FISHES AND FISHING IN SUNAPEE LAKE. 17 



The writer is inclined to believe that where the trouble consists of 

 diminishing numbers of native forms, the cause should be sought, as 

 in the practice of medicine, and the malady treated accordingly. If 

 a patient is suffering from loss of blood it is not wise to remove more 

 blood or administer blood-destroying drugs. 



In the case of Sunapee Lake the fishing was on the decline and the 

 main cause, in time at least, became apparent, i. e., too much or 

 unseasonable fishing. A very potent method of exterminating trout 

 is by fishmg through the ice, but that method becomes practically 

 innocuous compared with the practice of taking trout from their 

 spawning grounds, and history tells us that both of these practices 

 were not only indulged in but abused in highest degree 40 years ago 

 and even later. 



The ''native trout" once abounded in Sunapee Lake and attained 

 a large size. But while little fishing was done in the spring and sum- 

 mer, it was a practice, not only of the inhabitants of the immediate 

 shores but of those from distant towns, to repair to the brooks fre- 

 quented by trout in the fall for spawning, and with dip nets and 

 spears to catch the fish in great numbers. 



Fishing through the ice was also done constantly. It is the habit 

 of trout to congregate during the winter in certain places affording 

 them the proper whiter conditions. The mhabitants in years gone by 

 found these places and the knowledge was handed down from parents 

 to children. Naturally it did not take many generations to ''bleed" 

 the lake very seriously. 



The cause being known, the remedy lay in combattmg it and in the 

 "infusion of new blood;" in other words, in prohibiting destructive 

 methods of fishing and in propagating the trout. This was finally 

 attempted, but while the trout was continuously propagated to some 

 extent, nonindigenous fishes were introduced now and then up to the 

 present time, practically offsetting the benefit. 



The possible injurious effects of the introduction of nonindigenous 

 fishes into a body of water may be brought about in at least two ways: 

 First and chiefly, through the destruction of the native fishes by the 

 introduced voracious forms, and second, but still important, the 

 diminution of the food supply of the native forms by introduced 

 species. 



The first-mentioned factor was undoubtedly, years ago, to some 

 extent at least, active in Sunapee Lake through the introduction of 

 landlocked salmon, and, according to some statements, possibly by 

 black bass. If the black bass is absolved of that stigma it certainly 

 may be indicted on the second count. 



The danger to the food supply of the fishes, however, was lessened 

 by the wise introduction of smelt, which was the third species of non- 

 native fish to be introduced. But this is claimed to have been detri- 

 97705°— 13 2 



