REPORT OF BOARD OF FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS. 47 
NEW FOOD AND GAME FISHES. 
Through the courtesy of Hon. Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner of the 
United States Bureau of Fisheries, there was received in the month of 
November, 1908, a car load of fresh water fishes adapted to the smaller 
bodies of water at low elevations. 
The car was loaded at the United States Fishery station at Meredosia,. 
Ill., with the crappie (Pomoxis annularis), the blue-gilled sunfish ( Bepo - 
mis pallidus) and the yellow perch, commonly known as ring perch 
(Perea flaverscens ). 
The crappie is one of the most popular of the fresh water fishes found 
in, the markets of Washington, St. Louis, Chicago, and Baltimore. It 
does not range far north, but is held in high esteem in the Southern 
States, where it is a great favorite among the anglers. It will take a 
minnow bait as promptly as will a black bass, but does not make so 
much of a fight, although it requires considerable skill on the part of an 
angler to “land him.” He is a most excellent pan fish, sometimes, 
reaches the length of about a foot, a prolific breeder, and it is believed 
will find a congenial habitat in the small lakes and ponds at low eleva¬ 
tions in this State. It is frequently called “calico bass,” and there is- 
but little difference between them, except that the calico bass is found 
in more northerly waters. 
The blue-gilled sunfish is the best known and most important of all 
true sunfishes. It is commonly called “bream,” and is found in the 
Great Lakes and throughout the Mississippi Valley. Though sometimes 
found in quiet streams, it is the sunfish of the lakes. It reaches a 
length of from twelve to fourteen inches, and maximum weight of a 
pound and a half. As a pan fish it is excelled only by the yellow perch, 
the flesh being firm and of a delicious flavor. It is an excellent fish for 
the angler, and can be taken with almost any kind of bait, or by trolling. 
Of the perch family, the yellow perch is most highly esteemed for its 
fine food qualities. It is not a great fighter for the angler, although it 
bites well. Its usual length is twelve to fourteen inches, ranging in 
weight from a half to two pounds, but examples weighing 4J pounds 
have been taken. Lie is essentially a lake fish, but flourishes in large, 
fresh water sloughs and deep lagoons. 
It was believed by the Fish Commissioners that more attention should 
be given to stocking the smaller reservoirs and ponds and lakes at low 
altitudes with a pan fish that would afford not only some sport in its 
capture, but also furnish a food supply. 
The fish reached us in good condition, and we had experienced depu¬ 
ties stationed at the different points where the fish were to be delivered 
so as to insure that they would be handled and planted by competent 
men. 
