208 
BULLETIN OE THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
THE PIKE PERCHES. 
Tlie decrease ill the abundance of whiteflsh and trout during recent years has 
brought the pike perches into greater commercial prominence than they ever before 
attained. This is particularly true of the wall-eyed or yellow pike ( Stizostedion 
citreum), which is taken in much greater numbers than the other species. In many 
localities, more especially in the eastern end of the lake where the most important 
fisheries are prosecuted, the wall-eyed pike (also called pickerel) has become the most 
highly-prized fish taken, and yields the fishermen from 2 to 5 cents per pound more 
than whiteflsh and trout. The average price at Cape Yincent during the past two 
years has been 8 or 10 cents per pound, although at times in 1890 the price advanced to 
14 cents. Many fishermen who formerly caught whiteflsh and trout uow almost confine 
their operations to the taking of “pickerel,” which in the important trap fisheries in 
Jefferson County constitutes about one- third of the total quantity of fish taken and 
yields three-fifths of the total income of the trap-net fishermen. From the foregoing 
facts it will be seen that the fishermen and fisli-dealers have reason to desire that the 
supply of wall-eyed pike shall be maintained and increased, and they are almost 
unanimous in looking to artificial propagation as the means to accomplish this end. 
It is expected that when the United States hatching station is established on Lake 
Ontario, wall-eyed pike will be one of the chief species propagated. 
At Oswego, where the species is called the yellow pike, and at other places along 
the western shore of the lake, this fish is now scarce and has been so for some years, 
and will always yield the fishermen 10 or more cents a pound. 
It has been observed that in spring the wall-eyed pike is found close to shore; by 
summer it has left the shore and frequents the shoals in the lake; in fall it seeks the 
deeper water and remains there throughout the winter. In 1890 the fish was tardy in 
retiring from the shoals and was taken in considerable numbers on Charity Shoal as 
late as October 20. , Soon after coming from the deep water the fish spawns, frequent- 
ing for this purpose the shores and the mouths of rivers and creeks. The spawning 
season usually occupies the month of April, and, fortunately, the reproductive process 
is about completed by the time the fishing season opens. 
In 1880 it was recorded that since the introduction of the alewife the wall-eyed 
pike had apparently increased in size. Observations in the summer of 1891 showed 
that the alewife constituted the chief food of the fish and was no doubt the cause of its 
great fatness. The average weight of fish now taken is 4 pounds and the maximum 
is 14 pounds. 
The variety of wall-eyed pike known as the blue pike (S. vitreum, var. salmoneum) is 
not abundant in Lake Ontario, and in most localities is rare. In 1891, in the vicinity 
of Oswego, there was a most remarkable run during the summer months, which con- 
trasted strongly Avitli the previous scarcity of the species. For about six weeks from 
July 1, the Oswego River and the adjacent lake waters were frequented by enormous 
quantities of blue pike which attracted large parties of sportsmen and others ; at times 
more than 500 people were fishing from boats, wharves, and piers. It is estimated that 
not less than 150,000 fish were taken during this time. The fish were mostly of small 
size, weighing from 2 ounces to 2 pounds, although many individuals weighing 4 pounds 
were secured; the average weight was probably less than half a pound. 
