Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-11-21
CAPITOL NEWS.
Results of Salmon Fishery Surpass
n Most Sanguine Expectations.
Fifty Lakes and Ponds Stocked With Salmon
and Trout, This Fall.

In spite OF the lowness of the rivers and
brooks, there was an unusually large
number of salmon and front eggs
obtained, this year, at Auburn, Sebago
lake and Weld pond. 1t had been feared
that, on account of the drouth, there
would be great difficulty in getting any,
thing like the usual quantity, but as
events proved the ''hauls' were very
successful.
Fish Commissioner Henry o. Stanley
said to Journal reporter, Wednesday
Ihere have been taken in all, this fall,
700, 900 salmon eggs. of which 300, 900
were from Auburn lake, 300, 600 from
Sebago lake and 100, 900 from Weld
pond.
This result surpassed all expectations
as it had been feared that the lowness of
the rivers would prevent the fish going
into the weirs. At Auburn lake, the
salmon We're, as was expected, unable to
ascend the rivers, but for substitute
chose the running water at the outlet,
and also where the water is drawn in
pipes, for the city consumption. In the
latter place 1t was impossible to get any
good results ON account of the rocky bot
tom.
At the outlet, however, they were dis
covered and by means of nets about $50
were corralled.
In two days in this way, $50 fish were
taken, giving about 800, 900 eggs.
"AtSebago lake and Weld pond, 400, :
coo were obtained. At these places, the
larger fish did not ascend the brooks,
those going in averaging from five to six
pounds.
''Of the trout, !, 600, 900 eggs will be
placed in the hatcheries.
Regarding the probable results from
eggs in the hatcheries, as compared with
these from eggs Matched under natural
conditions, in the lakes and ponds, Mr..
Stanley said: About 10 per cent of the
eggs spawned natures by natural means,
and of this large part is destroyed or
eaten by the larger fish, while in the
hatcheries 80 per cent natures, one-half
of which grows TO be full sized
This fall, young fish have been placed
in over so lakes and ponds in the State,
and In the course of a few years, remark
able results will be obtained"
Regarding the English brown trout
some little doubt is entertained regarding
their ultimate adoption. They were to be
placed, at first, only in those waters where
no trout or salmon existed as they We're
not to be trusted. Mr.. Stanley said that
they were doubtful characters and
were to be treated as such, as it was sus
pected of them that they were fully
capable of eating up the other kinds of
fish For the warmer waters, however, in
which the other fish cannot live, they
will make excellent inhabitants. They
are handsome, and good eating, but not
up to the American article.
Mr. Stanley said when asked about
the game: "There has been better sport
this season, than ever before, and, think,
there are, unquestionably, more deer,
today, In the State, than there are sheep.
The low price of wool has, naturally, de-
preciated the raising OF sheep, and many
have been killed to satisfy the calls of the
inner man, rather than the needs of the
outer With a change of administration,
however, / trust that the sheep will rally
and give the deer hard rub for suprem
acv in numbers.