ABUNDANCE OF WHITE-FISH. 537 



half barrels have been taken iu one pound-net at one lift (net thirty-five feet). They here rank 

 first in importance, are abundant and very large. 



Along the shore of Lake Superior, from Ashland to Ontonagon, White-fish rank first in impor- 

 tance. In the vicinity of Marquette the decrease of this fish, according to Parker, has been very 

 great within the last fifteen years, and especially since 1877. At White-fish Point this species 

 ranks first in importance. 



Down Green Bay White-fish are becoming more abundant, at Guamico the proportion as com- 

 pared with the abundance of Herring being about one half barrel of White-fish to fifty of Herring. 

 Ten years ago White-fish were the most important, but have been driven from their spawning beds 

 in the rivers by saw-dust and other causes. The largest hauls here are made by gill-nets through 

 the ice in winter. The appearance of this fish here is very irregular, often absenting itself for 

 several years from hitherto favorite localities. In June, 1877, Mr. Levelle', of Pensaukee, caught in 

 one pound-net seven hundred half barrels, besides shipping a large quantity fresh. They were all 

 No. 1 fish. As high a number as fifty barrels were taken from the net iu one morning; other nets, 

 which were set on either side of his, took no fish. Mr. Levelle" chose a ledge of rock, having a 

 light coating of mud, for the spot on which to set his net. One of the fish which he caught weighed 

 eleven pounds ; since this large catch many other attempts have been made to catch fish in the 

 same place, but without any great success. 



The most important fish on the west coast of Green Bay is the White-fish. In 1843 the prin- 

 cipal spawning beds for this fish were in the rivers. In 1863 thirty-six barrels were taken at one 

 lift of a pound-net ; now, five hundred pounds are regarded as a very good catch. In 1878 the 

 largest catch on record was eight hundred and fifty pounds. In 1850 the most profitable grounds 

 of this region were in the Menomouee liiver, where they were taken in racks on their return from 

 spawning. Six hundred barrels were often taken on one rack during the autumn; now, not one 

 example has been caught in the river for twelve years. The same cause is assigned for their dis- 

 appearance as from other grounds already spoken of. About 1809, and a few years previous to the 

 introduction of the pound-net, the greater part of the White-fish was taken iu seines close inshore, 

 usually having a warp of only thirty rods. In July and August of 1879 there were large runs of 

 small White-fish five or six inches in length on Peshtigo Bar; one fisherman took out several 

 boat-loads, and, on account of their small size, was obliged to throw them away. It was thought 

 by the fishermen that these fish had been artificially hatched by the Wisconsin State fish com- 

 mission. A more sensible plan on the part of the fishermen would have been to replace them in 

 the water to grow, finding them too small for market. 



The temperature of the water is supposed to have a great inllnence upon the movements of 

 this fish, especially at the time of their arrival upon the feeding grounds in spring. "In winter," 

 says Mr. Eveland, "they seek deep water and live upon the 'winter feed' the so-called 'White- 

 fish worm,' which they seek upon a muddy bottom ; but about the middle of June, on an average, 

 the water becoming warm enough, they strike inshore on sandy or on slightly gravelly shoals 

 and bars and entirely change the character of their food; at this time feeding on the 'shell feed' 

 (small mollusks)." 



Towards Cedar Itiver the White-fish are more plentiful than between Peshtigo Point and !\Ie- 

 nomonee. They alone are taken almost exclusively in deep-water pound-nets. 



At and near Green Bay City the White-fish has been for years past the most abundant species 

 of fish. It is now, according to the fisherman's language, " played out." 



This fish is first iu importance in the waters at the north end of Green Bay. The principal runs 

 occur during the spawning season. There are a great many spawning grounds in this section, espe- 



