Report of the Commissioner - United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries
United States. Bureau of Fisheries
261 OM. 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The following meager comparisons of length comprise about all the data obtained relating to this topic. The figures represent the length from end of snout to middle of posterior edge of caudal fin. The fish longest at liberty (C 95) increased 23 inches in length, at the same time that it increased 34 pounds in weight. In most cases the recorded increase, if any, was so small that it might have arisen froma different method of measuring. avant Length | Length | Increase Tag No. libeet when re- | when re- in Y- | Jeased. |captured.| weight. Ft. In. | Ft. In. Soo ue eeisiatererslaiaalstateyatalsia's/ aia ata arava veYaracaiaia(atatataleve;ste(atsts/atatslatevataleia/ataletaveyet= 110 2 4 2a WeNoe SOO aetna sae sactictelere nciee ee eens einieie cee love aicin saraiaraiaperseis(= 13 2 A aE Os ASS eR Oe Mra se al ne Oe INE ote tea here ny ortevatatantatsiee nstahe.stelete mlateleravats 85 Dear: Qiao SYes AGO ee bonita orate de eee ets eres inte ciisieeremeracte eee aslansierete a 109 2 4 2 2 | No. Ce a eee SOOO nC OS CSD OE DES DEROD Sean EU nom aacbboseddchoosdnbole 90 Qe DZ, 2 3 Yes ee Io Re iota ed be ote alain aps eterers i sinfaetatetsin wialele iets aferstalaata ial sepa 103 Dh: 2 62] Yes ROR RN URE EE. ae ere Sa eBe Cos Breic UE COO RO AGED aoc Cod baosoS 41 Pry dt OOD es ART EER Ses Sortce SO aaa B eB Oar CHaenOnat ORAS aepScocBeHedEoadccs 141 2) 3) 26S) sen Os (COB Bae ee Fee ea nine tae a os ties a eelataintsietal=imlataiate etal 460 Qhimds 2 4 es (Bees gene BE aan Compe lseoos eo SHoRe aero caoDrolddcusacbepootocr 108 rh) 1 103 | Yes Mi 4 eas aera cinieerointe e winie emiciore oloiaieiate overs wislelaweinie aielel=lnvetsy=wiainlelate 100 Deh 2 331] Yes SIGNIFICANCE OF FAILURE TO CATCH TAGGED FISH IN SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH SEASONS AFTER RELEASE. As has previously been shown, only a few cod were recaptured in the season following their release, and only one was taken more than a year after liberation. The failure to obtain information regarding the whereabouts of the tagged fish after the first season is one of the most interesting developments of the experiment. Almost the first suggestion that occurs to one to account for this circumstance is the loss of the tags, either by erosion of the wire or tag, or by tearing loose from the fins. Reference has been made to the unsatisfactory use of tags made of block tin—a substance employed in the first year of the tagging experiments. Of over 150 tin tags employed, only one was recovered, and it was so much worn by the action of the salt water that it would undoubtedly have fallen off or been completely eroded within a very short time. In the case of copper tags, however, there is not the slightest evidence that chemical action was sufficiently rapid or active to cause their loss. Tags recovered months after attachment had undergone practically no change except a slight diminution in luster, their edges being as clean and the figures as sharp as when first put in the water; and in no instance was there observable any general or irregular thinning of the copper wire by which the tags were made fast. While it is probable that some tags have been lost by the gradual tearing of that part of the fin through which the wire passed, the available evidence fails to show that many tags could have been lost in this way. A considerable number of tags have been returned to the Commission either with the entire fish or with the fins to which they were attached. In none of these cases has there been any indication that the tag was in danger of being lost through tearing of the fin. Sometimes the fin was entirely healed around the wire, and sometimes a small slit in the interradial tissue had been formed by the movement of the tag. Very exceptionally a raw surface existed around the wire, and the fishermen occasionally reported that the wire had made a small sore in the fin. It is clearly evident that the explanation of the point under consideration lies not in the tags but with the fish themselves, although what the real explanation is can only be surmised. Mention has been made of the curious absence of tagged fish from the Nantucket Shoals in fall and winter, at a time when very