lo Bass, Pike, and Perch 



length of from three to six inches in the fall. 

 Thereafter they increase a pound a year under 

 the most favorable conditions, until the maximum 

 weight is attained, which is about five pounds. 

 In some instances, however, they have reached a 

 weight of seven or even ten pounds, where the 

 environment has been unusually favorable; not- 

 ably in Glen Lake, near Glens Falls, New York, 

 where a half-dozen or more have been taken 

 weighing from eight to ten pounds. One of ten 

 pounds was twenty-five and one-half inches long 

 and nineteen inches in girth. 



As a game-fish the black-bass has come into 

 his inheritance. As the French say, he has ar- 

 rived. With the special tools and tackle now 

 furnished for his capture, he has proved my apho- 

 rism, " Inch for inch, and pound for pound, he 

 is the gamest fish that swims." When I ventured 

 this opinion twenty-five years ago, there were no 

 special articles made for his capture except the 

 Kentucky reel and the McGinnis rod, twelve feet 

 long and fifteen ounces in weight. In awarding 

 the palm as a game-fish to the black-bass, I do so 

 advisedly, in the light of ample experience with 

 all other game-fishes, and without prejudice, for I 

 have an innate love and admiration for all, from 



