420 NATURAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



except by the French fishermen, who call it " Dory." Throughout this region this fish is common, 

 but principally in the rivers ami bayous. Mr. Bennett reports thirteen hundred pounds from one 

 pound-net in two nights in Hammond Bay. This fish is by far the most plentiful in spring. It is 

 much sought for because of its good keeping qualities. About Mud Lake and in the Sault Ste. 

 Marie River this species is quite extensively fished for and is sold separately. In the outer pounds 

 in the lake (Huron) not many are caught. The majority of fishermen salt them and sell as " Salted 

 Pickerel"; the proportion of this fish to white-fish is about as one to one hundred. 



At Alpeua, Thunder Bay, Pike, usually here called " Yellow Pike," form quite an important 

 fishery during May and June, after which but few are taken until September. The largest lift 

 known here was in 1874, when three thousand were taken from one net in a single lift. During 

 September very few of any other kind than Pike are taken in the pound-nets. In comparison with 

 Saginaw Bay, but few are taken at Alpena. 



In Sagiuaw Bay this species, known as " Yellow Pike," " Pickerel," and " Wall-eyed Pike," 

 is thus spoken of in a circular by Riker & Kelbourn : " Saginaw Bay produces more fish yearly 

 than any equal extent of inland water in the United States, and of as good quality, and in one 

 notable exception a good deal better. This is the Yellow Pike, or what are termed South 'Lake 

 Salmon,' and on Lake Erie are known as ' Pickerel.' They are a harder, firmer, fish, and will bear 

 transportation better, and keep longer, than pickerel caught in the Lower Lakes. Because of these 

 qualities, and their superior adaptation for the use of the table, they are regarded South and West 

 as the fish first of all desired. This immense catch of fish is prepared for shipment, in parcels 

 to suit customers, to the East, South, and West, embracing several States." 



The " Pickerel" is the most abundant and important fish in Saginaw Bay. Besides those taken 

 in the pounds and with seines, large quantities are speared in winter through the ice. In spring 

 they are taken till July, and then very few are caught again till the latter part of August. It is 

 presumed they go into deep water during the warmest weather. In spearing them through the ice 

 a decoy fish is used to lure them within reach ; they are A r ery rarely taken in the gill nets. There 

 seems to be no very alarming decrease among them, yet it is readily admitted that they have been 

 more plenty than they are at present. Spawn in the bay during April. 



From Point aux Barques to Port Huron, Pike are very abundant, and are the most important 

 fish in the Saint Clair River on the Canada side, where they are of great commercial value. They 

 are here known as " Yellow Pickerel." It is an interesting question why they should be more 

 abundant on the Canadian than on the American side. Saginaw Bay is the hot-bed for this 

 species, and from there they seem to strike across the lake to the Canada shore, entirely avoiding 

 the east shore of the peninsula from Point aux Barques to Port Huron. When they come into 

 the Saint Clair River they follow close to the Canada shore, and return the same way. 



Between Toledo and the mouth of Detroit River, Pike, called " Yellow Pickerel" in this region, 

 are not abundant. Unlike Maumee Bay, they do not seem to delight in this western shore of Lake 

 Erie. The runs occur in places in the spring irregularly, and no dependence is placed on a fair 

 supply at any time. It is not considered one 'of the important fish. 



In Maumee Bay Pike are very abundant. Early in the season large quantities come from the 

 bay and river of the same name. They rank second in importance, and are exclusively salted, 

 being then known as "Salmon," otherwise as "Yellow Pike." In autumn few are taken in com- 

 parison with the number caught in the spring. Pike, or "Yellow Pike," here called, strike on the 

 south shore of Lake Erie, around Port Clinton, about April 1, and stay only a few days. They 

 rank about fourth at that place. At Locust Point they are caught in considerable numbers in 

 spring, and some in fall also. Here they rank third in importance. 



