may be made to any justice of the peace of either of such counties.

210. WHEN WARRANT TO ISsuE.] Ifthe justice of the peace, before whom such complaint shall be made, shall be satisfied that there is a reasonable cause to justify the making of such complaint, he shall issue his warrant, di-

_rected to the sheriff or constable of such county, commanding him forthwith to arrest and bring before him, or in his absence, before some other nearest justice of the peace within such county, the person or persons alleged to have been guilty of violating any of the sections of this act.

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211. HrarIne—CoMPLAINT—JUDGMENT—JUROR.] Whenever any person or persons shall be brought before any justice of the peace, in the manner provided in this act, it shall be the duty of such justice to hear and deter- mine the complaint. The person or persons so charged may demand jury trial at any time before the commencement of the trial, and the case shall be tried as cases before justices in civil cases, and judgment shall be for convie- tion or acquittal of the defendant or defendants in the case. In case a jury ‘is called, the form of the verdict shall be, if for conviction: ‘‘We, the jury, find the defendant guilty, and assess the fine at ........ dollars;’’ and if for acquittal: ‘‘We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty.’’ The justice shall pronounce judgment in accordance with the verdict.

212. PENALTY—COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF.] Whenever any judgment of conviction shall be rendered against defendant or defendants, as provided, execution shall issue forthwith on such judgment, and the sheriff or constable to whom the same shall be directed shall pay one-half of all pen- alties collected on such execution, in payment of such judgment, to the per- son or persons who shall have made the complaint, and the remaining one- Aas to the superintendent of schools of the county wherein such trial shall be

Ad:.

213. WHEN Execution RETURNS NO PROPERTY—-ARREST.] Whenever any execution issued as above provided, shall be returned ‘‘No property found,’’ the justice issuing the same, or in case of his death or absence, any other justice having possession of the docket in which said judgment was en- tered, shall issue his warrant to the sheriff or any constable of such county, commanding him to take and deliver the defendant or defendants in the exe- eution to the jailer of such county, who shall receive such defendant or de- fendants into his custody and commit to the ecunty jail of sueh county, whenever one exists, for a period of not less than ten nor more than sixty days, as the justice shall decide and direct in his warrant, but such defend- _ant or defendants so arrested or committed shall be discharged at any time on payment of such fine and costs.

@14. ApprAuL.] Any defendant or defendants against whom such judg- ment of conviction shall be rendered, and in case of acquittal, the party mak- ing the complaint or any person who will give the necessary bond, shall have the right to appeal, on the same terms as in civil cases before justices, but no proceeding herein provided for shall be stayed until such appeal shall be fully perfected.

215. Prnauty.] Any person or persons violating any of the provisions of the preceding sections of this act, when no other penalty is provided, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon a conyiction, shall be ae not less than twenty-five nor more than two hundred dollars for each offense.

_ 416. RepeAL BoarpD OF FISH CoMMISSIONERS.] All acts and parts of acts in conflict with this act are hereby repealed; but such repeal shall not disturb the status of the present board of fish commissioners.

REGULATING THE CATCHING, SHIPPING AND SALE OF FISH.

An act to regulate fishing in Lake Michigan, and the shipping of fish in the State of Illinois.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly: That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons or corporation to take, catch or kill, or attempt to take, catch or kill in any manner or by any means whatsoever, in the waters of Lake Michigan, any white fish or lake trout, between the fourteenth day of October in each year and the succeeding thirtieth day of November. It shall be unlawful for any person to set or cause to be set or used in the water of Lake Michigan within one-quarter of a mile of the main shore thereof, any gill, pound or fike net. No dip-nets shall be used except for catching minnows for bait, said dip-nets not to exceed twenty inches in diameter.

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42. All packages containing fish shall be labeled in plain letters on the address side of the package, so as to disclose the fact that said package con- tains fish, and the nature of said fish so contained in said package. t shall be unlawful for any person to deliver to any common carrier for transporta- tion any package or parcel containing fish, which said package or parcel shall not be labeled as herein required, or to place upon said package or parcel a false statement as to the contents thereof. Every person delivering to a com- mon carrier a package or parcel containing fish shall place upon said pack- age the name and address of the owner or consignor of said package or parcel. It shall be unlawful and is hereby prohibited by any common carrier, or ‘agent, servant, or employé of -a common carrier, to receive for transportation or transport any package or parcel containing fish unless the same shall be labeled as provided in this act. It shall be unlawful and is hereby prohibited for any person, firm or corporation acting as a com- mon carrier to bring into this State any fish from any state during the time that such other state prohibits the transportation of such fish from said state to a point within the same.

23. Prenaury.] Any person or persons violating any of the provisions of this act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than two hundred dollars for each offense.

Approved April 21, 1899.

A CATALOGUE

OF THE

Native Fishes of Illinois.

BY

S. A. FORBES, PH. D.

Professor of Zodlogy, University of Iliinois.

CATALOGUE.

Class I. PISCES. (THE TRUE FISHES.)

Sub-class PHYSOCLISTI.

Order I. ACANTHOPTERI. (THE SPINY-RAYED FISHES.) Family I. GADID. (COD-FISHES.)

Genus 1. Lora, Cuvier.

1. Lota maculosa Le Sueur.—Burpot; Line; Ei Pour. Taken only in Lake Michigan.

A single specimen occurred some years ago at Naples, on the Illinois river, having evidently entered the river through the canal, then recently opened to the Chicago river.

Family {I. COTTIDA. (THE SCULPINS.) Genus 2. URANIDEA, De Kay.

2. Uranidea richardsoni, Agassiz.—MILLER’s THUMB; BLOB: MUFFLEJAW; BULL-HEAD.

(Bul. I], 50; Potamocottus alvordi, Potamocottus wilsoni, Potamocottus meri- dionalis.)

This species, the only representative of its family known positively to oc- cur within the limits of our State, is by far the most abundant in Southern Illinois, where it is a common ereek species, nestling under stone in shallows and rapids. <A single specimen from a muddy stream in McHenry county, and a few from the shallow waters of Lake Michigan, are the only represen- tatives in our collections from the northern part of the State. Other species of this family occur in Lake Michigan have been found only in the deeper waters outside our limits.

Family III. SCL“ NID. Genus 3. HapLorpoNnotus, Rafinesque. FRESH-WATER DRUMS.

3. Haploidonotus grunniens, Raf.—SHEEPSHEAD; DRUM; WHITE PERCH; ROAKER.

_ This species occurs in Illinois only in the great lakes and in rivers, occa- sionally in spring finding its way into creeks tributary to the [Illinois and

- the Ohio.

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Family 1V. SERRANIDZ. (THE Sea Bass.) Genus 4. Roocus, Mitchell. BASS.

4. Roccus interruptus, Gill—YELLOwW Bass; SrripeD Bass; Brassy Bass. (Bul. Il, 44; Morone interrupta.)

This species has not occurred in Northern Illinois to our knowledge, but has been collected by us almost wholly in the Illinois river and in the bottom lakes connected with that stream. y

5. Roccus chrysops, Raf.—WHITE Bass; SILVER Bass.

Throughout Illinois, in creeks and rivers, and in Lake Michigan, much more rarely in the small northern lakes. It seems, indeed, to be wholly wanting in the lakes of the Fox river system, in which it is said by the old fishermen to have been exterminated by severe winters some years ago. The presence of impassable fishdams in the Fox river, through which these lakes are drained, probably accounts for its non-appearance since.

Family V. PERCIDZ. Sub-family PercIn]. (THE TRUE PERCHES.) Genus 5. STIZOSTEDIUM, Raf.—PIKE PERCHES. 6. Stizostedium canadense, Smith.—SauGeR; SAND-PIKE; GRAY-PIKE.

