Great Lakes Trout ; Mackinaw Trout 



In addition to the vernacular names already mentioned this 

 fish is known by still others in different parts of its range. In 

 Vermont it is called "longe," in Maine it is the "togue," while among 

 the Canadian Indians it is the " namaycush " or " masamacush." 



It is the largest of all the trouts, reaching a length of several feet 

 and a weight of 60 to 125 pounds. The average weight probably 

 does not exceed 15 or 20 pounds. 



In the Great Lakes it is exceeded in weight only by the 

 lake sturgeon. 



The lake trout is omnivorous in its feeding habits and possesses 

 a ravenous appetite. It greedily devours all kinds of fishes possessing 

 soft fins, and it is said that jack-knives, corncobs and other equally 

 indigestible articles have been found in its stomach. 



The eggs and fry of the lake trout suffer from the same enemies 

 as the young of other fishes, but the mature fish are entirely too 

 formidable for other species to prey upon. They are not often 

 troubled with parasites. Occasionally individuals, very thin in flesh 

 and sickly-looking, known as "racers" by fishermen are found 

 swimming near the surface; no sufficient cause has been discovered 

 for this condition, as they are no more afflicted with parasites than 

 healthy fish. 



The lake trout fisheries of the Great Lakes are exceeded in 

 commercial importance only by those of the whitefish. At one time 

 the trout was so abundant that it did not command a price at all 

 commensurate with its edible qualities, but as the catches decreased 

 the price went up, until in 1886 it equalled that of its more delicate 

 rival. In that year the artificial propagation of the lake trout was 

 begun by the Federal and certain State governments. The output 

 of the hatcheries increased gradually until, in 1895, that of the 

 Government hatchery at Northville alone amounted to over 

 11,000,000 eggs; and the species had become so abundant in the 

 lakes in 1896 that the fishing boats ceased operations, the market 

 being glutted, and the price obtainable not justifying the labour 

 involved. 



The method of capturing the lake trout is by gillnets, pound- 

 nets, hook and line, and, in winter, by spearing through the ice. 



The majority, however, are taken by means of gillnets operated 

 by steam tugs. Some of these tugs carry 5 or 6 miles of nets and 

 catch in one lift from 1,000 pounds to 4 or 5 tons of trout. 



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