BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 191 



45.-MOTKS OIV FISHES OBSERVED IN LAKE SUPERIOR. 



By DAVID S. JORDAN. 



In a recent brief visit to Lake Superior (Marquette, Munising, Sault 

 Sainte Marie) some observations were made on fishes obtained by the 

 fishermen in pound-nets and seines. The following is a list of the 

 species seen, only fourteen in number. It embraces, however, most of 

 the species commonly taken in the lake. Although the waters of Lake 

 Superior everywhere abound in fish, the number of different species 

 represented in its fauna is very small. 



1. Aclpenser rubicundus Le Sueur. Sturgeon. 



Seen in the market at Marquette. Not studied by the writer. 



2. Catostomus catostomus Forster. Red suckei: 



Everywhere common. Seen ascending the streams in great numbers, 

 apparently for spawning purposes (July 1). Many adult specimens in 

 rocky pools about cascades in streams running into the lake. Males 

 with a bright red band along the sides. 



3. Catostomus teres Mitchill. Common sucker. 

 Common in the lake, and at Sault Sainte Marie. 



4. Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur. 



One large specimen seen at the Sault. 



5. Coregonus clupeiformis Mitchill. Whitefish. 

 Everywhere abundant; taken chiefly in the pound-nets. 



6. Coregonus labradoricus Richardson. Sault whitefish. 



Found in enormous numbers early in July ascending the rapids at 

 Sault Sainte Marie. Taken by the Indians in dip-nets. Most fishermen 

 apparently do not distinguish this species from the common whitefish, 

 and no discrimination is made between the two species by consumers. 

 The river whitefish is a smaller fish than C. clupeiformis. more elongate, 

 and the flesh is less fat, drier, and less agreeable to the taste. In fresh 

 specimens of this species the teeth on the tongue are very evident. The 

 lower jaw is always shorter than the upper. The coloration is darker 

 than that of the lake whitefish. 



7. Coregonus artedi Le Sueur. Lake herring. 

 Everywhere very common, in great schools near shore. 



8. Salvelinus namaycush Walbaum. Mackinaw trout; Lake trout. 

 Everywhere abundant. Taken by trolling and in the pound-nets. 



Extremely variable in markings and shade of coloration. The form or 

 species called siscowet (8. siscoicet Agassiz) is found only in deep water. 



