FISHES OF THE UNITED STATES
Fish are vertebrate animals living in water and having, instead of legs,fins which are adapted to rapid movement in the water. They breathethrough gills instead of lungs.
The principal order of fish is known as the Teleostei or bony fishes.Other orders are the Elasmobranchii or fishes without a bony skeleton,Ganoidei, and a small order called the Holocephali. Fishing since theearliest recorded times has always been an industry as well as a sportwith mankind. Great commercial seaports have developed from beginningsas small fishing towns, and fishing privileges are often incorporated ininternational treaties. The most important of the American fisheries arethe cod, herring, mackerel, menhaden, halibut, salmon and whitefishfisheries.
THE ELASMOBRANCHII.
These are fishes which have no bony skeleton. In place of bone they havean elastic tissue or gristle. There are two sub-orders--those havinground bodies, like the sharks and dog-fish, and those having flatbodies, like the rays and skates.
SHARKS.
Shark is a general name applied to all the larger round-bodiedelasmobranchii. They are powerful and rapid swimmers and many of thelarger forms are found in mid-ocean. The smaller ones keep closer tothe shore. Although a few are found in Arctic regions, they do notattain the great size there that they do in warmer waters. They arecarnivorous, that is, they feed on animal matter, and most of them havestrong teeth. The Chinese consider shark fins a great delicacy and manyare exported from California to the East. The fins are also a source ofgelatine.
The Tope is a small shark found in tropical and temperate seas. Itaverages about six feet in length. Its habit of making away with baitand scaring off other fish makes it unpopular with fishermen. The colorof the tope is gray above and whitish gray beneath. It swims along thebottom of the water, feeding upon fish, crustaceans, etc. This fish isnot common in American waters.
The Hammer-head Shark. The characteristic peculiarity of this shark isits broad, flat head, which accounts for its name. Its eyes are set onprojections from the side of the head. They have been known to reach alength of fifteen feet. Sometimes they are seen in the North Atlantic.They are formidable and greedy. The topes and hammerheads belong to thesame shark family.
The Porbeagle is a shark that is found in the North Atlantic and isknown to fishermen as the Mackerel Shark. It feeds principally uponfish. A length of ten feet is attained. It bolts its food, the teethbeing adapted to hold its slippery prey.
HAMMER-HEAD SHARK.]
The Thresher, Thrasher or Fox Shark is a cousin of the porbeagle. Itspeculiar characteristic is its long tail. Both the Atlantic and Pacificcontain these fish. A length of fifteen feet is often reached. It willnot attack man, but preys on small fishes. Swimming suddenly intoschools of these, it flaps its tail rapidly, killing and devouringthem in large numbers. These sharks are often found in companiesattacking large whales.
The Basking Shark derives its name from its habit of lying at the top ofthe water with its upper back above the water line. This is the largestshark found in the Atlantic. It reaches a length of over thirty feet.The oil which its liver yields is valued and it is hunted on thisaccount. It will not attack man.
Dog-fish is the general name for sharks of the families Scyllidae andSpinacidae. Dog-fish are the smaller types of sharks. They are sometimeseaten by fishermen on the Orkney Islands, a group of islands off thenorthern coast of Scotland, where they are dried for winter use. Theirrough skins are used for polishing wood and is called shagreen. Thedog-fishes reach a length of three or four feet. They frequently carryoff the fishermen's captures from the lines.
SKATES AND RAYS.
These are flat-bodied elasmobranchii. Skate is the common name appliedto any one of the numerous species of flat elasmobranchii whose large,broad fins give it a somewhat diamond-shaped form. The commonest andsmallest skate of the Eastern coast of the United States is the "TobaccoBox." The "Barn Door" Skate sometimes reaches a length of four feet, andthe great Pacific Coast Skate is sometimes six feet long.
The Sting Ray bears on its tail a toothed spine some eight inches longand capable of inflicting a painful wound. Its tail is long and slim. Asa rule they are confined to warm seas, but at least one species extendsthroughout the Atlantic and Pacific.
The Devil-fish or Eagle Ray is a member of the family of Millstone Rays,so called because of their peculiar teeth, which are adapted to crushthe shells of the mollusks on which they prey. The tail is long andslim. Some devil-fish occasionally measure from fifteen to eighteen feetacross. Pearl and sponge divers greatly fear these ugly creatures.
The name devil-fish is also given to the Octopus and to the Goosefish orAngler.