active fishing is going on, and when the tagged fish were originally caught on these same grounds. It is possible that when the Nantucket Shoals cod have attained a certain age they cease to resort there, at least in fall and winter, and seek other grounds at that season, perhaps going to the offshore banks, where, becoming more widely dispersed and mixing with a larger body of fish, they are less likely to be caught than in the shore waters. This supposition carries with it the suggestion that the cod frequenting the Nantucket Shoals each fall and winter go there for the purpose of spawning, and represent new schools of fish that have perhaps come in from the offshore grounds. The data on which to base deductions are obviously too meager. The fact that about 4 percent of the fish tagged and released were subsequently captured by the commercial fishermen raises several important questions. It must be conceded that this is an unexpectedly large proportion, when the abundance of cod on our shores and the wide extent of the region involved are considered. There is little doubt, furthermore, that the fish retaken represented even more than 4 percent of the available supply of tagged fish, because it is regarded as reasonably certain that some of the released specimens must, shortly after liberation, have necessarily succumbed to the effects of prolonged captivity; and, as has been shown, nearly 4 percent of the tags used were such that their loss through natural agencies was likely. The question naturally arises, Were there any reasons why these tagged fish should be taken in relatively larger numbers than wild, untagged fish? And to this question an affirmative answer can probably be made with safety. When released, the tagged fish were for the most part thin and hungry, owing to captivity, spawning, and deficiency of food. It is therefore not unreasonable to expect that at first they fed with less caution than is normally exercised. But the acute hunger of a fish in a region of plenty is quickly appeased; and too large a percentage of the tagged fish were caught long after their liberation to warrant the belief that mere inordinate hunger resulting from their captivity could have been an important factor. A more probable factor in their capture was the partial domestication arising from 2 to 4 months of captivity with artificial feeding, and the lowered vitality resulting from captivity, handling, spawning, and unaccustomed food. These conditions would undoubtedly have resulted in a loss of acumen in avoiding danger and in capturing natural food, and would have made the tagged fish less cautious in taking the bait offered by the fishermen. While the known facts are entirely too meager to warrant sweeping conclusions on any of the points involved, it may not be uninteresting or altogether unprofitable to speculate as to the available cod supply in the region frequented by the tagged fish. Excluding the extensive fishing done on Georges Bank and in the South Channel, where only two of the tag-bearing cod were captured, it appears from the official statistics that the average annual catch of cod between southern Massachusetts and southern New Jersey is about 20,000,000 pounds. The weight of the tagged fish released during four years was nearly 20,000 pounds, or about 5,000 pounds annually; and the aggregate weight of the tagged fish caught was approximately 805 pounds, or 200 pounds each year. From the foregoing data it appears that if the same proportion prevailed for the entire catch of wild fish as for the tagged fish, the available annual supply of cod on the grounds in question is 500,000,000 pounds, thus: The quantity of 5,000 (the number of tagged fish) x 200 (the annual 20,000,000 (the (the available supply of tagged fish) x 200 (the annual catch of ply of wild fish) fish x = 500,000,000. EXPERIMENTS IN TAGGING COD. 207 For the reasons stated, it is probable that a smaller percentage of wild fish than of tagged fish is taken, and consequently the foregoing amount does not adequately represent the real abundance of cod on our shores. