FOREST, LAKE, AND RIVER 



late in the spring, and early in the summer ; about 

 May, along the New Jersey coast, and in June, in 

 New Brunswick. The fry grow very rapidly. 

 A June fry, one inch long, measured four and one- 

 half inches in October ; the following January, he 

 will be six to eight inches long ; when a year old, 

 he will weigh one-half pound to a pound, and in 

 the following October, will weigh four to six 

 pounds. Their average weight is twenty pounds. 

 A good-shaped striped bass, three feet long, should 

 weigh eighteen pounds. They sometimes attain a 

 weight of a hundred pounds and over. The largest 

 on record was taken at Orleans, Massachusetts, 

 weighing a hundred and twelve pounds, and was 

 six feet long. 



The striped bass is a most voracious feeder, their 

 favorite food being the small minnows living in 

 the rivers. They have a habit of " cornering " a 

 school of minnows, and while devouring them, 

 keep them in a confined space. The small-sized 

 fish (five to eight pounds) are considered the best 

 eating, and they are best when broiled ; but the 

 larger ones, cut transversely, and boiled, are very 

 nice ; while the smaller ones are excellent pan fish. 



Frank Forrester calls the striped bass, " A gallant 

 fish and a bold fighter," and first among the coast 

 game fishes of the North and Middle States. The 

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