230 NORTHERN FISHES 



arrowy rush of the trout and the bold leap of the salmon, while he has a 

 system of fighting tactics, peculiarly his own. . . I consider him inch 

 for inch and pomid for pound, the gamest fish that swims." In many of 

 the clean, cold lakes of the central counties of Minnesota, where both 

 species intermingle, it is doubtful whether the fighting ability and tactics 

 of the two species can be distinguished. 



The sites selected by the smallmouth bass as spawning grounds are 

 invariably over clean gravel and sand bottoms where there is a decided 

 current. The smallmouth spawns at about the same temperatures as the 

 largemouth — that is. at 60° to 65° F. It is even more susceptible than 

 the largemouth to sudden drops in temperature. Consequently eggs de- 

 posited early in the season are often killed, and in this event a second 

 and even a third spawning occur, sometimes as late as August. Nests 

 are usually placed a considerable distance apart, because the males do 

 not tolerate nearby neighTaors. In the care of the nest, the eggs, and the 

 fry the male smallmouth shows an attention to duty even stricter than 

 that manifested by the largemouth. 



In pond culture operations a curious phenomenon has been repeated- 

 ly noted by Surber. Shortly after darkness has set in the fry spread out 

 promiscuously over the spawning bed and assume a light-gray color 

 which is retained until sunrise the following morning, when they resume 

 the normal jet-black color of healthy fry. The same change occurs when 

 the fry are being carried in cans for transplanting during a cold night. 

 Whether it occurs as a result of temperature change, since the water is 

 several degrees cooler at this time, or as a result of darkness has not 

 been definitely determined. 



For the most part the smallmouth frequents deeper waters than the 

 largemouth, except when feeding. On the approach of winter small- 

 mouth bass retire to the depths, where, under overhanging rocks and 

 logs, they undoubtedly remain semidormant during the entire vrinter. 

 for few are ever caught in winter. The bulk of their food consists of 

 minnows, small suckers, and even small bullheads. During September 

 they may be found feeding on crayfishes, which may form almost their 

 exclusive food during the month of October. In most waters they indi- 

 cate very little preference for frogs, which the largemouth prefers at 

 certain seasons. 



A 3-pound smallmouth bass kept at the University of Minnesota 

 showed a natural appetite for mice from the janitor's traps. However, 

 he would not touch a dead one unless it was moved. The young of both 

 species of bass feed largely on Daphnia or water fleas during the first 

 weeks of their existence. Then they are ready for aquatic insects and 

 small fishes. If these are not abundant they will start feeding on one 

 another. When not crowded young bass grow rapidly and may reach a 

 length of 6 inches or more the first season. In the south they grow much 

 more rapidly than in the north, and in rearing ponds where only a few 



