382 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



of this iish, weighing as high as thirty pounds; these usually 

 are found in deep holes where they can secrete themselves 

 under sunken logs or the banks. These big fellows are gen- 

 erally of a rusty color; the edges of their scales are sharp 

 and rough. There is a good deal of difference in the color 

 of these fish in different waters; in some lakes, especially in 

 the "Lake Park" region of Minnesota, where they are found 

 in great numbers — some of them (and in some lakes most of 

 them) are dark russet on the back, this color gradually fad- 

 ing down the sides till it blends with the white on the belly. 



The difference in color in different individuals is so marked 

 that one is often tempted to believe them to be of different 

 species. They all have however that distinctive mark 

 belonging to this fish, the zvhite tip at the lower caudal 

 extremity; this is always found in the true Pike-Perch, or 

 Wall-eyed Pike. There is another member of the same fam- 

 ily called the "Rock Pike." I have never seen it in the West, 

 but in eastern waters, especially in Lake Champlain, they 

 are quite numerous. 



This fish is darker, rounder and smaller than the common 

 Wall-eye. They are frequently found on the rocks lying 

 perfectly still. 



The flesh of the fish is firm, white and of fine flavor. It is 

 not often they take a hook; we used to spear them at night. 



The common Wall-eye may occasionally, in time of high 

 water, be found ascending small creeks, that empty into 

 lakes, and they will then crowd up through grass till their 

 backs are out of the water; they only do this in the spring 

 freshets, and then only when the water is uncommonly high, 

 which leads me to believe that they are seeking other waters 

 as these creeks when they are thus found have their source 

 in some large slough. The fish are often found in such 

 sloughs, after these creeks are dry. 



These fish, in still water, are not good game, as a general 

 thing, though I once caught one in "Big Twin Lake," in Wis- 



