SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN IDAIIO IN 1893. 
175 
[Introduced species] Cyprinus carpio Linnicns. Carp. 
This introduced species lias becmne ivell established in the lower Snake River. Several were 
seen at O’Brien’s fishery and it was reported at Lower Salmon Falls. 
5. Acrocheilus alutaceus Agassiz A Pickering. Chisel-mouth ; S(iuare-nioiith ; Hard-moiLth. 
This species was seen by us only at O’Brien’s fishery below Weiser. In 1893 it was obtained in 
Snake River at Payette and in Boise River at Caldwell. 
6. Myloclreilus cauriiius Richardson. Columbia Chub. 
In Snake River this minnow is one of tlio most abundant fishes, and is known locally by the 
misleading names “fresh-water herring” and “ whitelish.” At U]>])er Salmon I’alls they were even 
called “trout.” ’I'he name “whitelish” for this minnow is rather more than local in its application, 
as it is in use not only on Snake River but at Flathead Lake and perhaps elsewhere. At O’Brien’s 
and Millet’s this fish was very abundant, and after the salmon fishing had lieguu schools of 30 to 50 
or more could be seen at any time. They are particularly attracted by the offal thrown into the river 
when the salmon are cleaned. It takes the hook very readily a.nd ])ossosses considerable game (piali- 
ties. The best bait seems to bo salmon spawn, but they will biteat almost anything — a piece of liver, 
heart, or a fish’s eye. By throwing a few salmon eggs into the rvater, good-sized schools could be 
called up at any time. Numerous specimens were obtained at O’Brien’s and Millet’s, but it was not 
seen elsewhere except at Glenn Ferry. It does not seem to ascend the tributary streanis as far as the 
Payette and Redlish lakes. 
This fish seldom attains a length of more than a foot, and is, like most meml)ers of its family, a 
bony species; nevertheless it possesses some importance as a food-fish. At the hotel in Demersvilhg 
above Flathead Lake, Montana., I saw it served as “ whitefish,” and at certain jdaces on Snake River 
it is caught and ])eddled over the country as “trout” or “ fresh-waler herring.” These fish-peddlers, 
of course, handle salmon primarily, but other and smaller fish are thrown in when they chance to 
get them. 
7. Ptychocheilus oregonensis Richardson. Squawfsh; Sacramento Pike; “ Yellowbelly” ; “Chub”; 
“Big-mouth “ Box-head. ” 
This species, one of the largest of the family, is a common fish throughout the Snake River basin 
as far up as Shoshone Falls, above which it is not known to occur. I found it common at Millet’s, 
Gleim Ferry, and O’Brien’s, but less so than Mylocheihis cauriiius; several large exaiu])les were seen at 
Lower Salmon Falls. It seems to bo abundant at Big Payette Lake, while in the Redlish Lakes it is 
very abundant. In .July it was common in the streams, but later it was rarely seen except in ihe 
lakes. It was frequently taken on the gill net set in Alturas Outlet, even in September, but the fish 
thus taken were probably passing from one lake to the, other. 
At almost any time largo schools could be seen swimming slowly about the mouths of the inlets. 
Usually they could be seen at depths of 5 to 40 feet, but frequently in the evening they were seen 
swimming near the surface and feeding upoii l)utterllies and other insects falling npon the water. 
Their manner of taking these insects was very much like that of the trout; indeed, so close i.s the 
resemblance that we at first supposed them to be trout. Frequently they would jump entirely out of 
the water, so eager were they to secure a falling insect. This was particularly oljserved at Redfish 
Lake August 20 to 23, in tlie evening between 6 and 8 o’clock. 
Upon going out in the boat to the place where they seemed abundant, I discovered that they 
would rise to the fly quite freely. By using the Royal Coachman and fishing as if for trout I cauglit 
in a few minutes six good-sized “ Yellowbellies.” They would rise to the fly promptly, strike quickly, 
and fight vigorously for a few moments, after which they allowed themselves to bo pulled in without 
much struggle. They would usually not rise to the lly excejit in the evening, but with a hook baited 
with salmon spawn they could be caught at any time. 
This species is found in all the Redfish lakes, and is so abundant in one of them as to have 
suggested the name by which the lake is locally known, Yellowbelly Lake. In these lakes it reaches 
a weight of about 4 pounds, though the usual weight there is about a pound. It spawns in May. 
In the winter it is sought for as an article of food and is said to afford consideraTile sport. Dried 
salmon spawn is used for bait, and the fishing is done through the ice of the lakes. Pettit and 
Yellowbelly lakes are regarded as the best lakes for this kind of fishing. 
