REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS. 5 



anglers can testify, is extremely epicurean in liis tastes and on the 

 whole a very uncertain biter. 



In point of size, the large mouth is certainly the superior of 

 all varieties of the fresh water basses of this country, attaining in 

 some waters the enormous weight of eighteen to twenty pounds, 

 whereas the largest specimen of small mouth of which there is any 

 authentic record weighed but eight and three quarters pounds. 



SMALL MOUTHED BLACK BASS. 

 {Micropterus-doloinieu.) 



The fishing for this variety the past season has not been equal 

 to that of the previous season. This fact is not taken as evidence 

 that the fish are decreasing, but is probably owing to low water in 

 many of the ponds during the best part of the fishing season. 



Realizing that there are many ponds and streams in the State 

 well adapted to this species and which are as yet unstocked, the 

 Commission has leased a small preserve near Niantic and has 

 stocked the same with adult fish. These fish spawned in May and 

 it is estimated that there are now several thousand j^oung bass in 

 the pond, which are doing well. These fish will at the proper 

 time be transferred to waters hitherto barren of this variety of 

 food fish. 



SEA FISHES. 



The last season has been remarkable for the number, easy and 

 large capture of most all varieties. Any and all methods of 

 capture have been successful. Even by hook and line have 

 large numbers been taken. The low prices that have generally 

 prevailed throughout the season, have alone prevented a very 

 large harvest to the fishermen. 



We believe we cannot better present the season's fisheries than 

 by quoting from our local and other papers as follows : — 



CODFISH SWARM IN SCHOOLS OFF THESE SHORES. 



Fishermen in this vicinity who have followed their vocation for 

 years, report that this year's run of codfish is the largest that they 



