Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-03-03
FISH ron DELAWARE
Hhe Bill Now Before the Legislature
ana Some Reasons Why 1t Should
be Adonfad

Nv Nuopteu.
The subject OF the stocking of the
streams and ponds OF Delaware with fish
Is one that should interest not only the
sportsmen but the farmers and, in fact
all residents Of the State. Of late year,
our waters have become almost depopu-
lated OF Hsh and the measure which Ia
now before the Legislature for restoring
them Is one that should certainly pass.
Ihv blll, which is an act to amend the
ACT III relation to fish and game, has bsen
rean Twice III the House and is now in the
ilanus oil 4 committee OF which MIR. Van.
Burkalow is chairman.
Its object, as has been already stated.
Is to have fish commission, consisting of
one commissioner from each county,
appointed by the Governor. They are to
work without compensation, and their
duties Will be the establishment and
iiiaihte,iaiice OF one OF more breeding
ponds from which the streams and pond.
oil the state shall be Literally supplied
with German carp, black bass, brook
trout, salmon and other fish.
The probable location OF the ponds will
De point adjoining the Cool Spring
Reservoir, in this city, than which, ior
the purpose, there is no better place in
the state. The spring water will be
utilized for I'LL except the carp, which
Will be nurtured by the water from the
basin. At these ponds more fish can he
Matched than all the waters OF the Della.
ware can accommodate, and all appropria-
ton Of only $4,000 is asked OF the Legis-
lature.
There are now some few carp in some
OF the private ponds OF the state. A
number were introduced some time ago in
the streams, but their spawn were de-
stroved by other fish and they have
become extinct. BY means OF the breed
ing pond the spawn will be protected and
Tile llsh able to take care OF themselves
when they are introduced into strange
waters. 1t is intended that thousands ut
fish, OF the kind above mentioned, shall
he placed in the streams every year, thus
keeping them well stocked.
SOME people are under tile impression
that the National Government furnishes
all the fish that are required for reillng
the streams, but this is u mistake. The
Government pays no attention to game
lish.
Another mistake is the impression en-
wi ny SUllit lllul lllt DuSEtlnt Vi Illt
proposed bill will be more beneficial to
New Castle than to the lower counties. 1t
Is designed to equally benefit the whole
state, and by the way there is no state in
the Union better adapted to the prupag;l-
ton OF fish than ours, with its multiplicity
Vi streams suitable lOr the purpose. All
that is needed is the start which the pro-
posed act will give and the protection
which its provisions will afford.
Good game fish III Delaware are entirely
out OF the reach OF all but the wealthier
classes OF the community. They are oddly
to be found in private ponds. to which
poor people can have no access. This is
10 he rtnledied under the new dispensa-
ton and he who hath his tackle ana bait,
he he as poor as Jobs turkey, shall have
his fish. 1t is not generally known how
thoroughly our streams have been de-
populated OF the species OF iinmy inhabi-
tants that are OF real value for food or
game purposes. A few years ago trout