The Torpedo or Electric Ray is a name given to any one of the numerousrays having the power of giving electrical shocks. They thus stun thefish upon which they feed. They also use this power in self-defense. Thelarge torpedoes can stun a man.
SAWFISH--FROM BELOW.]
The Sawfish is a ray in which the snout is elongated and edged withstrong teeth. These sawlike edges have given the fish its name. Itstrikes with this weapon and slashes open the bodies of its prey.
THE HOLOCEPHALI.
This is not a large order. The name is made up of two Greek words,meaning "all head." A few peculiar forms belong here, principally theChimera, popularly known as the Sea Cat.
These fish resemble sharks. They are found in the colder sea water.Their tail is long and thread like. The head is large and the fish'sremarkable appearance has given it the name Chimera, after the legendaryanimal that Homer describes as shaped like a lion in the fore part, adragon in the hind part and a goat in the middle.
THE GANOIDS.
There are seven living kinds of ganoid fish and all are found in freshwater. Only six of these are found in waters of the United States. Allof them have skin with bony scales which shine as though enameled.
The Sturgeon inhabit waters of the temperate zone of the NorthernHemisphere. They reach a length of over ten feet and feed upon worms andshell fish, which they pry out of the sandy or muddy bottoms with theirsharp snout. They have five rows of bony scales. Their eggs form anarticle of commerce, caviar being prepared from them. The material knownas isinglass is made from the air bladders of the sturgeon. They arefound in the Great Lakes and the larger rivers. The type most commonlyfound in the Mississippi is called the Shovel-nose Sturgeon. TheColumbian Sturgeon of the Pacific coast states is a large species.
The Bow-fin or Mud-fish is a fish found in the still waters of theUnited States. It is known by many names. The flesh, while eatable, isnot good. In length it does not exceed a couple of feet.
The Gar-pike, Bony-pike, or Bill-fish. The body of this fish is coveredwith bony scales. It has a peculiar snout containing sharp teeth. In thelower Mississippi occurs a large type known as the Alligator Gar orManjuari.
STURGEON.]
The Paddle-fish is peculiarly characterized by its broad, thin, oarlikesnout. Many popular names have been given to it, such as Spadebill,Spoonbill, Duckbill. It is found in the rivers of the Mississippi Valleyand reaches a length of about five feet.
The Shovel-nose Sturgeon, or White Sturgeon, is confined to theMississippi and its tributaries, and is quite common in certainlocalities. It has a slender body, especially so behind the fins, andits peculiarly shaped snout has given it the name it bears.
THE BONY FISHES OR TELEOSTEANS.
By far the largest and the most important order of fishes, containingthe large majority of living types. They differ from the ganoid fishesby having soft scales and a complete bony skeleton.
THE YELLOW PERCH.
The Yellow Perch is found in all the waters of the Atlantic slope. Itdoes not occur in the lower Mississippi valley. It frequents quiet poolsof meadow brooks, creeks, etc., preferring the stream's sides or thesandy, pebbly bottom. The larger specimens come from rivers and creeks.Perch seldom weigh more than one or two pounds. They feed on grubs,worms, insects, and small fishes. They are graceful
in movement and thecoloration is beautiful. The sides are streaked with dusky bands and thefins are ruddy.
One way to catch perch is with a pole, stout line, large float, andheavy sinker, using a worm or minnow for bait. This will do when thewater is muddied and the fish are hungry. In clear water, use a finerline and reel, a small float and a sinker only heavy enough to keep thefloat steady. The bait should be suspended about a foot from thebottom.
THE STRIPED BASS.
STRIPED BASS.]
The Striped Bass in the South is known as the Rock Fish, or the Rock.This fish is particularly common in the open stretches of large rivers.It is a popular food fish and it is estimated that over 200,000 poundsof Striped Bass are eaten each year in the United States. They arevoracious feeders and when in the rivers they prey upon small fishes.They frequent the surf of ocean beaches and rocky shores. The fishermanholds this fish in deservedly high esteem. They are caught in creeks,using shrimps or clams for bait. When fishing for these in the swifttideways, menhaden bait is used. Scott, in his "Fishing in AmericanWaters," says: "Casting menhaden bait for striped bass from the rockyshores of the bays, estuaries, and islands along the Atlantic coastsconstitutes the highest branch of American angling. It is, indeed,questionable--when considering all the elements which contribute to thesum-total of sport in angling--whether this method of striped bassfishing is not superior to fly-fishing for salmon, and if so, itoutranks any angling in the world." The rod to use in this style offishing should not be longer than nine feet and should be very light,the lines about two or three hundred yards long. The bass are attractedby casting chopped menhaden upon the water. An oil gathers upon thesurface of the water and the fish swim toward the fishermen.
