X 
1ST. E. N icons, Easton , Maryland. 
1. Have fished at different periods for forty years. Have 
never fished for a livelihood. 
2. In the Great Choptank Eiver. 
3. Have not. Have learned more from practical experi- 
ence than in any other way. 
4. Spawming commences in April, but greater part is done 
in May and early part of Jnne. Shad are most abundant 
from middle of April to first of May in our waters. 
5. Have kept account sometimes. Have not specially ob- 
served the tempe rature of the water, or the range of the winds. 
6. I think there has been a gradual decrease for several 
years, caused by the wholesale and destructive manner of 
fishing in the lower Choptank by the use of set and fyke nets, 
catching up the female shad before they reach their spawning 
grounds. 
7. Catch more shad, herring, rock and perch than any other 
kinds. Catch mostly shad and herring in the river named. 
Hock and perch are caught more or less throughout the season. 
I think the several species here named best adapted to the 
Choptank. 
8. Have not kept account of number caught. Shad gen- 
erally bring from ten to fifteen or twenty dollars per hundred, 
herring from seventy-five cents to one dollar on shore, and 
large rock say five cents per pound. 
9. Have caught ripe female rock in latter part of April 
and first of May. 
10. The male always predominates. 
11. The largest about seventy or eighty pounds. Know 
nothing of their growth per year ; wish I did. 
12. The female rock is generally larger than the male, but 
they do not differ mnch in shape. Know nothing about the 
rate of growth. 
13. I think not. 
A. D. Sessions & Co., Baltimore , Maryland. 
1. Have fished for tw T enty-two years and have been con- 
nected with the fishing business for forty-eight years. 
