368 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



the edges, the dorsal and anal fins being large, of bony, 

 sinewy structure, giving the fish enormous power in the 

 water. These two, with the caudal fin, are dark green in 

 color. Its sides are marked by bars or blotches of dusky 

 white streaks running from the back down toward the white 

 of the belly. Its caudal fin attracts the attention of any one 

 examining the fish; it is not truncate, but just enough bifur- 

 cated to give it its almost lightning speed in turning, or hold- 

 ing its own in a sharp current. 



The prominent features in the Pike are his large opercu- 

 lum, or cheek-bone, his strong jaws, and his general build. 

 He is designed for speed, and for fighting. 



Where does he live? 



His home is in the large lakes and rivers of the North-west, 

 especially from the St. Lawrence throughout the chain of 

 lakes connecting therewith; the lakes and rivers of Ohio, 

 Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and the water-shed 

 of Canada, connecting with large lakes leading to the St. 

 Lawrence water-shed. You may find him in the bays con- 

 necting with these lakes wherever the long wiry rushes grow, 

 or where the yellow lily-pad shows. It grows to a length of 

 three feet sometimes more and weighs up to about eight- 

 een or twenty pounds. Specimens have been taken in 

 Michigan, and along the bays connecting with the north shores 

 of Lake Superior, weighing up to twenty-five pounds. 



It is a powerful fish, and is no coward ; it will fight as 

 viciously as a terrier. We have seen smaller Pike with jaws 

 locked and lashing the water around them like a boiling 

 cauldron. Occasionally letting go and backing out, they 

 would again rush at each other with open jaws, and keep up 

 the fight until one is beaten and driven away, or until both 

 are exhausted. 



Some years ago I found two dead, with both jaws fast set, 

 so that they could not be pulled open. Both of them 

 were handsome male fish, and must have fought fiercely, 



