BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 439 



313.— TWO HUlVDRED TONS OF DEAD FISH, lTIOSTL,V PFRCII, AT 



JLAKE MENDOTA, ^VISCOIVSIN. 



By PIIILO DUJVNlI^rO and others. 



We take the libertj" of addressiug the United States Fish Commis- 

 sion upon a matter of some concern to this community, and do so upon 

 the assurance of Dr. Philo R. Hoy, of Eacine, and Governor Rusk, that 

 the matter will receive ftivorable consideration. 



Madison lies between two of a series of four lakes, the larger one of 

 which is known as Fourth Lake, or Lake Mendota, and the smaller, Third 

 Lake, or Lake Menona. The discharge of water is from Fourth Lake into 

 Third Lake, and so on from Second to First Lakes to the Rock River. 

 All of these lakes are well stocked with fish f perch, pickerel, white 

 and black bass, whitefish, and some other varieties. The same families 

 of fish are found in each lake. 



About two weeks since, the perch of Fourth Lake commenced dying 

 in all parts of the lake. As they came to the surface they were driven 

 by the waves to the shore. Great numbers have been driven upon what 

 may be called the city shore, becoming very offensive. Probably ui)on 

 this shore a greater portion of fish have been driven than ujmn other 

 parts of equal length of the shore of the lake. What we designate 

 as the city shore is probably three-quarters of a mile in length, and its 

 form, together with the prevailing winds, have tended to bring upon it 

 a somewhat greater portion of the fish than have gone to the other i)or- 

 tions. The city has had a force of men constantly employed in the work 

 of burying the fish as they come in. The force has averaged from 

 twelve to fourteen men with teams. On one day thirty-eight were em- 

 ployed. It is estimated by the street superintendent that he has buried 

 in excess of a hundred tons, calling a wagon load with double side- 

 boards a ton. The fish dying are mostly perch. Latterly quite a num- 

 ber of whitefish have been found with the perch and a few suckers and 

 white bass, but no more of the varieties of fish other than perch and 

 whitefish than we expect to find each year. The perch will average 

 about a quarter or a third of a i>ound in weight. A day or two since some 

 perch minnows were noticed to be dying. We are told that the dying 

 continues up to this time. We are inclined to think that fully 100 tons 

 have been buried, but we feel quite justified in saying tJiat 75 tons have. 

 The lake is from to 8 miles long — 8 at the greatest length — and from 

 2J to 5 miles wide — 5 at the greatest width. Assuming that twice or 

 three times as many fish as have been buried lie upon other parts of 

 the shore, the destruction of fish, chiefly perch, is fully 300 tons. Can 

 you explain the cause f 



Although the flow of water is from Fourth Lake into Third Lake, and 

 so on, the fish in Third, Second, and First lakes are not as yet affected. 



