364 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



particular locality being indicated by the presence of flocks of birds 

 hovering over the water. Except in the mouth of July, when unusually 

 sluggish, the lake trout may be taken at any time with the hook and 

 line, and, being high-spirited and particularly gamy, affords excellent 

 sport for the angler. In summer it swims low iu the water, in order, 

 I think, to avoid the extreme heat of the sun. In winter it prefers the 

 deepest water. 



As far as could be ascertained the spawn has not been observed to 

 run from this fish when captured, either by the line or net, for the reason, 

 most likely, that the gravid female is seldom taken just prior to or 

 during the time of spawning. It first enters the mouths of mountain 

 streams and rivers to spawn about the middle of March, remaining 

 until the middle of May, by which time the majority have fulfilled their 

 reproductive functions. It is at such times that the fishermen, lying in 

 wait at the mouths of the rivers, are able to capture such enormous 

 quantities. In coming on to the breeding grounds all sizes are found 

 together, young and old, little and big. The favorite localities for feed- 

 ing in summer are close to the mouths of rivers, the water of which 

 from the mountains is ice-cold, from ten to twelve feet deep, and the 

 current very swift. As already stated, the cold water is preferred in 

 summer and warm in winter. 



After spawning the trout invariably swim in schools, from one part 

 of the lake to the other, in search of food, a solitary fish at such time 

 being seldom seen ; in traveling the trout is nearly always accompanied 

 by its friendly companions the mullet, sucker, &c., which share with it 

 the danger of attack by man and birds. 



Notwithstanding the apparent afiection existing between the different 

 species of fish in Utah Lake, the trout does not hesitate to prey to a 

 large extent upon the young of other kinds, suftering itself, in return, 

 in the same w^ay, but in a much less degree. The trout is very vora- 

 cious, devouring other fish smaller than itself, particularly a species lo- 

 cally known as " silver-sides," of from two to six inches iu length ; on 

 dissection, I have found the stomach of the trout crammed with these 

 little fish. Grasshoppers, too, are a source of diet to the trout, with 

 flies and other insects, while they do not disdain even snakes and frogs 

 of tolerably large size. With regard to the methods of feeding I have 

 not been able to perceive or otherwise learn of any peculiarities of the 

 trout unless it be the great eagerness with which they seek their food, 

 and the rapidity of devouring the same, especially with reference to bait 

 on the hook. The quantity of food it consumes, judging from i)ersonal 

 observations and accounts of experienced fishermen, must be enormous. 

 During the spawning season no very observable changes take place in 

 the trout except those mentioned above, and also, that the under part of 

 the cheek of the female becomes very bright. As a rule, it may be stated 

 that iu general appearance the male is much brighter than the female 

 at this season, and that the former is the smaller. 



