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LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

Ilis Excellency Governor Gifford Pinchot, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. . '

Sir:

Conforming to the provisions of Article V, Section 504 of the Administrative Code, we h^ve the honor to present herewith report of the operations of tlie Board of Fish Commissionei-s. This report covers the period from June 1, 1924 to May 31, 1020.

We have sot forth the major accomplishments dnring your admin- istration, dividing them into two classes, Fx^gislation and Program of the Board covering its activities. The new Fish C(Kle which you approved May 2, 1925 is the best piece of fish legislation ever enacted, and will do much towards the conservation of the fish in our waters!

In formulating its program the Board has endeavored to do only the things which would increase the number and size of fish distri- buted and better the fishing coijditions in all our waters.

Bespect fully,

BOARD OF FISH COMMlMMiO^MlM

K. R. Buller, Commissioner of Fisheries

John Hamberger

M. A. Riley

Charles Reitell

T. H. Barter

Dan R. Schnabel

Leslie W. Seylar

Dr. Wm. Mann Irvine.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING MAY 31st, 192G

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The signal accomplishments in the interests of fish production and for the special benefit of the angler fall into two groups:

1. Legislation.

2. The Board enlarged its program of activities along the following lines :

Hatching, propagation and distribution of fish. Extensions at present hatcheries. Purchase of new hatcheries.

Protection of the streams and waters in which the public is allowed to fish. '

LEGISLATION

After a careful survey of the ne<^ds of the fisheries and a confer- ence with the fishermen, bills were drafted and presented to the Legislature. The following was the result:

Reduction of the age limit under Resident Fisherman's License from 18 to 16 years.

Restricting all inland water fishing to two rods and two lines and one hand line with not more than 3 hooks attached to each line.

Reciprocal License for Non-resident Fishermen, the fee in no instance to be less than |2.50.

Shortening of the season on bass, pike perch, pickerel niuscallonge, etc., closing on the first day of December instead of the 30tli.

Creel limits on all species of fish excepting eels.

Reduction of creel limits on all species of fish.

Artificial propagation license for trout and bass increased from 10 to 25 dollars.

Artificial propagation license for raising other species of fish i*e- duced to 50 cents. This will stimulate fish raising by the farmer giving proper protection by law. The Board supjdying certain species under fish cultural applications. (See Fish Raising by the Farmer).

Commercial Fishing License fee on Lake Erie increased 100 per cent for the resident citizen and double the amount for the non-resi- dent.

Mesh of nets for commercial fishing increased.

Regulations provided whereby the Board established a closed sea- son for commercial fishing from DecendK'r Ifith to Marcli 1st.

Concurrent legislation on the Delaware Iwtween the States of Pennsylvania and New York.

Making all moneys in excess of the sum of 1400,000 in any one year available, with the consent of the Governor, lor the purchase of landls and waters and for the impounding of waters for use by the citizens of the Commonwealth for tishing and forestry purposes.

The grouping of the seven laws governing fishing under one law known as the Fish Code of 1925.

PROGEAM ADOPTED COVKKIXG ACTlVlTtKS OF THE BOARD

PROPAGATION

Practically all fish now reared at the State hatcheries are held until tliey attain a size where they will be able to care for them- selves when ])laced in the streams (i. e.) all trout shipped range from 4 to 10 and 12 inches; bass 2 to G inches; suufish I14 to 5 inches and catflfih iy% to 8 inches.

A building in'ogram is being carried out at the Pleasant Mount hatchery which is doing much towards the propagation of the black bass. When completed, Pennsylvania's facilities will not be equalled in the United States. (See report Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries for more detailed information. Page 14).

DISTRIBUTION

In order to provide a well balanced distribution of fish, a survey of the streams and waters of the Commonwealth is being made. All waters are being classiiied as to area, depth, s])ecies of fish, acpiatic life, general conditions, etc. When the survey is completed informa- tion will .be at hand showing the carrying capacity of every lake or stream, and what the production of fish should be to adeipiately stock all waters. This data w^ll be plotted on maps of the ditt"erent counties. Colors wdll be used to indicate trout streams and those which are inhabited by bass and other species.

A monthly ix»port is preimred showing the distribution of fish in the different counties together with the names of the streams, ship- ping point and species of fish. (This information is available to the fishermen.) The distribution by county aud species is piunted m tUfi Departmental Statistics.

EXTENSIONS AT PRESENT llATCIlElilES

Construction work has be<»n comjdeted at the IMeasant Mount hatcheiw, consisting of Hatching House No. 2; two large Propagat- ing Ponds; numerous Rearing Pools and additions to the large Storage Dams. This hatchery now has a water area of approxi- mately 300 acres. (For detailed description of this hatchery see Page 13).

At Corry additional land has been purchased, and rearing pondt constructed, which will increas<» the output of brook trout by at least 40 percent.

At Torresdale all pondsT^ave WN*t! recoftstrweted, which will greatly increase the output.

At Bellefcnte seven new concrete ponds were constructed and a wall for a large dam finished, v.hen work is completed the output will be materially increased.

PURCHASE OF NEW RATCIIERIES

Four members of the Board were appointed as a Hatchery Com- mittee to survey sites for additional hatcheries, so that the output of fish could be increa^sed to more adequately meet the demands of the fishermen. During December of 1925 the Board purchased and paid for a hatchery site in Bedford County known as the ReynOlds- dale Hatchery. The spring has a flow of 1200 gallons per minute, without contamination or fear of be^ng affected bv floods. Plans are now being prepared for the construction of the" hatching house and rearing ponds. This hatchery will be principally for the raising of trout.

Authorization has also been made for the purchase of a site on Tubbs Run, Tionesta, Forest County. In acquiring this site the Board will take over the entire stream known as "Tubbs Run", a distance of approximately six miles. Sufficient land is also included on each side of the stream from its source to its mouth, where it empties into the Allegheny River. At this point there is about 32 acres for the construction of ponds and hatching houses. There is ample flow of water for developing a warm water fish hatchery and analysis shows that it is well adapted for the species of fish to be propagated. The lay-out can be so arranged that when completed there will be a water* surface area of approximately 500 acres. This hatchery will supply fish for the majority of the waters west of the mountains and a better location could not have been secured.

This Committee is inspecting other sites throughout the Common- wealth and another site will be recommended before the close of 1926.

The Board of Fish Commissioners ha.s gone on record as being in favor of establishing a definite program for ten additional major hatcheries, providing the necessary funds are available. The Hatch- ery Committee will draw up a program setting forth the needs of the Poard and designating sections of the State where additional hatcheries should .be located.

PROTECTION

Eight adiditional regular officers have been appointed, and regula- tions have been adopted covering the appointment of special officers so that their services will be of the greatest benefit to the Board and the fishermen. Additional regular officers will be employed as rapidly as the funds will permit.

BOARD'S ACTIVITIES FILMED

An accomplishment which will mean miieh to the Board of Fish Commissioners from an educational standpoint was the completion of a series of motion pictures, showing the present hatcheries, the propa- gation of the brook trout, the yellow perch and the commercial fishing industi^. Tliese pictures have been receiving much favorable com- ment and a representative of the Board has been filling three and four engagements a week in different sections of the Commonwealth where thK'se pictures are being shown to the different Associations and organizations interested in the propagation of fish. The following reels are available:

1^ — T^^'o Reels showing the physical properties of the Board. 2 — Four Reels showing the propagation of the brook trout.

3_Three Reels showing the propagation of the yellow perch. 4 Five Reels showing the com,mereial fishing industry.

NEW LICENSE BUTTON FOR FISHERMEN.

The License Button for 1927 will have a device on the back for carrying the license, together with an improved pin. This will im- mediately meet with the approval of the fishermen and will solve one of the probleans which the Board has been endeavoring to over- come since the inauguration of the License Law.

CO OPERATION WITH THE SANITARY WATER BOARD.

The Act of Assembly approved June 7, 1923, P. L. 448, known as the Administrative Code, transferred the administration of the pollution clause of the fish laws to the Sanitary Water Board which was created bv the Code. Upon request of the Sanitary Water Board and pursuant to Sections 501 and 502 of the Administrative Code, field agents of the Board of Fish Commissioners in connection with the performance of tlieir reguhir duties, have traversed the streams and waters in fifteen counties and made reports for the consideration of the Sanitary Water Board in designating streams as Class ''A". They have also made inspections and reports for the use of the Sanitan- Water Board in 612 cases of stream pollution detri^nental to fish life, and re-inspected 28G cases, and through persuasion and the cooperation of industry have secured abatement in 148 cases of pollution.

The Board of Fish Commissioners is deeply interested in the work of the Sanitaiw Water Board and is bending every effort toward cooperation. The creation of this Board was a great step forward and the purification of all waters is one of vital importance to the Board of Fish Commissioners.

The Board believes that the acco,mplishments as set forth on the preceding |)ages show real progress, and with the carrying out oi the Board's pro^,n-am durinf,^ the next biennium, fishing in Pennsyl- vania will greatly increase in all waters.

RECO:\rMENDATION8

The recommendntlons of the Board of Fisft ffommissfonws could not be better set forth than in the address delivered by Mathew A. Riley, a member of the Board, before .the Conservation Council of Pennsvlvania at its Fourth Annual Meeting May 3rd, 1926, which follows :

"One of the ])roblems l)efore the Board is to provide for every fisherman in this Commonwealth such a supply of fish in the one hundred thousand miles of our streams, that he could catch as many " as he wanted eveiy time he decided to go fishing, indeed, from some of the expressions voiced by certain ones of the angling brotherhood, it would s(H»m necessary for the Broad, iu addition to providing the fish, which must be of good size and so educated, that when a cer- tain patented device in the form of a stringer, with individual C0|m- partments, as it were, would be placed in a stream or lake, contigu- ous to an easy resting place for the fisherman, they would, without

disturbing the angler, attach themselves securely to the holding device so that, when the spirit moved the angler to return to the bosom of his family, the fish could be transferred from the stream to the waiting automobile, draped unostentatiously on either side of the vehicle and the return made in triumph, ease and satisfaction, and, I suppose, when the Board has solved this problem to the satis- faction of the aforementioned, it will be required of the Board in addition to so educating the fish that they will attach themselves to the stringer, that stringers will be planted in all streams ad- jacent to the more traveled highways, so that the motoring angler will be required only to give a certain signal as he travels along, when one of the agents of the Board will immediately appear at the road side with a days catch for the motoring angler, who will, in all probability, berate the Board's agent, because the fish are not in his opinion, up to the standard he requires for the dollar he has expended for his fishing license.

This brings to mind the problem confronting the Board of deter- mining just how many fish should be allotted each angler as value received for the dollaV he pays, and seems to be about twenty per day, of each species, on the Average. According to the fish code, he' is allowed, for many fish, a daily limit of 25, Trout, Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Catfish, Suckers, Chutos and Fall fish; of Bass small and lai-ge mouth — combined 10; of other kinds of bass 15; of Wall- eyed IMke 10; of Pickerel 15; of Muscallonge 3.

