The Bloater Whitefish 



Bloater Whitefish 

 Argyrosomus prognathus (H. M. Smith) 



The bloater is known also as bloat, longjaw, silver whitefish, and, 

 sometimes, cisco or ciscoette. 



It is known from all the Great Lakes except Lake Erie from 

 which as yet no specimens have been reported. It is probably most 

 abundant in Lakes Ontario and Michigan, where it has good rank as a 

 food-fish. The flesh is firm and of good flavour. By many people it 

 is scarcely less highly esteemed than the common whitefish. 



It is highly prized in Lake Ontario where it often brings the same 

 price as C. clupeifonuis; elsewhere it usually sells for a few cents a 

 pound less. 



When properly cared for on being caught, this fish is delicious, 

 says Mr. Charles H. Strowger. 



" When salted it keeps well, and does not lose its freshness 

 when cooked. A great deal of prejudice against the longjaw is enter- 

 tained because of the soft and damaged condition in which the fish is 

 usually sold to consumers. 



It is a fish that ought to be iced as soon as it is taken from the 

 water and kept cold until used, as it easily softens, and on cooking 

 becomes too greasy for ordinary human palates to enjoy. When 

 fresh caught it is equal, in my judgment, to any fish for delicacy of 

 flavour. It is a splendid fish for baking when of full size, but small- 

 sized fish are always of less value and should not be caught." 



The longjaw reaches a length of 8 to 16 inches and a weight of a 

 pound or less. Very little is definitely known regarding the habits of 

 this species. It seems to be an inhabitant of the deeper parts of the 

 lakes and is not often seen in shallow water. In Lake Ontario it is 

 taken only in depths of 200 to 400 feet. 



There is much difference of opinion among fishermen as to the 

 spawning time of this fish. Fish with mature roe have been reported 

 as early as May 17, and we have seen ripe fish in late June and 

 July in Lake Ontario. Ripe fish have been reported in July also from 

 Lake Huron. 



The indications are that the bloater has a prolonged spawning 

 period and that it is somewhat earlier than that of the common white- 

 fish. Scarcely anything is known as to the location of the spawning 



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