THE CASTER'S QUARRY 131 



Under these conditions he usually puts up a valiant 

 fight, for a short time at least, and is a game fish 

 in every sense of the word. 



In some parts of the country, especially in Wis- 

 consin and Minnesota, he is known as a "snake." In 

 these regions he is under-fed (despite his efficient ap- 

 pearance he can not stand much competition) and con- 

 sists mostly of head ; will strike at anything in the bait 

 line, much to the disgust of muskellunge and bass 

 fishermen, and is generally known as a pest of the 

 first class. 



The western pickerel (Esox vermiculatur) seldom 

 exceeds a foot in length, and is common in the upper 

 and middle Mississippi valleys and the Great Lakes 

 region and in streams tributary to lakes Michigan and 

 Erie. It prefers weedy, sluggish waters ,and because 

 of its small size is not of much importance. 



The eastern pickerel (Esox reticulatur) sometimes 

 called green pike and chain pickerel, is found in all 

 the states east of the Alleghenies. It resembles the 

 pike in general appearance, although it seldom if ever 

 reaches over eight pounds in weight. Its color is 

 greenish, with a golden lustre on the sides and with 

 lighter underparts. The markings on the sides form 

 a chain-like network. There is a dark spot below the 

 eye. In some parts of its range it is a game fish of 

 considerable importance. 



The banded pickerel (Esox Americanus) is found 

 in nearly all of the streams east of the Alleghenies, 

 but is of small imoortance to the angler. 



