COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 11 



The largest specimen of which there is authentic record, weighed 

 eight pounds, ten ounces, and was twenty-five inches in length. 



Hibernating. According to Henshall these fish hibernate to a 

 greater or less degree according to the temperature of the water. 

 They are probably not completely torpid, but " leave their accus- 

 tomed haunts and retire to the deepest places, near bottom springs, 

 masses of weeds, moss, etc." 



LARGE MOUTHED BLACK BASS. 



(Micropterus salmoides.) 

 Plate No. II. 



INTRODUCTION INTO RHODE ISLAND WATERS. 



This species of black bass while not as popular among anglers as 

 its congener, the small mouthed, is nevertheless a most worthy 

 inhabitant of some inland waters of the State. In spite of its rapid 

 growth, its excellence as a food fish, and its proven adaptability to 

 slow running rivers and creeks, shallow, weedy ponds and lakes so 

 numerous in the State, its value has been much underestimated. 



Reports from all waters in which this species has been introduced 

 are most encouraging. A notable example is the success attending 

 the restocking of the Pawcatuck river, in Washington county. In 

 1899 and 1903 several consignments of fry and fingerlings were 

 obtained through the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries and were liberated in 

 the river at White Rock, Niantic, Wood River Junction, and Hundred 

 Acre and Worden 's Ponds. Authentic data during the past season 

 show large increases in the number of fish caught at all points along 

 the river and gratifying results in the size of the specimens taken. 

 It is now not only possible, but of common occurrence, for the mill- 

 hand, the farmer boy, and the sportsman to secure a reasonable catch 

 of fine large eatable fish in an hour or two of fishing with hook and 

 line. 



The results of stocking with large mouthed black bass is con- 

 sidered by your Commission to be one of its greatest successes. 

 Upwards of 20,000 fry and fingerlings have been liberated. 



