29] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES— CAHN 29 



smaller specimens have been taken from that lake. The seining of Lac La 

 Belle for carp has revealed the presence of many fine rainbows in that 

 lake. So far as I can see, the planting of the fish has in no way altered their 

 breeding habits. Those fish that are in the lakes have been repeatedly 

 seen going up the trout streams during the breeding season. The food of 

 the fish consists almost entirely of insect life — flies, gnats, caterpillars, 

 grasshoppers — anything that drops upon the surface is eagerly snapped up. 

 Nothing need be said of the high quality of the rainbow as a food fish, 

 and it is to be hoped that continued and enlarged plantings will proceed. 



8. Salmofario (Linn.). German Trout; Brown Trout. 



Like the rainbow, an introduced species. Scuppernong creek, together 

 with Waterville and Rosenow creeks, are the main sources of this very fine 

 trout, which seems to do exceedingly well in its new environment. Dutch- 

 man's lake contains some very fine specimens up to three and three and a 

 half pounds, and Lac La Belle likewise harbors some fine individuals. 

 Under existing conditions, the brown trout seems to grow somewhat more 

 rapidly than the rainbow, but tends to average about the same in ultimate 

 size. I have records of several weighing between three and four pounds, 

 taken mostly from the Rosenow stream, and a record of one "whopper" 

 caught by Dr. F. F. Maccus, which weighed 4§ pounds. A fine fish, whose 

 table qualities, however, hardly equal those of the rainbow trout. 



9. Cristivomer namaycush (Walbaum). Great Lake Trout. 



Another fish that was introduced in the early years of experimental 

 transplantation. Like the California and Land-locked salmon, the lake 

 trout was planted in lakes in the county. The records give no account of 

 which lakes were stocked, but probably Oconomowoc and Nagawicka were 

 the ones chosen. In 1877 and 1878 some 690,000 young were liberated. 

 There is no evidence that any survived and it is certain that not one exists 

 to-day. This is another well-intentioned experiment which went wrong 

 because of the unsuitable lake conditions. These northern species can not 

 withstand the warm water and relatively shallow conditions which exist in 

 Waukesha county lakes. 



10. Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill). Brook Trout; Speckled Trout. 

 Brook trout have been introduced into a great many spring fed streams 



throughout the county and there are few which meet the requisite condi- 

 tions of cold, fast water which do not contain the species in some abun- 

 dance. Scuppernong, Waterville and Rosenow creeks abound in brook 

 trout from six to ten inches in length, and an occasional "monster" weighing 

 over a pound and a half. I have records of three brook trout weighing over 

 two pounds: 2f; 2f ; 2|. I can see no modifications of general habits of 

 these transplanted fish. Their food, behavior, breeding habits, all are 

 similar to those I have observed on the same species in their home en- 

 vironment. If these trout leave the streams and enter the lakes, I have 