THE WHITE BASS.
The White Bass, or Striped Lake Bass, is often mistaken for the StripedBass. It is common in the Great Lakes region and especially the Ohio. Itis found chiefly in lakes, ponds, and deeper parts of rivers. It feedsupon small fish. As food it is highly prized.
THE YELLOW BASS.
The Yellow Bass is sometimes called the Bar-fish. It frequents the lowerMississippi, where the water is deep and sluggish. The color is yellowand the black stripes are prominent.
THE WHITE PERCH.
The White Perch is found in the waters at the mouths of rivers. Itsaverage length is eight or nine inches. Fish for them off a deep-sunkpier or a bridge, baiting with a live minnow.
THE SEA BASS.
The Sea Bass exists in a great many varieties and has been given manynames, such as Black-fish, Rock Bass, Black Will, Black Bass, etc. Thefavorite haunts of Sea Bass are the rocky bays and sounds of theAtlantic coasts. It feeds at the bottom and rarely comes to the surface,being fond of lying under loose stones and in rock cavities. Its food ismade up of crabs, squids, small fish, etc. On account of the toughnessof its mouth this fish, when once hooked, is not easily lost. The besttime to catch them is between tides. In New England they average about apound and a half. The flesh of the Sea Bass is firm and sweet. Thefishing banks off Sandy Hook and Long Branch yield thousands of thesefish annually. The bait most often used is clams.
THE GROUPERS.
The Red Grouper, or Groper, is a large fish, reaching an occasionalweight of forty or fifty pounds, but is not common on our coasts, exceptin the far South. It is voracious in feeding. In the Gulf of Mexico itis abundant. It feeds on crustaceans and small fish, and even largecrabs. As a food fish it is considered excellent.
The Black Grouper is called the "Jew-fish." It is a common fish alongthe Gulf coast. The Jew-fish attains a large size and will swallow ahooked fish, hooks, lead, line and all.
The Pacific Jew-fish is sometimes called the Black Sea Bass and is thelargest food fish of this coast, reaching a weight of five hundredpounds.
BLACK BASS.
Black Bass are found widely distributed over the Atlantic slope. Theyare not particular in their diet, eating many kinds of food--fish,crawfish, moths, flies, frogs, and even rats and snakes. They can leappowerfully. It is said that the best time to take them is at night, orwhen rivers are high and muddy. There are two types, the large-mouth andthe small-mouth. Bass may be caught by using artificial flies orminnows, or live minnows, small frogs, grasshoppers, or by the use oftrolling spoon.
THE SUN-FISH.
The Sun-fish is the "Sunny" or "Pumpkin-seed" of New York and NewEngland brooks. It is common, too, in the Great Lakes region and thecoast streams as far south as Georgia. It prefers clear, still water.
The Red Breast is a Sun-fish which is known also by such names as the"Brim," "Pearch," "Red-headed Bream," "Sun Perch," "Red-bellied Bream,"and "Red-bellied Pearch."
The Blue Sun-fish is the most widely distributed of the Sun-fishes. Itis also called "The Blue Bream," "Copper-nosed Bream," and "Dollardee."
THE STRAWBERRY BASS.
The Strawberry Bass is another fish abounding in names. It is called"The Strawberry Perch," "Grass Bass," "Bitter Head Perch,""Lamplighter," "Razor Back," "Chinquapin Perch," "Silver Bass," "Big FinBass," "Calico Bass," "Goggle Eye." It resorts to deep, sluggish waters.As a pan fish it is surpassed by few other fresh-water fishes.
The Crappie or Croppie is closely related to the Strawberry Bass.
THE SNAPPERS AND GRUNTS.
The Snappers and Grunts are the brightly colored fishes of the coralreefs. The Red Snapper is bright crimson and is abundant in the Gulf ofMexico and about the Florida reefs, living in holes and gullies. Itfeeds upon small fish, crabs, and prawns. Snappers are always boiled orcooked in a chowder. They are caught with a bottom bait of fish.
The Gray Snapper lacks the brilliant color of the Red Snapper. It isalso known as the Black Snapper and Sea Lawyer.
