48 FAMILIAR FISH, THEIR HABITS AND CAPTURE 



month by many pounds. There 5 to 8 pounds are 

 far from being uncommon, and 10 to 20 pounds, and 

 a trifle over, have been occasionally caught. Those 

 taken in northern waters will range from 2 to 5 

 pounds. The largest small-mouth bass of which there 

 is any record weighed 10 and 11 pounds, and only 

 one 13 pounds — all taken in New York State. The 

 average usually caught are from 2 to 4 pounds, with 

 an occasional fish of 5 or (i pounds. Their size and 

 weight seem to depend upon the quality and quantity 

 of food ; when both are right they are a very fast- 

 growing fish. 



As stated in the chapter on hatching, black bass 

 are very difficult to propagate artificially, and even 

 when the young -fish are separated from the adults, 

 the stronger devour the weaker. Fortunately, Na- 

 ture seems to raise large numbers, and it can scarcely 

 be questioned that the bass is one of the most numer- 

 ous of the game fish found in our waters to-day. 

 They rapidly destroy and drive out all kinds of trout, 

 so that great care should be taken not to plant any 

 in trout-inhabited waters. 



l^ext in importance of the bass family is the 

 calico, or strawberry bass. This variety is found 

 in practically the same waters as the black bass, 

 but not quite so far south. It is generally believed 

 that they can not live in as warm ^\'aters. They are 



