144 



FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



mercial fishermen. Old examples living in deep, shady water are dark colored 

 and are called "black pike". In Lake Mattamuskeet the fish is numerous and 

 reaches a large size (1.5 to 2 feet). A weight of 7 or 8 pounds and a length of 3 

 or 4 feet have been attained in waters outside the state. 



The chain pickerel is a voracious feeder, consuming minnows and other 

 small fish in large numbers and also insects, frogs, and snakes. Its favorite 

 haunts are creeks, coves, and bayous with grasses and broad-leaved water plants, 

 under which it lurks. In spring about Albemarle Sound, the fish feeds chiefly on 

 alewives. Spawning occurs in late winter or early spring. Lawson (1709) said 

 of this species: 



The jack, pike, or pickerel, is exactly the same, in Carolina, as they are in England. 

 Indeed, I never saw this fish so big and large in America, as I have in Em-ope, these with us being 

 seldom above two foot long, as far as I have yet seen. They are very plentiful with us in 

 Carolina, all our creeks and ponds being full of them. I once took out of a ware, above three 

 hundred of these fish, at a time. 



Fig. 49. Chain Pickerel; Pike. Esox reticulatus. 



Considerable quantities of this fish are marketed, but it does not rank high, 

 the flesh being coarse and filled with minute bones. It bites freely at the still- 

 baited hook or the trolling spoon, and affords much sport to anglers. 



122. ESOX OHIENSIS Kirtland. 

 "Jack"; Ohio Muskallunge. 



Esox ohiensis Kirtland, Proceedings Cleveland Academy of Natural Science, February 7, 1854, 85; 



Mahoning River, Ohio. Jordan & Evermann, American Food and Game Fishes, 239, 1902. 

 Eaox masquinongy , Jordan, 18896, 150; French Broad River near Asheville. 

 Lucius masquinongy ohiensis, Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 629; Ohio River and tributaries. 



Diagnosis. — Body elongate and robust, the depth .16 total length; head large, more than 

 .25 total length; snout .4 length of head; eye small, .09 length of head; gill-rakers "mere clumps 

 of spiny tubercles". Color: dark green on back, paler below, with brassy or golden reflections; 

 20 to 25 irregular, dark, vertical bars on upper half of body; unpaired fins with dark green spots 

 or blotches, (ohiensis, inhabiting Ohio.) 



This species of muskallunge inhabits Ohio River and tributaries, and is 

 entitled to a place in the North Carolina fauna by virtue of Dr. Jordan's record 

 of its occurrence in French Broad River near Asheville. It was there reported 

 to be one of the food fishes of the section, and was locally known as "jack". 



