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Discusses the successes and failures of the introduction of alien fish species to California waters during 1871-96. During this period, members of the New England-based American Fish Culture Association promoted efforts to replenish Western fisheries with depleted native species and lobbied for the establishment of the US Fish Commission in 1872. Commissioner Livingston Stone worked with state and federal commissions exporting Pacific salmon from the McCloud River to replenish Atlantic waters and importing a variety of Eastern species to introduce in California fisheries via innovative railroad cars outfitted with fish tanks. While the former effort largely failed, the latter saw mixed results. Species such as shad and striped bass became successful commercial and sport fish and had little effect on native California fish. Stone's efforts are an example of the 19th-century belief in the ability of humans to improve nature.