22 FISHES AND FISHING IN SUNAPEE LAKE. 



Redfin (Notropis cornutus). 



The redfin, also known as redfin shiner and just shmer, reaches a 

 length of 5 or 6 mches, but usually is not over 3 or 4 inches in length. 

 The color of the pectoral fins and margins of the dorsal and anal of 

 the male in breeding season gives it the name of "redfin," and it is a 

 most beautiful fish at this season, refiectmg all the hues of the rain- 

 bow. The red of the fins, however, often persists long after the 

 breeding season. This fish is one of the most highly esteemed live 

 baits, but, like other cyprinids, seems not to be common in Sunapee 

 Lake. 



The vertically elongated exposed portion of the scales of the body 

 forward serve to distinguish this fish from all others of the famUy in 

 New Hampshire. 



The breeding season of the redfin is in the spring or early summer. 

 The precise time of its breeding in Sunapee Lake was not ascer- 

 tained, but on April 16, 1910, a number about 3 inches long, two of 

 them with red fins, were taken in Pike Brook. The species seems to 

 be common in Pike Brook dead water throughout the summer. On 

 August 19, 1910, several specimens 3^ to 4 inches long were caught 

 at the upper end of the dead water on caddis larva bait, and on 

 August 19, 1911, several about 3 inches long were taken in the fyke 

 net at the dead-water end of the channel through the beach. 



Blacknose Dace {Rhinichthys atronasus). 



This is the smallest species of the minnow family found in this 

 region. It is not commonly seen in the lake, but in brooks it is 

 apparently abundant. It is easUy recognized by the very fine, 

 scarcely discernible scales and the intensely black stripe extending 

 from the snout to base of the tail. It attains only 4 or 5 inches in 

 length, and most of the individuals observed are somewhat smaller. 

 It also is a good bait. 



It subsists mainly upon the aquatic larvae of insects and small 

 insects that fall upon the water. It affords food for trout to some 

 extent, but in the brooks it occupies the warmer portions in summer, 

 where the trout are not at that time found. 



Many from 1^ to 3 inches long were observed in Pike Brook on 

 April 15, 1910, and on July 19 and August 15 many were seen in the 

 same brook in the lower meadow. 



Pickerel {Esox reticulatus) . 



The pickerel is the only member of the pike family indigenous to 

 New Hampshire waters. It is a well-known fish, by some highly 

 esteemed, much maligned by others, being accused of all sorts of pis- 

 civorous atrocities. There is scarcely a body of water in which trout 



