<0>IF 



MUCH-NAMED, not infrequently much overrated, 

 and not seldom much-abused, this fish occupies a 

 rather ambiguous position among those species, 

 which by virtue of certain fighting qualities have 

 earned recognition as game-fish. Greatest of our 

 pike, and a veritable freebooter of fresh water, he 

 has his full share of that strength, speed, and vorac- 

 ity which have earned for his relatives the rather 

 doubtful notoriety they enjoy. The term "wolf of 

 fresh water " is not so far amiss as at first glance it 

 might appear. Scientific authorities have decided 

 that the mascalonge and its near relative, the great 

 northern pickerel, shall be respectively known as 

 Lucius masquinongy and Lucius lucius. 



The 'lunge is found in the Great Lakes, their 

 tributaries, the waters of the St. Lawrence basin, 

 and the Wisconsin lakes. Wherever its habitat, it 

 is the same old lusty pike, the savage of unsalted 

 seas, and a holy terror to any other fish small 

 enough to fit inside of it. Just how large the 

 'lunge grows probably is an open question eighty 

 odd pounds would be about the limit. I have seen 

 one which scaled a trifle over fifty pounds. 



The sportsmanlike methods of taking this fish 

 are trolling with the rod and the long handline, and 



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