The Red Mouths or Grunts are small fish found in the inshore waters ofthe Gulf and South Atlantic states. They resemble the Snappers and arecharacterized by the red color of the inside of mouth and throat. Onaccount of this peculiarity they are sometimes called Flannel-mouths.When taken they utter a peculiar sound, hence the name "grunts,""pig-fish," and "squirrel-fish."
The Black Grunt is brownish in color. It is found as far north asCharleston. The Norfolk Hog-fish is brown, spotted with orange andyellow.
The Sheepheads have large heads, strong jaws and teeth. They aresluggish in movement, feeding among the rocks close to the bottom. Theyderive their name from their resemblance in profile to the sheep. Theyare known by this name wherever found. In New York Harbor, Jersey, andLong Island coasts they are common. Barnacles and crustaceans form animportant part of their diet and frequent old wrecks to which their foodadhered. Their teeth are fitted to crush their food. They are shy andwill take the bait more confidently if it is allowed to lie at thebottom. When they bite, give a short, quick, but not too violent jerk.The average weight of this fish is about six pounds. They are one of thefinest food fish.
THE PORGY.
The Scuppaug, or Mishcuppauog, is a name of Indian origin. In some partsit is abbreviated into the "scup," and in others the second syllable isused, paugy or porgy, notwithstanding that the true porgy is an Englishfish of an entirely different kind. The Southern Scup is called the"Fair Maid." The food of these fishes consists of worms, mollusks, etc.It is largely used as a pan fish.
THE WEAK-FISH.
The Weak-fish about the Cape Cod section are called "Drummers." Furthersouth they are known as "Yellow Fins" and "Sea Trout." Along the shorefrom Norfolk to Nantucket they are abundant, arriving in late May anddeparting early in the autumn. August is the best month for Weak-fish.They feed on small fish. Catching the Weak-fish is considered greatsport because so many can be taken in a short time. They swim near thesurface and require a line little leaded. Clams, soft crabs, or piecesof fish may be used as bait, which they snap at. On account of thetenderness of their mouths, care must be taken in hauling them in. Atflood tide they will be found in the channel, but at ebb they seek somedeep hole. The Indian name for this fish was the Squeteague.
THE HAKE.
The Hake, known also as t
he King-fish, Barb, Tom Cod, Black Mullet, SeaMink, and Whiting. Mr. A. N. Cheney tells us that in fishing for thisfish, "A light rod and multiplying reel, a strong and very light line, aswivel sinker, and two rather small hooks are what is required in theway of tackle, much the same rig as is used in weak-fishing. The bait iseither shredded crab or sand-worm. The King-fish is thoroughly game; heseizes the bait eagerly and then goes to the bottom, following up thismovement with long runs from right to left; it is really remarkable whata determined resistance the little King-fish will make. In size hevaries from one to six pounds, the average being two or three pounds.The time to fish for them is when the tide is running in. King-fish canbe caught along the south side of Long Island, off the Jersey coast atAtlantic City, Long Branch, and Barnegat Inlet, and further south theyare very common."
THE WHITINGS.
The Whitings are food fishes of the southern coast. They are abundant inthe spring and summer near Charleston, taking the bait readily. The baitwhich seems best is pieces of drum. Deep running water is their favoritehaunt.
THE DRUM.
The Drum is another large food fish. It is found most abundantly in theGulf of Mexico and southern Atlantic states. The name is derived fromthe noise it is capable of making, which is similar to drumming. Itswims slowly along the bottom, where it feeds on shell-fish.
The fresh-water Drum is called "Sheepshead" in the Great Lakes. In otherplaces the "White Perch," "Gray Perch," "Crocus," "Thunder-pumper."
THE COBIA.
The Cobia prefers clear, deep water. One writer says of this fish that"he looks as if harnessed with a pair of traces and his behavior on afly-rod is that of a wild horse." This appearance is due to the straightstripes of brown and gray on its sides which has given it the name"Sergeant-fish" in certain districts.
THE BLUE-FISH.
The Blue-fish is known in different localities as the "Horse-Mackerel,""Skipjack," "Green-fish." It is a widely distributed fish, but itsfavorite haunts in the summer are the waters of the middle Atlanticstates. It feeds entirely upon other fish. Professor Baird says: "Thereis no parallel in point of destructiveness to the Blue-fish among themarine species on our coast, whatever may be the case among some of thecarnivorous fish of the South American waters. The Blue-fish has beenwell likened to an animated chopping machine, the business of which isto cut to pieces and otherwise destroy as many fish as possible in agiven space of time. Going in large schools in pursuit of fish not muchinferior to themselves in size, they move along like a pack of hungrywolves, destroying everything before them. Their trail is marked byfragments of fish and by the stain of blood in the sea."
