422 NATURAL niSTOEY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS 



tance. They are brought over from Canada to a great extent, but tbe bulk that is shipped from 

 Cape Yincent is caught in American waters. They are common everywhere. At Chaumont they 

 rank first in commercial importance. The largest runs occur in the bay in early spring. Pike do 

 not come as near shore as formerly. At Sacket's Harbor they rank first in importance, and arc 

 caught in the spring as soon as the ice is out, and In fall till winter sets in. During the winter 

 they are brought from Canada. It is thought that they have increased since the alewives came 

 here, and that the average weight now is one-third greater than ten years ago. 



It is said that Yellow Pike, Stizostedium vitreum, can be confined in a small pond much more 

 successfully than most species. They are said to prefer the vicinity of river mouths, and not to 

 go far out into the lakes. 



The following facts concerning the abundance of the Blue Pike, identified as Stizostedium 

 vitreum var. salmoneum, in the region of the Great Lakes, were gathered by Mr. Kumlien : 



In the fishing grounds of the west end of Lake Erie '-Blue Pickerel" are known only as rare 

 stragglers. In the vicinity of Toledo and Maumee Bay Blue Pike are very seldom seen. At some 

 of the principal fisheries not more than one in a year is taken. This fish is generally not recognized 

 by the local fishermen. On the south coast also, at Port Clinton and Locust Point, this fish is a 

 great rarity, and only appears as a straggler. It is of no importance whatever. 



About Upper and Lower Sandusky Bay, and all the fishing grounds between Ottawa City and 

 Catawba Island to the Huron fisheries, the Blue Pike are abundant from May till June 5, the 

 largest runs occurring from the 20th of May until June. They rank in this region about fifth in 

 importance. They are sold fresh, frozen and salted, about half the catch being salted and sold as 

 "Medium Pickerel." It is somewhat improbable that individuals exceed one and a half or two 

 pounds in weight. They are less abundant around the islands, among which may be named Spit 

 Island, Mouse Island, North Bass Island, Middle Bass Island, and Kelley's Island. The "Gray," 

 " Yellow," and "Blue" Pike grade into each other in this locality in such a manner that it is hard 

 to draw the limiting line. Mr. Kumlien thinks that aU of these represented as "Gray" and some 

 "Blue" were S. vitreum^ but that the bulk of those called "Blue" are readily distinguishable from 

 S. vitreum. 



In the Huron (Ohio) fisheries Blue Pike are extraordinarily abundant, in fact too much so. 

 Such quantities are sometimes caught that not one-quarter can be made use of. The largest runs 

 come on late when the market is already full, consequently a very low price is realized for them. 

 A few are taken in early spring, as soon as the fishing begins, but the bulk are caught from the 

 12th to the 20th of May. As high as one hundred and fifty tons have been brought to Huron in 

 a day. They are largely salted. The average weight is about a pound, though some are taken in 

 early spring weighing ten to fifteen pounds. The direction of the movement made by the Blue 

 Pike is supposed to be easterly in the spring, when they start from the vicinity of the islands, 

 returning (westward) in the fall. Between Cedar Point (east side eutrance to Sandusky Bay) and 

 Black Eiver they occur in greater numbers than at any other point in Lake Erie. Some are caught 

 in autumn, but the- catch then is nothing as compared with that of late spring. 



At Yermillion, Ohio, the Blue Pike are more abundant than any other species, and rank second 

 in importance. They are taken as soon as the fishing commences, but from the 24th of May till 

 June 1 to 6 they come in such myriads that it is impossible to take care of them, and tons upon tons 

 are let out of the nets. The average weight is about a pound, but specimens weighing as high as 

 fifteen pounds are said to be taken early in spring among the spawning Yellow Pike. This fish was 

 formerly graded as "hard," but of late years they have been classed "soft," principally on account 

 of their numbers, but also because iu flavor they are far inferior to the Yellow Pike. They come into 



