ANGLING FOR PIKE. 115 



Spaivning Seasons, and Haunts of Pike. 



Captain Willfamson informs us that "the pike 

 generally spawns in March, though sometimes in the 

 last week of February, or in the early days of April, 

 according as the weather may he more or less mild. 

 At this period the female retires among the heavy 

 masses of weed generally growing at the edges of the 

 waters in shallow places, where she casts her spawn, 

 the male attending her with apparent solicitude. So 

 soon as the spawning is over, both return for a few 

 days to the deep water, and during the middle of the 

 day lie on the surface, basking in a state of torpidity, 

 enjoying the warmth, and for the most part with 

 their faces towards the sun. In this state they are 

 frequently taken by what .is called ' haltering ' or 

 'snaring/ " 



The pike is fond of quiet, shady, unfrequented 

 water, and lurks in the midst of weeds, flags, or bul- 

 rushes ; yet he often makes excursions from these, and 

 ranges about in search of prey. In winter and cold 

 weather he lies deep, and near the bottom, but as the 

 weather grows warm he frequents the shallows. In a 

 very hot, clear, sultry day he may be seen lying on the 

 surface of the water, but then you cannot tempt him 

 with any bait. It is observable that pike generally 

 swim single, as they prey upon each other, and all 

 other fish, except the perch, fly from them. His best 

 biting-time is early in the morning and late in the 

 evening, when there is a brisk wind, and where the 

 water is clear. 



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