The distribution of this species in Illinois is precisely like that of the following.

7. Stizostedium vitreum, Mitech.—WALL-EYED PIKE; DORY; GLASS-EYE; YEL- Low Pike; BLUE PIKE; ‘‘JACK SALMON.”’ Found only in the larger rivers and lakes; occurring in our collections from the Wabash, Illinois, and Reck rivers. Especially abundant in the former at the rapids above Mt. Carmel.

Genus 6. PercaA, Linneus. PERCH.

8. Perca americana, Schranck.—YELLOW PERCH; AMERICAN PERCH; RINGED PERCH.

A very abundant species in the northern part of the State; excessively common in Lake Michigan, where it is caught from the wharves by thou- sands daily. Also swarming in the small northern lakes, and one of the commonest fishes in the clearer creeks and rivers. In Central Lllinois it is some what rare, occasional specimen only occurring in the Illinvis. In the southern part of the State we have not seen it at all, not a single specimen, in fact, occurring in our collections south of the latitude of Alton. South- ward its common name even is applied to other species—the various sun- fishes. There is a uniforin average difference in brightness of color between the lake and river specimens, the latter being much the brighter, but there are no specific distinctions.

Sub-family ETHeOSTOMATINA. (THE DARTERS.) Genus 7.3: MIcROPERCA, Putnam.

9, Microperca Punctulata, Patnam.—LEAST DARTER.

This little species, the smallest of our fishes, is much the commonest north- ward, but has been taken as far south as Union county. It is less select in its haunts than most of the other Darters, occuring in waters of every deserip- tion; but we have found it commonest in lakes, and scarcely less abundant along the weedy margins of larger rivers.

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Genus 8. ETHEOSTOMA, Raf.

10. Etheostoma eos, Jor. & Copeland. (Bul. II, 42; Boleichthys eos: Synop., Pacilichthys eos.) Not especially common in Illinois; chiefly of northern distribution; most abundant in the lakes, and occurring also in the smaller rivers. ll. Etheostoma fusiforme, Grd.

(Bul. II, 43; Boleichthys elegans: Synop., 519 & 520; Pacilichthys butle- rianus, Peciltchthys Barrati, Pacilichthys fusiformis.)

This darter, which has appeared in the earlier lists as Boleichthys elegans, is southern in its Illinois distribution, not having occurred north of the Kas- kaskia river. To the southward it is rather common. in lakes, clear ponds, small rivers and creeks.

12. Etheostoma asprigene, Forbes. (Bul. II, 41; Pecslichthys asprigenis: Synop., 518; do.)

This common species, originally described from the Illinois river, has since been found generally distributed in the central and southern portions of the State, in lakes and rivers, large and small, but has not been taken in Northern Iilinois. J

13. Etheostoma ceruleum, Storer. — BLUE DARTER; RAINBOW DARTER; SOLDIER-FISH.

(Bul. Il, 41; Pecilichthys variatus, Pecilichthys spectabilis, Pacilichthys: Synop., 517 & 518; Pecilichthys ceruleus, Pecilichthys spectabilis. )

The most highly colored of our common darters, occurring throughout the State in lakes, rivers, and creeks, much the most abundant in the latter. 14 LZtheostoma flabellare, Raf. Not common. Clear creeks and rivers in Southern Illinois.

15. Etheostoma lineolatum, Agassiz.—STRIPED DARTER. (Bul. II, 42; Htheostoma fllabellare, var. lineolatum.) Rather rare; chiefly from Northern Illinois, in creeks and rivers.

16. Etheostoma zonale, Cope. (Bul. II, 41; Nanostoma zonale: Synop 510; do.)

This little darter is not common in Illinois and is confined to the northern part of the State, as far as our collections show, where it occurs in creeks and the smaller rivers.

Genus 9. HADROPTERUS, Agassiz.

Ive Hadropterus evides, Jordan & Copeland. (Bul, II, 39; Hricosma evides: Synop., 503; Alvordius evides.) _Represented in our Illinois collections only by a few specimens from Rock river. Reported by Dr. Jordan from White river, Indiana, but apparently not collected elsewhere. 18. Hadropterus aspro, Cope & Jordan.—BLACK-SIDED DARTER. (Bul. II, 39; Alvordius maculatus: Synop., 501; Alvordius aspro.)

This fine darter is rather common throughout the whole State in large ereeks and small rivers, being especially abundant in the Wabash Valley and in the Little Wabash, Saline, and Embarras rivers. A few specimens were taken also in the Illinois.

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19. Hadropterus phoxocephalus, Nelson. (Bul. II, 39; Alvordius phoxocephalus: Synop., 501; do.)

This species, described from specimens taken in Central Illinois, has not yet been found in the northern part of the State, although it is decided! common from the Illinois river southward, including the Wabash Valley. It oceurs in our collections only from the larger streams; such as the Fox, Illinois, Saline, and Little Wabash rivers, and Mackinaw creek.

Genus 10. Percina, Haldeman.

Ss Log PERCHES.

~

*, a 20. Percina caprodes, Raf.—LoG Percu; Rock-FIsH; HoG-MoLLY; HoG-FrisH. (Bul. Il, 39; Percina caprodes, Percina manitou.)

The largest of its sub-family, and among the most abundant in the northern part of the State. Our collections contain specimens from the borders of Lake Michigan to Cairo and the Wabash Valley. In Northern Illinois it is extremely common in the small lakes and in the streams con- nected with them, and likewise oceurs in other creeks.

Genus 1l. CorrToGaAsTER, Putnam.

21. Cottogaster shumardi, Grd. (Bul. Ll, 39; LImostoma shumardi: Synop., 498; do.)

_ Somewhat rare in Illinois, and occurring chiefly in large streams. It has, in fact, been taken by us only from the Rock, Illinois, and Wabash rivers.

* Genus 12. DIPLEesium, Raf.

22. Diplesium blennioides, Raf.—GREEN-SIDED DARTER.

Found by us only in the Wabash valley, where it is not rare. Collected from the little Wabash, at Flora.

Genus 13. Boueosoma, De Kay. TESSELLATED DARTERS,

23. Boleosoma-camurum, Forbes. (Synop., 493; Vaillantia camurum.)

This little species is wide-spread, but somewhat rare, occurring throughout the State in creeks and ponds, but much more abundantly to the southward.

24. Poleosoma nigrun, Raf.—JOHNNY DARTER. (Bul. Il, 400; Boleosoma olmstedi, Boleosoma maculatum. )

By far the most abundantly and widely distributed of the darters, oceur- ring in almost all waters, though of course far more abundantly in creeks, and preferring rocky shallows. I do not know that it is ever found in foul or muddy situations. It ranges throughout the State from the Galena and Calumet rivers on the north, southward to Union county.

Genus 14. AmMMooRYPTA, Jordan.

25. Ammocrypta asprella, Jordan. (Bul. Il, 38; Plewrolepis asprellus.)

The only specimens of this species in our collections are the original types, taken in a small bluff stream in Hancock county. It is reported by Dr. Jor- dan, however, to range from Illinois to Alabama. The creek in which the type occurred is a muddy stream, with occasional reaches of gravelly bottom.

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26. Ammocrypta pellucida, Baird.—SAnD DaRTER, (Bul, I, 38; Pleurolepis pellucidus.) The clos hy of this little darter is limited strictly by the character of the streams which it prefers, as it seems to occur only in somewhat swiftly run- ning waters with sandy bottom. We have taken it in the Little Wabash and

the Embarras, and some other creeks of the Wabash Valley, but not else- where in the State.

Sub-family CENTRACHIN[. (THE SUN-FISHES.) Genus 15. Microprerus, Lacépéde. BLAcK Bass. 27. Micropterus dolomiei, Lac.—SMALL-MOUTHED Buack Bass.