Would you say a days limit is worth the price of a license? How many more than one days limit can ^^u buy for one dollar? And the anglers have many days during the season to catch a total equal to a days limit.

I know one estimable gentleman, a trout fisherman, whose home is in Center County, who says he caught more than 12 days limit of trout in 1925—1 wonder if he thinks he got a dollars worth?

There are jirobably one hnndred thousand trout fishermen in Pennsylvania, a total of one days limit in a season for each one of them means that two million five hnndred thousand trout have been taken frojn the waters of tlie rommonwealth.

If each angler averaged a catcli during the season equal to two days limit it would mean that five million trout were t^iken from our streams, and every added lisli ])er fisherman nieans that another one hundred thousand were creeled or strung on willow branches. The 100^^; producing capacity of the trout hatcheries un<ler the con- trol of the Board is approximately two and a half million. If all the trout fishermen caught 12 days limit, and if as claimed by many, the trout do not reproduce themselv(>s naturally any more, the problem confronting the Board here would be to produce annu- ally thirty million trout and place them in the waters of this Com- numwealth, and we are supposing that all of them live to catchable gize— that is, to the legal limit of six inches. Isn't this some prob- lem? Of course, some one will say, why not use the head waters of our streams for ti'out nurseries? Well, all of yon who know any- thing abont fish, know that the principal food of all fish is fish in some form or other. You who do know, know that bugs, flies, etc.,

are only available at certain seasons of the year— and that fish do not fast between hatches of bngs and flies. What then do they live on? You know what nature has provided and I know— it is fish. It may be the voung of suckers, carp, catfish— minnow life in general, and if these*^ be scarce— do you imagine a hungry trout would balk at eating a smaller trout if it were obtainable? Well, the Board of Fish Copimissioners, cannot screen larger trout out of the small stream nor can it successfully grade the trout in such stream so that they are all of one size, and' it naturally follows that such streams, stocked to repletion, become a food paradise for what ever trout may be lai-ger than his fellows, and the eiforts of the Board and the sportsmen are wasted. It is the policy of the Board to keep open to the fisheranan every stream capable of harboring fish.

Another problem confronting the Board is the matter of protect- ing the fish against those wlio habitually endeavor to get more than their legal share, and who destroy more than they take. Not only do they destrov the voung fish but they destroy the aquatic vegeta- tion upon which the food for small fish lives, either when these violators use seines, nets, poisons or explosives.

If the Board is to ^laintain its maximum capacity of production, which is small enough in all conscience, when we consider the facts, not more than fortv-five thousand dollars may be appropriated for protection— This allows for about twenty regular wardens, with oc- casional i-equisitions of men from the State Police at critical seasons, and is about 15 jw-rcent of tlie 192.5 income, and the Board jnaintains that the fishermen are also responsible for the protection of the fish since their money is now the sole support of the Fisheries Depart- ment. Three Associations in the Commonwealth have the realizing sense of this responsibility and act accordingly — Two of these of which I have knowledge, are branches of a large Association \vith a nivnber of branches in western Pennsylvania, and one Association in the central part, with headquarters in this city. Their members and paid agents patrol the streams in their vicinity, apprehend violators of the fish and game laws, and give information, and bear witness against those whom they are unalde to personally apprehend. When this custom or activity becomes general throughout the Common- wealth, we mav expect violations to be reduced to the minimum, and not before, because the total income from both hunting and fishing licenses, while totaling a million dollars or more, is not sufficient to provide adequate protection for the streams and covers of the entire State. As an illustration let me point out that the Board (»f Fish Commissioners, during the greater portion of 1025, had twenty wardens in service, or one warden for each five thousand miles of sti^eams, and the Board of Game Commissioners have or had during 1925, about one man in the field for each county in the State— actually engaged in patroling a territory larger than the combined area, of Massachusetts, New Ilampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey and Delaware. This is a fact, a total of less than one hundre<l men to protect an area greater than that of the seven States mentioned and a goodly portion of ^lary- land in addition. I tell you this is some State. Let the sportsmen

get busy on protection, not only on fish and game but also on the forests, for without the forests we could have neither fish nor game.

Thus far we have been discussing paiCcularly the trout, but there is another fish which the anglers are clamoring for. This fish presents the hardest problem in production that confronts the Board of Fish Commissioners. All other fishes kill to live, that is, to supply the body with sustenance, but this fish— this murderer — this infanticide, this demon of the waters— this fresh water tiger, kills for pleasure— He lives to kill. This black bass, this small mouth- ed, black hearted bass. This is the fish another hundred thousand fishermen in Pennsvlvania demaoid, and it makes no difference to these anglers that no other fish can long remain in territory infested with this ferocious monster — they Avant him — not alone that he is good to eat — ^but because of his vicious fighting qualities. Not only has nature dcH^reed that he may not be artificially propa^ijated as are the trout and many other fishes, but he demands live food from the minute he begins to feed and his alimentary system refuses to function prop- erly on any except that live food. Attempts have been made for years and years to propagate him artificially without success, but even nature herself has Ix^en balked re|:»eatedly because he allows a few degrees of temperature in the water to prevent ripening of the spawn, and from tliat cause alone has come, many times, the loss of an ex- pected season's increase.

The male may and does build the nest, scouts around for a practi- cally rii>ened female^ yet 1 efore he can coax her to the nest so beauti- fully sv/ept and garnished, a sudden drop in the temperature of the air chills the water a few degrees, checjks the ripening process in the femajle, and she deserts her spouse, seeks deeper waters and there stays for a period. If the chill continues for only a few days, the unvoided spawn deteriorates — the female dies — or the spawn is void- ed without the presence of the fructifying male and the spawn — un- guarded, becomes food for rough fish.

The Board was able in 1924, at its ha/tching station at Pleasant Mount, in Wayne County, under natural conditions, to secure about six hundred and forty thousand baby bass, and <listributed them throughout the State. In 1925 with increased facilities, it was only able to secure about three hundred ninety thousand baby bass, due to a drop in temperature at spawning tinie which continued only two days. The Board expected to harvest at least a million baby bass in 1925 but due to those two days of low temperature, more than three fifths of the crop were lost. Expectaltions and hopes again run high this year, but in this as in all cases, Man propo^s — God disposes.

In addition to our calculations as to the necessary number of trout required for the satisfaction of the fishermen, we may also do a little iiguring on account of the bass fishermen. Fortunately for the bass, the daily bag limit has been rcMluced from twelve to ten, and by that one stroke has been saved one-sixth of the bass. Neverthe- less, the potential catch is ])roportional. With the trout we have about one hundred days in which to catch twelve days limit, with the bass we have one hundred and twenty five dfeiys to catch 12 days limit or a little less than one per day. Twelve days limit of bass is 120 x

100 000 or 12 million bass. Now while I grant you that the twelve days limit per season would hardly l>e exceeded on the average even if the fish were avaihible, 1 beg you to not overlook the fact tliat 1^ times the potential caiScity in bass must be provided to cover the situation. That is, twelve hatching stations of one million capacity would have to be provided to bring about and maintain such a status Similarly, to provide the 12 day limit in trout, the facilities would necessarily have to be increased twelve fold. We have two trout hatcheries, and one auxiliary station where trout may be wintered, so that to provide thirty million trout, we would have to have tw^enty haitcheries, and ten auxiliaries. You can see that this phase of the matter has received some attention in a preliminary way at the hands of the Board, so also has the financial aspect of the situation received its due share of attention.

The Board is now in control of six hatcheries located as follows: One in Wayne Countv, at Pleasant .Mount. This station is the larg- est, and is valued at a million and a quarter dollars. Here He lioard propagates trout, blue-gills, catnsh, frogs, y^^^l^^ ptuTh pike perch and bass, and the output in 1025, approximated 49 .)(>0,OUU tish of all kinds, with a value if purchased of ,?18G,220. The next in importance in point of production value is located at Torres( ale

uiue-uui^, caiiifsii aiiu iiiiiin^^n i" «^"v, »«x..^ ^^ „ — ? - - ,

Erieriu the (Mty of Erie, which produced Pike l^^^'W^^^,^'"':;:^^ Blue Pike, Cisco and Miscellaneous tish to the value of |32,M)0. i he next is at Corry, in Erie County, from which the Board shipi)ed trout and Miscellaneous tish to the value of «;28,200, and from belle , fonte in Centre Countv, where they shipped trout to the value ot 120,800, making a shipping value in 1025, if . these tish xNH^e to be purchased, and usinjr commercial hatchery prices, ot i^^(>.>,l-0. l He income of the P»oard from all sources in 1925 amounted in ronnt! fiirures to |208,?,15, so that the Board produced in value, in excess^ of its receipts, the difference between i^2I)S,:U5 and ^:*>(5:^,120 or |n4,M).)— in other words the P»oard paid a dividend to the tishermen of more than 20% if we consider only the receipts nnd the value of the prod- uct. However, additions to'inoducing facilities were made in 1925, at a cost of ^08,3:U», and which would not be available for use until 192G. If this sum were dethicted from the amount receive<l, it would show the Jictual cost of producing and ])rotecting the 1925 iiroduct, so that we have 1298,315 minus i?(»8,330 or |229,979 as jhe cost of the lt)25 ])roduct, and ns there were approximately 253,875 resident tish- ermens' licenses issued in 1925, the Board produced tish to the value of 11.43 for every dollar provided by the resident tishermen of the Commonwealth.

This wh(de matter makes a long story, but I have condensed it as much as possible, and have left out many things which are of absorb- ing interest to the Board as matters of detail but which would re- quire hours ol explanation, to properly place them before you. They are therefore, omitted from this paper.

Your attention is now directed to the future. You have heard what I have said as to the requirements in numbers of fish to pro- vide twelve days limit per season in the two most important hsli, that is, important to the sportsman, also I have mentioned the ta- cilities required in order to produce this tremendous number ot hsii. Before the Board had figured very closely on this matter it was the concensus of o|)ini()u among the members ot the lioard. induced pnu^ cinallv by the complaints of tlie fishermen that conditions in regard to results in fishing were not satisfactory, that more hatcheries were an absolute necessity, and looking at the financial aspect of the situation, discovered that it would be possible, by practicing strict economy, to purchase three site;^ for hatcheries, and as the funds became available from year to year, gradually develop the new sites into producing units. Further investigation liowever, con- vinced the Board, especially after they had carefully figured the pre- sent requirements and had estimated those of the future, that three sites and their gradual development would only be an aggravation to the fishermen, and a continual disappointment to the Board, so that in January of this year, the Board definitely embarked on a pol- icv of expansion that would, they hop.'d. with the help of the sports- men and conservationists, so increase the praducing facilities of the. Board that bv 1!I30, it would be possible for the Board to provide the fishermen with at least four full days fishing each season, in other words, the Board formulated a program calling for the location ami construction, of ten additional hatching stations, each with a capacity of one million fish from 4 to 0 inches in lenglh, or approximately one ve-ir of atre as experience lias demonstrated that fish of that size and iai-ffer have 80 chances in 100 of surviving to the reproductive age, to less than 5 chances in 100 when placed in the stream in what is known as the advanced fry stage.

