Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1919-09-05
TROUT At MAGIC DAM
DYING BY HUNDREDS
STATE FISH SSiONER
MAKES SURVEY; DETERMINES
CAUSE, MAKES PLANS FOR
r ESTOC CklNG THE
LAKE AND RIVER

For the past two weeks the state
Z Fish Commissioner has been receiving
numerous reports that the trout in the
Magic Dam RESERVOIR were dying by
the wagon loads" and "by the car
loads" Fish Commissioner Isaacs
made a detailed investi cation of the
situation on Sunday and Monday Of
tins week He reports the condition
as quite serious but not as hopeless as
the reports would indicate Hundreds
of fine Wood river trout are dying. but
not in car load lots as the public report
would have it,
The situation is the result OF the ex-
tremely dry season. Practically no
fresh water at all is entering the res
ervoir and in a number OF places. the
river bed above the dam is dry. The
trout have by lack of water in the riv-
er been forced to live in the reservoir.
As no fresh water is flowing into the
lake. the lake water has become stag
nant. The intensive heat has caused
the decay of organic matter in the
water. and the gases and other poison
Gus matter resulting from the decay
has proven destructive to the trout.
The only Immediate relief measures
which could improve the situation
would be for the ranchers above the
reservoir to release some OF the water
they are taking out for irrigation pur-
poses so that the stagnant water in
the lake might be freshened. To ef-
feet this relief. Commissioner Isaacs
visited with the ranchers who have
water rights on the upper Wood river
"a I'D appealed 10 them TO allow all the
water TO go down to the reservoir for
three or four days. Cool weather for
several days will decrease the tempera-
ture OF the water and will aid in pre-
venting the wafer from further stag .
tion.
Commissioner Isaacs outlined a ten
tative plan for restocking the upper
Wood river which will bring 1T back TO
old time sport within the next few sea
sons. Some time ago the state de-
partnent began the cultivation Of
Wood river trout at the Hay Spur
Hatchery located on the HALEY branch
of the O. :. l.. There are now 100000
minnows OF proper size for distribution
If this new stock is placed in the river.
there need be no fear for the future
fishing in Magic Dam reservoir or the
upper river.
There havo bcel several demands
from different parts of the country for
the new stock of Wood river trout now
IN the Hay Spur hatchery The prob
lem has been carefully studied from all
angles and the. practical and intelligent
opinion which has been derived from
the study is that the new stock at the
hatchery will give far better results
II concentrated in its native habitas,
rather than distributing a few here
and there over ten state. The Wood
river country is free to all fishermen
who abide by the state laws and il viii
be much more practical to restocll 1t
With fish and keep the fishing good all
ne time. than to spread out the new
stock in such a. way that no commun
ty viii have really good fishing.
The State Fish Commission has been
somewhat handicapped this season on
account of the war measures concern
ng rail transportation. Shipments al.
owed them by rail are so small as to
practically forbid any large operation
the political administra-
ions have used this commission as
lift job. Under the new form of state
government. the State Fish Commits
ion is placed on a business basis the
anne as all other state departments
md bureaus. As a result instead Of
extensive works at the state
latcheries the present administration
5 htching fish and lots of them.
Il don't want money TO build expen-
i've buildings and cement ponds at the
tate hatcheries; give me a shed and
.nough fish troughs and I will hatch
more fish than ever done before BY the
tate. In spite OF the extremely dry
nd hot season and the limited trans
facilities for our work, we
re fifty per cent ahead of our expec
ations." Mr.. Isaacs has had nineteen
ears experience with this work in
orty-fo different states.