GREAT LAKES COREGONIDS 



509 



like the Erie bluebacks, except that, on the average, they probably have somewhat 

 longer paired fins. 



Size variations. — Very few small herring have been examined, and these are from 

 varied situations in the lake, so that nothing can be stated conclusively about the 

 changes with growth; but a comparison of the characters in Tables 8 to 11 for large 

 and small individuals indicates, as is to be expected, that the head and eye are larger, 

 relatively, and the paired fins longer in the small individuals. Other data indicate 

 that the maxillary and snout are relatively somewhat longer in small fish and the body 

 depth less. Ranges of values for the characters follow: 



Pv/P: 



Large fish, (1.7) 1.9-2.1 (2.5). 

 Small fish, (1.6) 1.8-2 (2.2). 

 Av/V: 



Large fish, (1.3) 1.5-1.8 (2). 

 Small fish, (1.2) 1.4-1.6 (1.7). 

 L/D: 



Large fish, (2.9) 3.6-4.3 (5). 

 Small fish, (3.4) 3.7-4.4 (4.8). 



L/H: 



Large fish, (3.7) 4.3-4.7 (5). 

 Small fish, (3.9) 4.1-4.4 (4.6). 

 H/E: 



Large fish, (3.9) 4.1-4.4 (4.9). 

 Small fish, (3.8) 4-4.2 (4.4). 

 H/M: 



Large fish, (2.5) 2.7-2.9 (3.3). 

 Small fish, (2.5) 2.6-2.8 (3). 



H/S: 



Large fish, (3.4) 3.7-4 (4.5). 

 Small fish, (3.6) 3.8-3.9 (4.2). 



All the specimens collected, even the smallest one of 155 millimeters, were 

 sexually mature. 



COMPARISONS 



A discussion of the differences between artedi and the other species of Leucichthys, 

 except nigripinnis, occurring in Lake Ontario is given under the heading "Compari- 

 sons" in the accounts of these species. 



From nigripinnis the species probably was distinguished chiefly by the more 

 elliptical outline of the body, as seen from the side, by its firmer and drier flesh, and 

 by its shorter maxillary, snout, and paired fins. Nigripinnis spawned a month 

 later, also. 



GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 



Herring occur throughout the lake, though only in a few localities are they 

 abundant enough to be commercially important. The largest catches are made in 

 the deep water at the western end of the lake and in shallow water at the east end, 

 from the Bay of Quinte region to as far west as Sodus Point on the New York shore. 

 They occur in the eastern waters in relatively deep water during the summer and 

 are fished for to some extent. Specimens have been collected at many ports. The data 

 for these are given in Table 77 and are shown platted on the chart in Figure 7. 



METHODS OF CAPTURE 



Virtually all of the herring in the Canadian waters are taken with gill nets. 

 These nets have been of 23^-incb mesh in the western waters and of 3-inch mesh 

 elsewhere. In New York waters gill nets, which must be of 3-inch mesh, are employed 

 widely, exclusively when the fish are off the shore; but when the fish come ashore to 

 spawn, especially in Chaumont Bay and Sodus Bay, they are taken largely by trap 

 nets. These nets may be floated even at that season. 



