THE PERCHES 



ing for the pike-perch. The reel should be free 

 in its running, especially when light tackle is used, 

 for the fish often makes quite hurriedly for deep 

 water, when hooked, and its first few rushes must 

 not be too hastily checked, particularly if the fish 

 be of large size. At least fifty feet of line should 

 be used, and in bait fishing the lead must be heavy 

 enough to carry the lure near the bottom of the 

 water, except in rapids, where it may be allowed 

 to float down with the current. 



The pike-perch is very much more particular 

 in both its habits and its habitat than the true 

 pike, Lucius lucius. The latter is generally found 

 in thick water, with a muddy bottom, and is fond 

 of the neighborhood of weeds and rushes. The 

 pike-perch, on the other hand, is a clean liver, 

 loving the purest water, and deep pools with sandy 

 or gravelly bottoms, in the various lakes in which 

 it is found. In rivers, it is partial to rapids and 

 whirling eddies among the rocks. Though ex- 

 ceedingly voracious, it is not particularly combative, 

 and fights shy of encountering either the pike or 

 the black bass. 



The dore is a spring spawner, its season for this 

 operation, in Canada, being about the commence- 

 ment of April. Its eggs are quite small and of a 

 yellowish tint. It reaches maturity when about a 



67 



