CHAPTER VI. 



HABITS OF THE BLACK BASS. 



"* * * they mutually labor, both the spawner and the melter, to cover their 

 spawn with sand, or, watch it, or hide it in some secret place, unfrequented 

 by vermin or by any fish but themselves." IZAAK WALTON. 



SPAWNING AND HATCHING. 



BLACK BASS are very prolific, the females yielding fully 

 one-fourth of their weight in spawn. The period of spawn- 

 ing extends from early Spring to Midsummer, according 

 to the section of country, and temperature of the water 

 and without regard to species ; in the Southern States oc- 

 curring as early as March, and in the Northern States and 

 Canada, from the middle of May until the middle of July, 

 always earlier in very shallow waters, and somewhat later 

 in those of great depth. 



In Waukesha County, Wisconsin, I have observed a 

 diiference of from one to four weeks in the time of spawn- 

 ing, in the numerous lakes of that locality, owing to the 

 difference in temperature of said lakes, caused by their 

 varying depths. 



The Bass leave their Winter quarters in deep water 

 about a month or six weeks previous to the spawning 

 season, at which times they can be seen running up streams 

 and in the shallow portions of lakes, in great numbers. 

 Soon afterwards, the males and females pair off and pre- 

 pare for breeding. 



They select suitable spots for their nests, usually upon a 

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