446 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES EISH COMMISSION. 
the same waters, and it will often be a matter of interest to anglers and others to learn 
which fish lias been caught. The color markings and the general appearance of the 
two basses are usually sufficient to distinguish the species, as the accompanying figures 
will show, but the most satisfactory and conclusive feature by which they may be sepa- 
rated, whatever the age or condition of the specimens, is the number of rows of scales 
on the side of the head. In the large-mouth bass the scales are relatively large and 
in about 10 transverse rows, while in the small-mouth species these scales are quite 
minute and in about 17 rows. 
FISHING FOR BLACK BASS. 
In California the black bass is not a commercial fish. It is seldom, if ever, seen 
in the markets of San Francisco or other large cities, and when exposed for sale is 
usually an indication of a violation of law on the part of some fisherman. 
The only legal method of taking bass in California is with hook and line. A 
lavorite fishing-ground is the reservoir of the Spring Valley Water Company in San 
Mateo County, where fishing is by permit, and only 20 bass are allowed to be caught 
at one time by one person. Mr. Alexander reports that the guests at the Hotel del 
Monte, Monterey, are permitted to fish in the lake and reservoir in the hotel grounds. 
The catch is limited to 12 fish to a rod. Bass a foot in length have been taken in the 
lake, and sonn* 18 inches long have been caught in the reservoir at Thermalito. 
Some bass angling has been done in the Russian River, where the fish are abun- 
dant, but it is said the fishing is not good. Considerable illegal fishing has from time 
to time been reported in this river. Mr. Alexander states that several fishermen with 
drag seines made comparatively large hauls in 1894, much to the indignation of the 
State authorities and the people in the vicinity. In July, 1894, arrests were made and 
conviction had for using dynamite to kill bass. Several hundred bass were found 
floating in the river after the explosion of a submerged charge of powder, and dead fish 
are said to have lined the sides of the river and caused a strong stench for some time. 
The bass in Clear Lake and other lakes near Spokane, Wash., afford fine sport 
to anglers. The fish usually weigh 1 to U pounds. Minnows are used for bait, and 
even dead or mutilated ones will prove attractive lures. The black bass sold in the 
Spokane markets are taken in Silver and Clear lakes with hook and line, no netting 
being permitted. Mr. E. Michael, a fish-dealer of Spokane, reports that he pays the 
fishermen 12| cents a pound for bass and retails them at 15 to 17 cents a pound. He 
handles about 150 pounds a week during a season of about 10 weeks. 
In Utah Lake, Utah, the large-mouth black bass has become a fish of considerable 
commercial value. In 1895 Mr. William Barnurn, of the United States Fish Commis- 
sion, learned at Salt Lake City that one dealer in that place was receiving about 500 
pounds a week from Utah Lake. The fish are very highly esteemed, and retail readily 
at 20 cents a pound. The usual weight of the fish taken for market in Utah Lake is 1 
to 14 pounds, but a few specimens weigh 3 to 4 pounds. A fish weighing 44 pounds is 
recorded. The bass is said to be the only high-priced fish used by the Chinese, who 
are very fond of it. The Deseret Evening Nen-s of September 26, 1895, reported that 
12,000 pounds of bass had already been taken that season from Utah Lake. The 
report of the Utah commissioner for 1894-95 states that 60,000 pounds of black bass 
were caught in Utah Lake in those years, most of the fish being shipped to Colorado. 
Fishing is done with lines. 
