THE WHITE BASS FISHERY OF OHIO. 431 



White Bass are taken in considerable numbers in the small pounds, close inshore; most of the 

 pound-nets are set in water too deep for this fish. Until two years ago they were abundant, and 

 after that time (1878) few were taken until the fall of 1879, when they again appeared in consider- 

 able numbers. The average weight in these localities is about one pound. They are graded as 

 "soft" fish, but have an excellent sale, and if sold separately bring a higher price than soft fish. 

 They are said to spawn close inshore during the latter days of May. Between Black River and 

 Vermillion there are now only three nets set in water shallow enough to take them in abundance. 



At the Cleveland and Dover Bay fisheries White Bass are quite plentiful, much more so than 

 the Black Bass. There is a great difference in the average size in different years, although in those 

 years when they are small they are none the less numerous. The "runs" occur early in spring. 

 They are classed as "soft" fish. At Conneaut and Ash tabula they are considered a rare fish. 

 They do not frequent deep water, and consequently are not taken in the gill-nets. On ihe Lake 

 Erie shore of Lake County, Ohio, White Bass are quite common. About five tons were caught at 

 I'.iinrsvillc in the autumn of 1879. They are generally large fish, and are caught at all seasons 

 during calm weather, but strike for deep water during wind storms. Off Erie, Pennsylvania, Mr. 

 Olds says he has known of the occurrence of one very large school, but they are generally consid- 

 ered quite rare. 



At the principal points on the New York shore of Lake Ontario the occurrence of White Bass 

 is thus noted : At Oswego they are not abundant. They occur principally in the lake, but are also 

 found in the river. At Port Ontario only one or two specimens have been known. At Cape 

 Vincent they are rarely caught, and are of no commercial importance. Those consumed are 

 brought, for the most part, from Canada. At Chaumont a very few are occasionally canght ; the 

 fish here are of no importance. At Sacket's Harbor very few occur. They have slightly increased, 

 rather than the reverse, in abundance. 



144. THE YELLOW BASS ROCCUS INTERRUPTUS. 



This species is. so far as known to us, always known as the Yellow Bass. It is found through- 

 out the lower course of the Mississippi, ascending the tributaries which are deep and sluggish, bnt 

 not running past rapids or into the upper courses of the rivers. Jordan states that its range 

 extends up the Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash or beyond, thoagh it does not seem to be common 

 anywhere except in the Lower Mississippi. It pfobably enters salt water, but of that wo have no 

 certain information. It is taken in considerable numbers in the regions where found, and is graded 

 with the White Bass, which it much resembles in size and color. Little is known in regard to its 

 habits. The criterion by which it may be distinguished from the White Bass is the low membrane 

 connecting the two dorsal fins. Its color is yellow, not silvery, and the black stripes are very 

 prominent. 



146. THE WHITE PERCH-ROCCUS AMERICANUS. 



Next in importance to the Striped Bass is the so-called White Perch, Roccus americanux. This 

 fish occurs in brackish water in the mouths of rivers, and even, in many instances, in fresh-water 

 ponds, where it had become land-locked, and all along the coast from Georgetown, South Carolina, 

 to Nova Scotia. Dr. Yarrow states that it abounds in the Tar and Neuse Rivers, North Carolina. 

 In the Chesapeake and tributary streams it is exceedingly abundant. It also abounds in the 

 lakes and streams of the Saint John River, New Brunswick, and in the vicinity of Halifax, Nova 

 Scotia. It has been claimed by certain observers in Florida that White Perch were formerly 

 abundant in that region, and the market-men of New Orleans state that they were common in Lake 