The Board knows of course, that the income from the sale of li- censes b,^h resident and non-resident will not finance such an am- bitrou; program, nevertheless, they have confidence in the sportsmen and the people of public si.irit-the conservationists and overs of out-doors^n general, anl they propose to put the problem o tinanc.s In the"r hands, fullv assured that when they are appraised of the situ- ation the necessarv fun.ls will be provid.-d. There are wo a"R •'« to Sis m- position. o"ne of which is that the Stale should provide the drVor tliM-urchase and construction of ^^^^1^]^^^^ flshermeii should provide the operating expenses Ihe othei is that Jv m IS of a large im'rease in the license fee the ^f ^;7^».f »" J be made to bear the whole of the enormous expense of this ^el^ n™ry undertaking. If the sportsm.i alone --e to p.ovide lie^ funds the mature sportsmen 1 mean, I would fa\or the lattii pio Sect Vt we must g ve s..me consideration t„ tliose younger sports- ^^en-Tln^e under the legal age of manhood and womanhood, who X to be the mature spoHsmen of the future, and who may now be m.al e ^. bc^u- Lo extra burden which would thus be imposed upon

and to all construction on such properties, the title does not abide in the name of the Board or Commission or in the body of the citi- zens providing the funds for such purchase and construction nor can such purchase price or cost of construction be returned to its source, if such property is sold when it has proved unavailable for the pur- pose intended, in other words when the fishermen's money is once used for such a purpose it is, to ajl intents and purposes, the property of the State and cannot be recovered.

For this reason it is believed by the Board that the influence of the sportsmen and the conservationists should be exerted on behalf of the program of the Board to the end that fisli producing facilities be provided by the State, and that the Legislature of 1927 be asked to provide an adequate sum for the purchase of sites and the con- struction of hatching stations to be available during he 1927-1928 Biennium."

The following is a detailed report of the activities of the Board :

ADMINISTRATIVE ORGAMZATIOX.

The accompanying chart shows the Administrative Organization as of May 31, 1920, the only increase in the personnel since the last biennium is in the Protection Service. This l)ranch of the service is greatly under-manned but ivny increase will have to be deferred until funds are available for that purpose.

STATISTICS.

With the exception of a few tables areohtained in this report, the statistical data compiled by the Board will l)e contadncd in the vol- ume knowm as ^'Pennsylvania Departmental Statistics," published by the State through the Department of State and Finance.

A monthly report has been adopted which shows the financial con- dition of the Board and will also embody the i)r(>duction and value of fish shipped each month, also the commitments of the capital and expense outlays to the end of the fiscal period.

PROPAGATION.

Six hatcheries are at present in operation. One new site at Rey- noldsdale has Imm^u purchased, the develo|)ment of which will be started in 1926. This will be a trout hatchery and will greatly as- sist in taking care of the south-western and south-central sections of the State. With the new site r(K^ommen<led at Tionesta and an- other under construction in the south-eastern secticm the Board's dis- tribution in the near future will be greatly increased. The final decision as to the proper site for a hatchery is a question which must have careful study so that the best interests of the fishermen can be conserved.

The location and tyi>es of the present hatcheries, are as follows:

No. 1. Pleasant Blount, Wayne County, Penna. Warm Water Fish and Trout.

No. 2. Erie, Erie County, Penna. Lake and Warm Water Fish.

No. 3. Corry, Erie County, Penna. Trout.

No. 4. Belief on te, Center County, Penna. Trout.

No. 5. Torresdale, Philadelphia, Penna. Warm Water Fish.

No. 6. Union City, Erie County, Penna. Warm Waaler Fish,

During the last biennium a definite construction program has been carric*d out. Eight new ponds were constructed at the Corry Hatch- ery and eight flowing wells drilled which doubles the water supj)ly and increases the hatchery output forty percent.

The retaining ponds at the Torresdale Hatchery were all rebuilt of concrete and this hatchery is now capabLft oi ha and difl-

tributing many additional fish.

Seven new concrete ponds were constructed and a wall for a large dam finished at the Bellefonte Hatchery, when work is completed the output will be materially increased.

The major hatchery is located at Pleasant Mount, Wayne County, and at present has a water surface area of approximately 350 acres. It has all the natural faeilit^'es and a large construction program is being carried on. When completed practically every species of fish distributed will be propagated and it will be pos??ible to hold all species, except Pike Perch, until they are what is termed) as '*3'ear- lings".

The construction work at this hatchery during the last biennium consisted of Hatching House No. 2, two large propagating ponds, numerous rearing pools and additions to the large storage dams.

So that the public may be more familiar with the operation of a model fish hatchery, the foll(»win«x article has been prepared by C. R. Buller, Deputy Fish Commissioner:

"The Wayne Hatchery is one of six hatcheries owned and operated by the State of Pennsylvania under the directicn of the* I?oard of Fish Commi.ssioners.

It is l(K*ated at Pleasant Mount, Wayne County, on the head wjiters of Lacka waxen <^i*eek. Fortunately it has two sources of water supply. One from springs, whose water is used for the propa- gation of trout, and the other source, a storage djmi on the head waters of the crei?k, which produces water for the propagation of the warm water fishes. This hatchery is under the supervision of G. W. Buller, and the fishes pro])ag.ited are the trout, black bass, yellow perch, j)ike perch, blue-gill sunfish, catfish and minnows. Mr. Buller has the plant divided into four units. Unit Number One consists of all buildings, among which are Hatchei-y Building Number One, the first floor of which has a battery capacity consisting of 280 jars and

an acniarinm wliere forty-fivo different species of live ftHli can be ex- hibited The ground floor of the haitchery building has a battery ca- pacity of UO jars and thirtv-two double trout troughs. The battery spacj in this l)uilding is used for the incubation of the pike perch eggs. The trout troughs are used for the incubation of the trout eggs and frr cariiu^ for the baby trout until they have attained the proper size to be phiced in the out-door nursery ponds. The aquar- ium, while visited bv many peoi)le intiavsted in fish and fishing, is maiiitained for educationaf purposes. During the school months this aquarium is visited bv many classes of children and during the sum- mer months bv troop^s of IJoy and Oirl Scouts. The instructor or scout master usually makes arrangeimnits with the hatchery super- intendent in time for him to have a compc^tent guide explain the various workings of a hatchery to the children. In addition to the live fish disolaved in tliis aqiiarium, s])eciinens of all fish eggs in their various stages of development are kept in preservatives for the use of the classes.

Hatchery Number Two, which is used principally as a shipping

building and a clearing house, has a battery capacity of 140 jars and

twenty-five large storage tanks in the main room. These storage

tanks aw used in grading the fish for various sizes and to retain the

fish until they are in a proper condition to start on their journey to

the public streams. The room on the south end of this building is

made ])rincipallv of ubiss. In this room throughout the winter

months, fish, frogs, tadpoles, turtles, newt, water insects, aquatic

])lants etc., are kept for me in our public institutu)ns. Adjoining

the shipping room Is the storage room where th^ shio])ing cans, nets,

etc, are stored. In addition to this Tnit Number One consists of a

series of nonds ranging from 200 square feet to three acres. Trout

are reared in the pimds on the west side of the Lackawaxen Creek.

The i)onds on the east side of the creek are used principally for the

l)rogagatiow of bass.

Thwwgh a system w<nked out by the hatchery Superintendent, many of these ponds serve a threefold ])nrpose. In the sjning ot the year the parent bass are s(»lected and placed in the brood ponds. They have com]!leted their spawning, and the baby bass are th** pro- per size tt) be placed in the bj^s nursery ponds bv June 30th, at which time all the brorxl 1 ass an* collected and placd in one storage dam wher(» thev can be ])ro]>erly fed and cared for until the next year's spawning. This leaves a numb'r of bass brood iwnds empty. Jiy this time baby yellow perch, catfish and blne-gdl sunfish are brought from the other units and placed in these available ponds. As fall api-roaches the young bass are removed from the nursery ponds and sent out f(»r distribution. In the meantime the trout on the west side of the creek are living in a crow^ded condition, due to their growth throughout the summer months, and they are n w care- fully sorted into three sizes. The trout of a pro|K»r size for distriVm- tioii are retained in the clearins: house until they are in proper con- dition for shipi)ing. The water in the ponds on the east side of the creek, which formerly contained the young bass, is now low rnough temperature to retain trout through out th" winter months. 'Hie second sized trout an* then placed in these ponds and the third size

placed back in the trout ponds and held until early spring or until such a time a^s they are large enough for stocking our trout waters.

In Unit Number Two the parent pike perch, yellow perch, blue- gill sunfish and catfish are retained. At the spawning time of the pike perch, which is very early spring, the eggs are artificially taken from the parent fish, brought to the hatchery at Unit Number One and hatched in jars on the bj-^ttery. When hatched the fish are shipped in the fry stage, as there is no known way to hold a large number of pike perch fry in captivity- for any length of time.

A few weeks after the pike perch are through spawning the yel- low perch spawn. Eggs cannot he successfully taken from the yel- low perch, therefore, the males and females aire carefully selected and placed in spawning pens, where conditions are favorable for them to de[)osit their eggs. After the eggs have been deposited in 4jie natural way they are collected and a portion of them brought to T^nit Number One and hatched on the battery in a way very much similar to the pike perch eggs. The balance of the eggs are shipped to the other warm water hatcheries, where they are hatched out in a similar process.

At the Wayne ITatchery sufficient brodd perch are refliined year after 3 ear to supply all the other State Hatcheries propagating this species of fish. Through a [)rocess of selective breeding all yellow perch distributed by the Htate Hatchery are off'-spring of exception- ally large parents. During the spring of 1925 these selective bred yellow ])erch produced 2.050 quarts of eggs. A large majority of the yellow ])erch are planted in the fry stage as they are propagated in such vast numbers that the Board of Fish Commissioners do not have available poml room to retain but a very small portion of them for any length of time.

Later in the year the catfish and blue-gill sunfish reproduce. As yet, the fish culturists have not been able to improve on the parent fishes' way of taking care of the e!i:gs and very young fish of these two species, hence, they are permitted to build their nests, deposit their eggs, care for them atid the very young fish in their own way. How- ever, after the babv fish leave the protection of their parents, it is essential that they be removed from the brood ponds and placed in the nursery ponds where tliey can have the pro]K»r food and care of a trained fish eulturist. Fortunately at this period) as before stated, some of the bass p(mds on Unit Number One are available for the jnirpose of caring for these baby fish, where they are held until late fall or until such time as they are the proper size for distribution.

