FISHES OP THE CONNECTICUT LAKES. 37 



The distribution of the eel on the Atlantic coast and in the inland 

 waters of eastern North America is pretty extensive, ranging from as 

 far north, at least, as the St. Lawrence Kiver and south to the Gulf of 

 Mexico and West Indies; ascending all rivers within its range, often- 

 times to their very sources. 



It is very common in the Connecticut Lakes. It was collected in 

 First and Second lakes but not in Third, though it doubtless occurs 

 there. In fresh water the eel sometimes reaches a monstrous size, 

 one weighing 13 pounds having been reported. Those caught in the 

 Connecticut Lakes were not weighed, but 4 specimens measured, 

 respectively, 27.75, 28.75, 32.25, and 33 inches in total length. 



In lakes during the daytime the eel remains in rather deep water, 

 approaching the shore at night to feed. Specimens Vv^ere caught in 

 these lakes in water from 30 to 60 feet deep. Some of them were 

 caught on night lines, others on live bait in stillfishing, at which 

 time some were hooked when not more than 5 or 10 feet below the 

 surface, although the water was about GO feet deep. The bottom 

 here was soft mud. 



The eel subsists upon almost any kind of animal food. It can and 

 does catch live fish for itself and feeds also upon worms, insect larvae, 

 small mollusks, and not infrequently upon fish eggs when they are 

 obtainable. 



The spawning habits of the eel are not full}^ understood. The 

 sexes are easily distinguished by an examination of the internal repro- 

 ductive organs, which extend along the backbone and are commonly 

 regarded as fringes of fat. It is claimed by some that only female 

 eels occur in fresh water, which they enter as young fish. AVhen 

 ready to spawn they descend to salt water. Spawning takes place in 

 late fall or early winter, and the females, at least, are said to die after 

 performing that function. In early summer myriads of young eels 

 but a few inches long are observed ascending the streams and rivers. 

 It seems to require a formidable obstruction to stop their progress, 

 nothing short of a cataract sufficing. The very young of the eel be- 

 fore the anadromous migration begins is a peculiar, colorless, trans- 

 l^arent, ribbon-shaped larva, called the Leptoceplialus stage, bearing 

 but little resemblance to an eel. 



In winter, in cold localities like New England, the eel burrows in 

 soft mud, and there hibernates. It is a valuable market fish and by 

 many is highly esteemed as food. It is usually caught for the market 

 by means of traps, weirs, and pots, or by spearing in the mud during 

 the hibernation period. 



The angler sometimes hooks an eel which by its vigorous pulling, 

 tugging, and shaking causes him to think that he has a trout of 

 generous proportions. But dismay, disgust, and infinite trouble and 

 slime accompany the advent of the capture into the boat. 



