THE FOOD AND GAME FISHES OF NEW YORK. 



383 



In the lower Mississippi Valley the Crappie is one of the most common fishes. 

 It is abundant also in the Ohio Valley and occurs rare!)? in Lake Erie. The Ohio, 

 Illinois and Mississippi Rivers are particularly noted for an abundance of Crappies, 

 and the fish is very plentiful in Lake Pontchartrain, La., where it is one of the most 

 highly prized of the smaller game fishes. 



Dr. Meek did not obtain the Crappie in the Cayuga Lake basin, but says it may be 

 found in the canal near Montezuma, where the Calico Bass is said to be frequently 

 taken. 



The Crappie is a very general favorite for pond culture, can be readily trans- 

 ported and under favorable conditions multiplies prodigiously. Its range has been 

 very much extended by artificial means. The best distinguishing marks between 



CRAPPIE. 



the Crappie and the Calico Bass are the more elongated form of the Crappie, the 

 presence of si.x spines in the dorsal and the nearly uniform whitish color of the anal. 

 In the Crappie the greatest depth of the body is usually contained two and one-half 

 times in the total length without the tail, while in the Calico Bass the depth equals 

 one-half the length. These two species are so similar in size and habits that they 

 are rarely distinguished except by ichthyologists. 



The Crappie grows to a length of about i foot and usually weighs i pound 

 or less, but in a lake near St. Louis an individual weighing 3 pounds has been 

 recorded. 



Crappie fishing usually begins in June and lasts till the coming of cold weather. 

 Large numbers of these fish are collected near Quincy, 111., for distribution to other 

 waters. At Peoria, 111., Prof. Forbes has taken them in March and April ; he has 

 found them also in Pistakee Lake and at Ottawa. Cedar Lake, Ind., and King's 

 Lake, Mo., are celebrated Crappie waters. Near Covington, K\-., in private ponds 



