THE PERCH FAMILY. Hg 



As soon, then, as the water becomes clear in the lakes and 

 ponds, there is a great turnout amongst the fishermen of St. 

 Louis. But to have good sport with the Crappies, one should 

 get on the right side of Squire Cogswell or of Uncle George 

 Matlack's bojs, who think it a small matter to hitch up their 

 team, and stowing in tent, ice-box, minnow-kettle, frying-pan, 

 and provender for men and horses, are ready at almost any 

 time for a start to Long Lake ; or thirty miles away to Mur- 

 dock's Lake, for Bass and Crappies. 



Crappies are frequently taken in company with Bass. They 

 love to lie in the brushwood, and about the bushy tops of 

 trees that have fallen in the water ; a sultry showery day is 

 most favorable for them. 



A live minnow, hooked below the back fin, is the best bait ; 

 a substitute for which may be found in a wedge-shaped piece 

 of fish, with the smaller end pendent from the hook ; in fish- 

 ing with the latter, the bait should be kept in motion. 

 Worms are objectionable, as they attract the smaller fish, 

 while they are not fancied by Crappies. Shrimp are generally 

 used by the New Orleans anglers. 



Whatever be the depth of the water, the float (which is 

 generally used) should not be more than three or four feet 

 above the hook. As the mouth of the Crappie is large, a 

 Kirby hook, No. 1 or 0, is to be preferred. The dangerous 

 vicinity of brushwood makes the use of the reel objectiona- 

 ble ; for then it is necessary to secure them as soon as pos- 

 sible after being hooked. 



Holbrook states the extreme length of this fish to be 

 twelve inches. I have seen it, in the vicinity of St. Louis, as 



long as fifteen, and in one instance, seventeen inches. 



8 



