270 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



ever heard of being taken in Lake Superior was one of fifteen 

 pounds ; but such instances are rare. 



At one time they were exported largely from the great 

 lakes, being salted and barrelled, as Shad are with us. The 

 usual mode of taking them is with gill-nets sunk in deep 

 places in the lakes ; but in autumn they come in large schools 

 into shallow water along the lake shores, to spawn, when 

 great numbers of them are taken with the ordinary seine. 



Whole tribes of Indians subsist entirely on them in the 

 Arctic regions. I found a considerable portion of the tribe 

 of Chippewas permanently encamped at Sault Ste. Marie 

 about twenty years ago, whose only means of living were the 

 Whitefish found there. To take them, the Indians go, two in 

 a canoe, to the lower part of the rapids ; one in the stern, 

 with pole or paddle, keeps the prow steadily heading up the 

 current, while another, with a dip-net, the long handle bent 

 backwards near the bow of the net, stands in the bow of the 

 canoe. The latter, by a sudden dip, apparently pressing the 

 fish towards the bottom, turns the net dexterously, lifts it, 

 and throws the fish into the bottom of the boat, sometimes 

 taking two at once, and never failing to secure his prey. 



The flesh of this fish is snowy white, and, though delicate, 

 it has a gelatinous richness which entitles it to all the lauda- 

 tion bestowed on it by epicures. Dr. Kichardsou says it never 

 cloys, but rather grows in favor with those who eat it, and that 

 one never feels the necessity of bread as an accompaniment. 

 It is said that it is seldom found with food in its stomach, and 

 then only a few small Crustacea. Still its conformation shows 

 it to be a fish of rapid growth, and of course a gross feeder. 

 What the food is, that gives it such fatness, or where it is 

 found, has never been ascertained. In the fall of the year, 

 before spawning, it loses all reasonable proportions, looking 

 as if it was deformed. The head, not much larger tlian a 