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION AFFORDED BY THE EXPERIMENTS. Among a mass of voluntary information furnished by cod fishermen in connection with the return of tags, some notes have been received which are not without interest. From a number of sources it has been reported that the shore cod, which, on account of their small size, abundance in the inshore waters, and occurrence on grounds not formerly resorted to, the fishermen have come to look on as artificially-hatched fish, have at certain seasons been found to be feeding to a considerable extent on small lobsters. It was not possible to verify all of these reports, but in a few cases some of the young lobsters ejected by the cod when caught have been examined by the agents of the Commission. Writing from Nantucket under date of November 21, 1900, Mr. R. C. Small, who has taken great interest in the tagging experiments and forwarded many tags from Nantucket, said: The school of cod off here are destroying a great many small lobsters. I have sent some of the lobsters taken from the pokes of the fish. I have found as many as four 3-inch lobsters in one cod. The fish throw them out after being taken into the boat. The following interesting notes on the abundance and food of cod at the extreme southern limit of the cod fishery have been communicated by Capt. D. C. Clark, of Atlantic City, N. J.: January 31, 1901.—We are catching cod with herring (i) e., alewives and men-haden in them partly digested. February 15, 1901.—Cod have been quite plentiful off these grounds this fall and winter up to about New Year’s, when, as usual, they leave here and do not return till March, when apparently the same run of fish comes back. I am under the impression that they go south or away offshore, because we have gone 25 miles straight offshore from Absecon Light and have found no more or larger fish than inshore, say from 10 to 12 miles. So if they move offshore they must go a considerable distance, otherwise they must go south; and I am inclined to the latter view, as once in March I took as many as five croakers out of a large cod, two or three of them almost digested and the rest partly digested. One of them was but very little changed; it looked to me as if it might have been swallowed about three or four hours. We do not catch croakers here till late in the spring, say May or June. Now, the cod must trayel very fast or the croakers must be nearer than we know. At this time of the year the cod we catch here are full of silversides and sand crabs; occasionally a small flounder or black-fish is to be found in them, but lately they have been unusually full of silversides. I think cod are no more abundant this winter than formerly. Of course, there are times when they are more plentiful than others, and some winters they are scarcer than others, but on the whole I think they are about the same this winter as they were last winter. Haddock have been more plentiful here this winter than ever they were before. We have also caught more pollock than ever before, having taken some dozen or more. Previous to this time, we never caught more than one or two in a season. 908 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Cod fishing has been done here for the last 15 or 20 years to a certain extent, and for the last 4 or 5 years there have been from 30 to 100 men engaged all winter through, with from 15 to 25 boats of all descriptions, some having 3 men and some 7. They all quit about the middle of March, with the exception of myself and one or two more. We find occasional herring and menhaden in cod all the winter through. To give you some idea of the number of fish running along here at the different times of the year, from November to Christmas a boat with 5 men fishing 5,000 hooks a day will catch from 600 to 1,200 fish. The same rig from Christmas to March will catch from 100 to 500 fish. After that time they become quite plentiful again, but the dog sharks are so thick that you cannot do much. April 14, 1901.—Cod have been rather scarce this spring on the Jersey coast. Dog sharks have commenced to be quite numerous, and this will about end the cod fishing. We are catching quite a number of cod with large roe about ready to be thrown off, and we find an occasional menhaden in them. June 10, 1901.