Unit Number Three, which has a water area of apju-oximately one hundred acres, is used for the pro]mgation of the black bass. In this Unit the parent bass are permitted to build their nests, deposit tluM'r eggs and care for the biby 1 ass in their natural way. When the baby bass are ready to leave the protection of the paj-ents many of them" are removed to' the ba-;s nursery ponds in I'nit Number One. Owing to the excellent natural condition existing in this Unit, many of the baby bass an* permitte<l to remain in the brood pond with the parent' fish until late fall at which time they are removed and brought to Unit Number One for distribution.

In order to propagate black baiss, after the baby fish leave the daphnae feeding stage, they must be fed their natural food as long as they are I'etained at the hatchery. Unit Number Four has been set aside for the propagation of forage fishes for the purpose of feed- ing the baby bass. In order to have the baby minnows of the pro- per size to feed the baby bass, it is necessary that the Superintendent select species of minnows for the forage Unit that would spawn at the proper time. Two types of minnows were found well adapted for this particular use. ' From the larger and more hardy species of minnow the eggs are artificially taken from the parent fish, hat- ched on the battery in Unit Number One and the baby minnows re- leased in the bau«?s nursery ponds at such a time that when the bass leave the daphnae f(*eding stage they will have something to start feeding upon. The other type of minnow used for this work is per- mitted to spawn naturally and as the baby minnows are needed for bass foLMi, crews of trained men collect them and introduce them into the bass ponds.

It will be seen by the system worked out by the Superintendent of this hatchery thaf there are no bodies of water standing idle for any length of time. Again it can be readily seen that, with the ex- ception of a few weeks in August and a few weeks during mid-win- ter, when the roads are impassable, fish of some of the above named species are dailv leaving the hatchery to restock our public waters."

The complete statistics covering the distribution of fish for previous ears is contained in the Statistical Year Book.

As set forth in the accomplishments a comprehensive survey is being made of the streams and waters throughout the Commonwealth so that a more equitable distribution can be made. From the maps which will be prepared for distributian the angler will have informa- tion at hand showing where the different siiecies of fish are to be found and the nearest towTi from which he can reach the fishing grounds. Surveys of 15 counties have been completed and the map of Susquehanna County is now on the press and should be ready for distribution by January 1927.

FISH RAISING BY THE FARIVIER

The New Fish Code provides a 50 cent Artificial Propagation Li- cense for the raising of all si)ecies of fish excepting trout and bass. The Board has assisted many land owners in the construction of their ponds and furnishes certain species of fish. A new Bulletin is now in the hands of the printer on this subject and should be available by the first of the year. Those who construct ponds out of waste land find they are not only a source of f(K)d for themselves but can be developed to the point where a considerable amount of fish could be sold.

DISTRIBUTIOir:

During the year 11:25 the Board distributed 326,()C8.270 fish to the streams and waters throughout the Commonwealth in which the pub- lic are allowed to fish, having a value of f:i03,118.07. The following table shows the species, age and number of fish distributed together with the value if purchased:

SPECIES

ITout, .«.>—.. Bags, .«.,„.„ Pfko RTch, .. Yellow Perch, .

Sunflsh. .

Cntfl!»h,

Frogs,

Minnows, .„..

Ci^co, ._.-.

mw rike, _.-. Gold Fish. ....

Suhnon,

Mnscallongc, ..

Pick«r('l, ...

MIscfllanoous, .

12*

1'/^ to 5 fnch

4* to 10 &

2 to 0 In Fry

AGE

NUMBER

VALUE

1 &2 year ^d 3 & G month

Adult Fry Pry

Fry & 1 &3yrs. 4 mo. to 1 yr, 4 mo. to 1 yr.

2 years

Total,

(2)

(1) (1)

(S) <S)

781,136

38H,985

110,203,500

91,23D,966

miosis

112,.%3

510,. 500

909, .'W7

1*8,400,010

16,500,006

318

18.000

&-)0.000

2,800

175,802 31

116.786 50

47,466 20

17.141 84

36,403 50

6,(T79 80

25,526 00

9,2?0 11

14.761 00

2,484 36

87 10

99 00

250 00

SjDOO

1 m

326,668,270

1363,118 07

01 All flrh pirnted te l«kp Erie are in the fry stage. I'Ws is the only water in whlcb Blue Pike and Oi^co ni-c phintrd.

(2) During the yenr ICTS the Board of FlFh Comml.«i'lon"r8 adopted a policy of not distri- buting any trout under 4 inches. Owing to this size It was only possible to dlftribute 781,1^6 during the fall of in?n.

(3) The 850,000 Must allonge were for lakes In Northwestern Pennsylvania and the 18,000 Salmon were Cliinook Salmon for exi>erimental purposes.

FIELD SEKVICE

There is probably no more important work than the fiehl service which consists of the collection of fish and eggs, pond and stream survey, experimental and consultation work.

This branch of the service is under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries, who has a corps of specially trained men, capable of knowing just what to do, and of course, at the right time. It is from this source the eggs and fish are taken for all tlie Board's hatcheries. There is hardly a month in the year when they are not engaged in some branch of this work and it is difficult to realize just what constitutes the many duties of the field men. Many disappoint- ments are met with, as a sudden change in tem])erature, a strong wind, or a storm, might wreck the work for the entire year on s me particular specie of fish.

One of the outstanding arcomplishments of the field work is the progress which has been made in the propagation and study of the black bass. During the 3'ear Nineteen Twenty-Five, 388,985 bass were distributed to the streams and waters throughout the Common- wealth. This is a most difficult and expensive species of fish to ])ro- T>agate and from information received, the question of propngating bass of a suitable size in large numbers has not as yet been solved by any of the States or the United States Bureau of Fisheries. The Board hopes that during the year 1026 that it will 1^ able to distri- bute over 500,000 bass. A large body of water at the Wayne County Hatchery has l>een set aside for this work and with the improve- ments which will Ik* completed at the time of the spawning of the bass the output should be greatly increased. The field work is car- ried on almost entirely at the Wayne County Hatcherj-.

The following is a brief outline of the work of the Deputy Com- misKioiier of Fislieries, C. R. Bnller, for the last bienimim which inclndes a short article on the artificial propajiation of the \eilow Perch.

*'For the past number of years, I have been devotin^^ the niajv)r portion of niv time to certain problems connected with the propa- gation of bass and veHow iKU-ch, and upon my appointment as Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries, the lk)ard deemed it wise that 1 spend most of my time at the Wayne Hatchery where I could keep m close t(mch with this work. It was the desire of the Board for me to assist in increasinj^^ the supply of selective bred brood yellow perch and to lielp work out the bass forage proposition.

Through the aid of tlie Commissioner of Fisheries and the Hatch- erv Sui)erintendent, a definite program was established for the utili- zation of Units T, II and III. Unit I to be used for the retention of adult scientificallv bred vellow perch, blue-gill sunhsh and cat- fish Xuinber II for bass culture and Number III for a bass forage unit At the time the program was established, these units con- tained manv undesirable species of fish. The removal of these fish will require several years, as the work is held up during the yellow perch and bass seasons, and also during the winter months.

After the selective breeding of the yellow perch had passed the experimental stage, the program called for the retention of a suffi- cient number of the adult fish in Ihiit I to supi)ly all the warm water hatcheries with the eggs they require. In the spring of 192o, experiments were conducted in the use of the artificial spawning pens. This provetl to \ye a ^vonderful success and in the spring of 1026, by the use •of the spawning pens. Unit I produced one hun- dred and forty-one million eggs. Although the pens were of a temiKU-- ary construction, I feel, when they are ccmstructed acconling to the plans submitted some time ago, this Unit will be capable of produc- ing two hundred million eggs yearly.

Unit II, together with the warm water ])onds on the east side of the Lackawaxen, c()m])rises the areas set aside for the bass work. Although the number of bass for distribution is increasing each year, I nit II still contains a great many undesirable species of fish. Even with the removal of these and with the strides made in the bass forage problem, I I'eel that the limit of production at this plant has not yet been reached.

I was designated to endeavor to work out the bass forage problem, and 1 believe that with the coo])eration of the Commissioner of Fisheries and the Hatchery 8u]5erintendent we have made wonderful strides along this line; but to date, I am not ready to make any definite statements on what has b-en nccomidished thus far. I might say that each year the number of bass the nursers^ ponds caii carry through the daplinae feeding stage is increasing. After leaving this feeding stage the bass are fed on minnow life.

In the ])rogram outlined, Unit III was set aside as a bass forage unit. For this unit, it was necessary that we select species of the minnow life that are very ])rolific and will spawn at the proper season

Pubhc Information

V		1
••	i Education ui Exhibits
,
18 f	<b) Publicatijn.;
P, Enfori	(c) Lectures
1	(d' Articles
Makii
Law	2 Publicity
I n>\|	(4) Preas
(bl Posters A Si^m
f? 1	Cc) Stick eri
(Chi
1 1 ND. Spenctr 1

No 6

Union City WarmW»t«r H*lchery

Props. «a.l ion cfWarm

Ljation of w W.ierFish

CatTish, 5ha.d

Yellow perch

Pike- perch

Froaa , Minno»»J

F K. Rejdel (5upt,)

Z AsAisbant*

No 7

Utvf Stta

Spring Kfeado'.'S

Bedford County

Purchase ComplebeJ. December l-*-J5

Crtnstructi jn IVork

To Be Sl^ruei

1926

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS AdminiabraLive Organization

Jan. 1. 19Z6

of the year so that thoir offs})rino- will furnish food for the baby bass. The gohUn shiner and the sucker mouthed chub are found most desirable It will be necessary that we increase our supply of brood minnows each year. To a certain extent, the success of the bass work de])ends upon the number of forage fish pr:;duced, and it is necessary that the production of fora.i»e ftsh be increased in propoi'tion to the increased production of the bass.

TUE ARTIFICIAL PKOPAGATIOX OF YELLOW 1»ERCH IN

PENNHYLVANIA

No attemi;t to any extent was made in Pennsylvania to artificially rear the yellow pei'ch until several years ajgo, this work is now being carried on at the Wayne Hatchery, located at I'leasant Mount, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.

In close proximity to this hatchery are numerous small natural lakes. The yellow perch deposit their eggs in shallow water along the shore line a few wtvks after the ice leaves the body of water in the s])ring. Owing to the habit of the yellow perch of spawning in the shallow water along the shore line each year, thousands of eggs are washed ashore by the wind or left higli and dry by the receding waters. The fish culturists at once saw that if the eggs could be rescued, brought to the hatchery, artificially hatched, and the young fish sent out for distribution, this tremendous loss would be turned into a gain. With this in mind, crews of trained men were set to work to rescue the eggs each year at spawning time.

