14 



FISHERY BULLETIN OF THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



FifitiRE G. — Scale of a lake trout 14.8 inches Ions, marked in Seijteniber 1945 and recovered July 8, IIU'.I. The 0- 

 mark and first annulus appear to occur together. A narrow band of new growth is present. 



presumably of known age. Scales of lake trout 

 whoso age, as rea<l from the scales, did not argee 

 with the supposed age of the fish arc shown in 

 figures 13 and 14, also l.")B and 16B. All were 

 read in accordance with the criteria described. 

 An annulus is usually located by a combination 

 of the criteria, rather than by any one of them 



alone. False aniudi were the exception and did 

 not extend comi)lotely around the scales. Inter- 

 pretation of the structures near the center of the 

 scale is the most difficult. A true estimate of 

 first-year growth, even the age of a lake trout may 

 depend on correct interpretation of the pattern 

 there. 