—None of the tagged fish we caught had any spawn in them. In fact, after Christmas only an occasional cod, perhaps a dozen in 200 or 300, will have spawn, while before Christmas half of them will be spawn fish. Mr. R. C. Small reported from Nantucket in November, 1900, that— The fishermen have not seen a single tag during this season’s fishing, nor did they in 1899 after the spring catch. Of course, they fish here until late in December, and if anything turns up I will inform you at once. The cod are running rather small, that is, there are a great many 2 and 23 feet, but they seem to school by themselves, and the fishermen shift from time to time to get better size. While most of the tagged fish were taken on lines, quite a number were caught in fixed appliances. Perhaps a dozen were secured in trap or pound nets in New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, and one was caught in a lobster pot in Connecticut. A fish taken in a pound net off Seagirt, N.J., contained an alewife 83 inches long and four cockles (Lunatia). In April, 1901, a remarkable piebald cod, taken off Race Point, Massachusetts, was sent to the Commission. It weighed 10 pounds, and was apparently normal in all respects except as to color. The usual greenish-brown ground color and brown spots were lacking over nearly the entire body, and irregular blotches of creamy white and bright orange predominated on body and head. The fins were marked by white, orange, dull red, and greenish-black streaks, for the most part parallel with the rays. The iris was dark. NOTES ON THE FISHES OF LAKE ONTARIO. By Barton WARREN EVERMANN AND WILLIAM C. KENDALL. During the summer of 1894, a considerable collection of fishes was made in northern New York for the United States Fish Commission by Dr. Evermann, assisted by Dr. R. R. Gurley, Mr. Barton A. Bean, and Mr. R. H. Hinkley, jr. The larger part of the collection was obtained in Lake Ontario or from streams tributary to it. Since then, various small collections have been received from time to time from the same region. The principal localities represented are as follows: Cape Vincent, Watertown, Sacketts Harbor, Chaumont Bay, Oswego, Charlotte, Point Breeze, Nine-mile Point, Pultneyville, Great Sodus Bay, Henderson Bay, Selkirk, North Hamlin, Buena Vista, Belleville, and Pulaski. The localities visited in the vicinity of Cape Vincent were Grenadier Island, Mud Creek, and various places in the lower end of the lake. In the present paper is given a list of the 66 species obtained in Lake Ontario and the streams tributary to it, together with notes on their relative abundance and any structural peculiarities noticed. Seven other species not obtained by these collectors are included because they are of special interest and have been previously recorded from the lake. The list embraces 73 species, and is of value in showing the distribution and abundance of the various species in this part of the State. 1. Acipenser rubicundus Le Sueur. Lake Sturgeon. Not uncommon in the east end of the lake. Numerous specimens seen at Cape Vincent. 2. Lepisosteus osseus (Linneus). Bill-fish. Seen at Cape Vincent and Sacketts Harbor; doubtless common throughout the lake and its larger tributaries. 3 Amiacalva Linnzus. Bowfin. Not obtained by us, but previously recorded from Lake Ontario. It is probably not uncommon in the lake. Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Channel Cat. One specimen obtained at Fox Island June 29; not noticeably different from Mississippi River specimens. F. C. 1901—14 209 210 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 5. Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). Common Bullhead. This fish is abundant in nearly all the waters examined. Specimens are in the collection from the following places: Stony Creek near Henderson Harbor; Black River at Huntingtonville; Cemetery Creek near Watertown; Mud Creek near Cape Vincent; Chaumont River; Guffon Creek near Chaumont; Stony Island near Lake View Hotel, 7 miles northeast of Oswego; mouth of Salmon River; mouth of Little Salmon Creek; creek at Pultneyville; Four-mile Creek at Nine-mile Point; Marsh Creek near Point Breeze; Long Pond near Charlotte; and Sandy Creek at North Hamlin. 6. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Black Bullhead. Much less common than the preceding. Specimens only from Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor and Sandy Creek near North Hamlin. 7. Noturus flavus (Rafinesque). Yellow Cat. Apparently not common; only two specimens from Nine-mile Point. 8. Schilbeodes gyrinus (Mitchill). Mad Tom. Not common; obtained only in Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor, Guffon Creek near Chaumont, and Long Pond near Charlotte. 