28 FISH AND GAME. 



satisfactory results. Commissions of many western States and 

 the United States government have for years propagated this 

 species. It has been demonstrated that they are easily reared, 

 and that the young will make rapid growth, attaining a length of 

 H to 2 inches during the first season. In numerous ponds where 

 there are few or no sunfish the introduction of this species might 

 prove of value, not only from the standpoint of the fishermen, 

 but also as an aid in the extermination of the mosquito. 



BLUEGILL SUNFISH AND YELLOW CATFISH. 



Arrangements have been made to secure early in 1917 a 

 brood stock of bluegills and yellow catfish in Pennsylvania for 

 delivery to the Palmer Hatchery next spring. They will be 

 placed in one of the breeding ponds, and thus a start will be 

 made in what we expect to develop as a large addition to our 

 stock. 



To have the bluegill sunfish prevalent in our ponds and 

 streams, for it is adapted to both, will be a great asset. It 

 grows to a length of nearly a foot, and some weighing as much 

 as 2 pounds have been recorded, though the average is about 

 8 inches with a weight of less than a pound. Size is dependent 

 largely upon environment. In the larger ponds and streams it 

 attains a greater size than in the smaller bodies of water. In 

 shape its body is elliptic, the head comprising about one-third 

 of the total length. Color varies with age from light to dark 

 green, the young having silvery sides tinged with purple, and 

 many vertical greenish bands. It is readily taken by hook 

 fishing, and is considered an excellent pan fish. 



The yellow catfish is a robust fish having a rather broad 

 head and a wide mouth. Usually the upper jaw is longer than 

 the lower, though they are sometimes equal. This fish thrives 

 to greatest advantage in large ponds and sluggish streams. 

 Living under most favorable conditions a length of 2 feet has 

 been recorded, though the average is very much less. 



WALL-EYED PIKE. 



We have received several reports of pike perch having been 

 taken in the Connecticut River near Springfield. Considerable 

 numbers are annually taken in the stream farther up and in the 