(Bul. II, 44; Micropterus salmoides.)

Abundant in rivers and larger creeks, but occurring more rarely in lakes, Picceuring swifter waters than the preceding species. It occurs throughout llinois, but is relatively rare to the southward. Has been taken by us in the Wabash and some of its larger tributaries, but not elsewhere south of the IIli- nois river.

28. Micropterus salmoides, Lac.—LARGE-MOUTHED BLACK BASS; OSWEGO Bass; GREEN Bass; Bayou Bass.

(Bul. II, 44; Micropterus pullidus.)

The large mouthed black bass favors especially lakes, ponds and sluggish waters, but occurs also in rivers and large creeks throughout Illinois. It is the common southern form of black bass, although perhaps, on the whole, no ~ more abundant there than in the northern part of the State.

Genus 16. Lepomis, Raf.

- 29. Lepomis gibbosus, L.—COMMON SUN-FISH; BREAM; PUMPKIN-SEED; SuNNY.|

(Bul. II, 46; Hupomotis aureus.)

By far the’most abundant sun-fish in Northern Illinois, where it literally swarms in every;lake and pond. It occurs, however, throughout the State, but somewhat rarely southward, its place there being taken by Chenobryttus gulosus.

30. Lepomis notatus, Agassiz. (Bul. II, 46; Hupomotis pallidus. )

_.A rather rare species, occurring from the Illinois river southward, chiefly in ponds and larger streams.

31. Lepomis pullidus, Mitch.—BLUE SUN-FISH; COPPER-NOSED BREAM; DOL- LARDEE; RIVER SUN-FISH.

(Bul. Il, 45; Lepiopomus pallidus.)

Probably the most abundant of the sun-fishes; its preéminence, however, in this respect being disputed by Lepomis cyanellus and gibbosus. Its distri- bution and its haunts are more varied than these of either of these species, as it is almost equally abundant in all parts of the State, and occurs in all waters—in lakes, ponds, rivers, and smaller streams, from Lake Michigan and the Illinois to small creeks and ponds. It is, on the whole, most abund- ant in the larger rivers, being, in fact, the common sun-fish of the Lllinois. Collected by us from Lake to Union county, and in the Wabash valley.

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32. Lepomis humilis, Grd.—RED-SPOTTED SUN FISH. (Bul. II, 45; Lepiopomus anagallinus.)

This species, common nowhere, is altogether wanting in Northern Illinois, ranging, according to our collections, from Woodford to Alexander county. It has been collected by us only in creeks.

33. Lepomis megalotis, Raf.—LONG-EARED SUN-FISH. (Bul. II, 46; Xenotis megalotis, Xenotis inscriptus, Xenotis peltastes.)

Not especially common within our limits. Most abundant southward. Like most of the sun-fishes, it prefers ponds and creeks to larger waters, although we Baye taken it occasionally in the [llinois River, and more commonly in the Wabash.

34. Lepomis ischyrus, Jordan & Nelson. (Bul. II, 46; Lepiopomus ischyrus.)

Of this rare but well-marked species we have taken only the original type, obtained in the Illinois River; but Mr. Nelson has reported a second speci- men, collected in the Calumet, near South Chicago. Its resemblances to L. pallidus are so strong that, even if abundant, it would probably be usually overlooked by collectors.

35. Lepomis macrochirus, Raf.

Not seen by me. Reported here on the authority of Dr. Jordan, who has a specimen of the species from the Illinois River.

36. Lepomis garmani, Forbes.

This species, but just described, has been seen only in the Wabash River and its tributaries, in the vicinity of Phillipstown and Cairo, in White county.

37. Lepomis symmetricus, Forbes.

This species, recently described and still rare in collections, has been taken only in ponds and streams in Central and Southern Illinois. It is found chiefly in the southern part of the State, especially in the Wabash Valley, but is occasionally seen in the Illinois River, and has been taken by us in Union county.

38. Lepomis cyanellus, Raf.—RED-EYE; BLUE SPOTTED SUN-FISH. (Bul. IT, 45: Apomotis cyanellus.)

This is the most abundant sun-fish of the small prairie streams and pools of Central Illinois, where, in fact, it is almest the only species oceurring. It ranges throughout the State, from Cook to Union county, occurring in rela- tively small numbers in the rivers, but superabundantly in creeks and;ponds.

Genus 17. CHHNOBRYTTUS, Gill.

39. Chenobryttus gulosus, C. & V.—WARMOUTH; RED-EYED BREAM.

The sun-fish ranges throughout Illinois, but is far the most abundant south- ward, where it is one of the commonest species of its family Indeed, we have not ourselves taken it north of the Illinois River, but Dr. Jordan reports specimens received from Lake Michigan. It is essentially a pond species but occurs also in the larger streams. In the southern part of the State it receives several of the common names (such as Goggle-eye, Red-eye, ete.) appropri- ated northward to the Rock-bass.

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Genus 18. AMBLOPLITES, Raf.

40. Ambloplites rupestris, Rat.—COMMON ROCK-BASS; RED-EYE; GOGGLE-EYE.

Quite common northward, but relatively rare in Southern Illinois, where, indeed, we have not yet taken it. As its southern range, however, is said to extend to Louisiana, it probably occurs occasionally in the southern part of the State, and is reported by fishermen to be common in the rapids of the Wabash. In Northern and Central Illinois it is found in streams of all sizes, Jae small creeks to the Illinois River, and is also common in the smaller Jakes.

Genus 19. Pomoxys, Raf.

CROPPIES. 41. Pomoxys sparoides, Lac. BLACK CROPPIE; CALICO BAss; GRASS BaASs; BARFISH; BUTTER Bass. (Bul. Il, 47; Pomoxys nigromaculatus.)

Found, like the preceding, throughout Illinois, but commonest to the north, occurring in both lakes and streams; most abundant in the former.

42. Pomoxys annularis, Raf.—CROPPIE; PALE CROPPIE.

Ranges throughout Illinois from Galena to Cairo. Confined principally to the larger streams and their immediate ttributaries, it becomes rapidly more abundant as we pass from north to south, finally virtually replacing the pre- ceding species.

Genus 20. CENTRARCHUS, C. & V. 43. Centrarchus macropterus, Lac. (Bul. II, 47; Centrarchus irideus.)

This is also a species confined in Illinois to the southern part of the State, where we have taken it in Cache river, in Clear and Drury creeks, in Great House creek, near Mt. Carmel, and in various ponds and sloughs in the river bottoms of that region.

Family VI. ELASSOMATIDZ. Genus 21. ELAssoma, Jordan.

44, Hlassoma zonatum, Jordan.

A southern species, not collected by us north of St. Francisville, in Law- rence county. Not uncommon in small, muddy pools.

Family VII. APHREDODERID. Genus 22. APHREDODERUS, Le Sueur.

45. Aphredoderus sayanus, Gilliams.—PIRATE PERCH. (Bul. Il, 48; Aphredoderus isolepis.)

Throughout the State from the Calumet to Union county and the Wabash but far the most abundant southward. Occurs almost invariably in small streams only, but occasionally taken in the Illinois. _ One of the commonest species in mud holes in the Mississippi bottoms, in Southern Illinois. Very rare in the central prairie region.

—5 F.C.

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Family VIII. ATHERINIDA. (THE SILVERSIDEs.) Genus 23. LABIDESTHES, Cope. 46. Labidesthes sicculus, Cope.—BROOK SILVERSIDE.