9. Schilbeodes miurus (Jordan). Mottled Mad Tom. Rare; obtained only from Sandy Creek at North Hamlin. 10. Catostomus catostomus (Forster). Long-nosed Sucker. Not uncommon; several fine specimens obtained in gill nets near Grenadier Island. One of the most important food-fishes of the family. Among the suckers of Lake Ontario this species may always be known by its long nose, fine scales, and red sides. Catostomus commersonii (Lacépéde). Common White Sucker. Common everywhere, and numerous specimens obtained, representing the following localities: Cape Vincent; Grenadier Island; Sacketts Harbor; Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor; Little Stony Brook; Henderson Bay; Cemetery Creek near Watertown; Guffon Creek, Chaumont; Big Sandy Creek at Belleville; Spring Brook and Wart Creek, Pulaski; mouth of Salmon River at Selkirk; Three-mile Creek, Oswego; Four-mile Creek and Salt Brook at Nine-mile Point; Marsh Creek at Point Breeze. 12. Erimyzon sucetta oblongus (Mitchill). Chub Sucker. This sucker was found only in Black Creek, tributary to Oswego River. 13. Moxostoma anisurum (Rafinesque). White-nosed Sucker. Specimens obtained at Fox Island and Point Breeze. These specimens differ from the descriptions in having the lower lip rather lunate than V-shaped or U-shaped. Head 4; depth 3.14; eye 5; cheek 3; D. 16; A. 7; scales 6-42-5. 14. Moxostoma aureolum (Le Sueur). Redhorse. Specimens from the lake near Oswego; near Nine-mile Point; mouth of Salmon River; Long Pond at Charlotte; Sandy Creek at North Hamlin. This is a common species in the lake. 15. Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque). Stone-roller. Common in many places. Found in creek at Pultneyville; Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point; Long Pond at Charlotte; and Marsh Creek at Point Breeze. 16. Chrosomus erythrogaster Rafinesque. Red-bellied Dace. Cemetery Creek near Water Town; Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point; Long Pond at Charlotte. NOTES ON THE FISHES OF LAKE ONTARIO. ZA1 17. Hybognathus nuchale Agassiz. Silvery Minnow. Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor; Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point; and Cemetery Creek near Watertown. 18. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Futhead Minnow. Obtained in Three-mile Creek at Oswego; Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor; and Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point. 19. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed Minnow. Abundant; specimens obtained at Cape Vincent; Mud Creek near Cape Vincent; Grenadier Island; Horse Island; Sacketts Harbor; Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor; Stony Island; Little Stony Brook; Henderson Bay; Black River at Huntingtonville; Guffon Creek, Chaumont Bay; Chaumont River; Marsh Creek near Point Breeze; Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point; and Long Pond at Charlotte. 20. Semotilus corporalis (Mitchill). 5-6, 1 or 1, 5-4, 0; scales 11-58-6. 24. Abramis crysoleucas (Mitchill). Roach. Common. Cape Vincent; Grenadier Island; Black River at Huntingtonville; Guffon Creek, Chaumont; Chaumont River; Black Creek at Scriba Corner; Salmon River at Selkirk; and Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point. 25. Notropis cayuga Meek. Cayuga Minnow. Common Mud Creek near Cape Vincent; Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor; Cemetery Creek near Watertown; Guffon Creek near Chaumont; Chaumont River; Black Creek at Scriba Corner; Little Salmon Creek; Three-mile Creek near Oswego; Great Sodus Bay; Four-mile Creek at Nine-mile Point. This interesting little minnow, originally described from Cayuga Lake, is now found to be quite abundant throughout western New York. Notropis heterodon (Cope). Black-chin Minnow. Found in the lake near Cape Vincent, at Stony Island, and in Guffon Creek at Chaumont. Teeth 1, 4-4, 0, in specimen examined. Notropis blennius (Girard). Straw-colored Minnow. A common minnow. Cape Vincent; Grenadier Island; Little Stony Brook at Henderson Bay; Big Sandy Creek at Belleville; Salmon Bay at Selkirk; and Great Sodus Bay. This species is one of the smallest minnows, too small for use as bait. NOTropis hudsonius (Clinton). Spot-tail Minnow. An abundant and important minnow. Obtained at the following places: Cape Vincent; Grenadier Island; Horse Island; Sacketts Harbor; Salmon River at Selkirk; Little Salmon Creek; Three-mile Creek at Oswego; Long Pond and lake at Charlotte; Great Sodus Bay; and Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point. This is one of the most useful bait minnows in the State; called ‘‘Shiner’’ at Cape Vincent and elsewhere. On June 28 we saw a very large school of This minnow at the head of Grenadier Island. They were swimming at a depth of 6 to 18 inches below the surface in water 3 feet deep, and in a very compact body. There were apparently several thousand in the school. Several that we caught were full of ripe spawn. They were believed to be young white-fish by a local fisherman. 