BROOK TROUT 



trout of over eleven pounds was taken from it, taken, 

 too, without regard to the ethics of fair angling ; and 

 it is more than suspected that even a larger trout was 

 taken from the inlet stream at the spawning season, a 

 trout of thirteen pounds and three ounces. Here are 

 other conditions to be considered. After a pond is 

 stocked with fish, and well stocked, water, food, and 

 temperature all being suitable, what rules can be en- 

 forced to insure that the pond will be fished with mod- 

 eration in season and not at all out of season ? But 

 that is a matter for the lawmakers, game-protectors, 

 and the consciences of the anglers, rather than for the 

 fish-breeder; therefore, let us consider a little further 

 the question of temperature of water suitable for trout. 

 Waters that already contain trout that do well in them 

 can be planted, as the fact that trout thrive in them is 

 ■prima facie evidence that the waters are suitable for the 

 fish. In extending the range of trout, or in planting 

 streams that have been fished out, and in which the 

 conditions may have changed, it is safe to plant in wa- 

 ters that never exceed a summer temperature of 70° F. 

 Rainbow and brown trout still thrive in waters of 

 higher temperature than are suitable for brook trout, 

 and brook trout will live in well aerated water above 

 70° ; at the same time water of 70.5° has killed both 

 brook and brown trout, probably because it lacked 

 vigor, which comes from force and aeration. Trout 

 grow little, if any, when in water below 40°, and to be 

 at their best they must have, during a portion of the 



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