The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1922-08-24
MAY STOCK RICE LAKE WITH
FISH SAYS COMMISSIONER JUDD

=. 1. Juuu, u SdNuO, FISH anu
Game commissioner, was visitor in
Minot Tuesday and addressed the
members Of the board of directors at
their weekly luncheon. Mr.. Judd was
returning from a tour of the lakes
and rivers of southwestern North Da-
kota, where he had been making in
vestigations relative to stocking
those bodies of water with fish Of var
ious species. He was taken to Rice
Lake, 81 miles southwest of Minot,
that morning by Capt. Gross and re-
ported that he found splendid lake
with sweet pure water of sufficient
depth for fish of various species.
There are already a great many fine
perch in the lake and Mr.. Judd favors
putting in black bass, pike, rock bass,
croppies and some suckers. The last
named are no good for eating, but
will provide food for the other fish
and are good for scavangers, clearing
off the bottom. Mr.. Judd noted that
there are plenty Of insects and vege--
tation for fish food and is certain that
other species will thrive as we'll in the
lake as the perch. There are numer-
Gus springs about the lake which keep
the water from freezing close to the
kills fish in North Dakota lakes is the
gas from vegetation which collects
beneath the ice. If the water can be
kept in circulation and sufficient air
holes are kept open, fish can be pro-
kota lakes, Mr.. Judd says. The Fish
and Game commission expects to stock
Rice lake with various species little
1o%or onI will vo~horc o1oco tho 1oko
for fishing purposes, including the
perch for three years.
Mr.. Judd left Minot for Strawberry
lake, AZ miles southeast Of Minot,
where perch once thrived, but which
all died two years ago.
The board contemplated building a
fish hatchery at Spiritwood Lake, near
jamestown, where property had al
ready been acquired. The board is
having trouble to get fish eggs and
this may delay the work with the
hatchery until next year. The Min
nesota and Canadian hatcheries have
been asked for eggs and young fish,
but are not anxious to let go of any
of their supply. The board may Sc
cure pike from the Knife and Cannon
ball rivers in North Dakota.
Mr.. Judd says the Fish and Game
board account was overdrawn $4,000
July l, when he took charge, so great
We're the expenditures last year. One
game warden put in a bill for 5000
for travelling expenses for one month
and another bill for $1,000 for three
months. The Board has fund of
about $5O,O00.00 perTyear to. work
with. A pheasant farm Of $40 acres
was bought some time ago: south of
Mandan, and buildings were erected
A keeper was placed in charge. This
year; all of the pheasants had mys-
teriously disappeared. The state owns
another game preserve of 20 acres
near Bottineau. The pheasants die
better there and increased to double
the original number. Some were sci
free in the woods, but "a birds were
retained for mating. They produced
more than 1000 eggs this season
which have been distributed about the
state for Matching. purposes. Some
declare that pheasants are the enemy
to our native grouse. While the fe'
male sets on her eggs, the male, q
. very industrious bird, attacks othel
birds and destroys the eggs in the
nests of the native grouse, it is said
Mr.. Judd spoke of a male pheasant
that is frequently seen along the roat
between Devils Lake and the lake tt
the south. The bird runs ahead O.
Z the approaching autos and frequentl!
runs: after the scars, travelling at :
rapid pace.