The yellow perch being ])0])ular with all fishermen, large and smaU, the artificial propagation of the yellow perch by the State hatcheries was looked upon with much favor. Consequently, the perch question was ^iven a great deal of time and st . <ly by F( imsylvania's fish culturisls. P»v investi:j:ati<m, it was learned that the perch in many of the lakes' throughout the State and ])arricularly the small glat ial lakes on which rescue work was being done, seldom grew to be over ^vi^ or six inches long.

Science tells us that the yellow perch is one of the few fishes whi(h nourished during the Devonian Period and has survived all succeed- ing ages to the present time. This can be taken for what it is worth, but we do know that the yellow perch has been in our waters for several centuries. Many of the small lakes were formed during the glacial period. The veHow perch being a home loving soul and not given to wandering from one body of water to another, it is reason- able to assume that the same strain of perch has inhabited many of the natural bodies of water for centuries without the infusion of new blootl.

This has resulted in inbreeding to such extent that he has lost many of his brilliant colors and is xvvy small in size. The fish cul- turist, like all other breeders of live stock, r(»alized the benefit de- rived by the infusion of new blood; but they also realized thai .i would be ui)hill work to build up a breed of large fish from sm i.l an- cestors. This is what they were endeavoring to do by stocking the waters with fish hatched fnmi the eggs rescued from the inland Inkes. Hence, Pennsvlvania's fish culturists by scientifically crossing

strains of perch noted for their large size set to work to create a supply of brood stock of larj^er strain than that of the parent fish cho- sen for this work. This has been accomplished with w^onderful sue- cess.

After Pennsylvania's hatcheries were reorganized in 1911, con- structed on a permanent and scientific basis, and enlarged, provis- ions were made at the Wayne Hatch ei'y, to retain sufficient brood yellow perch of the scientihcally bred, or large sized strain, to sup- ply all the other State hatcheries with the eggs they require. This strain of scientifically bred fish has been so increased that tlie Wayne hatchery can produce yearly approximately two hundred milJion eggs. An applicant securing yellow perch for distribution can feel assured that the yellow perch are oft'-spring of the exceptionally lai^e sjtmiu deveiai^ed at this hatchery.

In fish life, it is the survival of the fittest. Therefore, it is rea- sonable to assume that by contintially stocking the waters with percli which grow to an exceptionally large size the smaller strain will be destroyed graduall3^ This has already proved to be the case on lakes in close proximity to the hatchery which have been under close observation by the hatcher}' Superintendent. The fish cultur- ist readily determines the size of the yellow perch inhabiting a body of water by the size of the string of eggs extruded by the female. On these lakes where experiments have been conducted, the number of large strings of eggs are increasing each year.

The yellow perch is at home in northeastern United States, north of the Ohio and Missouri Valleys from Maine to Iowa and Minne- sota, and has been introduced by Federal and various State Fish Com- missions into many new watei*s wath wonderful success. As far back as records telling us of the early fishing of Pennsylvania go, the yellow perch was known. He is preferably a lake or pond fish and inhabits almost all of the lakes and ponds throughout the State.

The yellow perch is recommended hy the Pennsylvania Board of Fish Commissioners because he ranks as one of the best pan fish among the spiney-rayed fish, and he is more generally fished for than almost any other species of Pennsylvania fish. He can Lk^ caught by the women and children, as well as by the sportsmen, at any time of the year with almost any kind of tackle. In other words, he might I e called the fish of the masses. Many hearts of Pennsylvania's future fishermen who spend the summer months by our inland! lakes are gladdened by being able to land frequently a goodly ntimber of delicious yellow perch. It might be his savage struggle when hooked which gives these youthful anglers thinr first desires to try for the higher finnev game. The yellow perch rise freely to the fly. As one angler ])ut it: "T fly fish for yellow perch in order to keep my casting arm in trim for the trout and bass/'

PROTECTION.

REGULAR WARDENS.

One of the major functions of the Board of Fish Commissioners is protection. Eighteen regular officers are employed in this work and during this biennium 500 more arrests were made for violations of

the law than during the previous biennium. From this source the receipts of the Board were increased $12,000. This speaks well for the work of these officers and it is worthy to note there was a one hundred per cent increase in the number of arrests for fishing with- out a license, 69 arrests for dynamiting and 48 for aliens fishing.

The Board appreciates greatly the close cooperation which has been given by the fish Associations throughout the Commonwealth, many having special officers appointed who report violations in their districts direct to the Board when a regular officer is sent to bring prosecution.

It is only through the cooperation of the Associations and the fishermen that the laws can be properly enforced. Without this co- operation it would indeed be difficult to apprehend the number of vio- lators which the report shows.

Yeare ago the average warden was not looked upon with much favor in the community where he residcnl but to-day the officer is resi)ected by the law-abiding citizen who is assisting him in every way possible. The qualifications for an efficient officer as set up by the Board assure the employing of only men capable in this par- ticular line of work.

During the last biennium it w^ o^ possible to employ eight (8) additional officers.

Pennsylvania's excellent highways have made it extremely diffi- cult from the standpoint of enforcement of the law governing fishing and with the opening of each season, hundreds of fishermen are found on streams which a few years ago were barely fished. Bv grouping officers in the well-known sections, it has been possible to patrol many miles of streams at the opening of the season. Of course, they are continuallj^ moved from one section of the St^te to another. The enactment of the New Fish Code at the last session of the Legislature has done much for the officer in the protection of our streams and waters and has also been a great forward move- ment towards the conservation of fish. This new Code restricted all fishing in the inland waters to two rods and two lines and one hand line with not more than three hot)ks attached to each line, which of course did away with the special devices.

SPECIAL DEVICE PERMITS.

Probably no one thing did more towards the <lestrnction of fish- ing in some of our best streams and waters than the use of special devices for which permits were issued prior to January 1, 192f>. Tin- law made it mandatory upon the Board to issue permits and be- came effective during 1019. The following is a list of the devices for which permits were issued together with the reasons:

Outline J"ne 1 to November 15

Gig or Spear J"ly 1 to October 15

Fish Basket or Eel Rack . . August 15 to November 15

Fyke Net i^"ly 1 to November 15

Dip Net April 15 to November 15

Burr Hook April 15 to January 1

Loop or Snare April 15 to January 1

rZ Sf: S^ssSr'f..;^. apn-xin^ately 500,000 pound, dent li'con^e. Tl." ^^^Ji:: f, tt "s^cS.^dS^ 'wlu "^^ ^"tf

Fi.sh rode a..,. M ffi.-i^; S an V th.^.n^f P*-, " '"'^''^ "°^«'' ^""^ not possible in Penn.vIv.,nH to nlnn fi^ • '^ '"^ "'^'^ "^"e- I* ^8 i" on., inland water. ^^il.a'i:^? S^^inrrckenrS "^^^^

the corn;;:;s.if/::,7;:;f'^^^^^^^^ -*>"„ the jumdictio„ of

of J>i... tlM> t„s- (V nmoCe -'erv ''';, ^"="''\"'"'nta.ns at the I'o.t boat has done n^...ch M- the «shin^i.,rsL;:n\le"Enr" °" "'"

of ^S^teT-iifrS^ihe E^.^-veTf f '^"'? ?^ Superintendent Commissioners '^ ei oi^oers ..-i ''' ""^ "'^ ^ '^'"^ «* <^a°>e

ta.a. .his opportu^lt!; ^^^^^uT^ ^^t^^Z ^^"'"'^

PBosmmoNs ^B vrou.T,o.Ns op th« pxsh ..ws .,™. ,. ,..,. a:o may .. ,..

Number of Arreste

Charge

|ori-n.icl(.nt« i.ishing Without lA^'Z

Suinhiy ri.'h[ng7"™"2Z ^*"**^ ^^

LiJd»r^;i«. Fish, .. "*'-' ———.,_..,

Dynaiuitiiiji,', "^ — — ^ ^— •....,.,

Fish out of Hiu^nW," ^"— — — *-— ^ — — « TrtspasHiiir „n Hatch^V*""'"*"^ '"*"" ObstructiMK •MlfcTation, « --——.-

priiwfnt' Dams, _.. — — ^— -...„..

J'!. kill- Frogs by uso'of Tiht7'""""""'

Fals!' Jnfcrniation, .1" ———————

l'ol]utioii, _ "" — "-"- — ^—

FMnng in CJd^. .IStn^^nii"""— **—"—- >roj^s out of S(-a>on, ———•*——«.

Intn-finiifv ^ith OlHccr, '""'"""•""*"■

k'"£, ^^»*^;'i^ i^*'*'''« Without pJruiiV "■

WW«1 liBW ^^«M f Btf trj

ansniitt^ to

•	J una J,	^	June 1,	1931
CO		to
Mar 81.	1924 no	May 31,	1926
			465 315
		5U m		tJ4 4h
		m		ti
-^»^^^».		u If		m
" ———»—-—.		m		?0
"""-•—••••--•»■•,,*.	"—•— •*-«i^			tt
— ,„,,,,...,.,.^.^^	**-"»-«*■■»	■•WWB
		8		It
"■"""•"••"*•••-••«•.,•«»		IS
	:nn::™
— — ,„ — — ..fc^		i

•"-""""■•*•-•■••.-•«««,,«		»		M
^— — •-— — —		1		1
^" "——— -		1
'-""———-•.—«■_,		27
	<——*—._.			g
tto miearai«r»	819

RPI'CIAL FT.SH AVAHDEXS

woi-kin^r i„ their own <listrictT, on otin Jti ^ ''" T •■«"f"'"ally of the law and while the nnn he ! „f aS!';: I^.^.f « -' observance em-,, in „ ,-„nin,nnitv ha« a .letein.,, , m. ., !* ^"f"^ ^'"'"" P'"*'»- most instan... .1. il..er.na'n 'iJu^:;^::"!:::.^ ''TZJU'l^

many instances where Associations have rendered invaluable service by reporting violations to the Board. They receive no salary, iieitlicr do they receive any part of the fine collected and are ap- pointed with the thought that they can do much towards the proper enforcement of the laws. Appoiniments have been restricted believ- ing the best interests of the Associations and the l>oard will be taken care of at all times. The majority of the special officers are oh the streams a great d(»al of the timi* and through this close touch in their particular district, the Hoard is better able to render more valuable service to their particular Association. In requesting ap- jjointments of this kind, the Board urges all Associations to en- dorse men who will give the question some attention.

The Board appreciates greatly tbe services rendered by these special officers and holies for a continuance of this cooperation.

OPEKATTON OF THE TUG CO:\IMODORE PERRY.

