132 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [42] 



years than others, because more live bait upon which they feed is found 

 on the coast some seasons. Runs differ, some being nearly all large, 

 and some nearly all small. I know of no difference in the coming of 

 sexes; they usually spawn in about two to four weeks after they arrive. 

 I know of no difference in the sex in taking liook; as a general thiug 

 they take the hook freely when they first come. Mackerel swim both 

 high and low. They are seen in large ' shoals,' or ' schools,' as sometimes 

 called, and at other times they remain under water so they cannot be 

 seen without throwing bait to attract them. The fishermen ou this 

 coast now need to see the fish on the surface because they use semes 

 altogether. Spawn does not run out of mackerel caught by hook, 

 nor is it seen in quantity floating in the nets. These fish never go into 

 fresh water. Young and old come ou the coast together. Mackerel 

 prefer shallow water and shoals. The w^ater nuist be quite warm to suit 

 them." 



Capt. David N. Mehlman, of Gloucester, Mass., gives the following 

 account of the movements of mackerel : 



"Mackerel come from the southern coast and pass through the 

 Southern Channel between George's Bank and Cape Cod. They travel 

 eastward, and return by the same route toward the south. It is prob- 

 able that macke^rel spend tlie winter on the coast of Florida and in the 

 Gulf of Mexico. Thej' are seen about Gloucester first in spring in JMay, 

 and their numbers continue to increase until the 1st of July. Those 

 fish that come first are the largest of all in size. There is no regular 

 interval between tlie appearance of different schools. About November 

 they begin to leave this coast, and their departure is very gradual. 

 The appearance of mackerel is rather uncertain. Some years they are 

 very abundant, while in others they are quite scarce. This may be in 

 part due to the course they take in coming in, making their scarcity a 

 matter of appearance and not a reality, and partly also to the change 

 of the feeding-ground. Some runs are composed of all large fish, and 

 some of all small ones. Both sexes come together, and it is quite cer- 

 tain that the spawn of the female is already matured when they first 

 arrive on these shores. When the mackerel first come they are (juite 

 uncertain about taking the hook. However, after a short time both 

 sexes take it readily. The mackerel schools swim high, and make their 

 arrival known by their api)earance at the surface. They always nuike 

 a ripple, and not unfrequently attract birds. The spawn never runs out 

 of tbese fish, whether caught by hook or in nets. Fish of all ages are 

 found on the breeding-ground. Mackerel remain in ])laces where the 

 water may be very shallow or as much as 100 fathoms deep. They 

 seem to prefer rather warm water." 



Mr. Moses Pettingell, of Newburyport, Mass., presents the following 

 report on the movements of the mackerel : 



" In coming in to the shore the mackerel take a northwesterly course 

 from the Gulf Stream off Cape Hatteras. The first are takeu on the 



