THE FISHES OF GEORGIAN BAY 35 



SESSIONAL PAPER IMo. 39b - 



Length up to 3 feet. Body elongated, slender and moderately compressed. 

 Depth 5'5 to 6*5. Head 3-3 to 3'6, rather rectangulai behind, tapering forwards 

 into the shovel -like snout which is 2 '2 to 2-3 in its total length. Eye 8 to 10 '4. 

 Coloration above dark olive to black, with light irregular cross lines alternating 

 on the two sides and connected by a wavy vertebral line, giving a somewhat 

 reticulated appearance. These markings are obscured in dark colored specimens. 

 Sides with longitudinal rows of white or yellow spots. Scales with V-shaped 

 golden marks. Under parts white, except tip of mandible. Median fins yellow 

 with dark mottlings, the paired fins more faintly marked. Dorsal fin set far back, 

 with 18 to 21 (usually 19) rays. Anal with 15 to 17 rays. Scales small, 13 

 (to 15), 120 to 132, 11 or 12. Lateral line broken, and with rows of accessory 

 pores above and below. 



Young specimens taken in the shore swamps have the general coloration 

 dark, but with rounded or oblique white mai kings which tend to divide the darker 

 color into oblique bars. 



Lucius masquinongy, Mitchill. 



(Maskinonge. Muskellunge) 



This species occurs all along the shore of Georgian Bay, though not in large 

 numbers anywhere. It is relatively more numerous in the sand areas at the south- 

 ern part of Georgian Bay, and in sandy situations in the river courses. It also 

 occurs in many inland lakes. Though specimens of great weight are sometimes 

 reported, the general run of fish range between 3 and 25 lbs. 



The measurements here given are based on five smaller specimens, and prob- 

 ably do not give the complete range of variation for this region. Body greatly 

 elongated, slender, and moderately compressed. Depth 5.7 to 6-1. Head 3*2 

 to 3*6 in length of body. Snout shovel-like, 2-3 in length of head. Eye rather 

 small, 9 '5 to 11 in head. Ground coloration light. Sides with brilliant dark 

 spots, which tend to run together into vertical or oblique bars. Back and upper 

 portion of head a beautiful deep greenish black. Under parts light. The scales 

 exhibit bronze, gold and green reflections. The median fins are dark, with obscure 

 spots, the paired fins plain and dark greenish. Dorsal fin with 19 or 20 rays; 

 anal with 16 to 18 rays. Scales 15 or 16, 134 to 152, 12 to 14. 



Young specimens of a few inches in length are sometimes taken" in shore 

 swamps. The coloration is different from that of the adult. There is a broad 

 longitudinal dorsal band, usually more or less broken on the occiput; also a dorso- 

 lateral dark band which tends to break into spots. Below the latter there is a 

 more or less definite light stripe, followed ventrally by a series of spots. The 

 entire ground coloration is light. 



Like the common pike, the maskinonge is a predaceous type, and is very de- 

 structive to the smaller fishes and to the young of larger ones, including the game 

 fishes. Its comparative rarity, beauty and splendid sporting qualities make it 

 the most highly esteemed of all the fresh water game fishes. 



395— 3J II 



