Hibernation. 91 



manner, while the mild weather lasts ; but, on the approach 

 of a cold snap they again retire to the deepest water. 

 When the temperature rises above 50° — say to 55° — and 

 does not fall below again, they leave their winter quarters 

 for that season. 



From personal observation I am pretty familiar with the 

 habits of both species of black bass, at all seasons of the 

 year, in all sections, except in the New England states, 

 and T am convinced that, with the exception of those in 

 the Gulf states, both species of black bass hibernate in a 

 greater or less degree, according to the temperature of 

 the waters. 



The small-mouth bass of western Lake Erie hibernate 

 under the ledges and cavernous reefs about the Bass 

 Islands. In the spring, after the first fine weather in 

 April or May, when emerging from their winter quarters, 

 they linger on the reefs and bite ravenously for a week or 

 two, or may be two or three weeks, until the weather be- 

 comes still warmer, when they cease biting suddenly and 

 depart toward their spawning grounds, wherever that may 

 be, for they certainly do not spawn in the deep water on 

 the reefs. 



After the cold northeast storms in September they again 

 congregate on the reefs, preparatory to going into winter 

 quarters, and bite until cold weather sets in, when they 

 disappear under the ledges and reefs. A few stragglers, 

 however, remain during the summer and spawn in the 

 coves about the islands, but the main army seek other 

 grounds more suitable for procreation, and where the food 

 for the voung bass is more plentiful. 



