418 NATURAL HISTOEY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



the name 'Dory 'is in common use. Southward the name 'Jack' is applied to this species as 

 well as to the Pike. The most unfortunate misnomer of ' Salmon' is also common in the South, and 

 the names 'Okow,' 'Blow-fish,' "Green Pike," and 'Jack Salmon' are also current in various 

 localities. This species is very abundant throughout the Great Lake region and the Upper Mis- 

 sissippi and Missouri. It has also an extensive but not well-known distribution through the larger 

 streams of the Southern States, at least of the upland portion. It feeds upon other fishes, and is 

 a voracious and gamy species. It reaches a length of three feet or more, and a weight of fifteen to 

 twenty-five pounds or more. Those seen in market are generally much smaller. This is one of the 

 best of our food-fishes, with firm, white flesh of good flavor. In the markets supplied from the 

 Great Lakes it ranks in importance below the white-fish and lake trout only. It is the most 

 valuable of our fresh- water percoids." 



Jordan recognizes two varieties of this species, namely, var. vitreum and var. salmoneum; the 

 latter, known as the " Blue Pike," is a local variety in Ohio and southward ; it is bluer in color, 

 and is smaller, besides having the body shorter and deeper. 



The abundance of the Wall eyed Pike, Stizostedium vitreum, in the region of the Great Lakes 

 has been recorded by Mr. Kumlien as follows : 



"At the western extremity of Lake Superior, at the head of Saint Louis Bay, Wall-eyed Pike 

 are abundant. They are there taken extensively with seines. Off the Wisconsin coast of Lake 

 Superior, and, passing east, as far as Ontonagon, Michigan, Pike have, within the last two years, 

 become abundant. Four years ago the fishermen could scarcely find sufficient for their own tables, 

 while in 1879 there was an immense " run" of Pike. They are most abundant in Squaw and Siscourt 

 Bays and are of larger size than in Keweenaw Bay. The sudden appearance of Pike is a deep 

 puzzle to the fishermen. 



"At Portage Entry and L'Anse, Pike are abundant; they are common, however, all along the 

 shore from Ontonagon to Huron Bay, between which two points they rank third, and would take 

 the second place (i. e., that of lake trout) if the "runs" of Pike were as continuous as those of 

 trout which latter can be caught at all times. Pike are here taken principally in the pounds. 

 They average a smaller size than in the Lower Lakes. At Portage Entry the fishermen used to 

 keep the Pike in a pond until required for shipment. They are here called "Yellow Pike." 



On the fishing grounds between Grand Island and Sauk's Head, including Ontario Bay, 

 Sucker Bay, Laughing-fish Point, Short Point, Marquette and Big Presque Isle, Pike are taken 

 to some extent, but are not abundant enough to be of much importance. Twelve years ago they 

 were quite rare; they have since that time been increasing steadily. They are taken in the pound- 

 nets to some extent, but rarely in the gill-nets. Some pounds do not get half a dozen to a lift. In 

 this region they are known as "Yellow Pike," as also at White-fish Point, where they are some- 

 times taken at the rate of two or three hundred pounds at a lift, but are not plentiful. 



At the north end of Green Bay the name "Dor<5" is given to this species. In this locality, 

 including the fishing grounds of Escanaba, Chippewa Point, Summer Island, Saint Martin's 

 Island, and Point aux Barques, they are equally abundant, and grow to a large size, occasionally 

 weighing twenty pounds. They here rank third in importance, and are taken in gill-nets, except 

 in winter and spring. Of late years they have been salted to some extent. 



Along the shore of Green Bay, between the mouths of Cedar River and Peshtego Eiver, they 

 rank third in importance, the white-fish taking the first place and the sturgeon the second. They 

 are taken more plentifully in the fall than in the spring, the reverse being the case at the head of 

 the bay, where they spawn in great numbers. When shipped fresh they are not dressed at all. 

 In spring they are, to some extent, salted, and are sold as " Salt Pickerel." This business of 