A very abundant minnow in smal] streams and lakes in central and north- ern Illinois; also occurs rarely in the Wabash Valley, commonly in Rock river, and occasionally in the Illinois :

Order If. HEMIBRANCHII. Family IX. GASTEROSTEID®. (THe STICKLEBACKS.) Genus 24. GASTEROSTEUS, Ry. 47. Gasterosteus inconstans, Kirt.—BRoOK STICKLEBACK. Loeally common in rivers and small streams in the northern part of the State only. We have not taken it south of Rock river. Sub-class PHYSOSTOMI. Order III. APODES. THE EELS. Family X. ANGUILLIDH. (THE TRUE EELS.) Genus 25. ANGUILLA, Thunberg. 48. Anguilla rostrata, Le Sueur.—COMMON EEL. Not very abundant, but occurring everywhere in streams of large and mod- erate size, throughout Illinois. Order IV. HAPLOMI. Family XI. ESOCIDA. (THE PIKEs.) Genus 26. Esox, L.

49. Hsox nobilior, Thomas.—MUSKALLUNGE. Found by us only in Lake Michigan.

50. Hsex lucius, L.—PIKE. Throughout the State, but most abundant northward. Occurs also in Lake Michigan. 51. Hsox vermiculatus, Le Sueur.—LITTLE PICKEREL. (Bul. II, 53; Hsox salmoneus, Esox cypho.)

An abundant species north and south, occuring most commonly, perhaps, in weedy lakes, but searcely less frequently along weedy margins of rivers and smaller streams.

Family XII. UMBRIDAX. (THE Mup MInnows.) Genus 27. Umpra, Miiller.

52. Umbra limi, Kirt.—Mup Minnow. (Bul Il, 52; Melanura limi.)

Lakes and muddy ponds in Northern and Southern Illinois; not taken by us in the central part of the State. Occurs occasionally in running streams, as in Fox river, at MeHenry.

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Family XIII. CYPRINODONTIDA. (THE TooTHED Minnows.) Genus 28. GAMBUSIA, Poey. 53. Gambusia patruelis, B. & G,

(Bul. II, 52; Zygonectes melanops; Synop., 340 and 892; Zygonectes melan- ops, Zygonectes inurus.)

A southern species, not collected by us north of White county. Abundant in ponds and streams in the hill region of Southern Illinois.

A comparison of Illinois specimens of ‘‘melanops’’? with Gambusia patruelis from North Carolina, leaves no doubt of both generic and specific identity. ‘Our Illinois examples were many of them with living young.

Genus 29. ZYGONECTES, Agassiz. Tor MINNows. 54. Zygonectes dispar, Agassiz.

Throughout the State in small lakes, ponds, and creeks, and occurring rarely in the main stream of the Illinois river. Chiefly a pond species.

55. Zygonectes notatus, Raf.—Torp Minnow.

Ranges throughout the State, but is far the most abundant southward. Common in small creeks and stagnant pools. Apparently able to live in any water.

Genus 30. FunpuLus, Lacepede. KILLIFISHES.

56. Fundulus diaphanus, Le Sueur.—Sprine Minnow.

Abounds in the small lakes and streams of extreme Northern Illinois. Not seen in the central or southern parts of the State. It is somewhat abundant along the weedy margins of the small lakes, and has been found but once or twice by us in streams.

Family X1V. AMBLYOPSIDA. (THE Buinp FIsHEs.) Genus 31. CHOLOGASTER, Agassiz.

57. Chologaster papiliferus, Forbes.

_ Confined to cave streams and limestone springs of Southern Illinois at their immediate origin in the bluffs. It is unquestionably a subterranean species.

Order V. ISOSPONDYLI.

Family XV. PERCOPSIDA. (Tue Trout Percues.) Genus 32. Prrcopsis, Agassiz.

58. Percopsis guttatus, Agassiz.—TRouT PERCH.

A common fish of the Great Lakes. Not often taken from rivers, but ob- tained by us a few times in the Illinois. Apparently frequents deep water.

Family XVI. SALMONIDA. (THe Saumon). Genus 33. -SALVELINUS, Richardson, Trout. 59. Salvelinus namaycush, Walb.—MackInaw Trout; Great LAKE Trout.

(Bul. II, 54; Christivomer namaycush. ) Oceurs only in Lake Michigan.

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Genus 34. CoREGoNUS, L. WHITE FISH.

60. Coregonus artedi, Le Sueur.—LAKE HERRING; Cisco; MICHIGAN HER- RING. :,

Extremely abundant in Lake Michigan; occurring also in the small lakes of Indiana and Wisconsin (where it is known as-the Cisco) but not in those of Illinois.

61. Coregonus clupeiformis, Mitch.—ComMon WHITE FIsuH.

Occurring only in Lake Michigan, and there, at present, chiefly inthe deeper water outside the limits of this State.

Family XVI]. DOROSOMATID®. (THE GizzaARp}SHADs.) Genus 35. Dorosoma, Raf.

62. Sse cepedianum, Le Sueur.—G1zzARD SHAD; Hickory SHAD;{SKIP ACK.

One of the most abundant of our river fishes, and an extremely valuable article of food for the game species. It is confined to the larger rivers and their immediate tributaries, occurring in lakes and ponds only when left by the overflow. It was reported some years ago to have entered Lake Michigan by way of the canal, and to have multiplied there at an extraordinary rate; but | have not lately heard of it in those waters, nor seen it in the catches of the fishermen at South Chicago. We have obtained it from Galena to Cairo and the Wabash Valley, in the Mississippi, Ohio, and Illinois rivers and their larger and more immediate tributaries, and in ponds near St. Francisville.

Family XVIII. CLUPEID. (THE HERRINGS.) Genus 36. CuLuUpEA, L. HERRINGS.

63. Clupea chrysochloris, Raf.—OHIO SHAD; GOLDEN SHAD. (Bul. Il, 55; Pomolobus chrysochloris.) One of the rarer fishes of our larger rivers, appearing in our collections

only from the Illinois, Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Said to have been intro- duced, through the eanal, into Lake Michigan.

Family XIX. HYODONTIDZ. Genus 37. .Hyopon, Le Sueur. Moon Eyes.

64. Hyodon tergisus, Le Sueur.—Moon Eyre; TooTHED HERRING.

A moderately common fish in the Illinois, Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, but not occurring’ in smaller streams.

65. Hyodon alosoides, Raf.

Taken by us only in Galena River, in extreme Northern Illinois.

69 Order VI. EVENTOGNATHI.

Family XX. CYPRINIDAS. (THE MrInNows.) Genus 38. NOTEMIGONUS, Raf. 66. Notemigonus chrysoleucus, Miteh.—GouLpEN SHINER; BREAM.

In [Illinois this species occurs everywhere, in waters of all descriptions— lakes, ponds, creeks and rivers, although most abundant in small ponds and muddy creeks.

Genus 39. Opsopmopus, Hay. 67. Opsopewodus emilie, Hay. (Synop. 247; Opsopwodus emilie, Trycherodon megalops.)

This species has occurred sparingly in our collections throughout the State, and only in running streams or in lakes immediately connected with them, Very abundant in ponds near Mt. Carmel.

Genus 40. Squauius, Bonaparte. DACE. 68. Squalius elongatus, Kirtland.—RED-SIDED SHINER. Said by Dr. Jordan to oceur in Lake Michigan and in Rock River. Not seen by us from Illinois. Genus 41, SkEmorinus, Raf. ~ 69. Semotilus dissimilis, Kirtland.—SporTrep SHINER.

(Bal. II, 72; Ceratichthys dissimilis: Synop. 316; Ceratichthys sterletus.)

Has occurred in Illinois only in rivers and in lakes immediately connected with them. It has been collected by us in the Rock, Illinois and Ohio.

70. Semotilus amblops, Raf.—SILVER CHUB.

(Bul. II, 62; Ceratichthys amblops: Synop., 214; do.)

This fish has been obtained by us not rarely in Illinois. chiefly from the Ohio and the Wabash and the larger tributaries of the latter.

