ANGLING FOR OTHER FRESH- WATER FISH 163 



more frequently as " ling," " lawyer," or " cusk," is a 

 cold-water or Northern fish. Like carp and bull- 

 heads, it is especially a bottom fish. It can not be 

 successfully fished for with bait exclusively, except in 

 some specially confined waters, where it is known to 

 be plentiful. Similar to the sheepshead, it is occa- 

 sionally taken with minnows, when fishing deep down 

 for other fisk. More frequently it is caught when 

 fishing for bullheads at night, and upon set lines 

 placed after dark. In many lakes, where burbot are 

 plentiful, great sport may be had in catching them 

 through the ice. Minnows should be used for bait. 

 In 20 or 30 feet of water, over soft bottoms, they 

 will be readily taken, if the bait is close to the mud. 

 They are savage, hard fighters when hooked, and 

 considerable effort is required to bring them up to 

 and through the hole in the ice. They should be 

 killed at once with a blow on the head, as the hook 

 can be more easily removed, and they are prevented 

 from squirming about, which they can do for a long 

 time. 



