DEVILS LAKE, NORTH DAKOTA. 9 
that of Devils Lake, and its fresh water seeps down through the 
rushes into the southern end of Little Mission Bay. 
Many forms of insect life were noted here, aquatic beetles, larvee, 
and crustaceans being numerous. Minnows with nuptial tubercles 
have been identified as the same species inhabiting Devils Lake. 
Sticklebacks (Hucalia inconstans) were also taken, and many tad- 
poles were observed swimming about. 
In general the lake appeared favorable as a breeding pond for black 
bass, perch, and allied species. With the elevation, the proximity to 
Mission Bay, the character of the water, and the source of supply, it 
would not be a difficult task to construct a runway connecting the two 
bodies of water. 
Sweetwater Lake.—This lake, situated 5 miles north of Devils 
Lake city, in Freshwater and Morris townships, is of irregular shape 
and its area approximates 11.5 square miles. Sweetwater Inlet, a 
coulée of considerable size, with branches rising in the northern 
regions of Ramsey County, enters the lake at its eastern end in Morris 
Township. From the northeastern end, in Freshwater Township, con- 
nection is maintained with Dry Lake by a creek 4 miles in length. 
The average depth is 7 feet; the maximum, 17 feet. The bottom con- 
sists almost wholly of soft mud, sustaining an abundant growth of 
water milfoil (Myriophyllum verticillatum) and pondweed (Potamo- 
geton pectinatus), the latter predominating. In many spots the mud 
is from one-half to 1 foot deep. The shores consist of stretches of 
rushes, gravel, and a few bowlders, 80 per cent of the littoral being 
lined with rushes. 
As in the case of Devils Lake, this lake is gradually diminishing 
and breaking up into detached bodies, changes shown by the white 
alkaline deposit on the lands surrounding the lake, and more strongly 
by the natural levees and terraces that skirt the shore. The water 
level is constantly fluctuating, and according to good authority the 
banks were overflowed during the spring of 1906. In 1889, the “ dry 
year,” the lake level dropped until the several passes were frozen dry, 
but, according to the same authority, not dry enough to kill fish. 
Though Sweetwater Lake has thus been shown to possess a number 
of characters similar to Devils Lake, it is important to emphasize the 
conditions more favorable to fish hfe and unlike those obtaining in 
Devils Lake. From this lake the town of Devils Lake obtains its 
water supply, the water being soft and good for drinking purposes 
and steam making. Salinometer tests show it to be perfectly fresh. 
Minnows and sticklebacks and aquatic insects, the same species as 
in Devils Lake, were taken in abundance with seines. Young bass, 
introduced by the Bureau of Fisheries one month prior to this exam- 
ination, were captured and found to be in excellent condition. 