Zl. Semotilus biguttatus, Kirt.—Horny Heap; RIveER CHUB; JERKER.

(Bul. IL, 62; Ceratichthys biguttatus: Synop., 212; do.)

This species seems limited, in Illinois, to creeks and rivers, and has not oe- curred in our collections south of the center of the State.

72. Semotilus corporalis, Miteh.—CHuB; HORNED DaAcE.

Almost wholly confined to small streams, in which. it is, in Illinois, the most abundant minnow, commonest in those with muddy bottom; but a few have been obtained in the Illinois River, from lakes in the Illinois bottoms, and from the Little Wabash. It ranges throughout the State.

Genus 42. PLAYTIGOBIO, Gill. FLAT-HEADED CHUBS. 73. Platygobio pallidus, Forbes.

A single specimen of this very rare species, obtained in the Ohio River at Cairo, is the only one hitherto taken. :

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Genus 43. CovugEsSIusS, Jordan. 74. Couesius prosthemius, Cope.

Not in our collection. Specimens from near Evanston, taken in Lake Michigan, are said by Dr. Jordan to be in the National Museum.

Genus 44. RHINICHTHYS, Agassiz. 75. Rhinichthys atronasus, Mitch. —BLACK-NOSED DACE,

(Bul. II, 62 and 63; Rhinichthys cataracte, Rhinichthys obtusus Rhin- ichthys meleagris: Synop., 207, 208; Rhinichthys cataracte, Rhin- ichthys atronasus, Rhinichthys obtusus.)

This is essentially a brook species, delighting especially in swift and rocky streams. We have not found it in Southern Illinois, its localities being con- fined, in our experience, to the northern half of the State. Its relative rarity here is doubtless due to the infrequent occurrence of suitable streams.

.s Genus 45. PHENACOBIUS, Cope. 76. Phenacobius mirabilis, Grd.

(Bul, II, 61; Phenacobius scopiferus.) :

Occurs somewhat rarely throughnut the State, from Galena to extreme Southern Illinois; almost invariably in small, swift streams, or in the rapid, rocky parts of more sluggish creeks.

Genus 46. EricymBa, Cope. 77. Ericymba buccata, Cope.

We have found this species only in the sandy stretches of the tributaries‘of the Wabash, where it is locally very abundant.

Genus 47. NotTropis, Raf. SHINERS. 78. Notropis dinemus, Raf.—EKMERALD MINNOW.

(Bul. II, 60; Notropis rubrifrons, Notropis atherinoides: Synop., 202 and 203; Minnilus rubellus, Minnilus dinemus, Minnilus rubrifrons.)

Excessively abundant; far commonest northward, but confined everywhere almost strictly to the larger lakes and rivers. Not a single specimen has oc- curred in our collections from the smaller lakes in Northeastern Lllinois, while the waters of Lake Michigan, a few miles distant, were swarming with them along the shore. Not abundant in the Ohio and northern Mississippi, but rather common in the Illinois. From the smaller tributaries of these streams. we have not so much as one_of this species. In the Wabash and Saline Rivers, in Southern Illinois.

79. Notropis macrolepidotus, Forbes.

A very rare minnow, taken thus far only from the Illinois River.

80. Notropis atripes, Jordan.—ReEpD Fin. (Bul. II, 59; Lythrurus atripes, Lythrurus diplemius: Synop., 197; Minnilus atripes, Minnilus diplemius.)

This species prefers especially small clear streams, in which it is oceasion- ally abundant; but, owing probably to the relative scarcity of such waters in

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Illinois, it oceupies a subordinate place among our cyprinoids. It is common- est in the extremes of the State, occurring but rarely throughout the central prairie region.

81. Notropis jejunus, Forbes.

(Bul. Il, 60; Mpisema jejuna: Synop., 194; Minnilus jejunus.)

A species of the larger rivers, occurring in our collections only from the Ohio, Illinois, Wabash, and Mississippi, or at short distances from these streams, in lakes and tributaries immediately connected with them. Not taken in Northern Illinois.

82. Notropis megalops, Raf.—SHINER; RED-FIN; DACE.

(Bul. II, 57; Luvilus cornutus: Synop., 186; Minnilus cornutus.)

An extremely abundant fish, perhaps the commonest of the cyprinoids; most common in rivers and creeks and to the northward, but also found in Southern Illinois, and occasionally in lakes and ponds.

83. Notropis whipplei, Grd.—SILVER-FIN.

(Bul. II, 57; Photogenis analostanus: Synop., 178 and 179; Cliola whipplei, Cliola analostana, ete.: M. V., 294; Luaxilus analostanus.)

Most abundant in the northern part of Illinois, occurring principally in rivers and large creeks, but likewise rather common southward. It is not unknown from the lakes, but we have found it almost strictly confined to running water.

84. Notropsis lutrenis, B. & G.

(Bul. 11,57; Cyprinella forbesi: Synop., 174 and 175; Cliolaforbesi, Cliola lutrensis, ete.: M. V., 406; Cyprinella forbesi.)

This active little fish delights in the rocky rippies of swift, small streams. It is essentially a southern species, and is much the most abundant to the southward of this State. Along the Mississippi, however, its range extends to extreme Northern Illinois. We found it in great numbers in some creeks in western Hancock county. The small, swift streams running down from the bluffs of the Mississippi River are its favorite haunts. A few specimens have been taken in the Illinois, but it is not known from the lakes, from the Wabash region, or from the small interior streams.

85. Notropis hudsonius, Clinton.—SPAWN-EATER. (Bul. II, 56; Alburnops hudsonius, Alburnops storerianus: Synop., 171; Cliola hudsonius: M. V., 290; Hybobsis hudsonius.)

Common everywhere to the northward, especially in Lake Michigan and the smaller lakes of Northern Illinois. Collected to our extreme southern limits, but not abundant south of the central part of the State. Next to the lakes we have found it most abundant in the Illinois River, and it has oecur- red likewise in smaller streams from the Calumet River, in Chicago, to the larger creeks in Union county.

86. Notropis phenacobius, Forbes. Very rare, at Peoria; not seen elsewhere. 87. Notropis stramineus, Cope.—STRAW-COLORED MINNOW.

(Bul. Il, 57; Alburnops stramineus: Synop., 167; Cliola stramineus: M. V., 291; Hybopsis stramineus.)

This species is rare in our collections, and has occurred only in rivers and small streams in Central and Northern Illinois.

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88. Notropis fretensis, Cope.

(Bul. Il, 57; Alburnops fretensis: Synop., 167; Cliola fretensis: M. V., 292; Hybopsis fretensis.)

Very rare in Illinois; not more than a single specimen among all our cyprinoids certainly belonging to this species.

89. Notropis anogenus, Forbes. Thus far taken only in Fox river, at McHenry, Lllinois. 90. Notropis heterodon, Cope.

Thus far taken only in Fox river, at McHenry, Illinois. (Bul. II, 62. Hemitremia heterodon: Synop., 163; do.) _ This is, within our limits, essentially a species of lakes and larger streams in Northern Illinois, although the form with perfect lateral line has been col- lected in small numbers from the southern extremity of the State. It is one of the most abundant minnows in the small lakes, northward. It likewise in-

habits the Illinois river and the bottom lakes communicating with that stream. J

Genus 48. CLIOLA, Girard. SILVER FIs.

91. Cliola vigilax, B. & G. (Bul. Il, 56; Alburnops tuditanus: Snyop., 165; Cliola tuditana.)

Abundant in smal] streams throughout Illinois. Seems to have been usually ponle unde with Pimephales notatus, to which it bears a strong general re- semblance.

Genus 49. PIMEPHALES, Raf. FAT-HEADS. 92 Pimephales notatus, Raf.—BLUNT-NOSED MINNOW.

