364 REPORT OF THE 



boat was rowed only fast enough to keep the tackle in shape, the spoon being kept 

 only a short distance under water. 



Later in the season it was stated minnows would be used. The "chub" {Scmo- 

 tilns atroinaculatus) is the minnow most used early in the fall, but later, when the 

 water becomes colder, the " shiner " {Notropis corinitus) is regarded as the better 

 bait. The " cisco " {Notropis /uidsoiiiiis) is also an excellent muskallunge bait, and 

 is said to constitute a considerable part of the regular food of that fish. 



The 4-pound example upon which the above color description Avas based had 

 been feeding upon yellow perch, and one small example of that species was found 

 in its mouth. As a matter of fact, the muskallunge will • doubtless feed upon 

 almost any species of fish found in the lake. 



As a food-fish the muskallunge is a superior fish. Dr. Kirtland says that " epi- 

 cures consider it one of the best fishes of the West," and Mr. J. L. Beaman affirms 

 that " as a food-fish there is nothing superior to it. It ranks with the salmon and 

 speckled trout, and surpasses the black and striped bass. The meat is almost as 

 white as snow, fine-grained, nicely laminated, and the flavor is perfect." 



The quality of the meat seems to improve upon keeping. We ate choice pieces, 

 that were fried, of an 8-pound muskallunge the day it was caught and found the 

 meat white and flaky, but dry and with little or no flavor. Three days later we ate 

 again of the same fish and found the meat decidedly more juicy and with a very 

 pleasant flavor. 



The muskallunge is as voracious as the pike,' and 80 pounds of muskallunge rep- 

 resent several tons of minnows, whitefish and the like. It is not a common fish ; 

 its great size and voracity perhaps account for this. As Charles Hallock has said 

 the muskallunge " is a long, slim, strong, and swift fish, in every way formed for 

 the life it leads, that of a fierce and dauntless marauder." 



21. Labidesthes sicculus (Cope). Brook Silverside ; Skipjack. — Only 2 or 3 

 specimens of this interesting species were obtained, but it is doubtless abundant in 

 the lake. It is a small, nearly transparent fish, usually swimming in large schools at 

 the surface. 



At Lake Chautauqua we were assured that these fish were young muskallunge ! 



22. Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque). " RocK Bass ; " Red-EVE ; Goggle- 

 EYE. — The rock bass is an abundant and well-known fish at this lake. On 

 September 26 a number were taken with line and hook baited with grasshoppers off 

 the piers at Mayville. All seen were small, none of them exceeding 3 or 4 ounces 

 in weight. 



