The record-union., 1894-09-29
LABORS OF TIE FISH COMMISSION.
Some of the Excellent Work 1t is
Engaged In.
Why Black Bass Have Not Been
Planted in Our River - Striped
Bass the Coming Fish.

John P. Babcock, Chief Deputy of the
Patrol and Hatchery Department of the
State Fish Commission, was in the city
Wednesday. accompanied by Deputy A.
w. Wilson. They were on their way to
San Francisco on their return from a
trip TO the Upper Sacramento.
In conversation with RECORD-UNIoN
reporter Mr.. Babcock made some inter-
esting statements. In response to ques-
ton as to the chances of getting fish
ladder at the Folsom dam, in order that
the valuable food fish could have an op-
portunity TO get up to the headwaters of
the American River to spawn, Mr.. Bah
cock said that it will probably be accom-
plished in the near future
He states that Mr.. knights, the civil
engineer of the power company, has sub
mitted plans to the Commission, which
have been approved by them, for fish
ladder to be blasted out of the solid rock
on the north side of the dam in such a
way that the fish can pass up it at the
proper time of year. There are times
when from twenty-five to forty feet deep
OF water is passing over the dam. For
This reason it would be worse than USE
less TO attempt to put in either wooden
"a oil AlOb AloA lddOCl, oo IL nOulN OS
washed away every spring. 1t is neces-
sary to complete the canal TO the COM
pany's power house before the rains set
in, and all the available men are there
fore at work on 1t, but as soon as the
work is finished, unless the river rises,
the ladder will be begun.
In relation to the placing of black bass
in the Sacramento River, whicn has been
anXiously waited and hoped for by ang-
lers, Mr.. Babcock stated that the COM
mission had contemplated stocking the
Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers with
big-mouthed bass. but when the subject
was broached to United States Commits
sioner Mcdonald he discouraged it.
ou have been doing splendid work
with your hatchery at Sissons," said he,
land the increased run of salmon in the
river attests your success. You do not
want to undo the work of years now. At
Red Bluff, Tehama and other places above
the Yuba and Feather Rivers, where the
water is clear, are many tine, clear pools
The bass, if placed in the river, will
work their way up to those places and lie
in wait for their food. There is no more
Voracious feeder on small fish than the
black bass, and lying in wait in their
tavorite haunts they would gobble up
your young salmon on their way to the
sea and neutraliZe all tue good that your
hatcheries can do. You cannot afford to
put them in."
THAT settled it, of course, and no black
bass will be put in these rivers, but there
are plenty of mountain lakes and reser-
voirs that can and will be stocked with
them, and in a few years the anglers of
the State will have fine fishing, as the
bass multiply very rapidly" said Mr..
Babcock.
ave had hoped that the immense
amount of carp in the rivers would fur
nish food supply for the bass and that
the carp would thus be kept down." said
the reporter.
1--WE have fish that will take care of
the carp" said Mr.. Babcock, land he is a
prince among fishes, too. The carp are
proving bonanza to him, and he is in
creasing rapidly on the food supply they
make for him.
They are the striped bass, of which
100 were planted in 1879 and $50 more in
1882. They did not make any show in
market till 1883, and at that time sold at
81 per pound. For several years they
were found only in the bay, in salt water.
OF late years they have assembled the
river, and it will not be long before you
will have plenty of them in your river
here. Even now some are caught above
here.
Around the islands of the Mokelumne
River they are getting quite abundant
and the fishermen catch large number.
One fisherman at Bouldin Island has
caught nearly $1,000 pounds within the
past year. They are going to be, with
salmon, the finest food fish on the coast,
and the man who once tastes them will
always want more.
II have examined great many striped
bass when they were cut open and al
ways found carp in their stomachs. A
short time ago / found an eleven-inch
carpin the stomach of large one. l never
have found any perch or other fish in
them, with the exception of one catfish.
SO you see they will have plenty of food
to increase on"
Mr.. Babcock then spoke of the small
ness of financial means with which the
Commission had to work, the size of the
State ana the few men who are engaged
actively in the work.
I'VE are often told,'' said he, "that we
should go up into the mountains and see
how the trout law is disregarded, and
answer that we cannot be everywhere at
once.
1.-The duty of first importance that con-
fronts us is TO do the most we can with
the limited means at our disposal, and the
food fish supply must be taken care of
first, as there are millions of dollars OF
commercial value in it, and it will be-
come an interest of the utmost import
ance to this State, as 1t is to Massachusetts
and other Eastern States.
When we get matters in such shape
that the food fish supply is properly in
creased and protected, we can give more
attention to the trout and other game fish.
Public sentiment must help us in the
meantime to protect the trout, and when
properly aroused and directed, it can be a
valuable aid to the commission.
1--WE cannot explain to everyone who
complains just what we are doing or how
we are working, because much of our
work must be done quietly in order 10
make it effective, but we are doing much
that makes very little show. Many fish
ladders are being put in and other evils
corrected"