(Bul. [1, 55 and 57; Hyborhynchus, notatus, Hgborhynchus surperciliosus: Synop., 159 and 160; do.)

One of the commonest of our fishes; extremely abundant in the prairie streams which characterize so large a part of Illinois. It chiefly affects, however, gravelly spots in muddy streams. It is not common in rivers, but is occasionally taken at the mouths of creeks. It has not been found by us in ponds, but specimens were collected from the small lakes of Illinois.

93. Pimephales promelas, Raf.—Fat-HEAD; BLACK-HEADED MINNOW.

Yhe distribution of this fish in the State issomewhat peculiar. The species is altogether absent, as far as our collections indicate, from the prairie streams of Central Illinois. It is not uncommon in small muddy ereeks conneeted with the larger rivers, and occurs oceasionally in these latter streams them- selves. We have not taken it in lakes or ponds or similar waters, neither has it oceurred to us in Illinois south of the latitude of Alton.

Genus 59. HyBoGNATHUS, Agassiz.

94, Hybognathus nubilus, Forbes. (Bul. Il, 56; Alburnops nubilus; Synop., 167; Cliola nubila.)

This minnow has thus far been reported only from Illinois, and has oe- eurred in our collections only from the extreme northern part of the State— from the Rock river and its tributaries.

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95. Hybognathus nuchalis, Agassiz.—SILVERY MINNOW.

Almost strictly a river species, being most abundantly represented in our collections from the Illinois, and next from the Wabash, Ohio, and the Missis- sippi. We have not taken it in any lake or pond outside the great river bot- toms, and it has occurred but rarely in creeks.

Genus 51. CHROSOMUS, Raf.

96. OChrosomus erythrogaster, Agassiz.— RED-BELLIED DACcE.

This species has occurred sparingly in our collections but from all parts of the State, both in rivers and small streams. We have not taken it, however, from lakes or ponds. .

Genus 52. OxXYGENEUM, Forbes.

97. Oxygeneum pulverulentum, Forbes.

Only a single specimen of this genus and species is thus far known, and this was taken from the IIlinois river, at Peoria.

Genus 53. CampostToma, Agassiz.

98. Campostoma anomalum, Raf. STONE-ROLLER; STONE-LUGGER.

This species is very common in small streams throughout the State, from Galena to Cairo, and occurs occasionally in rivers, but rarely or never in lakes or ponds.

Family XXI. CATOSTOMIDA. (THE SUCKERS.) Genus 54. PLACOPHARYNX, Cope. Bia JAWED SUCKERS.

99. Placopharynx carinatus, Cope.

This species has not actually occurred in our personal collections from Illi- nois, but has been received by Dr. Jordan from the [Illinois river, and is said by fishermen to be rather common in the Wabash. Its resemblances to Moxostoma are so strong that it would very probably be passed by collectors as belonging to that genus.

Genus 55. Moxostoma, Raf. RED HORSE.

100. Moxostoma aureolwn, Le. S.

Distribution like that of the following species, from which it is, in my opinion, but doubtfully distinct. | Less common in Illinois than macrolepido- tum.

101. Moxostoma macrolepidotum, Le Sueur.—ComMMoN RED Horse; MULLET; WHITE SUCKER; LARGE-SCALED SUCKER.

(Bul. II, 63 and 64; MWyxostoma macrolepidotum, Myxostoma velatum.)

Very abundant everywhere in lakes, rivers and smaller streams. It in- habits Lake Michigan and the smaller lakes in northern Illinois, and is not less common to the southward. Where the common sucker is not known its name is appropriated to this species, the name of ‘‘red horse’’ being rarely heard in Southern Illinois.

102. Moxostoma carpio. Val.—Carp MULLET.

Said by Dr. Jordan to occur in the Great Lakes. Not positively identified by me in Illinois, the common lake mullet of South Chicago not being clearly different, to my mind, from Moxostoma macrolepidotum.

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Genus 56. Minyrrema, Jordan. SPOTTED SUCKERS. 103. Minytrema melanops, Raf.—SpoTTeD MULLET; STRIPED SUCKER.

Moderately common in streams tnroughout the State.

Genus 57. ERIMYZON, Jordan. 104. Hrimyzon sucetta, Lac.—-CREEK-FISH; CHUB-SUCKER.

Everywhere abundant in streams and lakes, ascending creeks in spring- Occurs in our collections from McHenry to Union county.

Genus 58. CatTostomus, Le Sueur. SUCKERS.

105. Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur.—HOG-SUCKER: STONE-ROLLER; TOTER; CRAWL-A-BOTTOM; HAMMER-HEAD; STONE-LUGGER; HOG MOLLY.

Occurs chiefly in streams and frequents their rapids and shallows, in clear water. Commonest to the northward, probably owing to the clearer and uote rocky character of the streams of that part of Illinois. Taken rarely in akes.

106. Catostomus teres, Mitch.—COMMON SUCKER; WHITE SUCKER; BROOK SUCKER; FINE SCALED SUCKER.

(Bul. II, 64; Catostomus commersonii: Synop. 129 do.)

Abundant northward, occurring rarely in the Illinois as far south as Peoria and still more rarely in the extreme southern part of the State. Where it is abundant it inhabits nearly all waters, both lakes and flowing streams. Itis common in Lake Michigan.

Genus 59. Cycueprtus. Raf. Buack HORSE.

107, Cycleptus elongatus, Le Sueur.—BLack HORSE; GOURD-SEED SUCKER; MISSOURI SUCKER.

Rare in this State, occurring only in the larger rivers. Taken by us only from the Illinois.

Genus 60. IctTioBus, Raf. BUFFALO FISHES. 108. Ictiobus cyprinus, Le Sueur.—CARP SUCKER; RIVER CARP.

(Bul. II, 65; Carpiodes velifer, Carpiodes selene, Carpiodes cutisanserinus, Carpiodes difformis, Carpiodes bison, Carpiodes cyprinus, Carpiodes thomysoni, Carpiodes carpio: Synop., 118, 119, 120; Carpiodes carpio, Carpiodes thompsoni, Carpiodes bison, Carpiodes cyprinus, Carpiodes difformis. )

Abundant in the great rivers of the State and their larger tributaries, and also in Lake Michigan and the smaller lakes of Northern Illinois. Extremely common in the lakes and ponds of the river bottom.

After prolonged study of the so-called species of native earp represented in our collections, I have been compelled to merge them all in one, ander the oldest specific name.

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109. JIctiobus bubalus, Raf.—SMALL-MOUTHED BUFFALO; QUILL-BACK Bur- FALO.

(Bul. [I, 66; Bubalichthys cyanellus: Synop. 116; Bubalichthys altus; M. V.. 322 and 325; Bubalichthys altus, Bubalichthys bubalinus.)

A very abundant fish in the larger streams, and in the bottom lakes; this and the red-mouth being the species commonly shipped under the name of ‘buffalo fish,’’ from the Illinois and the other larger rivers. They are among the most important commercial fishes in our streams.

110. Ictiobus urus, Agassiz.—BIG-MOUTHED BurraLo; BLACK BUFFALO; MONGREL BUFFALO. (Bul. Il, 65; Bubalichthys urus: M. V., 323 Ichthyobus cyanellus.)

Taken by us only in the Illinois river, where it is somewhat rare.

lll. Ictiobus cyprinellus, C. & V.—RED- MOUTH BUFFALO. (Bul. Il, 65; Ichthyobus bubalus: Synop. 114; Ictiobus bubalus.)

One of the most abundant edible fishes in the larger rivers and their lakes, ascending the smaller creeks in spring. In the laboratory collections from the Illinois and its larger tributaries, and from the Ohio and Wabash.

Order VII. NEMATOGNATHI. Family XXII. SILURID. (THE Cat-FISHEs.)

