Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 313 



tic of young Gars. On October 17, 1907, after the water had 

 become quite chilly, two young Gars of this species were seen lying 

 perfectly still at the bottom in water 2 or 2.5 feet deep off the east 

 shore of Long Point. They looked much like sticks in the bottom. 

 One was pinned to the bottom by a thrust with a rake which hap- 

 pened to be at hand, and was captured. It measured 12.5 inches 

 in length. The other example escaped. 



During the winter the Gars are occasionally seen through clear 

 ice. They are never up close against the ice, but those seen were 

 2 feet or so below the surface. They do not dart away when seen, 

 as bass and most other fishes do, but remain stationary or swim 

 slowly and unconcernedly along. On December 23, 1900, an ex- 

 ample about 2 feet long was seen in Lake Maxinkuckee off the 

 Gravelpit. It swam along slowly and was followed up until it 

 stopped and could not be urged to swim farther even by pounding 

 and stamping on the ice. A trip was made a quarter of a mile 

 for an ax and hooks with which to capture the fish, and on return- 

 ing it was found at the same place. While the ice was being cut 

 above it, it started off and moved with great deliberation to the 

 shore where it was hidden by opaque ice. 



This Gar is a large fish, attaining a length of 5 or 6 feet. It is 

 a voracious creature, feeding largely upon the young of other 

 fishes, and is believed to be very destructive to the young of the 

 various food fishes which inhabit the waters in which it is found. 

 It is fair to state, however, that an examination of many stomachs 

 and their contents does not bear out fully the reputation which it 

 has for destructiveness to other fishes. Small fishes were fre- 

 quently found in their stomachs, but not to the extent that popular 

 belief would indicate. It is certain, however, that the two species 

 of Gar in this lake are destructive to other fishes, and it is not 

 known that they serve any useful purpose whatever. They are 

 not scavengers in any sense of the word. They are essentially 

 carnivorous and rapacious in their habits, and the only fishes upon 

 which they could feed in Lake Maxinkuckee are either food fishes 

 or species which serve as food for useful species. Sometimes they 

 fall a victim to their own rapacity. One large example was found 

 dead from trying to swallow a catfish 10 inches long. 



Every effort to reduce the number of Gars in the lake is worthy 

 of commendation. Whether it is possible to rid the lake entirely of 

 them is doubtful, but much can be done toward greatly reducing 

 their numbers and holding them in check. Perhaps the most ef- 

 fective method would be by seining. By using a large seine in as 

 deep water as possible and when the Gars are out near shore in 



