4 FAMILIAR FISH, THBIR HABITS AND CAPTURE 



catch fish. Just remember that there are many other 

 fishermen to follow you in the years to come. They 

 will be equally enthusiastic anglers, and equally desir- 

 ous of success. Why not leave some fish for them, 

 and for yourself another day as well ? Avoid willful, 

 useless slaughter of any kind. 



Too much can not be said against the violation of 

 the game laws — the taking of fish out of season. It 

 is not only an illegal offense, punishable by heavy 

 penalties, but, what is far more important, it pre- 

 vents their natural increase, which is most necessary. 

 Close seasons were made to protect certain fish dur- 

 ing their spawning time, when they are easily taken, 

 especially in the vicinity of the hatching beds. Each 

 fish so caught means the loss of hundreds and thou- 

 sands of young fish about to be hatched out. It is 

 not necessary to caution a good sportsman in regard 

 to this matter, but it is necessary for all to co-operate 

 and prevent others from violating the law. Protect 

 all game and food fish in every way possible. 



A few words of caution against carelessness may 

 be spoken here, especially to young anglers. Acci- 

 dents are to be attributed almost entirely to this 

 cause. As the greater amount of fishing is done 

 from a 1)out, constant watchfulness should always be 

 practiced. Avoid haste and dangerous places. It is 

 better to lose a fish, or a day's fishiui;-, or even to walk 