Genus 61. IcTALURUS, Raf.

112. Ictalurus furcatus, C. & V.

Confined, in our experience, to southern localities, and taken by us only in the Ohio. Not known in the Illinois river, as far as [ am aware; known to the southward, at least, as the channel eat or blue eat. I have not taken this species in creeks.

113. Ictalurus punctatus, Raf.—WiLLow Cat; CHANNEL Cat; WHITE Cart.

(Bul. II, 66; Ichthelurus punctatus, Ichthelurus robustus.)

Abundant from the larger rivers, reaching a weight of from 20 to 25 pounds.

_ Found in the deeper water of the Mississippi, Ohio and Illinois, and oceur- ring likewise in the larger creeks connected with these streams, and occasion- ally in overflow ponds in the river bottoms.

114. Ictalurus ponderosus, Bean.—GREAT CAT-FISH.

One of the gigantic ecat-fishes. Described from the Mississippiat St. Louis. Has not occurred in our collections, unless some specimens belong to it which are apparently intermediate between this and Ictaluris nigricans. I doubt if it is distinct from the latter.

115. Ictaluwrus nigricans, Le Sueur.—Cat-FISH OF THE LAKES; GREAT FORK- TAIL CaT; MISSISSIpPr CaT; FLORIDA CAT; FLANNEL-MOUTH CAT.

(Bul. II, 66; Amiurus nigricans: Synop., 108; Ictalwrus lacustris. )

One of the gigantic cat-fishes of the Ohio, Illinois, and Mississippi, and of Lake Michigan. Probably the most abundant of the large species.

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116. Ictalurus natalis, Le Suevur.—YELLOW CaT. (Bul. II, 66; Amiurus natalis: Synop., 105; do.)

Occurs everywhere throughout Illinois, but less abundantly than nebulosus, and preferring larger streams. It has not been taken by us from ponds and pare nent where these were immediately connected with streams subject to overflow

117. Ictalurus nebulosus, Le Sueur.—BuLL-HEAD; HORNED Pout; SMALL CAT-FISH.

(Bul. Il, 66; Amiurus vulgaris Amiurus catus, Amiurus melas, Amiurus aantnocephalus: Synop., 104; Amiurus xcanthocephalus, Amiurus melas, Amiurus catus.)

Abundant in all waters, frequenting by preference ponds and muddy streams. It occurs, however, in clear lakes and creeks, and has been taken by us occasionally in the larger rivers. It is the everywhere abundant ‘‘bull- head,”’ or ‘‘bull-pout.”’

118. Ictalurus marmoratus, Holbrook.—MARBLED Cat. (Bul. [1, 67; Amiwrus marmoratus: Synop., 104; do.)

The marbled cat has not occurred in the northern part of the State, but seems to be most abundant in the Illinois and its tributaries. Confined almost wholly to the larger streams and their immediate affluents, in Central and Southern Illinois.

Genus 62. Leprops, Raf. Mup Cats.

119. Leptops olivaris, Raf.—Mup Cat; YELLOW Cart.

(Bul. II, 67; Pelodichthys olivaris.)

Common in the larger streams. Obtained by us only from the Illinois, Wa- bash and Ohio rivers.

Genus 63. Noturus, Raf. STONE CaTSs.

120. Noturus flavus, Raf.—COMMON STONE Cart. Rather common in Illinois, in ereeks of moderate size.

121. Noturus exilis, Nelson.

Rare in this State, only two specimens occurring in our collections besides the original type. Creeks in DeKalb, Woodford, and Union counties.

122. Noturus minurus, Jordan. Taken by us only in Southern Illinois, in the Cache and Wabash rivers. 123. Noturus gyrinus, Miteh. (Bul. II, 68; Noturus sialis.)

This species occurs throughout Illinois, but has been confined in our eollee- tions mostly to lakes, rivers and large creeks. It is not by a means re- stricted to rocky situations, but seems rather to prefer the muddy parts of both the rivers and lakes in which it occurs.

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Sub-class HOLOSTEI. (THE Bony GANOIDS.) Order VIII. HALECOMORPHI. Family XXIII. AMID. Genus 64. Amma, L.

124. Amia calva, L.—Mup-FIsH; DoG@-risH; GRINDLE.

Very abundant throughout the State, in the lakes and larger streams, and also common in ponds in Southern Illinois.

Order IX. GINGLYMODI. Family XXIV. LEPIDOSTEIDA®. (THE Gar PIKEs.) Genus 65. LITHOLEPIS, Raf. 125. Litholepis tristechus, Bloch & Schneider.—ALLIGATOR GAR.

(Bul. II, 69; Litholepis spatula.)

Not common in Illinois, occurring somewhat rarely in the Ohio and Missis- sippi rivers, occasionally in the Illinois, and in at least a single instance in the Big Muddy, near Carbondale.

Genus 66. LEPIDOSTEUS, Lacépéde.

126. Lepidosteus platystomus, Raf.—SHORT-NOSED GAR.

One of the most abundant of the larger Illinois fishes, rarely occuring, how- _ ever, in the smaller streams, and confined chiefly to the larger rivers and the

lakes and ponds connected with their waters. It is also taken in Lake Mich- igan.

127. icra paepes osseus, L.—LONG-NOSED GAR; BILL-FISH; COMMON GAR IKE.

Generally abundant in the larger streams throughout the State, and taken by us in the Illinois, Mississippi, and Ohio. Occurs also in the smaller lakes in Northern Illinois.

‘Sub-class CHONDROSTEI. Order X. GLANIOSTOMI, (THE SPURGEONS.)

Family XXV. ACIPENSERIDZ. Genus 67. ScaPHIRHYNCHOPS, Gill.

128. Scaphirhynchops platyrhynchus, Raf.—SHOVEL:-NOSED STURGEON; WHITE. STURGEON.

Taken by us somewhat rarely in the Ohio and Mississippi rivers at Cairo, and in the Iilinois at Peoria.

Genus 68. <Acipenser,L.

129. Acipenser rubicundus, Le Suer.—LAKE STURGEON; OHIO STURGEON; BLACK STURGEON; STONE STURGEON; Rock STURGEON.

(Bul. II, 69; Acipenser maculosus, Acipenssr rubicundus. )

Ohio, Mississippi, and Illinois rivers and Lake Michigan. Reaches, in the last, a weight of a hundred and fifty pounds, or more. The characters vary greatly with age and size.

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Order XI. SELACHOSTOMI. Family 26. POLYODONTIDZ5. Genus 69. PoLyopon, Lacépéde.

130. Polyodon spathula, Wall.—SHOVEL-FISH; PADDLE-FISH; SPOON-BILL AT; DUCK-BILL CAT. (Bul. II, 69; Polyodon folium.)

Abundant in the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, and especially in the ponds and lakes in the bottoms of these streams. Rarely, if ever, ascending smaller ‘streams, and not collected by us in any of the interior lakes. Not known from Lake Michigan. Hausman Bros., a firm of fishermen at South Chicago, reported the capture of a single specimen of this species in the Calumet river, probably an emigrant by way of the canal.

Class II. MARSIPOBRANCHII. (THE MyzonrTs.) Order XII. HYPEROARTIA.- Family XXVII. PETROMYZONTIDA. (THE LAMPREYS.) Genus 70. IcHTHYOMYZON, Girard. SILVERY LAMPREYS. 131. Ichthyomyson argenteus, Kirt.—SILVERY LAMPREY. (Bul. II, 70; Ammocetes argenteus, Ammocetes hirudo. )

Collected by us chiefly in the Illinois and Ohio Rivers, attached to shovel- fish, eat-fish, sturgeon, buffalo, and other large species, as taken in the nets of the fishermen. .

