The census shown In table 5 includes the fish taken In both poisonings. A large 

 number of individuals of all species was measured. The frequencies of standard lengths 

 of all species (except largemouth bass) are compiled in table 6. The carp, buffalo, 

 largemouth bass and channel cat were large. Most of the crapples, bluegllls and other 

 pan fish were small, and few of them were of legal size. 



The numbers and weights of hook-and-llne fishes of legal sizes are summarized in 

 table 7. Although fishing in Lincoln Lakes Is not considered good, the proportion of 

 legal-sized hook-and-llne fish Is probably rather high, since they made up 19 per cent 



TABLE 7.~H00K-AND-LINE FISH OF LEGAL SI2ES, 



« No legal lengths specified by state law. 

 table use. 



Arbitrary sizes chosen as the minimum for 



of the weight of all fish present in Sportsmen's Lake. It should be noted that the 

 largemouth bass and the bluegill were the kinds which contributed most of the legal- 

 sized fish. 



AGE, SROVVTH AND SEX IN THE LARGEMOUTH SASS 



When Sportsmen's Lake was poisoned the first time, detailed observations were made 

 on each Individual bass. As the number was rather large and covered a wide range of 

 sizes, we have treated these fish in some detail. 



One hundred sixty-seven bass were taken in the two poisonings; 146 the first time 

 and 21 the second (not including the newly-hatched fry). Total lengths, standard 

 lengths and weights were taken on the first group of fish. Sex determinations were 

 made, and scales collected for ages. Observations made on bass from the second poison- 

 ing included only the number, the total weight, 45 pounds, and the sizes of a few indi- 

 vidual fish. 



For many years fish investigators have used standard length measurements (tip of 

 snout to end of backbone) In preference to total length measurements. Total length 

 measurements in Inches, on the other hand, are better understood by laymen and are, 

 therefore, more useful in fish management. 



Test measurements of standard lengths made by three' workers on a single fish were 

 found to vary considerably because of a difference of opinion about the exact location 

 of the end of the backbone. On the other hand, total length measurements varied less. 

 Total lengths are most uniform when measured from the tip of the snout, with the mouth 

 closed, to the tip of the tall. The tall should be extended, i.e., not spread. The 

 usual objection to the use of total length is that part of the tail fin may be broken 

 off. However, scarcely one fish In a hundred under natural conditions shows injury to 

 the tail fin. 



11 



