Forest, Lakeland River 



THE PIKE FAMILY 



THERE were five species of the pike 

 family, Luciida, and two sub-species 

 or varietal forms. The former are 

 known as the mascalonge, Lucius mas- 

 quinongy ; the pike, Lucius lucius ; the eastern pond 

 pickerel, Lucius reticulatus, and the banded pickerel, 

 Lucius americanus ; also the little pickerel, Lucius 

 vermiculatus, which is not found in New England 

 or Canadian waters. 



The two varietal forms are both of the masca- 

 longe species, neither of which are found in eastern 

 waters. They are without spots on the body, 

 which are always to be seen in the typical species 

 inhabiting the waters of the St. Lawrence system, 

 the unspotted varieties being confined to those of 

 the Mississippi system. 



Taking up the species seriatum, the mascalonge 

 (variously spelled " muskallunge," " maskinongy," 

 " muscalonge," etc.) is the largest of the group. It 

 may be recognized by its dark grayish color, round 

 or squarish black spots on its sides, sometimes 

 blending together forming bands, by its white 



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