Without the services of the Tug, Commodore Perry, in the collec- tion of eggs aiul tbe planting of young fish, it would be imiios'^iblo tor the l^oard of Fish Commissioners to continue its work on Lake Erie. This is not only im]>ortant to the fisherm-n but every citi- zen of the Commonwealth. The port of Erie has always been known as one of the greatest fresh water fishing parts in the world and through the efforts of the Pennsylvania Board of Fish Commission- ers, the States of New York, Ohio and Province of Ontario and the Unitedi States Bureau of Fisheries, this lake is being continually stocked with young fish of the different species.

During the season the tug is used to patrol the i)ortion of Lake Erie wlihh comes under tbe jurisdiction of the State of Pennsyl- vania, makinu certain that all fishing boats have tbe piM»i>er licenses, and are c<;mi)lying with the law as to the mesh of nets and the size of llsh taken. Many boats from Ohio and New York tish in Penn- sylvania waters. Under the new Fish (N)de, the license fee for non- W-sident bonts is double that of resident boats. The revenue from tliis source goes a long way toward the operation of tlH» hatchery at Erie, which not only supplies lish for the lake but contributes greatly to the stocking of the inland waters in the northwestern section of the Commonwealth.

OPERATION OF THE CRUISER ANNA.

This cruiser has not been in operation for several years. In ils place the Su])erintendent of the Torresdale Hatchery has l)een r.sing ft uasoline launch which has served its ]»ur])ose. This boat is used in'the coUection of fish an<l eggs. It is from this station that most of the minnows an* secured for <listribution to our inland waters.

RESIDENT CITIZEN'S FISHING LICENSE

The Board of Fish Commissioners has been self-supporting under the Resident Fisherman's License Law, whicli bwame effective Jan- uarv ist, 1922. During the past four years the yearly receipts have increased approximatc^lv ?40,0n0. This year should show an addi- tional increase of |10,06o. As to the popularity of the Resident Li-

cense LaAv, you need only to attend the yearly conferences which are held with the fishermen. Before the enactment of the law, fishermen were not aware of the need for additional t'nnds in carrying on this most important work. From the time tliey commenced paying for a license to fish they have taken a real interest in what is being done and worked for the best interests of tbe Board, many having gone so far as to advocate an increase in the license fee, so that the program for additional hatcheries could be more quickly carried out. The yearly receipts are now paying for the operation of six hatcheries. Extensions have been completed at some of the hatch- eries greatly increasing the output. It has also been possible to purchase a site for an additional trout hatchery in Bedford County. Another site is to be purchaised before the close of the year and it is hoped that some way can be devised whereby sufficient funds will be available for the development of these two sites.

During the first year no button or tag was used. On January 1, 1923, a license button was supplied with each license. This met with the instant api)roval of the fishermen, increasing the receipts of the Board, and of course, speeded up tht^ efficiency of the warden service in the enforcement of this law. A real officer who is trained in his work can be of mucli more service to the Board where each fish- erman displays a button. The amount of fints for i rosecutio.is for fishing without a license prove this.

The fishermen of Pennsylvania would never revert to the old sys- tem of issuing licenses without a button for the following reasons:

1. The fishermen would be dissatisfied as the button assures them all fishermen encountered have taken out a license.

2. Enforcement of the law without some kind of a button is not possible.

3. Would seriously impair the revenue.

The fishermen are rendering a great service to the Board in re- porting persons who are fishing without displaying their license but- ton. For the year 1927, the Board has secured a new button w^hich is greatly superior to the one [jreviously issued. This l>utton has a pin twice the weight of the old one and in addition has a pocket for can-ying the license on the back of the button. This will save many fishermen the inconvenience of locatinij^ the license when re- quested by an officer and will do away with any person loaning their button and using the license.

The following table shows collecti<ms-

Fund, January 1, 1922 to January 1, 192G:

^ Pish License

1028 214,392

1924 247,281

Section 18 of the Act provides that all sums in excess of .$400,000 shall be used solely under the direction of the Boati'd of Fish Com- missioners with the consent of the Governor for the purchase of lands and waters, making the same available for use of the citizens of the Commonwealth for fishing, hunting and forest purposes.

RESIDENT CITIZEN'S FISHING LICENSES ISSUED CALENDAR YEARS 1922-1925

Total

Offlci? of Board Fii*h Wardens ..

County Treasurers

Adams

Hlleghony

Armstrong

Beaver

Bedford

Berks

Blair

Bradford

Butks

Butler

Cambria

Camtron

Carbon

Centre

Chester

Clarion --

Clearfield

Clinton

Columbia -

Crawford

Cumberland

Dauphin

Delaware

Elk

Erie

Fayette

Forest

Franklin

Fulton --

Greene

Huntingrlon __

Indiana -

JrfTerson —

Juniata

Laeka wanna

I>ancaf!ter „—.—*««,

Lawrenep ^,,>-_.._,*i».-,

T>ebanon ,,«^.,— .,■■»,

J^high — » — ~.

Tuzemo — „., ,._«,«-.

Lycoming — ..—_ . ,— ...

McKoan ^^^«.— ..

Monroe ..^ ^„.,™— «

Montgomery ...., -.— .

Montour ..«-«,..**..,^

Northampton ^„i.- ^.«^«,«-

Nrrthumberl^^nd .«.—«•— .«,—.«*.-.«.-r •

Philadelphia ^„.— ^

Pike

Potter

Schuylkill

Snyder ~

Fn«<nuehanna '-- ^-.,-— .— — —

rn'on -'."'.

Vnnango >■ -^ ^-

Wnphington „„.-„.,„.—————

Wayne — — — ^ —

W'^tmoreland --

Wyom'ng

1922

203,061

12,241

6,0.«

894 5,799 1,15& l.OCO 1,593 6,774 4,SC0 3,122 I's-'X) 1,750 4,446 684 2,191 2,296 1,PC8 819 3,:33f5 2,661 2,5»1 3,161 1,839 4,3«1 634 1,5«« 4,977 2,5.'?9 620 1,474 217 811 1,700 9^0 1,^59 637 14,08» 5,271 1,M>2 1,643 2.9^0 15,604 6.221

2,r«i

1.577

3,465 416

3.302

S.fiftO 562

4,011

sm 2,ino

4,352 8^10

2.774

?,2no

1.4.% 3.f»4'> 2.540 2.108 2.181 2.640

York '".'. - <''717

1923

214,392 9,554 8,915

1,000 7,374 1,44H 1,323 1,622 7,2^ 5,286 2,846 1,697 2,01«T 4 450 702 2,162 2,407 2,086 1,085 3,164 2,603 2,608 3,ia) 1,917 4,659 1,002 1,648 6,303 2,818 695 1,966 224 920 1,901 1,248 1,516 €82 14,578 5,605 2,286 1,908 3.500 13,94.5 6.418 2,273 3,338 1.965 2,818 3,4f« 485 S,^9 3,830 566 4,WS 638 1.7fiS 3,460 7P8 2.8©4

flno

?,2SO 2,330 1.605 .%633 2,683 2,292 2. 344 3.3rO 1.270 5,005

1924

247,280 9,484 8.171

1,164 9,0CO 1,950 1,953 2,W9 7,505 5,963 3,930 1,791 3,510 5,5'>9 700 2,^9 2,760 2,195 1,583 3,744 3,061 3,079 4,012 1,953 5,350 021 1,576 8,084 3,373 677 2,204 319 1,147 2,504 1,400 1.560 878 16, 549 6,C53 3.245 2. .315 5,443 16,497 6,860 2,277 4,101 2,478 .3,121 3,617 562 3.548 4,606 502 4,858 633 1.504 4,642 853 2.831 848 2.229 2.312 1,997 4.373 2,817 3.019 2,638 4..^*?5 1,463 6,025

1925 250,873 2,302

1,134

9,956 1.925 2,192 1,978 8,448 6,07 4,025 1,885 3,950

5,eoi

731 2,911 2,737 2,291 1,4«3 3,667 3,0*4 3,440 4,078 1,901 5,992 949 1,712 8,415 3,406 775 2,031 417 1,116 2,250 1,418 1,642 8-^9 17,806 6,177 2,044 2,363 6,5;^ 18,2»» 6,881 2,471 4,172 2,311 2.9fi5 3,714

3.474

4,9fi?

646 5,099

704 2,258 5,020

80^ 2,805

713 3.5ar)

2,4-6 1.7^

4,(m

2.850 3. "65 2.8^

4,ion

5,449

Resident Fisherman's License Law became effective .January 1, 11^2.

XOX-RESIDEXT FISHERMAN'S LICENSE LAW.

The Non-re;>5ideiit LicoiiHe Law became effective July 10, 1919, This was brought about by the request of fishermen along the nor- tliern, eastern a^nd southern sections of the Commonwealth. It was never possible to properly enforce this law until the enactment of the Resident License Law. This was noticeable the first year as many more non-resident licenses were issued. Upon the adoption of the button for the non-resident, there was another increase.

For several years, the non-resident license fee was ^5.00. Many comi)I«iints were received from residents of New York and New Jersey as their non-resident license fee was much lower. In order to over- come this the Board had included in the new Fisli Code, a section makii^g the non-resident license reci])rocal but in no instance was the fee to be less than 82.50. This new law became effective Jan- uary 1, 102G.

The majority of the licenses issued are in the counties bordering New A^ork State, nnd the reciprocal law had hardlv brcome effec- tive before the Legislature of the Htate of New York amended their license law making the fee for non-re>;idents i^5.50 instead of $2.50. Residents of New York State now pav Pennsvlvania the same fee and if secured from the County Treasurer nn additional fee of ten cents is charged making the cr^st of the license 85.00.

The f(dlowing table shows the number of Non-resident licenses is- sued since the original law became effective:

1019 50

1920 1,836

1921 2,o:u

1922 2,708

1923 2,931

1924 2,904

1925 8,182

^lany inquiries are received from residents of Pennsylvania as to the liceuse f(»e charged in other Slates. The following table will su])ply this information:

Alabama | 5.00

Alnska ,...., 2.50

Arizona 1 0.00

California .S.OO

( *!>nnect icut ,» 3.25

Delaware * • . , 3.50

District of Columbia 2.50

Florida .5.00

(leoi^ia 2.50

Illinois 2.50

Indiana 2.50

Towa 3.00

• • • • •

Kentucky --^^^

Louisiana p-^2

Maine • ^-^^

Maryland • 5-^2*

Massachusetts ^-^o

^fichigan ^-^^

Minnesota 3.00

Mississippi ^-^^

Missouri ^-^^

Montana ^-^

Nebraska ^-^^

Nevada 2..50

New Hampshire .^^^ ^^.^^ ^-l*^

New Jersev ''-^^

New :Mexico ^-^^

New York '*'^^

North Carolina ^-^^

North Dakota 2.50

Ohio 2.50

Oklahoma ^\-^^

( >regon '»-<*^*

Rhode Island 2.50

South Carolina " • • • • '*^-25

South Dakota 2..50

Tennessee -••^"

Texas ... r-«-»-»^"»^ •»•••-•-» •^•♦^•^♦^♦♦-^^-•^^^•^►•^•^•^ -.i)ii

Utah s.nn

Vermont ^*'^'^

\ irginia --"'

Washington l^?'^^

West Virginia '*-^^

Wisconsin '^-^^

Wvoming '**-^^

* If applicant is resident of county O'ther than Garrett. Alle- gheny, Carroll, Washington, Frederick or Dorchester, the fee will be #2.50.

