HOW PIKE PERCH ARE CAUGHT 157 



HOWS is also a favorite method of fishing for pike 

 perch. As they are usually found in water ranging 

 from 12 to 40 or 50 feet, deep trolling must occa- 

 sionally be done. On a hard, clean bottom, still fish- 

 ing with minnows or angleworms is often successful. 

 In the early summer these fish are taken on river rifts 

 in 5 or 6 feet of water by allowing the bait to drift 

 down with the current from above, a sinker being 

 used, with minnows for bait. Pike perch rarely rise 

 to a fly. They are a particularly gamy, hard-fighting 

 fish, and afford excellent sport. In taking them from 

 the hook great care should be exercised, as their teeth 

 are very sharp and liable to lacerate the fingers badly. 

 The dorsal fin is composed of very sharp bristling 

 spines that must be avoided as well. 



Hook disgorger. 



Muskallunge, pike, and pickerel also have particu- 

 larly sharp teeth, and usually are hooked well back 

 in the mouth ; a hook disgorger is therefore a good 

 thing to carry in the tackle box. 



