54 _ SUPPLEMENT TO THE BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



with bait and trolling spoon, one weighing fully twenty 



pounds. 



Hibernation. 



That both species of Black Bass hibernate in the north- 

 erly parts of the country, is a fact too well known to admit 

 of a doubt. But, notwithstanding the evidence heretofore 

 adduced in support of this fact, the occasional catching of 

 a Black Bass during the winter season, in the North and 

 West, is sometimes heralded by correspondents of the 

 angling journals as a proof that former observers have 

 been mistaken, and that these fishes, or at least the large- 

 mouthed Bass, do not hibernate. 



Perhaps the term hibernation is not well understood by 

 these writers, which may account for their hasty and er- 

 roneous conclusions. Hibernation does not necessarily 

 imply, as supposed by some, a state of complete torpidity 

 or profound sleep during the entire winter. To hibernate, 

 according to Webster, is " to pass the season of winter in 

 close quarters, or in seclusion ;" and that that is just what 

 the Black Bass of both species do, in northern and western 

 waters, every one who has given the subject any intelligent 

 investigation is prepared ta admit. 



When the temperature falls as low as 50°, the Bass of 

 running streams retire to the deepest holes, in the neigh- 

 borhood of shelving rocks, if possible, under which they 

 seclude themselves and remain in a listless condition. So 

 also, in lakes or ponds, they leave their accustomed haunts, 

 and retire to the deepest places, near bottom springs, masses 

 of weeds, moss, etc. After a few days of warm or mild 

 weather, especially if the temperature approaches nearly to 

 50°, they will venture out into water of somewhat less 

 depth, when they may be induced to take a bait in a half- 



