The Washington times., 1935-12-21

most cosmopolitan game-1lSh, as
it is found in every State. 1t
Is annually sought after by some
5000, 900 anglers who find In the
sport health happiness and food.
It is one of our valuable ma
tional assets, and as such de-
serves the respect and protection
of all our people.
AS most of you know, there
are two well-known species of
these bronzed-back scrapperS,
namely, the largemouth and the
smallmouth. Scientists have con-
cluded that there is another Spe-
cies, namely, the Kentuck or
spotted bass, but we will class
all these black bass.
These fish spawn in the spring,
the male locates and prepares
the nest, then he finds the ripe
female bass and drives her on
the nest, where the eggs are
deposited and fertilized.
Eat Own Young
The male then zealouSly guards
the nest until the eggs have
Matched, and the young fish are
perhaps three days old, then he
drives them away and deserts
them after which If either of the
parents should happen when hun
cry upon their own offspring, the
youngsters would be consumed.
The period of incubation varies
from eight days to two weeks, ac-
cording to the species, and the
temperature of the water. Dur
ing this period the male bass is
entitled to all the protection he
can get. Hence most of the
States provide that it shall be un-
lawful to fish during the spawn
ing period. This year another
State has been added to the list
of those providing the essential
closed season, namely, Kansas.
But seven States remain without
this important protection.
Primarily Game Fish
The black bass is not a COM
mercial fish. 1t is primarily
game fish and should be so
treated by the various States. Its
sale should be prohibited through
out the United States just as the
sale is prohibited in every State.
At present with the results Of
the 1885 State legislative program
just tabulated, it is now unlawful
to sell black bass at any time re-
gardleSS of where taken in 80
States, the District of Columbia,
Baltimore city, Cumberland and
Hagerstown, Md.
Six other States prohibit the
sale Of black bass taken within
their borders but permit the sale
If caught in some other State and
brought in. and the four. remain
ing States permit their sale with
certain restrictions.
The situation in the last two
instances is not good one. for
it encourages the taking of these
fish locally and their illegal sale.
The laws of these States should
be amended so as to prohibit the
sale of black bass regardless OF
where taken.
Function of State
The protection of our beloved
black bass is essentially a func-
ton Of the State; however, they
are carried and shipped from one
State to another, principally for
commercial purposes. When fish
are taken illegally for market they
are frequently shipped out Of the
State where caught, without the
of the State authorities
until they have reached their
destination; then it is too late to
act.
This and other things created
a demand for a broader and more
far-reaching power to protect the
black bass than State laws, and
finally resulted in the passage of
the Halves black bass law. enacted
by Congress in 1926, and re-
with amendments in 1880.
The Izaak Walton League of
assisted with the passage
Of this law, which is designed to
assist the States in further pro-
tecting and increasing the black
bass and regulates their interstate
transportation. A violation of the
Federal law is predicated on
violation of some existing State
law. and an interstate transpor.
tation. Hence, it is most impor
tant that the various States per
feet their black bass laws.
The enforcement Of this most