386 American Fisheries Society 



black bass: nearly half of that of the common "pike," or pickerel; two- 

 thirds of that of the four specimens of golden shad examined ; and a 

 third of the food of the gars. The only other fishes in whose stomachs 

 it was recognized were the yellow cat (Ameiurus natalis) and the young 

 white bass (Roccus). It thus seems to be the especial food of the large 

 game fishes and other particularly predaceous kinds. 



It seems important that such information should be widely 

 distributed among those interested in the propagation of fishes. 

 As an illustration of benefits to be derived from such knowl- 

 edge, mention may be made of conditions at the newly formed 

 Milton Reservoir near Newton Falls, Ohio. This fine body of 

 water with its plentiful supply of microscopic algae, as ascer- 

 tained from towed material, offers excellent living conditions 

 for the gizzard shad, and its presence means plenty of food 

 for the bass. Dr. Raymond C. Osburn has already advised 

 in one of his reports to the State Bureau, that this reservoir 

 be stocked with the gizzard shad. 



SUMMARY 



The observations recorded in the paper may be briefly sum- 

 marized as follows : 



1. The distribution of the gizzard shad is general for the 

 inland lakes of Ohio. 



2. Its food consists, in the main, of microscopic algae, 

 with a small variable percentage of microscopic animals. 



3. It seems that mud, though present to some extent in 

 most of the fishes examined, is incidental. 



4. The gizzard shad furnishes excellent food for most of 

 our game fishes, notably the large-mouth and small-mouth bass, 

 the crappie, and the white bass. 



5. The gizzard shad holds an almost unique position as a 

 direct connection between the microscopic plants and the game 

 fishes, interfering in no way with the food supply of the latter 