Genus 71. AmmMmoca@tTEs, Duméril. Brook LAMPREYS. 132. Ammocetes niger, Raf.—SMALL BLACK LAMPREY.

A small species, which we have found only in small streams in the north- ern part of the State. Especially abundant in spring, at the spawning sea- son.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION.

The especial characteristics of the fish fauna of the State as distinguished from other zodlogical areas, are the preéminence of the Catostomids and the Siluridx, (the suckers and the eat-fishes,) and of the sunfishes, darters and minnows, the shovel fish and the various species of gars, and the dog-fish, are likewise among the characteristic features of our fauna, as is also the exces- sive abundance of the hickory shad.

The limited share of Illinois in Lake Michigan, not extending into watar of more than twelve or fifteen fathoms, gives us but a small group of species peculiar to the great lakes: viz., the common white fish, the lake herring, the lake trout, the muskallunge, and the burbot.

NUMERICAL DATA.

It will be seen that the fishes of Illinois, as_shown by this list, represent 132 species, which are here distributed among 71 genera and 27 families.

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A cursory summary, in popular terms, of the number of species by which each leading family is represented, will have its interest to the general reader.

The largest family of our fishes is the perches (Percide), including the sunfishes, darters, and true perch. It is represented in our fauna by thirty- eight species and sixteen genera, nearly half of which (eighteen species) are the little darters, while the sunfishes (seventeen species) include most of the remainder. The next largest family is that of the true minnows (Cyprinide), represented by thirty-three species, distributed among sixteen genera. There are twelve species of cat-fishes, four of them the small stone eats, rarely seen by fishermen, and thirteen of the sucker family, four of them buffalo fishes. The sea bass are represented by two species; the sheepshead by one; the fresh water sculpins by one; and the codfish family by but one,—the burbot. There are three of the salmon family within our limits, all from the lake; one ‘*blind’’ fish, one trout perch, four toothed minnows, three species of pike, and one each of the mud minnows, eels, sticklebacks, silversides, pirate perches and elassomes. The lampreys are represented by two species, the shovel-fish by one, the sturgeons by two, and the gars by three. We have also the one dog-fish, two moon-eyes, one representative of the shad family, and the hickory shad.

DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIES.

A few brief notes respecting the peculiarities of distribution in Illinois will not be without interest. The extraordinary length of this State, from north to south, extending through nearly six degrees of latitude, the southern ex- tremity lying in the southern (Austroriparian) zodlogical region, and the northeastern corner covering a portion of the Great Lake area, gives us an “unusual number of species whose range does not extend throughout our ter- ritory; some being strictly southern, others as strictly northern, and still others extending their range from the north southward, or from the south northward, without actually reaching the opposite extremity of the State. For the purpose of presenting these facts of distribution in a compact and summary manner, I append lists of species peculiar to the different parts of Illinois, so far as our present knowledge extends, it being taken for granted, of course, that my references to distribution relate only to Illinois.

The first list includes those species which are found in the northern part of the State, and do not occur to the southward, those found, that is, in Illinois north of the Illinois River on the parallel of Ottawa and La Salle.

The second list includes those northern species which extend more or less to the southward, but do uot reach the hilly region of Southern Illinois be- yond the Big Muddy River, or the valley of the Wabash south of Vincennes.

The third list includes the Southern Illinois species, which extend north- ward beyond the limits of the region just mentioned, but do not pass the LIli- nois River to the north beyond La Salle and Ottawa.

The fourth‘and final list includes those species which are confined to South- ern Illinois, as above limited.

Two species, Notropis macrolepidotus and Oxygeneum and pulverlentum, have occurred in the central part of the State, but not in either extremity, but as these are represented only by single specimens each, this fact has no geo- graphical significance.

Another species Umbri limi, occurs in the two extremities of the State, but not in the center,—a peculiarity explained by the preference of the species for waters not occurring in Central Illinois.

NORTHERN.

Lota maculosa, Perea americana, Etheostoma eos, Etheostoma lineolatum, Etheostoma zonale, Hadropterus evides, Gasterosteus ineonstans, Esox no- bilior, Fundulus diaphanus, Salvelinus namayeush, Coregonus artedi, Core- gonus clupeiformis, Hyodon alsoides, Squalius elongatus, Couesius prosthe- mius, Notropis anogenus, Hybognathus nubilus, Ammoceetes niger.

(EHighteen species. )

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NORTHERN AND CENTRAL.

Lepomis gibbosus, Lepomis ischyrus, Labidesthes sieculus, Percopsis gut- tatus, Rhinichthys astronasus, Pimephales promelas, Catostomus teres.

(Seven species.)

SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL.

Roceus interruptus, Etheostoma asprigene, Hadropterus_phoxocephalus, Lepomis notutus, Lepomis humilis, Lepomis symmetricus, Notropis jejunus, Notropis lutrensis, Placopharynx carinatus, Ictiobus cyprinellus, Ictalurus marmoratus, Litholepis tristeechus, Scaphirbynchops, platyrhynchus, Polyo- don spathula.

(Fourteen species.)

SOUTHERN.

Ktheostoma fusiforme, Etheostoma flabellare, Diplesium blennioides, Le- pomis garmani, Centrarchus macropterus, Elassoma_ zonatum, Gambusia patruelis, Chologaster papiliferus Platygobio pallidus, Ericymba bucecata.

(Ten species.)

ECONOMIC RELATIONS.

Our most valuable food fishes are found chiefly in the perch and salmon families; in the former the common perch, the sauger, (or ‘‘jack salmon’’), the wall-eyed pike, the crappies, and the two black bass; and in the latter, the white: fish, the lake trout, and the lake herring.

But little inferior to‘the perches are the two principal members of the pike family—the common pike and the muskallunge. Inferior but always salable species are found among the eat-fishes, the sucker family, and the smaller sun-fishes—the largest species of the first and the three buffalo-fishes being more generally and widely marketed than all other species together. Our river carp, a nearly worthless fish, included with the suckers, is not at all to be confounded with the European earp, the two belonging, in fact, to different - families. The sturgeon, the sheepshead, the white bass, the striped bass, most of our sun fishes, and the burbot of the lakes are also generally eaten. peed: even the dog-fish and the shovel-fish are esteemed for food in some

oealities,

Briefly, we may say that of our one hundred and thirty-two native fishes, about twelve are of a superior quality; six at least,—the white-fish, the lake trout, the two pike perch, and the two black bass,—being among the best of all fresh water fishes. Eighteen others are of fair and always merchantable quality, and at least a dozen more are really to be classed as edible, although they are not always eaten.

Besides these forty or more directly useful species, nearly all the others are to be considered indirectly valuable, as affording indispensible food to the edible kinds, especially to the best of these, the most highly prized game fishes. While it may be an open question whether some of the poorer food- fishes on our list do not more harm than good by appropriating food which would otherwise maintain a large number of their betters, the absolutely in- jurious species—those which inflict injury and render no benefit, direet or in- direct, in return—are only the two lampreys and the three gars, the first be- ing parasites and the others predaceous species which are never eaten them- selves, either by fishes or by men.

I think that no one, with these facts in mind, ean for a moment doubt that the native fish fauna of Illinois is well worthy of careful study and of most solicitous protection. Its value, present and prospective, now little under- stood, will become more and more evident as the people of the State become better educated iv our local natural history, and will, in faet. rapidly appre- ciate as food becomes more costly, and as the intelligent and well direeted efforts of our State Fish Commission bear their necessary fruit. It is the writer’s own opinion that the preservation and improvement of our native fishes, already adapted to our climate, waters, and peculiar conditions of life afford a far more promising field of practical fish culture than the importa- tion of foreign species, except, perhaps, the European carp.

CHAMPAIGN, ILL., December 30, 1884.

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