102 LAKE AND STREAM GAME FISHING 



an average of two or three pounds. Some are 

 larger, of course, but not the general run. 



WHERE THE PICKEREL HANGS OUT 



The pickerel from the running streams, like all 

 other fish, puts up the best fight, while those from 

 the warmer waters of the lakes and sluggish streams 

 are dull and slow fighters. The pickerel is found 

 in nearly all rivers and lakes or ponds, his preference 

 being for shallow, grassy lakes. His main hunting 

 grounds are along the edge of lily and weed beds 

 and on the outskirts of the grassy growth that is 

 often called " pickerel grass." Here he lurks, wait- 

 ing for the smaller fish to swim past, often striking 

 his prey with a snap of the jaws that cuts the victim 

 in two. He is a sure-enough barbarian, and is a 

 destroyer of the weaker fishes, all of which points 

 to the fact that he will be with us for many a day. 

 He is vicious to the core, and at times will strike a 

 trolling spoon with force enough to bend it double. 

 In spring-fed lakes he is often found around the 

 spring-holes, and deep fishing here will bring him 

 out. You can feel reasonably sure of landing him 

 any time from the first of the season to the wind- 

 up, and then take a rap at him through the ice in 

 winter. 



NEEDS DENTIST IN AUGUST 



August is about the poorest month for pickerel 

 fishing, caused, no doubt, by the soreness of the 



