THE MASCALONGE IN WISCONSIN WATERS. 203 



When lying in this way, basking in the sun, they rarely 

 take bait unless it be unusually attractive, but when lurking 

 in the weeds or rushes, waiting for some living victim, they 

 will take artificial bait voraciously 



They do not seem to be so voracious however as their 

 smaller cousin, the Pickerel, and there are times when for 

 days together, no amount of coaxing will induce them to take 

 bait of any kind. 



When they do take it, then look out, for they strike with 

 such tremendous force as to astonish the no\ ice, and if he 

 happens to have the line too loose or in any way snarled, 

 away goes his fish, and all he has to show for it is a good 

 scare. They are very powerful and quick, and it is no child's 

 play to handle a large one. Even the experienced angler will 

 have his hands full, and will be called upon to exert all his 

 skill to save the monster, and even after he has apparently 

 given up, lies on his side or back, is hauled alongside fcr the 

 gaff to finish the work, he frequently gives a tremendous 

 surge and away he goes for a final run that will test the 

 tackle to its utmost. 



This noble fish is well entitled to the name of the "Tarpon 

 of the North," and will in time be so called. He is a grand 

 fighter, and never gives up until he is actually dead. 



Talk about Black Bass, or any other kind of fresh-water 

 fish! There are none that can compare with this leviathan 

 of our inland waters, for pluck and gaminess. 



West of the Mississippi those fish do not seem to be so com- 

 mon, though I have been told that in Elbow Lake, in the Lake 

 Park region of Minnesota, they are numerous and grow to a 

 great size. How true this is I cannot say, but that there are 

 large fish in that lake, similar to the Mascalonge, I have no 

 doubt. 



These grand fish are found in Northern Wisconsin in the 

 following waters: Pelican Lake, Tomahawk and adjoining 

 lakes, Arbor Vitae, St. Germain lakes, Trout Lake, the Eagle 



