REPORT ON THE INQUIRY RESPECTING FOOD-FISHES AND 
THE FISHING-GROUNDS. 
By HuGu M. Smitu, Assistant in Charge. 
RIVER AND LAKE FISHES OF MAINE. 
The fresh-water inquiries in Maine, referred to in previous reports, 
were continued in 1900 by Dr. William C. Kendall. In the latter 
part of the summer and early fall the Sebago Lake region was visited, 
principally with a view to obtain further data on the spawning of 
the native salmon (Salmo sebago). It was observed that there are 
distinet spring and fall runs of these fish into the streams for feeding 
and breeding purposes respectively. The spring salmon enter the 
streams in pursuit of smelts, and at that time will take the hook. They 
return to the lake with the downward movement of smelts. The fall 
fish very seldom bite. These facts suggest an explanation of similar 
habits inthesea salmon. Theearlyseasalmon take the hook, while fall 
salmon seldom, if ever, do. It is quite possible that the early run is f or 
feeding purposes. The fact that food is seldom found in the stomachs 
is not proof that the salmon do not feed, for after confinement in traps 
or when caught in gill nets they naturally get rid of their stomach 
contents, perhaps by disgorging, but more likely by digestion. 
Some interesting notes were obtained on the habits of fresh-water 
smelt in Sebago and Little Sebago lakes. Later Lake Auburn was 
visited and a collection of the native fishes was made. Here Hon. 
H. O. Stanley, one of the State fish commissioners, rendered assistance 
in various ways. A short trip was made to the Rangeley Lakes, in 
order, if possible, to study and collect the blueback trout (Salvelinus 
oquassa), but only one specimen was obtained. The fish have become 
scarce almost to extinction, but in the last ten years they seem to have 
changed their habits to some extent and have increased in size.  For- 
merly a fish 10 inches long was the largest, and a weight of one-fourth 
of a pound was probably the heaviest. The specimens now caught on 
fly or spoon, or by bait-fishing at the bottom, weigh as much as 23 
pounds ‘This increase in size is ascribed to the abundance of smelts, 
the result of the plants made about 1891. 
Sebec Lake, one of the original landlocked-salmon lakes, was also 
visited. It was learned that there the salmon had the same migratory 
habits as the Sebago fish. From there Dr. Kendall went to Mataga- 
mon or Grand Lake, near the headwaters of the east branch of the 
Penobscot. A few years agoa gentleman from New York ealled at 
the Fish Commission Office in Washington to ascertain the identity 
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