THE FOOD AND GAME FISHES OF NEW YORK. 



397 



The Large-mouthed Bass has a wide distribution, being indigenous to the eastern 

 United States, from Manitoba to Florida and Texas, except New England and the 

 Middle Atlantic States east of the Alleghanies, where it has been extensively intro- 

 duced. It inhabits the fresh-water ponds, lakes and sluggish streams. It is found 

 also at the mouths of rivers emptying into the Gulf of Mexico, where the water is 

 brackish. 



Dr. Meek found the Large-mouthed species scarce near Ithaca and more common 

 near Montezuma and Cayuga. James Annin, Jr., collected the young at Caledonia. 

 The U. S. Fish Commission had it from numerous places in the Lake Ontario region. 



Dr. Mearns first observed the species in the Hudson in the autumn of 1882, where 

 the fish were caught in fyke nets during October and November. Eugene Smith 

 records it from all lakes and rivers adjacent to New York City. 



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LARGE -MOUTHED BLACK BASS. 



Young individuals, from ijA to 2 inches long, were seined in Bronx River in 

 August, 1897. 



The average weight of the Large-mouthed Bass in southern waters is less than 5 

 pounds, and still less in northern waters. In Florida it attains a large size, as much 

 as 3 feet in length, and a weight of 25 pounds. Its growth and size depend on the 

 waters where it is found, and the natural food supply of small fish, Crawfish and 

 frogs. 



It is a very active fish ; its movements are affected by seasonal changes and 

 the search for food and places for spawning. In polluted streams the Bass are often 

 compelled by the impurities to seek new haunts in pure water. The young Bass 

 feed on animal food at an early age. The Large-mouthed Bass is said to be more 

 cannibalistic than the Small-mouthed. Small fishes (Minnows) of all kinds, Crawfish, 

 frogs, insects and their larv.Te, and aquatic animals of all kinds, suitable in size, make 

 up the diet of this fish. It feeds both at the surface and on the bottom, pursuing 

 its prey with great activity. When surrountlcd by seines or caught on hooks this 