29. Notropis whipplii (Girard). Satin-fin Minnow. Quite common. Found at the following localities: Cape Vincent; Grenadier Island; Horse Island at Sacketts Harbor; Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor; Cemetery Creek near Watertown; Chaumont River; Great Sodus Bay and creek near Pultneyville. 30. Notropis cornutus (Mitchill). Redfin Shiner. Very abundant, and found at nearly all places where collections were made. Mud Creek near Cape Vincent; Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor; Big Stony Creek and Little Stony Brook at Henderson Harbor; Big Sandy Creek at Huntingtonville; Big Sandy Creek at Scriba Corner; Spring Brook at Pulaski; Wart Creek near Buena Vista; Three-mile Creek at Oswego; Marsh Creek at Point Breeze; creek at Pultneyville; Four-mile Creek at Nine-mile Point; Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point; Long Pond at Charlotte; and Sandy Creek at North Hamlin. These specimens have the snout short; 16 scales before the dorsal in the Sandy Creek specimens. 31. Notropis atherinoides Rafinesque. Slender Minnow. Not common. Obtained only at Cape Vincent and Grenadier Island. Head 4.5 to 5; depth 5 to 5.5; eye 3.25; D. 8; A. 11 to 13; scales 6-38 to 42-2 or 3; teeth 2, 4-4, 2; 20 or 21 scales before the dorsal. 32. Notropis rubrifrons (Cope). Red-fronted Minnow. Not very common. Obtained only in Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor; Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point; Wart Creek near Buena Vista; and Sandy Creek near North Hamlin. Rhinichthys atronasus (Mitchill). Black-nosed Dace. Very abundant everywhere. Mud Creek at Cape Vincent; Horse Island; Stony Island; Little Stony Brook at Henderson Bay; Black River at Huntingtonville; Big Sandy Creek at Belleville; Mill Creek at Pulaski; Wart Creek near Buena Vista; Three-mile Creek at Oswego; Great Sodus Bay; Four-mile Creek near Webster; Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point; Long Pond at Charlotte. Hybopsis storerianus (Kirtland). Storer’s Minnow. Found only in Long Pond at Charlotte, where but three specimens were obtained. 35. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque). River Chub. Not seen by us, but reported by Dr. H. M. Smith as being very common. 36. Exoglossum maxillaria (Le Sueur.) Split-lip Minnow. This curious and interesting species was obtained at 7 localities, as follows: Big Stony Creek at Henderson Harbor; Little Stony Brook at Henderson Bay; Black River at Huntingtonville; Big Sandy Creek at Belleville; Spring Brook at Pulaski; Wart Creek near Buena Vista; Salmon River at Selkirk. NOTES ON THE FISHES OF LAKE ONTARIO. 37. Anguilla chrysypa (Rafinesque). Common Eel. Not seen by us, but common as far as Niagara Falls. 88. Pomolobus pseudoharengus (Wilson). Alewife. Cape Vincent; Grenadier Island; Salmon River at Selkirk; lake and Long Pond at Charlotte. During June and July, 1894, this fish was found dead in considerable numbers at all places visited in the eastern part of the lake. [Alosa sapidissima (Wilson). Common Shad. Shad were planted in Lake Ontario in 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1877, and 1878. A few only of these survived, and since 1885 few, if any, have been seen. ] 89. Coregonus clupeiformis (Mitchill). Common White-fish. As the time of our visit to Lake Ontario was not the fishing season for this species, but few specimens were seen. It was seen at Cape Vincent, but we are not sure where the specimens came From. Argyrosomus artedi (Le Sueur). Lake Herring or Cisco. Seen only at Cape Vincent and Grenadier Island. The specimens seen were caught in gill nets on Charity Shoal in 140 to 160 feet. Argyrosomus prognathus (H. M. Smith). Long-jaw White-fish. Numerous specimens seen at