82 SEVENTH REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



have shoal and gravelly bottom for the most part, over which the water is con- 

 tinually in motion, thus forming a natural breeding ground for such fish, and many 

 believe that the most of the Bass and Wall-Eyed Pike caught in Lake Ontario are 

 bred here. 



The Yellow Perch [Pcrca flavcsccns Mitch.) is found here also. In many 

 localities they are considered valuable game fish, and, in most places, desirable for 

 food. They are so numerous and so easily caught here that most sportsmen 

 consider them of no account. The fishermen usually return them to the water, 

 using language that would not look well in print. 



The Pike proper {Liicins hiciiis Linn.) sometimes called Great Northern Pike — 

 locally anil erroneously called Pickerel — are here in countless numbers, although 

 many sportsmen do not like to catch them. Still there are but few who are not 

 pleased when they land one of these strong, beautifully marked denizens of this 

 clear cold river. Their spots are peculiarly distinct here, as is the case with most 

 fish grown in transparent running water. Many are taken that weigh from five to 

 ten pounds ; and, occasionally, ai fifteen pounder is landed. 



The next fish to be noted is the Mascalonge {Litciits inasqjii)iongy Mitch.). 

 They are plentiful here, but not man\' are caught. The only fish that attains a 

 greater size in this locality is the Sturgeon. The average weight of the latter seems 

 to be about t\vent\--fi\-e pounds. A few years ago one was brought in that weighed 

 fifty-six pounds. During the last four or five years some Mascalonge have been 

 taken that weighed ten to fifteen pounds, and it seems probable that the catching of 

 these smaller ones is due to the extensive plants of fry from the State Hatchery 

 made since 1895. It is only occasionally that Mascalonge are fished for e.Kclusively ; 

 usually if caught at all it is when fishing for Bass or Pike. 



In addition to the above-mentioned game fishes are to be found the following 

 food and coarse fish, viz. : Bullheads, Catfish, Eels, Suckers, Sunfish, Sturgeon, Rock 

 Bass, Alewife, Dogfish, Gar Pike, and some other small species of little value. 

 These fish have increased rapidly since the use of nets was prohibited ; and it is a 

 question whether some means for keeping them down will not have to be devised if 

 the angling for game fish is to be maintained to any satisfactory extent. Minnows, 

 such as usually inhabit northern fresh waters, are also found here. The clear, cold 

 running water is peculiarly prolific of live fish food, such as is required by Bass, Pike 

 and Mascalonge. The late Hon. A. N. Cheney. State Fish Culturist, visited the 

 place a few years ago and reported that a surprising amount of fish food was to be 

 found on every hand. 



It is not entirely the fishing that first made the region famous among sportsmen. 



