To the angler, the fishing in Crater Lake this season proved to be disappointing for a total of only 23 fish taken by boat fishermen during July and August. This total constitutes the lowest catch reported since the creel census began in 1937. To the investigator, the results provided interesting and instructive information about the fish condition in the lake. Fishing boats have been available daily from 7:30 A.M. until 5:30 P.M., from July 15 through September 1. Few people availed themselves of the full day. Most of the fishing was confined to the area around Wizard Island and Skell Channel; few venturing far from this locale.

Information in this report is gleaned from data of boat fishing and a limited amount of shore fishing. Boat operator Paul Herron and his two assistants, Tommy Price and Dick McConkey, gave material help in gathering necessary data.

1. The catch in 1947. Of the 23 fish caught from boats, 14 were silver side salmon and 9 were rainbow trout. This amounts to .21 fish per boat hour, as compared with .11 for 1946. (See Nature Notes, 1946). The silverside averaged 12 inches in length and 8.6 ounces in weight; the rainbows 17.5 inches and 2 pounds 4 ounces respectively. Boats were used for fishing a total of 110.5 hours, only 6.8% of the use made in 1946.

2. Natural Reproduction. Although persistent observations were made during the summer, no sign of fry or fingerlings were seen. Mr. Herron in his 80 trips around the lake never saw any small fish. On July 13, two fishermen from Klamath Falls reported that there were some "six inch rainbows off the Wineglass shore." The size of the silversides would indicate that they had been spawned in the lake.

3. Shore Fishing. As in past seasons, shore fishing is attempted by considerable numbers of improperly equipped with a general lack of success. Three rainbows, 9, 14, and 15 inches, were taken from the south shore at the boat landing and at the Wineglass; no other catches were reported.

4. Food. Only nine stomach samples were obtained throughout the summer; midge larvae, and midge pupae made up the bulk of the silverside stomach contents examined, while three of the rainbow stomachs contained whole salamanders.

5. Age and Growth Determination. Ten scale samples were taken and will be studied during the winter to determine the age groups and growth record.

The 1947 Boat Fishing Record for Crater Lake

Comparison with 1946 season: only 6.5% as many fishermen took 13.4% as many fish as taken in 1946 with the result that nearly two times as many fish were taken per boat hour this year.