The Farm Fishpond 



2041 



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Fig. 204. — Fyke net. 



trap should have a mesh of one and one-half or two inches. This will 

 allow all but fish of edible size to pass through unharmed. Each wing 

 should extend at least six feet out from the funnel, and even a greater dis- 

 tance would insure a larger catch. The compartment ought not to be 

 so large that it cannot be easily taken up and emptied; it has been found 

 that one two feet wide, one foot deep, and three and one-half feet long 

 works satisfactorily. 



Another style of trap, commonly called the fyke net, is shown in figure 

 204. This is usually made of cotton netting supported by wooden 

 hoops. A small one can be bought 

 for from three to five dollars. The 

 fyke net can also be made by hand, 

 but not so easily as the wire trap. 

 It is a short-lived affair, since the 

 cotton netting rots out in one season 

 of continuous use. 



Fishing in public waters with these 

 contrivances is illegal and punishable with a heavy fine. It is therefore 

 important that their use be confined to the private pond. 



Keeping fish alive for future use 

 One may desire to preserve alive part of a large catch of fish, and this 



may be easily done by providing a pen in the 

 pond itself or a floating fish-car. 



An easily made pen is illustrated in figure 205. 

 It consists of a board bottom with wooden comer 

 posts about two feet high and wooden rails 

 extending between the posts at the top. The 

 sides of the frame are covered with chicken wire, 

 although wooden slats placed about three-quarters 



of an inch apart will suffice. If desired, a cover may be hinged to' the 



top rail and secured with a lock. A pen two feet by four feet and 



about two feet high will safely hold a 



dozen fish of fair size for a period of one 



week. The pen should be set in water 



not over a foot and one-half deep and in 



an easily accessible place, either near 



the shore or at the end of a small pier. 



When the pen is first set in the water, 



it may be necessary to spread some 



gravel over the bottom to prevent it from floating. 



The floating fish-car may be merely a rectangular box with ends of 



slats or chicken wire (Fig. 206). A wooden cover properly hinged 



Fig. 205. — Fish pen 



Fig. 206. — Floating fish-car 



