18 TIME FOR FISHING PERCH. 



of beautiful scarlet color. The White Perch has 

 double nostrils and minute teeth. Its general color 

 is whitish, with a dark hue pale back and white 

 sides eyes large and pale. Its length is usually 

 about eight inches. Black or Red Perch are so called 

 from the different appearance of the fish at different 

 times. Just previous to the breeding season it is of 

 a dark red tinge. After getting entirely through 

 spawning it becomes so dark that the red nearly dis- 

 appears. Its tail is slightly forked, and its jaws are 

 set with fine sharp teeth. In the Western States this 

 fish grows to the length of two feet, and is known as 

 the Brown Bass. They are an excellent fish for 

 eating and are easily taken. The perch is a bold 

 and ravenous fish, and fears neither the pike, the 

 bass, or any other enemies of the small fry. He is 

 sometimes eaten by them, but very seldom, in con- 

 sequence of his back fin being large and armed \ith 

 bristling points. 



Perch are taken at all seasons of the year, but are 

 in the best condition for the table in April, ]Y!ay, 

 June and July. They spawn in March, are ^ery 

 slow in growth, but multiply exceedingly fast. The 

 best time to fish for them is in the morning More 

 ten o'clock, and late in the afternoon. Perch leing 

 sociable fish, usually move together in numbers and 

 these are generally of a nearly similar size. If, 

 therefore, you catch one in a particular hole it is 

 your own fault if you do not get a good striig of 

 them from the same place. 



