RANGELEY LAKES, MAINE: FISHES, ANGLING, AND FISH CULTURE. 



569 



these data the following table was formed, which aims to give a comparison between the 

 years of synchronous numerical records and the statements of opinion regarding the 

 quality of fishing. 



Table 9. — Comparison op Years of High and Low Records with Published Statement Regard- 

 ing THE Quality op Fishing in Each Year. 



In only 3 out of 18 years did the allegations regarding decline conform to the 

 records, and on one of these there was a statement to the contrary. In four years, 

 also, there were complaints respecting decline when the records were high, and in one 

 of these, while a decline was admitted, the fishing was said to be still good, in another 

 that there were individual good catches, and in another there was a contrastatement 

 to the effect that the fishing had not declined. 



In seven years of low records there were statements to the effect that fishing was 

 good and no contrary allegation seems to have been made. In four years, besides 

 those of contradictory statements, there were reports of improved fishing conforming 

 to the records in the respective years. 



From the foregoing it would seem that the allegations regarding decline were based 

 largely upon variable individual experiences and seasonal variation. However, since 

 at times competent anglers had grounds for complaint, a relative decline, at least, is 

 indicated. As the term "quality of fishing" is but an expression referring to public 

 angling opinion, a relative decline practically amounts to an actual decline so far as 

 the public opinion is concerned. That there was such a decline is indicated to some 

 extent by the records. 



Number and size of trout. — The question of the alleged decrease in the number of 

 trout in the Rangeley Lakes can not be positively settled by figures. The records of 

 the catches of early and recent years afford unsatisfactory comparison for the reason that 

 informer years they were more or less unauthentic and mainly of the large fish. Later, 

 as camps and hotels with increased patronage appeared along the whole chain, more 

 complete records were kept and many of them published in sportsmen's journals. 

 However, these records by no means showed the actual numbers caught, and the fluc- 

 tuations in the annual records were doubtless, partly at least, due to irregularity of 

 publication, yet the number of fish caught probably affected publication, so that in 

 some degree there is thus afforded an index to the conditions. 



Again, in respect to the average size of the fish, it is difficult, from the records, 

 to arrive at a definite conclusion due to the fact that in many of the years only small 

 numbers of large fish were recorded and in others, while the standard of lowest limit 

 was 2 pounds, often those of smaller size were admitted. Some indication is afforded, 

 however, by using the figures pertaining to standard fish only. But as respects both 

 the number and average weights of the fish, there enters the indeterminate factor of 



