FISH OF ONTARIO. 91 



ova. As soon as the water becomes warm they work off into deep water, 

 where they remain during the hot months. 



As it is a deep-water fish it does not often afford much sport for the 

 angler, but as a commercial and food fish it is decidedly the best we have 

 in the lakes, its flesh being firm, white, flaky and well flavored. 



Under favourable circumstances this species reaches a large size, 

 specimens of twenty-five pounds' weight having been recorded. These 

 are, however, very rare, and a ten-pound fish is now considered a very 

 good one. It is extremely voracious, feeding upon such other fish as it 

 can overpower, and the insects and crustaceans found in its haunts. In 

 Manitoba, where I found it abundant, frogs were the most attractive 

 baits. 



In the Lake Erie district and perhaps elsewhere, the young, if of a 

 pale color, are known as "Blue Pickerel," as this form shows no struc- 

 tural differences, its identity with the Yellow Pickerel seems certain. 



Subgenus CYXOPERCA. 



(95) Sand Pickerel. Blue Pickerel. Sauger. 



(Stizostedion canadense.) 



Body elongate, more terete than in the preceding, the flesh more trans- 

 lucent ; head depressed, pointed. Eye small; mouth smaller than in the 

 last ; the maxilla reaches to the hind margin of the eye. 



D. XII. to XIII., I., 17 to 18; A. II., 12. Scales on lateral line, 92 

 to 98 ; 4 to 7 pyloric caeca of unequal length ; all of them shorter than the 

 stomach. 



Colour, olivaceous above ; sides brassy, with black markings in the 

 form of irregular blotches which are best defined under the soft dorsal. 

 The spinous dorsal has several rows of round black spots on the membrane 

 between the spines ; no black blotch on the hind part of the spinous dorsal. 

 Pectorals with a large dark blotch at base; soft dorsal with several rows 

 of dark spots irregularly placed ; caudal yellowish with dark spots form- 

 ing interrupted bars. 



This is a smaller fish than the last, rarely exceeding eighteen inches 

 in length and a weight of two pounds. It is also less valued as a food fish, 

 its flesh being softer and of inferior flavour. 



The range and habits of this species are much the same as those of 

 its congener and in proportion to its size it is equally destructive to small 

 fish. 



Two varieties have been described, viz., griseum and boreum, but it 

 is doubtful if their distinctive characters are sufficiently permanent to 

 entitle them to sub-specific rank. 



