NORTHERN INLAND FISHES. 311 



Lake Yi^E.YCRmG.—Argyrosotnusclupeiformis (Mitchell,) and ^. ;^ar^«^aj (Rich). 



These fish are very numerous in the shoaler waters of Lake 

 Erie and the western lakes, and very much resemble the salt water 

 herring in size, form and color. They seldom attain a weight of 

 two pounds. They are not especially sought by the angler, although 

 we have caught them with minnows, when fishing for black bass. 

 Insects are the best bait, however. They are found in more or less 

 abundance at all seasons of the year, though they swarm in greatest 

 numbers about the middle of November, which is their spawning 

 season. They are not a favorite fish in the market, being rather 

 deficient in qualities as a fresh or salted fish ; but when slightly 

 pickled in brine, and exposed to the smoke of a hot fire for a short 

 time, make most delicious food. 



Lake Sheepshead ; white perch of the lakes ; grunter ; Awxm.—Corvina osctila. 

 — De Kay. — Haploidonotus grunniens . — Raf. 



This fish is found in Lakes Erie and Ontario, in Onondaga 

 Lake, and other interior lakes of New York. It feeds on many 

 of the fresh water shell fish, and takes the hook with freedom, but 

 is a dry and tasteless fish, and not esteemed for the table. It oc- 

 curs also in Ohio and in southwestern waters. Length a foot to 

 eighteen inches ; weight three to six pounds. Its shape is some- 

 thing like that of the salt water sheepshead, but it belongs to quite 

 a different family. Color grey on the back, and greyish white 

 below. 



