Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 August 1901 — NEW FISH IN SUPERIOR. [ARTICLE]

NEW FISH IN SUPERIOR.

SuoocMfal Planting; of Stnellwacl Salmon by tho Government. An interesting experiment has been under way for the past four years by the United States fish commission at the station at Duluth, Minn. It has now resulted in the successful planting and acclimation in Lake Superior of a new food fish. This is the famous steelhead salmon of the Pacific, a saltwater fish exclusively heretofore. It was believed that this fish would thrive in the cold, fresh water of Lake Superior, where so many other salmonldae grow. Four years ago, therefore, the commission sent here several thousand fry and planted them on the north shore of the lake, near Port Arthur and at Silver Islet, both points on the Canadian side. The following year a larger number was planted off Isle Royale, and since then the planting has been kept up. Now from time to time the catch of an occasional steelhead is reported, and from the size of those found it Is estimated they are growing about a pound a year In these fresh waters. It is also evident from certain modifications of some of those specimens caught, that they have been propagating and increasing naturally. Fish of this kind five pounds in weight have been caught the past few days. These salmon are now spawning, and notices are being sent out, asking all fishermen who find them In their nets to throw them back in the water, in order that the work of the government may be aided as fast as possible. The salt-water steelhead salmon' as modified by existence in Lake Superior is ■aid to have a most delicate flavor, to be well shaped and firm, and to have

a flesh of a beautiful red. The planting of these fish will now proceed with much greater rapidity, and with this and the natural increase it is expected that it will soon become quite a common fish in this lake. —Milwaukee Wisconsin.