152 FAMILIAR PISH, THEIR HABITS AND CAPTURE 



ended for several months. This is an error, as they 

 overlook the health-giving sport of fishing throngh 

 the ice. In almost all States having a close season 

 on pike, pickerel, and pike perch, fishing for them 

 through the ice is allowed generally until March 1st 

 — that is, in waters not containing trout of any kind. 

 In waters containing them, such fishing is usually 

 absolutely forbidden by law. This fishing is done 

 in two ways, one of which is to have a small shanty 

 on runners that is drawn over the ice to a good fish- 

 ing point, and banked up tightly with snow to ex- 

 clude the light. The windows are covered with 

 board shutters for the same purpose, so that when a 

 trap in the floor is opened and a hole cut through the 

 ice, the fisherman, being in the dark, can see to a 

 great depth, ample light coming through the ice on 

 all sides. A small stove makes the interior comfort- 

 able. With a hand line, good bait, and a sufficiency 

 of patience, success comes in the end ; if not, the 

 shanty can be quickly moved to another location. 

 This is certainly a most comfortable and lazy method 

 of fishing. 



The better plan — one that affords spoi-t, exercise, 

 and an opportunity to feel the benefits of the bracing 

 winter air — is to fisli with tip-ups. The varieties of 

 these used in different localities are innumerable, but 

 all are built on the same princi])k's, for use either 



