14 FISHES OF THE CONNECTICUT LAKES. 
Third Lake.—This lake was estimated to be about three-fourths 
of a mile in its longest diameter, which extends about north and 
south, and about one-fourth mile east and west directly across the 
middle. There are no large inlets, but several spring brooks enter it 
at various points. In times of high water these brooks are doubtless 
much larger, but at the time of this visit they were practically dry in 
many places or, in some instances, trickling underground. The 
principal affluent is Main Inlet, entering the southwest corner. The 
immediate surrounding country is more abruptly hilly or mountain- 
ous than that of either of the other lakes. 
The lake is very uniformly deep, there being but a narrow shelf 
of really shallow water except in some small coves like those of Main 
Inlet and the outlet. In these places there is some aquatic vegeta- 
tion; off Main Inlet there is a considerable growth of pondweed. 
Inside of this the bottom on the sandy shelf supports a profuse 
growth of pipewort. The maximum depth found was 103 feet, and 
there seemed to be a very general depth of 80 to 100 feet. 
The fishes observed in Third Lake and outlet just below the lake 
were: Sucker (C. commersonit), mud chub, longnose dace, blacknose 
dace, chub-minnow, and trout. It is said that cusk and eels occur in 
the lake. 
Fourth Lake-—Many have heard of, but few have seen, Fourth 
Connecticut Lake. Some, claiming to know, maintain that it is at 
the head of a small brook entering the northwest corner of Third 
Lake. Others who have seen it affirm that the lake is nothing but 
a “mud puddle ” at the head of Third Lake Main Inlet. Some maps 
show one good-sized pond at the head of one or the other of these 
brooks; others represent two ponds, one at the head of each. In 
order to ascertain the facts, both brooks were explored to their very 
heads. Main Inlet a short distance from Third Lake is formed by 
three branches, two of which proceed from spring or swamp ground, 
the other, the largest and more brook like, from higher ground. 
Perhaps 2 miles westward of Third Lake the latter brooklet rises in 
a shallow mud pond, 75 or 80 feet in diameter, and full of aquatic 
plants. The water is cold, originating in springs. No fishes were 
found there. 
The brook entering the northwest corner of Third Lake was fol- 
lowed until no stream remained to be traced. At perhaps a mile 
from the lake three small rivulets, swelled by springs, unite to form 
the brook. Each one of these branches was followed to its last drop 
of water, but no pond was found. 
It is probable that the pool at the head of Main Inlet is the only 
“ Fourth Lake.” The inlets of Third Lake are all so small a short 
distance from the lake that any one of them can be stepped across 
