THE PIKES: DISTRIBUTION AND COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE. 29 



the pickerel ripe in the beginning of May. In Pennsylvania they 

 were found to begin to spawn from the middle of April mitil the early 

 part of, May, depending upon the locahty and season. 



The female fish appear to preponderate over the males, according 

 to observations cited by the Massachusetts Fish Commissioners 

 (1870): 



This fish, to its other disagreeable and contrary qualities, adds the tendency to 

 multiply females, whereby the spawn crop is increased. Among many individuals 

 examined last spring it was rare to find a male, not oftener, certainly, than 1 in 14. 



RATE OF GROWTH. 



The rate of growth of the pickerel, like that of any fish, depends 

 much upon the available food supply and to some extent upon the 

 temperature of the water. Tomhn (1892a) said that as soon as 

 they are able to take care of themselves they show the family hke- 

 ness and begin their bold predacious attacks upon the fry of the 

 silver chub and shiner family. 



The Massachusetts Fish Commission reported (1870) that its rate of 

 growth seems to vary with the temperature. In a pond fed by a 

 large spring brook, when there was enough food but cold water 

 their growth seemed slow. In support of the statement the following 

 table was given : 



Length. 



Weight. 



1 year. . 



2 years . 



3 years. 



4 years. 



5 years. 



6 years. 



On the other hand, it was stated that in a large warm pond, cov- 

 ered with lily pads and full of yoimg alewives, pickerel have reached 

 4 and 5 pounds in three years. 



FOOD QUALITIES. 



As a food fish it is variously esteemed, by some being regarded as 

 an excellent fish and by others as decidedly inferior. In regard 

 to this, it may be said that much depends upon conditions. A 

 pickerel of moderate size from fresh cool water is not to be compared 

 with one that has lain all day in the sim or a week or two in cold 

 storage or a day or two on the market stand. 



Storer (1853) said: ''This fine species is the common pickerel of 

 Massachusetts * * * g^j^^j jg everywhere valued." 



Bean (1902 and 1902a) said that as a food fish not much can be 

 said in praise of the chain pickerel, though it is eaten by some and 

 99805°— 19 26 



