126 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.39. 



LIST OF SPECIES. 



In the following list we include only those species of which we have 

 seen specimens from the Lake of the Woods, Rainy River, Rainy 

 Lake, or their connecting waters. 



1. ICHTHYOMYZON CONCOLOR (Kirtland). 

 SILVERY LAMPREY. 



Two specimens obtained August 10 by Woolman and Cox at Gar- 

 den Island, Lake of the Woods. Numerous specimens obtained in 

 1894 by the Minnesota Natural History Survey. Doubtless abund- 

 ant; often parasitic on the sturgeon. 



Infraoral cusps 7. 



2. ACIPENSER RUBICUNDUS Le Sueur. 

 GREAT LAKES STtTRGEON. 



Lake of the Woods is the greatest sturgeon pond in the world. Up 

 to about 1892 sturgeon swarmed in this lake in almost incredible 

 numbers. In that year the sturgeon fishery began to assume con- 

 siderable proportions. By 1893 to 1896 it had become of great impor- 

 tance. In 1893 the catch in American waters amounted to 1,300,000 

 pounds, valued at $26,000. The yield of caviar in the same year 

 amounted to 97,500 pounds, valued at $19,500; and the amount of 

 sturgeon sounds was 5,830 pounds, valued at $5,830. Thus the total 

 for 1893 was 1,403,330 pounds, valued at $51,330. By 1903 the stur 

 geon catch had dwindled to 45,239 pounds, worth $2,714, and the 

 caviar taken in that year amounted to only 1,550 pounds, valued at 

 $1,240. Since 1903 the catch of sturgeon has fluctuated somewhat, 

 but has always been low. In 1908, in American waters, it amounted 

 to 87,182 pounds, worth $8,718. 



According to local fishermen there has been a slight increase in 

 the number of sturgeon within the last few years. They constitute 

 a large part of the pound-net catch. 



A 4-foot sturgeon will dress about 15 pounds, which is too small for 

 a minimum size; it would be better to make 20 pounds dressed the 

 minimum. 



The spawning season is in the spring and is probably over by the 

 end of May. The principal, if not the only, spawning ground is 

 Rainy River. 



The table following gives the statistics of the sturgeon fishery for 

 the Lake of the Woods from 1893 to and including 1909, for both 

 American and Canadian waters, as complete as can be compiled from 

 available figures. 



