FISHES AND KTSllINC TX SUNAPEE LAKE. 39 



In the Union basin it was found only in Reeds Pond, now known as 

 Green Lake. In the Penobscot, the only water in which it was 

 formerly known is Sebec Lake; and in the Presumpscot, Sebago Lake 

 was the only lake noted for the salmon. From this lake the fish gets 

 its name and there it attains the largest size of any of the waters 

 mentioned. 



Culture. — Efi'orts were made by the New Hampshire Commission 

 to secure eggs of the Sebago and Sebec salmon but without apparent 

 success, so it seems that this fish in Sunapee is the result of plants 

 from "Schoodic" stock. If this is true it shows that the little 

 "Grand Lake salmon" under more favorable conditions attains a 

 much larger size than in Grand Lake. 



Accordmg to the reports of the State Fish and Game Commission, 

 the first plant of this fish was made in 1867, when 45 or 50 were 

 placed in the lake, and the report for 1877 states that ''of the 45 put 

 into Sunapee Lake, 43 are said to have been speared the next autumn 

 on theii- spawnmg beds in one of the brooks flowing into the lake." 

 This being so the fish first introduced must have been adults. 



The first definite reference to the taking of landlocked salmon in 

 Sunapee Lake is in the report for 1884, where it says: "In the sum- 

 mer of 1883 a large number were caught, weighing 5 to 7j pounds, 

 in Sunapee Lake." Again, in the report for 1886, it is said: 



111 1884 quite a number were caught from Sunapee Lake; in the fall of 1885 several 

 were caught near the hatching house at New London, from which several thousand 

 eggs were taken, being the first eggs ever taken from waters that have been artificially 

 stocked with this fish in the United States. They have become quite plenty. Large 

 numbers have been taken the present season weighing from 6 to 20 pounds. 



The report for 1889 says: 



The work of securing eggs for the hatchery was commenced in September. A fine 

 lot of landlocked .salmon was taken the last week of that month. The weight of the 

 spawners was from 4 to 12 pounds. Seventy-five thousand eggs were secured. 



And again: 



Sunapee Lake has now become self-sustaining. Seventy-five thousand eggs were 

 taken there last year, which is more than necessary to keep up the fi.-^hing to its pres- 

 ent high standard, and no benefit has been received from the laige plants made 

 during the past three years. 



The report of 1890 says: 



The landlocked salmon were found in greater numbers than ever before, and the 

 requisite number for spawners were soon secured. After securing over 110,000 eggs 

 the salmon were allowed to go up the brook and depo.-^it their eggs naturally. This 

 is the largest number of landlocked salmon eggs that has been taken at this station. 

 The spawners were all secured at the mouth of the brook near the hatchway [sic]. 

 The average weight was from 8 to 10 pounds. 



The lake is becoming noted far and near as a salmon lake, and the wonderfully 

 rapid growth made by these fish p-oves conclusively that the water and food supply 

 are well adapted to their want.-^. 



A large number of salmon weighing from 10 to 14J pounds have been taken with 

 rod and line the pa.st season. 



