144 PIKE AND OTHER COARSE FISH. 



existing under such opposite extremes of diet throws an addi- 

 tional difficulty in the way of drawing, from the growth rate in 

 stews (where only it can be conveniently tested), a correct 

 deduction as regards that in ordinary waters, as we are deprived 

 of the means of gauging the amount of food really required. 



Of one point, however, I have fully satisfied myself, viz. 

 that during the first year the maximum growth, in open water, 

 does not much exceed half a pound. The grounds for this 

 conclusion are briefly as fqllows : — Pike spawn in March or 

 April ; in June, when pike-fishing properly commences, I have 

 not unfrequently taken, and seen taken, with the net, small 

 jack of about an ounce, or a little more, in weight ; in September, 

 again, I have, with a minnow, constantly taken them of three or 

 four ounces ; and in January and February specimens of from 

 five to seven ounces ; whilst I have never, within my memory, 

 caught the smaller sized fish at the later periods, or vice versd, 

 thus pointing closely to the inference that at these seasons 

 there were young jack of these respective sizes, and none others — ' 

 m other words, that the different sizes represented the different 

 stages of growth. These I believe to be the fish of about | lb. 

 of the following season. 



With regard, however, to the growth rate of pike in open 

 waters doctors again differ, and it has been by various authors 

 estimated variously at from i lb. to 5 lbs. a year. My own 

 experience as to pike growth — I am not now speaking of the 

 growth during the first year— leads me to believe that the 

 above wide divergency of opinion is very likely not so far from 

 being justified by facts as might be supposed, and that the 

 growth rate of pike in open waters is susceptible of very great 

 variation, depending upon the nature of the water and other 

 circumstances, but principally upon the amount of food sup- 

 plied to them. 



The following correspondence took place on this subject in 

 the Field some years ago, and as the experience of the writers 

 is personal and apparently trustworthy, the letters may probably 

 be of interest ; 



