344 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



On bright sunny days they may be seen swimming along in shallow 

 water and feeding upon entomostraca and other plankton elements 

 at the surface. Even after ice has formed these schools may be 

 seen. On November 14 and 27 many were found frozen in pools 

 along shore, 59 being taken from one pool. 



The breeding season of this minnow is early in June. On June 

 6 several nests were found in shallow water near the south shore 

 of Outlet Bay. On June 8 more were found. They were invari- 

 ably found under small pieces of boards or other flat objects lying 

 on the bottom. Eight nests were found under one long board and 

 two are often seen under one small piece of board. Upon lifting 

 the board a rather broad but shallow burrow or depression is found 

 under it, and usually a small fish is seen swimming anxiously back 

 and forth in the burrow. The eggs are found attached to the 

 under side of the board in a single compact layer. They are pink- 

 ish white or transparent pinkish in color and about 17 to the inch 



Blunt-nosed Minnow (Pimephales notutus) 



in size. The eggs in some of the nests were evidently fresh, while 

 those of other nests examined on the same date showed eye-spots 

 and light wiggling motions. Several of these nests were examined 

 again on June 16 and the parent fish were still present. 



Crawfishes apparently feed to some extent on the eggs of these 

 fishes. One or more were seen under nearly every board which 

 contained a nest, and the eggs disappeared before ready to hatch. 



As a bait minnow this species is one of the most desirable, 

 perhaps the best of those found in the lake. All except the largest 

 are too small for trolling, but for deep-water fishing it is excellent. 

 It is very tough and lives well in all kinds of water and at all 

 depths. It is a good fighter and very active on the hook. It may 

 be used at any season and is good for wall-eyed pike, bass and 

 perch, and all other game fishes of the lake except the bluegill. 



The Blunt-nosed Minnow is the only species of the genus found 

 in the lake. It may be readily known from the following descrip- 

 tion: 



