FISHES OF THE CONNECTICUT LAKES. 



47 



Rainbow trout is the name in most general use for this fish. Other 

 names are chiefly those of localities in which the trout or its va- 

 rieties occur. It is a native of the mountain streams of the Pacific 

 coast, occurring- from California to Central Alaska. It is not native 

 in the East, though in some of the states it has become fairly well ac- 

 climatized. It does not, however, seem to have been successfully estab- 

 lished in New Hampshire. There are unauthentic reports of its 

 having been taken in upper Connecticut waters, the most positive 

 being that of Mr. Bumford, who said that several years ago he placed 

 rainbow trout in East Inlet of Second Lake, and landlocked salmon 

 in Third Lake, and that five years ago he saw 2 rainbows caught in a 

 pool below First Lake dam, one of them weighing 5 pounds. 



The following plants of rainbow trout have been made in the Con- 

 necticut lakes. It could not be ascertained whether fry or finger- 

 lings were planted or in what particular waters they were placed : 



3895 20, 000 



1896 20, 000 



1901 50, 000 



1901 25, 000 



1902 25, 000 



1904 18, 000 



According to Bean " the average individuals of this species are less 

 than a foot in length, but specimens measuring more than 2 feet and 

 having a weight of 13 pounds have been recorded. At Neosho, Mo., 

 the young have been artificially grown to a length of nearly a foot in 

 a year." 



The rainbow trout feeds on worms, insect larvae, and salmon eggs. 

 In streams in which the California salmon and rainbow exist together, 

 the rainbow is more destructive to the salmon eggs than any other 

 species. Spawning takes place in winter and early spring, varying 

 with temperature and locality. The bulk of the eggs are usually 

 taken in January, February, and March, and the average yield from 

 each female is about 900 eggs. A few of the females spawn when 2 

 years old, but about one-half of them begin at 3 years. The egg is 

 from one-fifth to two-ninths inch in diameter; it has a rich cream 

 color when first taken, changing to pink or flesh color before hatching. 



This species will live in water of a much higher temperature than 

 the brook trout will endure and it thrives in tidal streams and even 

 salt water. 



The rainbow trout is a lively and acrobatic game fish. It is pre- 

 eminently a fly fish and a good-sized one on a light fly rod will tax 

 the skill of the angler and cause more of the proverbial ecstatic thrills 

 than almost any fish of its size, excepting perhaps the steelhead, 

 which, by the way, might be more successfully cultivated and accli- 

 matized in New England waters than the rainbow, as it has become 

 well established in the cold waters of Lake Superior. 



The rainbow is highly esteemed as a food fish. 

 35723—08 ± 