FISIIINCf INDISTRY ON LAKE ERIE

Lake Erie is next to the smallest of the Orent Lakes but in spite of this it has led in <ruintity of prr^duction. The i)rincipal species taken are white fish, cisco or herring, blue pike, yellow perch. For the vear ending Decemb( r 31, 1925, the catch totaleil 0,024,380 pounds representing a commercial value of i5(n,2^2«.00. Statistics for a ten year periixl are contained in the 1925 De;mrtmental Sta- tistics.

Great numbers of vounir fish are placed in the lake each year by the Hoard of Fish Commissioners and if it were not for the con- stant efforts being put forth by the different States, the Province of Ontai'io and the Fnited States Bureau of Fisheries, it would only be a short time before this food supply would be exhausted.

Conditic»ns fifty years ago on any of the Great Lakes were entirely different from today and while much has been written on the sub-

ject there still is a great difference of opinion as to whether or not the last few years has seen a consideralble decrease in the number of fish taken. Enormous catches seem to run in cycles, and as far as Pennsylvania is concerned statistics show that for the last ten years the catches out of the Port of Erie have been remarkable. It is not unusual for boats to bring in over 5,000 fish in one catch. While the catch of fish for 1924 was considerably greater than 1925, one of the chief factors was the weather conditions, the catch of Cisco or herring in 1925 amounted to only a little over a million pounds.

There are many important questions entering into present condi- tions on the lake. In the opinion of the Board a program must be worked out or it will on-y be a few more years before the catch will be considerably under that taken at present. As the Board sees it there are many contributory causes, the most important being pol- lution, size of mesh being used, and the abstraction of water by the City of Chicago.

Pollution of the Great Lakes has been receiving attention of the majority of States and some of the larger cities liave already made arrangements for sewage disposal works. The City of Erie is mak- ing preparations for disposition of their sewage and as soon as money is available no doubt proper protection will be given.

The Board has done everything in their power to secure more uni- form regulations as to the mesh of nets, season, size, etc. Many conferences were held in past years and agreements reached by those attending; however, they were never carried out by all the States through legislation, which of course is the only way it couldl be in- telligently handled. Pennsylvania lived up to its agreements and proper regulations were made. It is hoped that another conference can be held, representatives attending who will have authority to speak for their state and can be reasonably sure of some definite ac- tion being taken.

The al)straction of water from the Great Lakes by the Citv of Chicag^o has interfered considerably with the water in Lake Erie. Cities affected along the Great Lakes are leaving no stone unturned to do everything possible to prevent the abstraction of this water, and it is hoped that at the next session of Congress something will be done to relieve the situation. There is no question as to the serious effect on fishing out of the Port of Erie, the water level of the lake has fallen to a point where it is not possible for the Board's tug to reach its dock. Resolutions were drawn by the Board making vigorous protest. A copy was mailed to each member of Congress rerpiesting that they use their influence to^defent any legislation permitting Chicago to continue this steal of water from the Great Lakes.

The following is a table showing the 1924 and 1925 catches out of the Port of Erie, together with the value:

1924

Species Number Value

of Pounds

Cisco 13,499,438 f 695,509.58

Blue Pike 3,076,901 162,274.88

Yellow Perch 199,402 ll,0n.02

White Fish 111,888 22,803.42

Oarp 29,244 1,267.17

Pike Perch 18,401 2,021.70

Sturgeon 808 280.65

Caitfish 290 28.68

Shad 90 3.60

Mullets 55 1.10

Trout 19 1.90

Mist^ellaneousi 40,977 1,821.50

Total 16,977,513 $897,025.20

1925

Species Number Value

of Pounds

Cisco 1,060,953 | 83,217.86

Blue Pike 4,432,412 337,542.02

White Fish 248,570 60,562.03

Yellow Perch 159,693 12,837.47

Carp 18,695 749.18

Pike Perch 14,619 2,101.69

Mullets 8,101 215.32

Catfish 959 141.80

Sturgeon 711 281.95

Lake Trout 15 2.25

Miscellaneous 79,652 3,569.43

Total 6,024,380 p01,221.00

SHAD SEINE LICENSES

Fifteen years ago a thriving business was carried on by the com- mercial fishermen in the Delaware and Sustpiehanna Rivei*s. In 1905 it was said unofficially that the shad industry in the Susquehanna River was about |100,000 yearly. In 1900 the report showed that the Delaware River produced not less than $300,000 worth of shad. It is to be regretted that to-daya diffei'ent stoi-y must be told. Dur- ing the last year 172 shad seine licenses were issued and the last time the Board had an observer on the Susquehanna River, the total catch of shad for the entire season was only 5,000, not\^4thstandling the fact that the season was lengthened to the 1st of August.

Years ago it was possible for the Board to secure millions of eggs which were hatched and planted in l>oth these rivers. The last year that drift nets w;_ere used not more than four shad were taken at any one time. In previous reports it has been cited that the chief cause

for the depletion of these fisheries has been pollution. In the lower Delaware there is a heavy pollution from oil coming from numerous refineries which line its banks and of course from the tankers which enter the port of riiiladelpliia. A few years ago the oil situation became so bad on Chesapeake Bay that it was a menace to the City of Baltimore and every efi'ort was used to devise some means whereby the fire hazard could be lessened. Of course, the construction of a dam at McCall's Ferry prevented the shad from ascending that river further than the dani^ but at the time^ observations were made very few shad were coming up. It had Tilso been reported that large wire nets were stretched across the Chesapeake Bay and what shad did enter the river were mostly taken by these nets. As we understand it, another large dam is being constructedi at Conewingo which will have a breast of 1)0 feet. When this is constructed, it is iprobable Ihat no shad will enter the Pennsylvania waters of the Susquehanna Itiver. As to the Delaware Kiver, there are no dams which prevent the migration of fish. Several years ago the National Coast Anti- Pollution League was formed and they have done much towards heaving laws enacted prohibiting oil pollution on navigable w^aters. This is a question of national importance and one in which the people of the Commonwealth are vitally interested.

PERMITS

It api>ears that the law covering the drawing of water from dams for any purpose, whether public or private is one of the most ditticult to bring to the attention of the public. This law has been on the Statutes for a score of years and it is doubtful if 40 percent of the owners of dams are aware ol its existence. Persons owning or leasing waters should get an application from the Board of Fish Commis- sioners when they desire to draw off the water for any reason, whether pr not they contain any fish life. Failure to do this sub- jttCtH the owner to a fine of f 100.00. The Board coo])erates in every way possible and sends an officer so that he can advise the owner how^ to protect any fish which are in the dam or other waters.

Permits are also issued for other purposes, including the use of explosives in construction work. Before any x)ermits are issued for exiplosives, an inspection is made of the stream or waters where the explosive is to be used and if it comes within the law and no pap* ticular damage will be done, permit is issued. Of course, there are cases where it is urgent and a telegram or telephone call should l^ made to the Board of Fish Commissioners when eveiy thing possible will be done to cooi>erate. Often streams must be dynamited during the ice and flood periods.

It might be well to mention that any person desiring to repair a dam or build a new one must first get in touch with the Secretary of the Department of Forests and Waters for a iwrmit. The Board of Fish Commissioners issues permits only for the drawing otf of any w^aters. The following is a list of tlie permits issued during the last biennium:

Use of Explosives

Transfer of Fish to other suitable waters

24 9

Taking of fish for scientific purposes 42

Taking fish for propagating purposes 29

Drawing oft' dams or other Avaters 140

Taking l)ait fish from private waters ^

202

COMMERCIAL FISH nATCIIEIUES

Under Chapter VI of the new Fish Code the Board is authorized to issue licenses for the artificial propagation of fish. The license fee for the propagation of all species of trout and all species of basses is t2."5.00 and for all other species of fish the sum is fifty cents. The |25.00 licenses cover the raising of trout for commercial purposes and the fifty cent licenses are for the farmer or other in- dividual desiring to construct a ixmd on his ])roperty to raise tish for his own use, or for sale. These licenses give the licensee the inivi- lege, if he so desires, to conduct a commercial hatchery, taking fish at all times of the year, and disposing of them as he sees fit.

The majority of the licensees operating under the twenty-five dol- lar licenses are propagating trout and are old established hatcheries which have been in business a great many years. The question of sites for hatcheries of this type is one which requires considerable study. Before entering upon an enterprise of this kind, the Board would suggest to all persons that they get in touch with the Board' and have an inspection made of their property before any money ia spent along those lines. Up to the present no one has seemed \\nll- ing to undertake the propagation of the spiny fishes for commercial purposes as it is a much more difficult and expensive pro])osition. It is doubtful if any commercial hatcheries will ever be established in Pennsvlvania for this purpose. Of course there will no doubt be many small ponds and bodies of water converted into hatcheries for local use but we do not believe there will be any hatcheries established which will be able to raise fish in large enough quantities to supidy the markets.

COMMERCI A L Fl SH HATCHERIES IM PBH¥SYLVANIA

For t1fte Propagation of Trout and Bass

l^radise Brook Trout Company Trout

R. F. D. Cresco, Monroe County, Pa.

ti. F. Grammes & Sons, Brook Trout Hatchei^ • • .. . Trout

Allentown, Lehigh County, Pa.

Crvstal Spring Brook Trout Company • . ^ . ..*..••,«.. Tro at

Port Allegany, McKean County, Pa.

Brook Ttout Company of Penn Forest • • Tmm

Mauch Chunk, Carbon County, Pa,

General Harry C. Trexler Tront

Allentown, Lehigh County, Pa.

William Kaul. St. Marys, Elk County, Pa.. 1^^^*.

Henry Horn, Hotel Clifton • ^ ^'^'^^

~ Gouhlsboro, l^ickawanna County, Pa.

O. J. Freeman "'"":' '4. ' > -Trout

Coudersport, Potter County, Pa.

TABLE OP OPERATIONS OP COMMERCIAT. FISEi HATCHERIES IN PENNSYLVANIA

1924

TABLB OF OPEBATTONS op COMMERCIAL PTSH HATOHERTES IN PE\NSYIV\NI\

KIND OP FISH

Brook Trout, Market,

Brook Trout, Live Mature, _. Brook Trout, Advancfjl Fry, Brook Trout, Gnt-n Eggs, ...

