106 NORTHERN FISHES 



ATLANTIC SALMON 



Salmo salar salar Linnaeus 



The Atlantic salmon is native to the Atlantic Ocean, from which it 

 migrates up the rivers to spawn. It is distributed on the Atlantic Coast 

 of northern North America, Greenland, and Europe, and has for cen- 

 turies been a very popular game fish. In many parts of New England, 

 the British Isles, and Europe it is now scarce. It is smaller than the 

 Pacific salmon and averages about 15 pounds. This species has a brown- 

 ish back and silver sides and is covered all over by numerous irregular 

 X-shaped black spots. The young have red patches and 11 dusky bars. 

 The dorsal fin contains 10-12 rays, the anal fin 9. 



The Atlantic salmon has been introduced into many lakes of the 

 North Central States with doubtful success. Since 1881 many attempts 

 have been made to introduce this species into lakes and streams of 

 Minnesota, including various deep lakes in Ramsey, Rice, Hennepin, 

 Dakota, and other counties. There are no records of any mature fishes 

 having been taken, although several hundred thousand were planted 

 over a period of almost ten years. 



LANDLOCKED SALMON 



Salmo salar sebago Girard 



In certain lakes of Maine the Atlantic salmon has become landlocked 

 and has formed a subspecies called the Sebago salmon. A similar sub- 

 species is the ouananiche of the Saguenay region of Quebec. The Sebago 

 salmon has the same general characters as the Atlantic salmon but is 

 smaller, averaging about 2 pounds. Although weights up to 35 pounds 

 are known, the record catch on hook and line is 22 pounds and 8 

 ounces from Sebago Lake, Maine in 1907. 



Since 1881 attempts have been made almost annually to introduce 

 this species into lakes and streams in southern and central Minnesota. 

 These attempts continued to as late as 1912 and 1913, when some were 

 planted in Burnside Lake, St. Louis County. There is no authentic evi- 

 dence that any of these numerous plants have been successful. Com- 

 mercial fishermen report taking occasional individuals from Lake 

 Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin. 



BROWN TROUT 



Salmo trutta fario Linnaeus 



The brown trout (Figure 11 A) can be distinguished by its square 

 tail and large scales, which number 115-150 in the lateral fine. It is 

 usually heavily marked on the sides with dark and red spots, more or 

 less ocellated. 



This species was introduced into the United States from Europe in 

 1883 and immediately gained favor because of its rapid growth, gamy 



