The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1941-08-14
CONSERVATION
BRIEFS

How fast does a northern pike
grow? Conservation department Of
ficials are agreed that the pace is
accelerated good deal in the Win
dom state rearing pond.
Bottled specimens taken at random
from the 2,7OO northerns harvested
from the pond on July II disclosed
that in approximately 10 days the
fish had grown from one half inch fry
size TO from nine to II inches.
Officials pointed out that in the case
Of the II inch fish the growth during
the short rearing period was more
than 1900 per cent.
The unusual growth was made pos
sible as the result of new department
experiments in providing food for the
tiny fry. Fish propagation techni-
clans said the incident points to a
new field for double" utilization of
rearing ponds with controllable water
supply IN one season.
The plan visioned by these officials
is to stock the ponds early IN the
spring with one species-any north
ern pike. These fish would be har-
vested in early July, and the pond
converted TO a new and later spawn
ing fish such as the small mouth bass.
Minnesota game wardens will at
tend their second annual training
school in two units between August
ID and 80. Objectives of the training
period, which viii handle one half of
the warden force at time, were
listed by the department as instruction
in the latest methods Of law enforce
ment; interpretations of new conserv-
alton laws, and general conservation
program sessions.
z. R. Starkweather, deputy director
of the division Of game and fish and
head of law enforcement, said the To-
cation Of the two week camp viii be
either Camp Ripley military reserVa-
ton north Of Little Falls or Camp
Curry just above Willow River.
Conservation department law en-
forcement officials this week prepared
to select three new game wardens from
the state civil service roster 70 stabilize
the Minnesota force Of 135 officers.
Department officials reported that
one of the states major new fish
unitS-the waIleyed pike
rearing pond at Garrison on Lake
Mile Lacs-yielded 10000 four to five
inch waIleyes last week. N. l. Moe,
superintendent of propagation, termed
the preliminary harvest unusually
successful" since the pond was stocked
late to permit completion Of construc-
ton.
The department raised several bill
lion water fleas here this season. Yes,
you get it right-water deas. The more
polite name is Magma Daphnia, and
practically just flood for rearing
ponds"
Experiments showed that the water
supply available at the st. Peter fish
hatchery is admirably suited TO the
tiny animal life. Several buckets full
of daphnia were produced and much
was made available TO other rearing
ponds.
Dapfnia culture has been proven as
the result of department experiments
to be the Al requirement OF minute
sized fish fry a. the early period OF
their development.
After a series Of intensive studies
and general surveys on state-owneo
refugees and other marsh areas, Don
Smith. biologist IN charge Of the acd-
vitv. said local ducks appear TO have
had an excellent season
While no basis exists for comparison
with past years since the project began
only this spring under the Pittman-
Robertson Federal Aid plan, Smith
pointed to the return of numerous pot
holes and small marshes IN western
Minnesota as a major factor. Among
the unusual duck nesting Developments
noted by Smith and his survey workers
was the apparent return Of the ruddy
duck and redhead TO Minnesota breed
ing sites N sizeable numbers.