380 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



the shapaulle. It grows to a considerable size, the full-grown fish 

 weighing three or four pounds. It is not abundant as a rule, although 

 large quantities of the black-fish collect in the tules in May, when many 

 are killed with clubs. This is undoubtedly their spawning-season. 



Salmon-trout, (Smithsonian collection, No. 151.) — This is the local name 

 of a fine, large trout which inhabits the lake, and runs up the tributaries 

 to spawn in the latter part of the winter. It is highly prized for the 

 table. In summer, when the water is warm, the trout collect around 

 the cold springs of the lake, and seem to live there exclusively ; the 

 water of the rest of the lake probably being too warm for them. The 

 Indians fish them very regularly and steadily. These trout used to be 

 very abundant in the lake, but the whites have pursued them so unre- 

 lentingly on their spawning-grounds that they are rapidly diminishing. 

 It is difficult to find one now where hundreds used to come to spawn. 

 Those that I saw in February, 1873, were about eighteen inches long, 

 and averaged nearly two pounds in weight. 



The common California trout is also abundant in the brooks and 

 streams in the vicinity of Clear Lake, but cannot properly be called one 

 of the fishes of the lake. 



Bull-head. — I did not learn much about this fish, except that it likes 

 the mud and is an inferior fish. It is not the bull-head, (Pimelodus,) or 

 horn-pout, of the Eastern States. 



Small perch, (see Nos. 244-250, Smithsonian collection ;) {viviparous 

 perch.) — This is a beautiful little fish, quite small, but very good eating. 

 It is the same as the viviparous perch of the Sacramento, specimens of 

 which are included in my Smithsonian collection of 1873. As its name 

 implies, it brings forth its young alive. It is quite abundant in Clear 

 Lake. 



4. — THE CONDITION OF THE FISH IN CLEAR LAKE AT DIFFERENT 



SEASONS. 



January. — In January, the lake rises somewhat, the tributary streams 

 are full and high, and the trout of the lake run up the streams to spawn. 

 A few suckers are also found in the creeks when they are roiled by the 

 rains. It is said that black-fish are caught with the hook at this time, 

 but I did not hear of any being taken during my stay in January. 

 The Indians fish with a sweep-seine during this month, and catch vari- 

 ous kinds of fish. They also catch the lake-trout with hook and line, 

 and the perch with nets. 



February. — In February, the shapaulle run up the streams, and are 



caught in considerable quantities. The lake-trout return to the lake. 



. Black-fish are caught this month. The tributary streams are very high. 



March. — Suckers and shapaulle abound in the creeks. The shapaulle 

 bite somewhat in the lake. Black-fish are more abundant and more 

 easily caught. 



April. — Hitch, chy, shapaulle, and suckers abound in the creeks. 



