28 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



Fortunately for the angler, grasshoppers of various species are 

 abundant in the fields, meadows and waste places about Lake Max- 

 inkuckee. The prairie meadows to the west of the lake have al- 

 ways been favorite localities for the hoppers, but in season they 

 are abundant everywhere. They become popular for bait and are 

 in demand just as soon in the summer as they have attained proper 

 size and are in sufficient numbers to be secured in large quantities. 

 This may happen as early as the first week in July ; though usually 

 the anglers will not be using hoppers exclusively until toward the 

 latter part of that month. 



In 1901, a few anglers began using hoppers as early as July 5, 

 and with good success. On July 7, grasshoppers were heard sing- 

 ing in considerable numbers. August is, however, the best month. 

 It was observed in 1900 and 1903, which were particularly good 

 fishing seasons, that nearly all the good catches made in that month 

 were on grasshoppers. They continue to be used just as long as 

 they can be found, which will ordinarily be until about the last of 

 September or just before the first frosts have come. In 1900 they 

 were in use at least as late as October 1. 



Several different species are used; the principal one being 

 Melanophis differ •entialie, a large red-legged species, abundant in 

 all fields, particularly among ragweeds along the edges of corn- 

 fields. Another species of the same genus, M. bivittatus, is equally 

 good, though somewhat less common. Still another is M. femur- 

 rubrum. Various other species are used ; indeed, almost any kind 

 of grasshopper appeals more or less strongly to most of our fresh- 

 water spiny-rayed game fishes. 



In September and October when it is difficult to get grasshop- 

 pers, black crickets (of the genus Gryllus) make good bait, par- 

 ticularly for bluegills. 



Katydids of various species (particularly Pterophylla camelli- 

 folia and N eoconocephalus robustus) are common. They were 

 first heard singing July 23. From then on they could be heard 

 every favorable night. 



In 1900 we became especially interested in a particularly musi- 

 cal, broad-winged katydid (Pterophylla cam elk 'folia) that took up 

 its station in a large white oak tree near our cottage. We first 

 took note of it on the evening of July 23. From that date on it 

 was heard on every suitable quiet night until September 27 when 

 it missed although the night was a favorable one. The next night 

 it was heard again and it continued noisy nearly every night for 

 more than three weeks. About the 18th of October its song began to 



