THE MUSKALLUNGE 215 



phibians generally, ducklings, other small aquatic birds, and 

 also small aquatic mammals. Worse than this, they even 

 devour their own kind. That they are found living with 

 the bass, perch and other fishes is generally due to the fact 

 that it is impossible for them to devour all their neighbors. 



The Pike 1 is a fish of very wide — almost world-wide — ■ 

 distribution. In America it is found from Kadiak Island, 

 Alaska, southward through British Columbia, Canada, the 

 upper Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes region, to 

 Europe and Asia. Dr. Jordan says ("Food and Game 

 Fishes") that it reaches a length of 4 feet, a weight of 40 

 pounds, and that the Kankakee River, in Illinois, is one of 

 the best streams for great Pike fishing of which he knows. 

 As a food fish the Pike ranks low. 



The Muskalltjnge 2 is a game fish of high rank, and its 

 Indian name is spelled in eight different ways. Its standing 

 may be expressed in the following proportion: The Muskal- 

 lunge is to the fresh-water angler as the tuna is to the salt-water 

 angler. 



Its great size makes it a great prize, and the taking of a 

 large fish with sportsman-like tackle, and a very good chance 

 to be upset in deep water during the struggle, makes the 

 Muskallunge the king of fresh-water game fishes. The north- 

 ern species — of the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence and south- 

 ern Canada — reaches a length of 73^ feet, or more, and at- 

 tains. a maximum weight of about 90 pounds. Its centre of 

 abundance seems to be in the Thousand Islands of the St. 

 Lawrence, where it affords grand sport. Usually it is caught 



1 E'sox lu'ci-us. 2 E'sox mas-quin-on'gy. 



