COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 11 



pond and the remainder were put in a small lake at Wilcox Park, 

 Westerly. After these spawn it is proposed to distribute the young 

 in such waters as are well adapted for them. The bluegill is a popular 

 pan fish, larger than the pumpkinseed and better adapted to many of 

 our streams. The following account is given of its life history and 

 habits. 



The bluegill, also called the "blue bream" or "blue sunfish," 

 is the best known and most important of the sunfishes. It is very 

 widely distributed, its geographical range extending from the Great 

 Lakes south through the Mississippi Valley to Florida and the Rio 

 Grande. Throughout this range it is found in nearly all lakes, ponds 

 and quiet streams, but it is more abundant in the larger lakes. 



As a food fish it is of considerable importance, often bringing a good 

 price in the markets. Its flesh is firm and flakey, with a delicious flavor 

 and " among fresh-water fishes is excelled by the yellow perch only. " 



As a game fish it is not to be despised. While, easily hooked it 

 makes a most vigorous fight to the end "with a persistence and 

 viciousness which makes the bluegill the gamiest fish of its size." 

 It may be taken at any time during the year, even through the ice, 

 but from early July to September is the best. It will take any sort 

 of bait or tackle fr,om anglew T orms and grasshoppers to artificial flies 

 and small trolling spoons. 



The bluegill is somewhat larger than the ordinary sunfish and 

 reaches a length of from twelve to fourteen inches and a maximum 

 weight of a pound and a half, but this size is unusual. 



Montana Grayling (Thymallus montanus Milner). 



A small consignment of these beautiful fish, ranging from five to 

 six inches in length, were received through the courtesy of the New 

 York Aquarium and are now being raised at Carolina under the care 

 of the American Fish Culture Company. As soon as they have 

 reached the proper size to reproduce it is proposed to introduce the 

 fry into such streams in our state as appear to be suitable. 



