92 FISHES AIV^D FISHINO IN SUNAPEE LAKE. 



SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 



The present conditions of tiie fish fauna of the lake appear to be a 

 scarcity of ever^^thiiig but smelt, sunfish, black bass, white trout, and 

 perhaps chinook salmon, the latter not very abundant and of only 

 temporary importance. Of the indigenous fishes only the sunfish and 

 wliite trout are at all common. The sunfish is of little importance 

 and the white trout not abundant. If the smelt alone had been mtro- 

 duced mto Sunapee Lake and the propagation of the trout and white 

 trout mamtained, the writer is firmly convinced that the lake to-day 

 would abound with those two species. If it were possible to bring 

 the lake back to its pristine condition, the writer would advise that it 

 be done and that the stocking of the lake be begun anew and that no 

 other nonindigenous species than the smelt be admitted to Sunapee 

 waters. If any exception were made it would be m favor of the 

 black bass. As such a reversion can not be accomplished, it only 

 remauis to meet the conditions as they are and attempt to solve the 

 problem of stocking and of mamtainmg the stock m the best way pos- 

 sible in accordance with those conditions. 



It has been previously suggested that the original fish fauna, with 

 the addition of the smelt, was the one to which the lake was best 

 adapted. Those conditions have been upset and the question arises, 

 Can they be righted ? In order to do that, certam fishes must be got 

 rid of. Can this be done? 



The black bass appears to be comparatively harmless so far as the 

 salmonids are concerned, so it may be disregarded. 



The landlocked salmon is rapidly vanishing and if allowed to do so 

 will no doubt totally disappear in a few years at the most. 



The chinook can not possibly stay if it can not breed naturally 

 there, and if no more are planted the lake will soon be free from it. 



Other introduced fish have not appeared at aU or in such smaU 

 numbers as to cause no apprehension and therefore may be dis- 

 regarded. 



The native trout is scarce m the lake, but by ])ersistent and ])lente- 

 ous planting it may increase in numbers and size agam as the land- 

 locked salmon and climook disappear. 



The white trout will also increase in numbers and perha])s in size 

 for the same reasons. 



Provided they are properly protected, there will thus be saved two 

 of the most attractive native food and game fishes of New England 

 waters. 



"Native" and white trout. — It is recommended, then, that land- 

 locked salmon and the chinook be allowed to go and their depar- 

 ture hastened; that attention be given to tlie propagation and pro- 

 tection of the trout ; that each year as large a number as possible be 



