112 REPORT OF ONTARIO GAME No. 52 



accurately determined. It is most usually to be found in dark holes in 

 streams and lakes, where acquatic vegetation tiourislies, or in the neigh- 

 borhood of docks and timber which afford shade, and it emerges towards 

 nightfall from its retreat and roams the waters in search of the insects, 

 crustaceans and small fish which constitute its food. Spawning in May 

 or June, it scoops out a nest for the eggs on some gravelly or sandy bar 

 and over this nest the parent fish mount guard until in due course the 

 eggs are hatclied and the young fry able to look after themselves. 



The rock bass will afford fair sport to the angler when taken on 

 light tackle, its chief value, however, lying in the fact that it will take 

 almost any bait, even on the coarsest tackle, and in consequence is 

 eagerly sought by the younger members of the population who can 

 easily secure a good string of the fish Avhen they are fortunate enough 

 to discover a good place. When taken from clear, cold water, its flesh 

 is distinctly pleasant to the taste and it is generally adjudged a very 

 fair eating fish throughout the Province. 



Perch. 



The yellow perch is to be found in most of the streams and lakes 

 throughout the Province, and is, perhaps, one of the most abundant 

 fishes. In size it will run from ten to twelve inches, rarely, however, 

 attaining a weight of more than 1 lb. It is a spring spajwner and its 

 flesh is so delicate in flavour that it is held in high esteem as a table fish. 

 There are in fact few fisli which excel it in this respect. The perch is 

 not possessed of very considerable fighting qualities or determination, 

 its chief attractiveness in regard to sport being that it is to be caught 

 by anyone at almost any season of the year with almost any description 

 of tackle. There can be no doubt that in the matter of drawing the resi- 

 dents of cities and towns out into the fresh air the perch plays no incon- 

 siderable role, and should, therefore, be esteemed accordingly. 



The Sun'fish. 



The yellow or common sunfish occurs in most of the waters of 

 central and southern Ontario up to Lake Huron, beyond which it has 

 not as yet been recorded. Iri size it will grow to 8 inches in length and 

 the weight of half a pound. Spawning in May and June, the fish seeks 

 shallow water, scooping out a nest in the sand or mud, the males guard- 

 ing the nests with the greatest jealousy until the young have been 

 hatched. This little fish affords excellent sport to many a youngster 

 throughout the districts in which it is found, and is not to be despised 

 as a table food. 



Another variety, the blue sunfish, is to be found in certain locali- 

 ties, notably in some of the Rideau Lakes and in Lake Erie and its 

 tributaries, which in habits closely resembles the yellow sunfish, but 



