THE FOOD AND GAME FISHES OF NEW YORK. 387 



spot at the base of each scale, the spots forming interrupted black stripes ; a dark 

 spot on the opercle ; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal fins with dark mottlings ; iris 

 .golden overlaid with crimson. 



The Rock Bass is known under a variety of names. Among them are the follow- 

 ing: Red-eye, Red-eyed Perch, Goggle-eye and Lake Bass. It is found in Lower 

 Canada, Vermont and throughout the Great Lakes region, West Manitoba, and it is 

 native in Minnesota and Dakota ; southward it ranges through the Mississippi Valley 

 to Texas. In the Ohio Valley it is very common, while in the Middle Atlantic States, 

 east of the Alleghanies, it has probably been introduced. Its existence in the 

 Susquehanna has been % known for many years. Whether it is indigenous in Pennsyl- 

 vania waters is uncertain. It has been introduced into some parts of Virginia, while 

 in other portions of that State it is native. It is indigenous in North Carolina. Its 

 distribution in Pennsylvania has been greatly extended by artificial introduction, 

 and it is now well established in the Delaware, especially in its upper waters. 

 DeKay records it from Lake Champlain, the Great Lakes and the larger streams in 

 the western counties of New York. Meek says it is a very common and well-known 

 species in the Cayuga Lake basin. In the Passaic River and other waters it is an 

 introduced species. Evermann and Bean obtained a specimen in Scioto Creek, 

 Coopersville, N. Y., July 19, 1894. In the Lake Ontario region the U. S. Fish Com- 

 mission collectors secured it at many localities in New York State in 1894 and pre- 

 vious years. The species is found in Chautauqua Lake. 



Under circumstances favorable as to water and food supply the Rock Bass 

 grows to a length of 14 inches and a weight of 2 pounds. It increases in depth 

 and thickness with age. The largest example we have examined is one of 2 pounds 

 weight, length 14 inches, from the James River, Va., taken near Richmond. Dr. 

 William Overtoil reports that Rock Bass weighing 3^ pounds have been taken in 

 his vicinity at Stony Creek, Va. 



In February and March this fish frequents the mouths of small streams, and in 

 summer it seeks shady places under high banks or projecting rocks. The species is 

 gregarious, going in large schools. It thrives where there is not much current and 

 is very well adapted for culture in artificial ponds. It is as common in lakes and 

 ponds as in the streams. Sluggish, pure dark water suits it best. 



The fishing season begins in June and lasts till the approach of cold weather. 

 The Rock Bass feeds on worms, crustaceans and larvae of insects early in the season ; 

 later its food consists of Minnows and Crawfish. The young feed on insects and 

 their larvae. The spawning season is May and June, and gravelly shoals are resorted 

 to for depositing the eggs. 



