REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CXXIII 



ences Xo establish the landlocked salmon of the Sebago system as a 

 species distinct from the sea salmon, unless intergradations be found 

 through the various forms of landlocked salmon of Sebec Lake, Union 

 River, Grand Lake, and the Canadian streams. 



Salmon locally known as "jumpers" are found in the Presumpscot 

 Eiver throughout the year, and may be taken at all times with artiticial 

 fly or other lure; they do not enter the lake. These hsh differ in size 

 and color from the regular lake salmon, and reach maturity when 10 or 

 11 inches long. Their maximum weight is 4 pounds, but the average is 

 only 1 to 1^ pounds. The "jumpers" subsist largely on insects and 

 insect larvit. A critical examination of the large series of those fish 

 that was preserved may show that they are specifically distinct from 

 the landlocked salmon, although it is more probable that they will 

 prove to be simply the landlocked form that has been modified by a 

 restricted habitat. 



Smelts are the most abundant fishes inhabiting the lake. During 

 warm weather they live at a depth of 100 to 150 feet. At times they 

 rise to the surface, and for some unknown reason migrate in large 

 bodies, acres in extent, from one part of the lake to another. During 

 such movements salmon may usually be observed in the vicinity. The 

 Sebago smelts represent two forms, one reaching maturity when 5 or 

 G inches long, the other becoming much larger (from | to 1^ pounds). 



Other species inhabiting this lake are brook trout {Salvelimis fonti- 

 nalis), pickerel {Luciu<s reticidatus), Iiorn-pout {Ameiurus nebiilosu-s), 

 sucker {Gatostomns commersonii), eel {AnguiUa chrysypa), sun fish {Eu- 

 pomotis gihhosus), black bass {Micropterus dolomieu), yellow perch [Perca 

 fiavescens), white i^erch {Morone americana), fresh-water cusk {Lota 

 maculosa)^ and various cyprinoids. 



Little Sebago Lake has a fish fauna similar to that of the larger lake, 

 but, so far as known, contains no salmon. Black bass and pickerel are 

 the principal game-fish, the former being very abundant and attaining 

 a large size. Thomas Pond is connected with Sebago Lake by a short 

 stream obstructed by a milldam. Trout-fishing is good here in spring 

 and summer, and an occasional salmon is taken, but it is always a long, 

 slender male, known as a "racer," probably a survivor of plants made 

 in the pond a number of years ago. Panther and Rattlesnake ponds 

 contain trout, and have been stocked with salmon ; the latter, however, 

 are never caught, although sometimes observed in Panther Pond on 

 gravelly shoals in fall. 



GREAT SALT LAKE. 



For a number of years the citizens of Utah have from time to time 

 agitated the question of utilizing for fish cultural purposes the waters of 

 Great Salt Lake, and have expressed the wish that the general gov- 

 ernment, through theU. S. Fish Commission, would make the necessary 

 investigation to determine the feasibility of the project. The Commis- 

 sion lias also been importuned to make experimental plants offish and 

 other animals in the lake and its tributary streams. While it was 



