508 ‘ AMERICAN FISHES. 
The fresh-water smelt is probably as abundant in most places as in 
former years. This is probably due to the fact that there is no great draught 
upon its numbers. The principal fishing is through the ice for local con- 
sumption. The fish are taken in some localities by “dipping” as they 
ascend streams to spawn, but though at times a good many are caught, the 
number is relatively small. 
In addition to the naturally acclimatized fresh-water Smelt, introduction 
of the species into other lakes and ponds of Maine has been effected in 
late years. Their introduction into several such bodies of water has had a 
remarkable effect on the Trout or Chars previously living therein, or newly 
introduced ones. The editor is again indebted to Mr. Kendall for recent 
information about such introductions. 
Smelts have been propagated by the Maine State Fish Commission and 
introduced into a number of lakes in the State where they did not exist 
before. This was to afford food for introduced Salmon. 
In 1891, Smelts were introduced into Rangeley Lakes, where they have 
multiplied excessively. I do not know whether there have been subsequent 
plants or not. On one or more occasions they have died in great numbers 
and were washed up on the shore in windrows, creating such a stench that 
it was very annoying to the hotels and camps. ‘This is supposed to have 
been due to starvation. 
The majority of the Rangeley Smelts that died seem to have been about 
three or four inches long. Large fish have been seen in the Lakes, however. 
In former years the Blue-back Trout (Sa/velinus oguassa) abounded in 
the two upper Rangeley Lakes, ascending in spawning time Kennebago 
Stream and other tributaries. At this time they rarely reached a greater 
length than eight or nine inches, or a weight of over one-fourth pound. 
At the spawning time, they were excessively fished, so that in late years 
laws were passed prohibiting their capture at all at this season. For the 
past two or three years the State commission has been endeavoring to 
obtain some “ Blue-back ” eggs, but without success. Few or none ascend 
their old accustomed streams. Anglers now and then, however, catch 
what seem to be “Blue-backs ;” they weigh as high as two and one-half 
pounds. This increase in size is ascribed to the abundance of Smelts. 
The product of the Smelt-fishery in 1899, so far as the fishes were taken 
to market and reported, was estimated to weigh 2,100,000 pounds, and 
was Officially valued at $138,000. 
The true Smelt of California (Osmerus thaleichthys) is very different from 
