FISHES OF THE CONNECTICtTT LAKES. 53 



tains south to Georgia. It occurs to some extent in all the waters of 

 the. Connecticut Lake region that were examined. It is not common 

 in First Lake, but is more numerous in Seccnd and plentiful in Third 

 Lake. Every stream and pond in the region contains more or less 

 trout, varying in size according to the body of water and in number 

 according to the accessibility and ease with wdiich the water is fished. 

 Many of the little mountain brooks literally teem with small trout, 

 frequently too small to be legally caught, yet some of them are 

 adult fish and probably will attain no larger size. Small brooks, of 

 whatever character, from mountain rivulets to sluggish bog brooks, 

 seem to contain trout. Hundreds of these trout are caught every 

 year, and it is a question whether any harm is done thereby, for 

 while a few may reach the lakes or river and become large fish, 

 most of them remain in the brooks, reach maturity, and spawn while 



still small fish. 



There is an unaccountable scarcity of trout in First Lake. Ap- 

 parently the food supply, depth, and coolness of water are well 

 suited to the fish. The small tributary brooks contain some trout, 

 and some are caught at the proper season every year in Main Inlet. 

 It is possible that the lake has not recovered from an early excessive 

 destruction of fish. No facts could be elicited regarding the capture 

 of fish in previous years in these waters by net or night line, or by 

 spear or net on the spawning grounds, but that there was more or 

 less of such fishing is. certain. 



Round Pond contains trout in considerable numbers, up to 1 or 

 1.5 pounds in weight at least, but they are not always to be had at 

 the asking or fishing. Even Mud Pond, so palpably unsuited to the 

 fish, is inhabited by some, and Unknown Pond yields large fish, 

 up to 4 or 5 pounds it is said, but they are hard to catch, owing to 

 the shallowness and the clearness of the water. 



Second Lake has more trout, some of which are of good size ; 3 or 

 4 pounds is not the limit in weight. Many trout are caught in East 

 Inlet, especially above the dam. At times during the season fine 

 large trout are caught just outside or within the mouth of Main Inlet. 

 Smaller trout occur in fair numbers all along the inlet to Third Lake. 

 The other inlets to Second Lake at times contain some trout and occa- 

 sionally good fishing is found just off their mouths in the lake. 



Third Lake is the best of all. Trout are numerous, of excellent 

 size for the table, and gamy enough to satisfy the most fastidious. 

 Their activity in the water and delectability on the table compensate 

 for any deficiency in size. There are some large trout in Perry 

 Stream, but fewer in Indian Stream. Toward the heads of both 

 streams trout are more numerous and smaller than farther down. 



Some of the habits of the trout are well known, but its caprices are 

 little understood. In this respect it is too much individualized to 



