The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-02-17
FISH CULTURE IN UTAH.
Though Much Neglected., It's Futur

Though Much Neglected, It's Future
Prospects Arc Encouraging.
Through the efforts of Commissioner
fish culture, it is expected that the
present legislature will make some pro
visions for the better protection of
fish, for the establishment of a fish
hatchery in this state and to create a
fish commission to superintend the
| planting OF fish in all the streams of
the state. similar to the work done in
| other states.
/ California, Colorado, Wyoming and
many other commemorative have large
establishments. maintained by the
I state, for the propagation of fish to re-
pleaish the public waters of the state,
and 70 aid and encourage the culture
Of fish in private ponds and preserves.
The state of Michigan, as BELTS her
Aquatic surroundings, has done more
in this direction than any other state
in the union. In 1873 a board of fish
commissioners was established by
legislative act, and an annual appro-
priation made of $500 The first
board Of Michigan consisted Of the gov
ernor and two appointed members,
whose du@y was stated to be Ito select
( a suitable location for a state fish
breeding establishment for the arti-
fetal propagation and cultivation Of
w1itefish and such other kinds of the
better class of food fishes as they
may direct. upon the best terms posi-
ble.." They were required to appoint
a superintendent of fisheries of the
state. and secure the enforcement of
the laws relating to the protection of
fish and fisheries. Liberal appropria-
tons were annually made and the
growth of the industr has assumed
prodigious proportions. The white fish
. hatchery at Detroit is undoubtedly the
largest, best arranged, best equipped
and most efficient in the world. as well
as being the most economically man
eyed. No other has begun to compete
with its output, now reaching nearly
200 00O, 900 small fry annually. And
there are few if amy brook trout hatch
cries that excel the one at Paris,
Michigan. with an annual out put of
nearly 100000 small fry.
While such extensive establishments
are unnecessary in Utah, there is need
of fish breeding plant of sufficient
capacity to plant fish in all the streams
and fresh water lakes of the state, and
it is hoped that the present efforts of
Commissioner Musser will be success
SrI
Mr.. John E. Sherlock who resides
two miles south Of this city opposite
Callers park. has been experimenting
for two or three years in trout Gull
+ure. and considering his meagre
facilities has attained much success.
He has a pond 75x110 feet fed by four
artesisTa wells Contiguous to his pond
he also has a small hatchery in sue
cessful operation, having $4,000 small
trout fry already hatcned this season.
and others Matching daily an interest
ing sight worth going q long way TO
see. Mr. Sherlock is propagatng both
california rainbow trout and eastern
brook trout. both of which are rapid
growers. the latter attaining a weight
az two to three pounds in three years,
while the former will weight ten and
twelve pounds at four years old, and
are eminently suitable for our noun
tain streams and lakes. Mr.. Sherlock
received his first importation of rain
bow trout eggs from a hatchery in
Massachusetts. receiving 1000 eggs by
mail. packed in a, small perforated to-
lbacco box 3x5x2 inches in size at a
cost of only 81 postpaid, from which he
75afciied 800 small fry, with no other
apps ratus than a small pan placed
under a dripping water tap he IS
now Matching from eggs from his own
fish. at very little expense for appar-
aturs.
From the cheapness and simplicity of
this amatuer plant and the success of
its operation, we were led to believe
that many farmers in Utah are much
better situated for successfully raising
brook trout in abundance for their own
use and for the market, as there is al
wsys good demand for trout at pay
ing prices
OF the advantages of a fish pond
upon the farm L 1. Diesem, OF Al
Hanee. O., enthusiastically writes:
What is there that, with the same
amount of labor expended, is SO at
fractive as a lakelet or pond stocked
with fish? It adds to home attractions
of the farm, and makes it more
pIeasant place for the sons and
daughters. and, for that matter, for
the father and mother too A place
for boating. bathing, skating, and
above all. a place to fish. Where is
the boy. man or woman. who does not
love to angle for the inny tribe2'
II the trout, white fish, black and
rock bass. crappie and catfish, already
rlanted in our Utah streams and lakes.
ara protected for few years longer,
and a state hatchery is established TO
keep up and augment the supply, IL
will not be many years before our
Argt-ciass fish will be as abundant and
as cheap in our local markets as IN the
Sake and seaports of our country