THE MACKEREL.
The Common Mackerel is found in the north Atlantic. They swim near thesurface and often at a great distance from land. Their movements can beeasily followed. They are great wanderers and are abundant sometimes inone section, sometimes in another. The food of these fishes consistslargely of small crustaceans. The different kinds of invertebrates uponwhich the mackerel feed are known as "Cayenne" and "red-seed." Whenfull-grown they average about eighteen inches in length. Sea birds willgather over a school of mackerel and indicate its presence. Porpoises,sharks, blue-fish, and cod also prey upon them.
The Spanish Mackerel is a midsummer fish, disappearing in the autumn. Inhabit they are very much like the blue-fish, and fond of leaping fromthe water, living mostly at the surface.
THE POMPANO.
The Pompano is highly esteemed as a food fish. It is widely distributedthrough the warmer Atlantic. It feeds upon mollusks, crustaceans, andyoung fish. It is caught in nets; quantities are caught in the Gulf ofMexico.
THE BONITO.
The Bonito is in habits similar to the blue-fish. It preys, as do thelatter, upon menhaden and mackerel. The tail is crescent-shaped and is agreat aid to it in swimming. It is capable of very swift motion, huntingin schools, which are accompanied by flocks of sea gulls and other seabirds.
THE SWORD-FISH.
The Sword-fish derives its name from its long, sword-like snout. Theyare most abundant on shoals and banks near the shore. They are verypugnacious in their habits, using their sword as a weapon of offense anddefense, and do not hesitate to attack sharks and whales.
THE ROSE-FISH.
This fish on the Pacific coast is known as the Rock-Cod or Rock-fish.They are found in great abundance on the southern coast of California.
THE TREE-FISH.
The Tree-fish is also found on the coast of California and isbeautifully colored and marked.
THE PIKE AND MUSKELLUNGE.
The Pike is a fish of the North; it is abundant, however, as far southas Ohio.
The Muskellunge is found in the Great Lakes region and St. LawrenceRiver. It is similar to the Pike.
THE PICKEREL.
The Pickerels, another group of this family, are much smaller fishes.The Chain Pickerel, so called on account of the peculiar chain-likemarkings on its sides, is found in streams along the Atlantic coast. TheBrook Pickerel is of a similar variety. This variety of fish are notparticular as to their diet; they will eat nearly all other kinds offish, frogs, rats, mice, and even young ducks. They lay in wait fortheir prey and take it with a spring.
MUSKELLUNGE.]
THE SEA ROBINS.
The Sea Robins are a nuisance to fishermen, stealing their bait. Theyare also known as sculpins, grub, bullhead, seatoad, pig-fish. They feedupon the animal life at the bottom of the water. Owing to their uglyappearance their spines are rumored to give a poisonous wound. They arecapable of inflicting a painful injury, but not a poisonous one.
THE HALIBUT.
The Halibut is a cold-water fish. These fish at times reach an enormoussize and there are traditions of fish having been caught that weigh over600 pounds. They lie upon the bottom, and because of their flat body,which is similar in color to that of the sand, they are able to ambushtheir prey.
THE FLOUNDER.
The Plaise, Summer Flounder, or Turbot Flounder. This is a fish abundantupon the eastern coast of the United States. They feed upon small fish,crabs, squids, sand-eels, etc. Large quantities of these fish are soldin the markets of New York.
FLOUNDER.]
THE COD-FISH.
The Cod-fish; the waters off the coast of New England formerly aboundedin this fish, but now only stragglers are to be caught. From thestomachs of Cod-fish shells of all kinds have been taken, as well asmany miscellaneous objects, such as rings, scissors, corn-cobs, oilcans, and other incongruous things of this kind. The Tom-Cod is asmall cod-fish seldom a foot in length.
COD-FISH.]
THE HADDOCK.
The Haddock also has a habit of feeding on shells. Both the Haddock andthe cod will take stale clams as food, these seeming to be moreattractive than fresh ones. As food fish the Scotch smoke Haddock, andthey are then known as "Finnan Haddies."
THE MULLETS.
The Mullets are widely distributed; it is a very popular fish in thesouthern sea-coast states. It prefers still, shoal water with sandy andgrassy bottom. It does not take the hook well, but is sometimes caughtwith bait manufactured from cotton and flour or banana.
