Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-10

ana COUNCIL, says in part:
General Survey OF 1917
The work of this department during the
past year has greatly increa sed in vol
ume owing to increasing demands upon
1t for assistance and information from
many sources and to policy of keeping
in closer touch with the activities of
wardens, hatchery superintendents. agents
for sale of licenses and reports. The
passage of the nonresident fsherman's
license law by the 18th Legislature also
entailed much additional Office work.
This Increased Office work has been ac-
complished, however, and all correspond
ence promptly answered with the en-
ployment of only one additional clerk for
a part of the time.
Non Resident Fishing Licenses
Although the law requiring nonresident
fishermen to be licensed did not become
operative until July 7th. over 1900 of these
licenses were issued.
1t is gratifying to be able to state that
there has been shown very little opposl-
ton to this new law on the part OF our
nonresident visitors. who appeared 10 be
willing to contribute the small sum OF
81 for the cause Of propagation and pro-
lection of game fish.
From the funds set aside from receipts
for these licenses many permanent hatch
cry improvements have been already
made, looking toward the rearing of
larger number or fry to he lingering
and yeariing stage, at which period they
are much more valuable tor stocking
purposes than when distributed in the
fry stage of development.
Hatchery improvements
At Auburn ponds have been thoroughly
cleaned out. new concrete dams built. ana
many needed repairs made upon the build
ings.
-Four concrete feeding pools have been
built at Belgrade.
one OF the old trough stands al Ray
mond hatchery has been torn down and
replaced by - concrete feeding pools. The
pools erected last year have been rooted
over and an hydraulic ram installed t.
afford Il supply OF water for domestic
purposes.
Five concrete pools have been added at
the Tunk Pond hatchery New boilers for
heating have been provided at Camden,
Moosehead, Enfield and Caribou hatch
cries.
Warden Service
The warden service in the several coun-
ties Of the state is supervised by a force
of Is chief wardens devoting their whole
time to the service and reporting condi-
tons III their respective districts regularly
10 this office. Visits to their districts and
personal interviews have also been a
means of keeping informed and in touc.,
with these conditions and their work
At no time within the history Of his
department has the warden service been
in more competent hands or more ELI
GENTLY administered, the chic wardens
being, for the most part men OF years OF
experience in the service, ana an holding
the respect and esteem Of their commun;-
ties and their deputies.
The deputy wardens are men seIecte
for their fitness for the service REQUIRED
and have rendered efficient ana intelligent
service during the past year Two hun
dred and ninety-siX prosecutions have
been Instituted and fines amounting to
Si,0l2,"a paid to the State for violations
OF the fish and game Laws. through the
efforts Of Wardens during the past year.
And above all in Importance to the sue
cessful carrying on of the work Of fish
and game conservation has been the
gradual cultivation OF a healthy public
sentiment in favor Of an impartial en-
forcement of the laws and of a fuller
realization Of the Importance Of consery-
ing our resources of fish and game
Fishways
After more than half century OF agi-
tation on the part of the citizens OF Cher
ryiield and vicinity the Narraguagus river
has been opened 10 the passage Of salmon
and other anaGromous fishes by the con
struction Of fishways over the five dams
al Cherryfeld.
Two other rivers in Washington county
the Pleasant and rennamaquan-have
also been opened 10 the passage of these
fish by means Of tishways installed in TIC
dams at Columbia Falls and Pembroke
and owners Of the power at Dennysville
have agreed to equip their dam with a
fshWay before another seasons run OF
salmon and alewves begins
While still somewhat polluted with saw
mill waste the Dennys river will be one
of the best salmon rivers in Maine when
1t is again opened for the passage OF these
fish. Large numbers OF humpback SAL
mon. recently introduced variety from
the Pacific coast. are now present in this
river each season.
On the Penobscot the dam at Ncazie
has been furnished with o concrete fish
way by the Bangor Power COMPANY. and
with few repairs in some # the ntner
fishways this river will continne ia be
the greatest salmon river on tie Atlantic
coast
This year Atlantic salmon have been Oh
served in considerable numbers as far H.,
or the East Branch as the Hunt farm.
which gives us the promise that the nat
ural propagation Of this most valuable
fish is Still going on and that, with proper
care of the fishways the run of salmon to
the Penobscot vii he assured for wears
to come.
The United States Bureau Of Fisheries
has co-operated with this department to
the extent of rearing and liberating dur
ing the past year over 3,OOO,O00 Atlantic
salmon in the tributaries OF the Penob-
scot, nearly 100000 humpback salmon In
the Dennys, st. Croix. East Machlas,
NarraeuaguS and ST Cenroec ri,nrS ,n1