Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 267 



grasshoppers appear, they largely take the place of worms and con- 

 tinue to be the principal bait until fall when they can not be 

 easily obtained. Cut bait is always resorted to when other kinds 

 fail, and by some is even preferred. Various species of fishes, 

 mussels and even meat are utilized. Sometimes a stringer is used 

 on which to keep the catch, but usually a gunny sack is preferred. 

 The sack, securely fastened to the boat, is allowed to hang in the 

 water, by which method the fish are kept alive and in excellent 

 condition. 



The species most often caught are bluegills, yellow perch, rock 

 bass, calico bass and catfish, though an occasional bass or wall- 

 eyed pike is taken. A hundred fish to the boat is not an un- 

 usual catch. 



This method is very effective and, on occasion, appeals to many 

 an angler who usually uses more expensive tackle. 



Trolling: — Trolling has long been, and still is, a popular method 

 of fishing. It can be practiced any time in the year when the ice 

 is ofi" the lake, and it seems to be about equally effective at all times. 

 The rod used varies from a short stiff cane pole to a high-priced 

 split bamboo. The line is usually of better quality than that used 

 by the long cane fisherman. It may vary in length from 50 to 200 

 feet. Among the popular lures are the Hildebrandt spinner, the 

 Skinner fluted spoon, and other spoons, phantom minnows, and the 

 Hke. Perhaps the most effective is the Hildebrandt spinner. When 

 this method is employed the angler usually throws out his line im- 

 mediately after putting out from shore and free of weeds, and 

 then rows slowly to some favorite bar across or along the edge of 

 which he will carefully row, doubling and recrossing as occasion 

 requires. 



The species most often caught are the straw bass, small-mouth 

 bass and the walleyed pike in the order named. Now and then 

 a rock bass, calico bass or yellow perch is taken. The straw bass, 

 however, is, above all, the species most frequently caught by 

 trolling. 



Bait-casting: — This method has grown in popularity greatly 

 during the last few years, whereas it was little practiced 10 years 

 ago. A short rod, either of split bamboo, steel or lance wood, 3^ 

 to 6 feet long, and a good 60-yard quadruple reel, with 50 yards 

 of light, flat raw silk line, of 10 to 14 pounds tension, together with 

 surface artificial lures such as the Dowagiac, pork rind, or pork 

 chunk with weedless hooks or frog, constitute the proper outfit. 

 Sometimes live frogs are used and with commendable success. 