THE CAT-FISH.
The Cat-fish is very popular with the colored people in the South.
"Don't talk to me o' bacon and fat, O' taters, 'coon or 'possum, Fo' when I'se hooked a yellar cat I'se got a meal to boss 'em."
Its spines are capable of inflicting painful wounds. Salt mackerel,worms, or live minnows are good bait. Another thing it is well toremember is that the cat-fish never bite when an east wind is blowing.Professor Jordan, of Indianapolis University, says: "Cat-fishes arevivacious and indiscriminate feeders, any of the animal substances,living or dead, being greedily swallowed by them. They are alsoextremely tenacious of life, living for a long time out of water andbeing able to resist impurities in the water better than any other ofour food fishes."
THE HERRINGS.
The Herring is an important food fish. Hundreds of millions of pounds oft
hese fish are taken yearly, and yet their numbers do not seem to be inany wise lessened. Herrings are smoked, dried, and salted.
THE MENHADEN.
The Menhaden make their appearance in the spring with the arrival of theshad, alewife, blue-fish, and weak-fish. They swim in schools close tothe surface and crowd together, but if alarmed sink to the bottom. Theyare phosphorescent at night, fond of inlets and bays and shoal watersprotected from wind. Their food seems to consist of organic matter andvegetation contained in stagnant water. They have many enemies; whales,sharks, sword-fish, bass, cod, weak-fish, blue-fish, bonito, dolphinsdestroy them in vast quantities. They are largely used as fertilizers bythe coast farmers. They are also a source of fish oil.
THE ALEWIFE.
The Alewife is an abundant river fish throughout the South. They arealso found where shad run.
THE SHAD.
Shad is found along the Atlantic coast of the United States. The largerpart of the shad's life is spent in salt water, coming into the riversin the spring.
THE TARPON.
Tarpon, Tarpum, Silverfish, or Grande Ecaille, is common on the Gulfcoast. It will take a baited hook, but is difficult to handle, and isseldom landed. Persons have been known to be killed or injured severelyby its leaping against them from the net in which it had been caught.Its scales are prized and are sold in the Florida shops.
SALMON.]
THE SALMON.
The Salmon--one remarkable characteristic is its marvelous leapingability. One writer, describing from observation this feat, says: "Iwatched the fish with a race-glass for some ten minutes beforedisturbing them. There is a very deep pool at the point where thewaterfall joins the lower level of the water. The fish come out ofthis pool with the velocity of an arrow. They give no warning of theirintentions, but up they come and dart out of the surface of the waterwith a sudden rush, like rockets let loose from the darkness of thenight into the space above. When they first appeared their tails weregoing with the velocity of a watch spring just broken, and the wholebody sparkling as though they had been enameled, quivering so with theexertion."
THE TROUT.
The Rainbow Trout, also known as Brook Trout, Mountain Trout, SpeckledTrout, Golden Trout, is found in the streams west of the Sierra Nevada;it feeds on worms, grubs, etc. The Black Spotted Trout is foundthroughout the Rocky Mountain region. The above are Salmon Trout and areconsidered inferior as game fishes to the Red Spotted Trout. The LakeTrout reaches a large size. The Lake Superior Trout are caught usuallyin the fall months in nets.
The Brook Trouts belong to the Salmon family. They show markedvariations in color.
The Speckled Trout is found in the lakes and streams of the eastern partof the United States. In midsummer they haunt the bottoms of lakes, deeppools, among rocks and roots. As the cold weather comes on in the autumnthey frequent the clear water of streams. They seldom exceed two orthree pounds in weight. They feed daintily, taking their prey from thesurface--flies, water bugs, and little fishes. They are favorites withthe fishermen; the most successful angler is the one who baits his hookwith the prey, or imitation thereof, which at that time particularlyhits their fancy.
BROOK TROUT.]
The Malma Trout is known as the Lake Trout, Bull Trout, Red SpottedTrout, and in some places the Dolly Varden.
SMELTS.
The Smelts are remarkable for an odor which they emit and which accountsfor their name. They are a small fish and are sold in large quantitiesin all fish markets.
EELS.
Eels: there is a much larger demand for the eel as a food in Europe thanin America, many in this country being prejudiced against it because ofits snake-like form.
EELS.]
The Moray. Two species of these eels are found along the coast of theUnited States, the Spotted Moray in Florida and the Reticulated Morayoff the coast of South Carolina.