1912 AND FISHERIES COMMISSION. 113 



which will reach a greater size, running sometimes in weight up to a 

 pound. In proportion to its size it will afford the angler most excellent 

 sport, being possessed of fighting qualities little, if any, inferior to 

 thoBe of any fish to be found in the Province, while as a table fish it is 

 held in high esteem. 



The Common Mullet. • 



The common mullet, which is the handsomeist and best representa- 

 tive of the sucker family in Provincial waters, abounded in the great 

 lakes from the St. Lawrence River to Lake Superior, but owing to per- 

 sistent netting in the spawning season it has now become comparatively 

 scarce. The fish passes most of its time in deep waters, but in the early 

 spring, as soon as the ice breaks up, it runs up the rivers and streams 

 to spawn, forcing its way through the swiftest torrents in order to 

 reach the gravelly beds upon which it deposits its eggs. While in the 

 streams the mullet wnll readily take a worm bait, and though it is by 

 no means a vigorous fighter, owing to its weight, which frequently runs 

 as high as 4 or 5 lbs., it will afford fair sport to the angler, especially if 

 it be taken in the swifter waters. 



The Common Catfish. 



The common catfish, sometimes known as the bullhead, occurs prac- 

 tically throughout the Province in quiet streams, ponds or bays, 

 especially in those having a muddy bottom. It is an omnivorous feeder, 

 not despising anything in the shape of animal food, and Avill feed in all 

 depths of water from the top to the bottom, although its most usual 

 method is to grub about in the mud seeking for what it may devour. 

 The catfish spawns in June, in quiet shallow waters in the vicinity of 

 aquatic weeds, clearing out a slight depression in the sand or mud to 

 act as a nest, over which the parent fish, but especially the male, Avatches 

 with jealous care. The eggs hatch in about a week and subsequently 

 the young, which at this stage much resemble small black tadpoles, fol- 

 low the parent fish along the shores until about the middle of July, after 

 which they scatter and shift for themselves in deep, weedy water. 



As a food the catfish does not rank high in popular estimation, but 

 this may to a large extent be attributed to its appearance, which is far 

 from prepossessing. There are, however, many persons who prefer it 

 to any of the coarser fishes. It can lay no claims to fighting powers, but 

 to the small boy, and even to many older persons in the Province, the 

 catching of a catfish with a hook and line affords a constant and healthy 

 amusement, and in a modest form, at least a measure of true sport in 

 its widest sense, for amongst all classes of the population there are 

 always to be found a fair percentage of those who, like a certain squire, 

 would rather hunt rats in a barn with a pug or fish for sticklebacks in 

 the village stream with a piece of cotton and a bent pin than take part 

 in the finest game yet devised by man. 



10 F.C. 



