Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 363 



the spring, — in northern Indiana in May and June. It builds a 

 considerable nest of relatively fine gravel, usually on a gravel bar 

 where the water is comparatively swift. 



The food of the River Chub consists chiefly of worms, insect 

 larvae, small crustaceans, and small fishes. As a game fish it is of 

 some importance, especially to the small boy with whom all is fish 

 that comes to his net. It attains a length of 9 or 10 inches, a size 

 which appeals to the young angler who, with worm-baited hook, is 

 usually quite sure to meet with gratifying success with this fish. 

 It takes the hook greedily and fights vigorously and with the proper 

 spirit. It is never known to give up and sulk as some fishes do but 

 always continues the fight to the last. 



River Chub {Hybopsis kentuckiensis) 



As a bait minnow, the River Chub is one of the best known and 

 most highly esteemed. It is par excellence the bait minnow for 

 all kinds of American freshwater game fishes. Horny heads of 

 small size, say 2 to 3 inches in length, can not be excelled for 

 crappie, calico bass, rock bass and medium-sized large-mouth and 

 small-mouth bass. Those of somewhat larger size can not be sur- 

 passed for the larger bass and wall-eyed pike; while for him who 

 desires to capture large pickerel, great northern pike, or the wily 

 muskallunge, an 8 or 10 inch River Chub is just the lure to use. 



The Hornyhead is unusually tenacious of life, and when on the 

 hook is exceedingly active, fighting with a vigor, viciousness and 

 persistency which justly entitle it to rank with the game fishes. 



An expert angler, speaking of this minnow, says it is especially 

 fine for trolling. The best sizes for Maxinkuckee are those from 

 2 to 4 inches long. It is tough and wily and will endure much pun- 

 ishment in the water. Its good qualities are its toughness and ac- 

 tivity on the hook. It is a fine bait for wall-eyed pike and both 

 species of black bass. A dozen river chubs of assorted sizes are 

 worth double that number of any other species. 



