CHAPTER X. 



THE WHITE LAKE BASSE 



Labrax Jllbidus. 



THIS is another species of the universal perch family, and is 

 found in many of the lakes in the northern part of the State of 

 New York. At Buffalo they are called the white basse. They 

 do not partake of all the vigorous qualities of the black basse, 

 neither do they attain to so great a size, but are, nevertheless, a 

 very active game fish, and well worth the angler's patience and 

 perseverance. A northern friend says: 



" The white basse of the western lakes is a very fine fish, 

 and gives good sport in the taking. They resemble in shape 

 the white perch of the Hudson River, but are much larger, 

 weighing from one to three and a half pounds. In color they 

 are a blackish white on the back, and white on the sides and 

 belly, with a few dark, parallel, narrow streaks along the sides. 

 The live minnow is an excellent bait for them, but should be 

 of smaller size than for their black brethren, as they are not so 

 well provided for, in the way of gape. They are a shy fish, 

 and very lively on the hook. Their season corresponds with 

 that for taking the black basse. They run in schools, and you 

 may sometimes take a dozen in half an hour." 



