90 Book of the Black Bass. 



in different sections — in the north being from July till 

 October; in the west and most northerly of the southern 

 states in the spring and fall; and in the extreme south 

 during the winter season — would naturally lead one to 

 suppose that the period of dormancy in the black bass oc- 

 curs at different seasons in different localities, and is in- 

 fluenced by climatic conditions, or the supply of food. 



But, notwithstanding the evidence heretofore adduced 

 in support of this fact, the occasional catching of a black 

 bass during the winter season, in the north and west, is 

 sometimes heralded as a proof that former observers have 

 been mistaken, and that these fishes, or at least the large- 

 mouth bass, do not hibernate. 



Perhaps the term hibernation is not well understood, 

 which may account for this hasty and erroneous conclu- 

 sion. Hibernation does not necessarily imply, as supposed 

 by some, a state of complete torpidity or profound sleep 

 during the entire winter. To hibernate, according to 

 Webster, is " to pass the season of winter in close quarters, 

 or in seclusion;" and that is just what the black bass of 

 both species do, in northern and western waters, as every 

 one who has given the subject any intelligent investiga- 

 tion is prepared to admit. 



When the temperature falls as low as 50°, the bass of 

 running streams retire to the deepest holes, in the neigh- 

 borhood of shelving rocks, if possible, under which they 

 seclude themselves and remain in a listless condition. So 

 also, in lakes or ponds, they leave their accustomed haunts, 

 and retire to the deepest places, near bottom springs, 

 masses of weeds, moss, etc. After a few days of warm or 

 mild weather, especially if the temperature goes above 50°, 

 they will venture out into water of somewhat less depth, 

 when they may be induced to take a bait in a half-hearted 



