THE PIKE. 



Pike spawn in March or early in April, and are out of season 

 for three or four weeks thereafter, during which time they lie 

 in a torpid state and refuse to bite. But they ought never to 

 be angled for at that period as they are then unwholesome and 

 unfit for food. While Pike are in this weak and listless 

 c.ondition great numbers of them, I am sorry to say, are killed 

 by the net, snare, and gun — a practice which cannot be suffi- 

 ciently deprecated, and which no Angler could be guilty of in- 

 dulging in. If I had the power I would pass an enactment 

 to prevent fishing for Pike in rivers in March, April, and May, ' 

 and in stagnant waters in these months and June. Pike in still 

 waters, such as lakes and ponds, take a longer time to recover 

 from the exhausting efiects of spawning, and it is on that ac- 

 count that I would give them a month's longer rest than I 

 would such as can frequent streams. But, in fact. Pike caught 

 in ponds are not at any time in good condition. If Pike caught 

 in ponds could speak, I fancy they would address the owners 

 somewhat in this fashion : — " It is cruel of you, gentlemen, to 

 keep us continually prisoners in this abominable stagnant water, 

 when thousands of our fellow fish are enjoying themselves in 

 the pleasant streams. We have scarce anything to eat, and 

 only the same dirty muddy water to drink over and over again ; 

 and, of course, we get long and thin, and lose our flavour. 

 Then the Angler comes, and when we are caught we are abused 



B 