Brook Trout, Eyed Eggs,

Rainbow Trout, Market,

Rainbow Trout, Live Mature, Rainr»ow Trout, Ey((! Eggs, . Brown Trout,

NUMBER POUNDS

35, ©1 ._

EGQB

136 39,700

13.600 ,—

Total,

^«1W

6,3?^, 800

4a),O0O

VALUE

$31,0OG 88

31,601 44

1,985 01

7,070 00

26,450 27

150 79

8,984 00

500 00

. 1,273 00

35,744 31,CC7,<>10 '• $109,730 39

Under the new Fish Code, no person or dealer is allowed to have more than fifty (50) bait fish in their possession at any one time unless they are purchased from some person propagating bait for the market. This is a question which has been discussed at tho yearly conferences and associations and fishermen in practically every section of the State rcnjuested the I!oard to rule on tliis matteT under the old fish laws. This was not possible and at the last con- ference which was held before the enactment of the i)resent Fish Code, the matter was gone inl;o very thoroughlv and it was agreed that a section should be placed in the New Code which would pro hibit having more than fifty (50) bait fish in possession at any one time. Tins was provided for under diapter 2, St^ction 40 (n) of the Fish Code.

There are many districts where persons make a business of catch- ing bait fish for the market, and also for shipping out of the State. This is the real cause for the enactment of the present law. The Board feels that while this may inconvenience some of the bait flsher- nien for a short time, arrangements will be made for the propagation of bait so that they can lie secured in any quantities desired) bv th«» fishermen. The Board distributed to the streams last vear 909 347 bait fish as food, surely all fishermen will agree that they should not

be taken out and sold as bait to the fishermen and shipped outside the confines of the State.

The following is a list of those who have taken out licenses for the propagation of bait fish and other species excepting trout and bass:

COMMEI^CIAL FISH HATCHERIES IN PENNSYLVANIA

For the Propagation of all species of Fish Excepting Trout and Bass Angle W. Peoples, New Providence, Pa.

E. S. LaBar, Hawley. Pa.

J. I). Kizer, Maple wood, Pa.

Harold Von Waldburg, Lakeville, Pa.

George Gredlein, Honesdale, Pa., R. D. 2.

F. L. Benjamin, Cortez, Pa.

Ziba R. Lott, Meshoppen, i*a.

Herbert E. Rawlinson, 312 S. George St., York, Pa.

F. N. Moore, Rome, Pa.

P. O. Larson, Schwenksville, Pa.

A. D. Hudson, Conneaut Lake Park, Pa.

Grant Wilson, Greentown, Pa.

Henry Mosker, Greentown, Pa., R. I). 1.

Marshall Smith, Honesdale, Pa., R. I>. 4.

F. L. Haight 221 Hanover St.. Nanticoke, Pa.

Oliver Locklin, ♦♦•^^.^♦♦^♦»^. .... *^^*,^^»^^^ Lakeville, Pa.

Levi Edwards, Elmhurst, Pa., R. D. 1.

Eli Bronson, Ariel, Pa., R. D. 1.

Ralph Von Gorder, Narrowsburg, N. Y., R. D. L

L. S. Yoder, Elk Lick, Pa.

Charles Hetzel, Waymart, Pa.

H. M. Bartron, Tunkhannock, Pa. R. D. 1.

CLOSED STREAMS

•

It is generally conceded by those who have made a study of the question that nothing is gained by closing streams with the thought of increasing the fishing. The Board of Fish Commissioners has gone on record as not being in favor of closing any waters, except those within the wire enclosure of a Game Refuge, the limits of a public park, borough, or city for exhibition purposes. The streams closed within the Game Refuges is for the purpose of assisting the GameJ Commission in enforcing their laws so that fishermen will not trespass on these refuges with the excuse of fishing.

It has ,l>een brought to the attention of the Board that in some states there were eases of permanent closure and it often aippeared that there was a_decrease instead of the looked for increase, quite naturally the question arose as to the practical use of closing streams. From observations made by the Board over a period of years, it has been found that nothing is gained in the way of in- creasing fishing by closing streams. In its opinion the only sure way to increase fishing is to stock strt\nms (»ach year with fish of a size suitable to care for themselves. Conditions to-day and fifty years ago were entirely difl'erent. In the early days nature pro-

vided all that was necessary for the proper growth of fish but as civilization advanced, cnttinji; the forests, etc., it became more diffi- cult for fish to reproduce naturally. This applies particularly to the trout. Experts of the Board have found that not more than three percent of the egg:s spawned naturally are hatched, while in artificial propagation the percentage is ninety-five. In i>lanting trout artificially propagated of a size sufficient to care for them -selves, they will increase in size and, when streams are constantly stocked, fishing can be brought back without any question.

As the Board of Fish Commissioners sees it, in restocking waters the main problems are those of regulation, conservation and main- tenance, and it is hoped that the day is not far distant when it will be possible to hatch and rear sufficient fish so that the numbers in each stream will be commensurate with the demands made upon it.

POSTED LANDS

In Pennsylvania there are thousands of miles of good fishing streams and numerous lakes and ])(mds which are open to the public for fishing. Unfortunately in some sections there are waters which are not available to the fishermen as the land owner has posted liis property prohibiting trespassing.

If tlie iM'ceipts from the Kesident Fisherman's License ?ire in- creased) sufficiently to rejjurchase some of the waters which have been closed, it is the intention of the Board to make tliese available as rapidly as possible. At the time the original grants were made by the Commonwealth the waters were included with the exception of some of the larger streams and lakes, and any individual owning ground on which ponds or lakes are located or through which any stream passes can post his property prohibiting trespassing or Ashing and there is nothing which th(» Board can do to prevent it.

We must admit that in some cases careless fishermen have made it necessary for land owners to protect themselves but we venture to say that if the law abiding citizen shonld ask tlie majority of land owners for the ]>rivilege of fisliing in a stream flowing through their property the request would be granted ])roviding the fisher- men assured him nothing would be done* to injure either his vrc^]m m fences and report to him at any time he observed any one damag- ing his property. One of the larger Associations in the central sec- tion of the State has taken it ujjon themselves to interview fanners and land owners i>ledging them their hearty cooperation in the en- forcement of the law.

LAKE WALLENPAUPACK

In the last biennial report menti<»n was made of fhe fact that at one of the meetings of the Water and Power R^^sources Board, the Commissioner of Fisheries had a resoluticm introduced i] roviding that all permits grantedl in the futnre for dam construction and covering the impounding of waters for power and manufacturing ]]jirposes should contain, in addition to other conditions, the right to fish in such waters at all times during the open season in lie- cordauce with such rules and regulations as might be promulgated

from time to time by the permittee with the approval of the Board of Fish Commissioners. Of course, this does not apply to dams constructed for domestic purposes.

The Board takes pleasure in announcing to the fishermen that on August 1, 1928 there will be opened to the public a fishing ground the equal of which cannot be found in the Commonwealth. This is what is known as Lake Wallenipaupack, near Ilawley, Wayne County. This is a project of the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company. The northern part of the lake is situated in Wayne County and the southern part in Pike County, covering between seven and eight thousand acres, approximately fourteen miles long, its width vary- ing to a maximum of two to two and one half miles, the shore line being irregular and measuring approximately fifty-two miles.

It was necessary to close the lake for this i^eriod as it is an arti- ficial lake and naturally contained no fish life. This will give the Board an opportunity to jtock the lake with sufficient large fish from its hatcheries so that 'there will be excellent fishing at the time of the opening.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

•

The Board of Fish Commissioners deeply appreciates the assist- ance received! from many sources. Tlie great interest shown bj^ the Fish Associations and individual fishermen throughout the Common- wealth has been very gratifying to the Board wlio realize that their cooperation is very necessary for the proper development of its work. It is only through this cooperation that the value of our aquatic resources can be brought before the people and suggestions made for increasing this most Important food suptply.

Tlie Board also wishes to exprt^ss its gratefulness to the iMiblic press of the State for publishing items of information and interest.

To the many Bailroads throughout the Commonwealth much credit Is given, for \vithout their sjilendid c(vo])eration and assistance* in the free distribution of fish to our streams and waters, the Board would have indeed been severely handicap])ed.

FINANCL^L STATEMENT

Covering Fiscal Period June 1, 1924 to May ai, 1926.

In pX])lanation of the balance at the entf of ffte biennisiin, tliis amount represents the greater ]iart of the total receipts for any calendar rear. To budget and exjiend the total estimated receii)ts in any biennium would leave the Board witl'.out sntticiiMit fnnds to carry' on its activities 4ttring the bcilaMCe of the year at the end of the biennium.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT June 1, 1924 to May 31, 1926

Balance— Fish Fund— June 1, 1924

1218,608.07

RECEIPTS

Resident Fishing Licenses , . _ . .

.Non-resident Fishing Licenses ............

^mes

Commercial Hatchei-y Licenses

Shad Seine Licenses [

Lake Erie Licenses

Other Sources ............. ..^.....^,...

1501,592.16

30;745.19

32,447.35

419.00

732.00

8,962.00

12,058.91

103.12

Total

••••••

• *•*•••. ...^

1587,059.73

Total Funds available this Biennium • . . . Less Expenditures this Biennium Balaiice— Fish Fund— June 1, 192<3 . .

805,667.80 596,9.32.77 208,735.03

BALANCE

State Treasury 205 010 0"^

Mechanics Trust Company, Harrisburg,"i'a. 3J25.'oi

Total

♦ • ♦ ♦

♦ • • » •

1208,735.03

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS.

Administrative Salaries | 48,405.86

Administrative Expenses — Fishermen's Lic- ense Tags, Office supplies and equipment; Furniture and fixtures, etc 41,100.38

Traveling Expenses — Board Members, Com- missioner of Fisheries, etc. ...,,♦..♦... 9,197.66

j^gal Expenses 631.Mi

Printing — Resident Fishing Licenses; all printing supplies for administrative of- fices, hatcheries and field ♦ 7,924.69

Salaries and Expenses for Fish Wardens 83,986.21

Hatchery Operations — payment of salaries and expenses of all employes at the six hatcheries — expenses hatching, rearing and distribution of fish, etc i91yMl«M

Operating tug *^Commodlore Perry" on Lako Erie — salaries of crew, operating expenses in patt'ol work, collection of fish and eggs,

distribution of fish, etc 12,885.96

•

Purchase of site for new hatcherv, Bedford

County * 15,001.00

Field Work — salaries and expenses of field employes — expenses in collection of fish and fish eggs supplied to hatcheries 54,749.39

Buildings, ponds, extensions, etc. — new con- struction work at all hatcheries 131,608.74

Total 1596,932.77