The Pike Family 155 



in eastern waters. The characteristics of fin rays, 

 scales, and squamation of cheeks and gill-covers 

 apply equally to both species. 



The ground color is dark green ; belly white ; 

 sides with about twenty distinct, blackish, curved, 

 vertical bars, often obscurely marked, but not 

 distinctly reticulated. There is a black vertical 

 bar below the eye, and a horizontal band extend- 

 ing from the snout, through the eye, to the gill- 

 cover. The lower fins are often quite red. I 

 have collected it on the east coast of Florida of a 

 beautiful emerald-green coloration, without dis- 

 tinct dark markings, and with orange-colored 

 lower fins — a most beautiful fish. 



Although an interesting little fish, it is of no 

 importance to anglers and is merely mentioned 

 here, with the little western pickerel, to enable 

 the reader to identify the different members of 

 the pike family. It spawns early in the spring. 

 It seldom grows beyond a foot in length, and is 

 usually much smaller. Fishing for it is on the 

 same plane with sunfishing, and the lightest 

 tackle should be employed. 



