Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 317 



young the dark markings are more pronounced. In a specimen 

 15 inches long the back was distinctly marbled with whitish and 

 black, and the side had a broad dark lateral band, interrupted 

 posteriorly ; the spots on the fins were darker, and even the ventrals 

 and pectorals were plainly spotted. 



Examples of the Long-nosed Gar of the same size (15 inches) 

 are much more silvery and are comparatively free of black spots. 

 Length 2 to 4 feet. Weight 2 to 15 pounds. It is a very variable 

 species, the young being difficult to distinguish from related 

 species. 



5. DOGFISH 



AMI A CALVA Linmeus 



(Plate 2) 



The Dogfish, or Bowfin, is found in the Great Lakes and slug- 

 gish waters from Minnesota to Virginia, Florida and Texas, and is 

 generally abundant throughout its range. It does not appear to 

 be common in Lake Maxinkuckee, but in Lost Lake it is quite 

 abundant. During our investigations not many Dogfish were seen ; 

 3 were seined in Norris Inlet, and on July 25 one was seined which 

 weighed 4.75 pounds. Occasionally one would be found dead on 

 shore, while now and then one would be caught on a hook. Anglers 

 fishing in Outlet Bay, or near Norris Inlet, or off the Gravelpit, 

 were liable to get this fish, particularly if they were fishing for 

 catfish or doing bottom fishing. While seining in Norris Inlet 

 several young examples were secured, and a few were obtained in 

 Culver Creek; a few were also taken on set-lines. Some of the 

 largest examples ever seined were taken in front of the Fish Com- 

 mission station late at night, September 20. These had apparently 

 come in near shore to feed upon other fish which were then abund- 

 ant in shallow water. On May 8, 1901, a fisherman caught an im- 

 mense one which he thought would weigh 10 pounds, and Patrol- 

 man Wiseman caught on a set-line one which was 23 inches long 

 and weighed 4.5 pounds. Later in the year an example 25.5 inches 

 long was found dead on shore by Murray's and some fishermen 

 caught a male 22.5 inches long, weighing 4.5 pounds. On Novem- 

 ber 7, 1904, six were found dead on shore where they had probably 

 been left by men who had been seining. Their lengths were 16.5, 

 17.75, 18, 19.75, 20.5, and 21 inches. The stomachs of all except 

 one, which contained a young sunfish, were empty. In the autumn 

 of 1906 they were caught occasionally by fishermen ; one was seen 

 19 inches long and another, 24. 



In Lost Lake and the Outlet, this fish is more abundant, and 



