44 



FISHES OF THE CONNECTICUT LAKES. 



anal base longer than its longest ray, 2.23 and 2.36 in head, respectively ; 

 pectoral 1.47 in head ; ventral 2.03. 



Back dusky with silvery luster and numerous black and dark-brown spots, 

 some with faint aureola of brownish; large round ocelli on cheek and opercles; 

 shape of spots on side determined by the scales occupied by the spot ; 

 X, XX, and double crescent-shaped, and others variously irregular; few faint 

 orange spots on caudal peduncle; general tone silvery with dusky blotches; 

 dorsal with rows of black spots; adipose and caudal dusky olive. 



The above descriptions were taken from fresh dead specimens ; therefore the 

 general shades are somewhat darker and bright colors more subdued than in 

 living fish. These are good average descriptions of fair-sized salmon, but com- 

 paratively large for the region whente they came. In structure and color the 

 fish from the same locality vary considerably ; those from different localities 

 vary much more; therefore, in comparing specimens with these descriptions 

 due allowance should be made for the variations. 



Distinguished from all other members of the salmon family occurring in this 

 region, or introduced, by the general color. It is most likely to be confused 

 with the brown trout. The presence of white outer or first rays of the ventral 

 fins in the latter amply serve to distinguish the one from the other. 



This fish is otherwise known as " sahnon trout," " blackspotted 

 trout," " white trout," " schooclic salmon," and " Sebago salmon." 

 Lately, in parts of Maine, the name " ouananiche," which belongs to 

 another species, has been erroneously applied to this. " Landlocked 

 salmon " is a misnomer ; it is, moreover, not euphonic, and long cus- 

 tom alone partly justifies its use; " fresh- water salmon" would be 

 more appropriate. 



This species is naturally restricted to 4 river basins in Maine, and 

 to a limited area in each, and to one or tAvo localities in New Bruns- 

 wick, if the fish found there is the same species. In its native waters 

 its existence seemed to depend in some way upon the presence of 

 smelts. It is an introduced species in the Connecticut lakes, and has 

 been successfully acclimated in waters to which it was not indige- 

 nous, especially in New England and New York. In the Connecti- 

 cut Lakes introductions of young have been made as follows: 



Second Lake : 



1879 80,000 



1888 40,000 



1888 20,000 



First Lake : 



1892 - 25, 000 



1895 20, 000 



First Lake — Continued : 



1890 20, 000 



1900 12,000 



1901 17,000 



1903 1,000 



1904 10,000 



1906 834 



In the report of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission 

 for 1892, page 90, the following statement appears : 



There were transferred to this hatchery [Colebrook] 25,000 eggs of the land- 

 locked salmon. The young fry were planted in tributaries of the First Con- 

 necticut Lake. The former plants of salmon made in this lake showed up this 

 season finely, many fine specimens weighing from 4 to 6 pounds being taken. 

 The waters of these lakes are well adapted to this king of game fishes. They 



