20 FISHES OF THE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 



6. LANDLOCKED SALMON (Salmo sebago). 



In the United States this species originally was known from a 

 few localities in Maine, but has been widely distributed by fish cul- 

 ture. It has become acclimatized in many waters but in others 

 seems not to have become established. 



The Sebago salmon requires cool water and plenty of food, which 

 in its natural abode and in those waters where it has thrived best 

 consists chiefly of smelts. 



The size attained depends largely upon its food supply and per- 

 haps upon the size of the lake in which it lives. The largest fish of 

 this species have been taken from the largest lake, i. e., Sebago, 

 where two fish of over 35 pounds each have been recorded, and many 

 from 15 to 20 pounds have been taken 'by anglers. 



FIG. 6. Landlocked salmon. 



It spawns in the fall, the height of the season in Maine being in the 

 first part of November. Usually the fish ascends inlets or descends 

 outlets for the purpose. 



Besides subsisting upon smelts and other kinds of small fishes, it 

 eats quantities of insects at times. It is a highly esteemed game 

 fish, and is accounted by many anglers the prince of game fishes. 

 However, the game qualities are greatly affected by its environment, 

 and the method of fishing has something to do with it. 



The usual method of angling for the Sebago salmon is by trolling 

 with lures, which may be a smelt or other small silver fish, artificial 

 minnow or phantom, various spinning contrivances, or artificial fly, 

 and usually these are reinforced by a spoon as a supposed attraction. 

 Whether in lake or stream, this salmon will often take the fly, but 

 the stream salmon are by far the best fly fish. In fact in some locali- 

 ties fly fishing is the only method employed. When taken by this 

 method in a quick-water stream, the Sebago salmon is hard to beat 

 as a game fish. 



Among the many taking flies, the silver doctor, grizzly king, Seth 

 Green, Montreal, Jock Scot, brown hackle, and the like arc con- 