Grenadier Island which had been taken June 28 in gill nets on Charity Shoal, 6 miles off Grenadier Island and near Duck Island, in 140 to 160 feet. Others were obtained by Dr. Gurley, August 26, at Wilson. They had been caught in gill nets about 3 miles off, in 105 fathoms. Salmo salar Linnzus. Allantic Salmon. Though at one time a common fish in some of the tributaries of this lake, but few have been seen in recent years. None was seen by us. Christophorus namaycush (Walbaum). Lake Trout. None seen by us, but occasionally taken. Umbra limi (Kirtland). Mud Minnow. Apparently not common, specimens having been obtained only in Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor and Guffon Creek near Chaumont. Lucius vermiculatus (Le Sueur). Grass Pike. Rather common in all suitable waters. Black Creek at Scriba Corner; Lakeview west of Oswego; Wart Creek near Buena Vista; Great Sodus Bay; outlet of Long Pond near Charlotte; and Marsh Creek near Point Breeze. Lucius reticulatus (Le Sueur). Common Pickerel. Found only in Black River at Huntingtonville, where two specimens were obtained. Lucius lucius (Linnezus). Common Pickerel. Found only in Black River at Huntingtonville, where two specimens were obtained. Umbra limi (Kirtland). Mud Minnow. Apparently not common in all suitable places. Umbra limi (Kirtland). Common Pickerel. Found only in Black River at Huntingtonville, where two specimens were obtained. Umbra limi (Kirtland). Near Sacketts Harbor; Stony Island; Thymallus ontariensis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XXI, 452, 1848, was based upon a specimen of grayling said to have been brought by Milbert from Lake Ontario, but it certainly did not come from Lake Ontario. It was probably the ordinary European grayling, Thymallus thymallus. Little Stony Brook at Henderson Bay; Guffon Creek and Chaumont River near Chaumont; Great Sodus Bay; Long Pond near Charlotte. 49. Eucalia inconstans (Kirtland). Brook Stickleback. Common in suitable places. Cape Vincent; Mill Creek near Sackett's Harbor; Black River at Huntingtonville; Three-mile Creek near Oswego; Four-mile Creek at Nine-mile Point; Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point; Long Pond near Charlotte. 50. Gasterosteus bispinosus Walbaum. Common Stickleback. Not common. Found only at Grenadier Island, Horse Island, and in Salt Creek near Nine-mile Point. These seem to be the first records of the occurrence of this salt-water fish in the Great Lakes. 51. Percopsis guttatus Agassiz. Trout Perch. Probably not uncommon in the lake, but specimens were obtained only at Cape Vincent, Grenadier Island, and Nine-mile Point. Several specimens were found dead. 52. Labidesthes sicculus (Cope). Skipjack. Probably common in the lake. Stony Island; Great Sodus Bay; Long Pond at Charlotte, and Sandy Creek at North Hamlin. No large schools were seen. 53. Pomoxis sparoides (Lacépéde). Calico Bass. Found only in Long Pond near Charlotte. 54. Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque). Rock Bass. Common everywhere. Cape Vincent; Grenadier Island; Mill Creek near Sackett's Harbor; Little Stony Brook at Henderson Bay; Cemetery Creek near Watertown; Guffon Creek near Chaumont; Chaumont River; Salmon River and Little Salmon Creek; Black Creek near Scriba Corner. Great Sodus Bay; Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point; Sandy Creek near North Hamlin; Marsh Creek near Point Breeze. 55. Lepomis pallidus (Mitchill). Bluegill. Doubtless common, but actually obtained only at Stony Island off Sacketts Harbor. 56. Eupomotis gibbosus (Linnzeus). Pumpkin Seed. Very abundant and found at nearly every place where collections were made. Mud Creek and lake near Cape Vincent; Grenadier Island; Horse Island; Stony Island; Big Stony Creek at Henderson Harbor; Cemetery Creek near Watertown; Black River at Huntingtonville; Guffon Creek and Chaumont River near Chaumont; Black River at Huntingtonville; Guffon Creek and Chaumont River near Chaumont; Black River near Oswego; Little Salmon Creek and Salmon River; Three-mile Creek near Oswego; Great Sodus Bay; creek at Pultneyville; Four-mile Creek at Nine-mile Point; Long Pond near Charlotte; Sandy Creek near North Hamlin; Marsh Creek at Point Breeze. 57. Micropterus dolomieu Lacépéde. Small-mouth Black Bass. An abundant and important game-fish. Numerous examples from 3 to 12 inches long seen in a cove on Grenadier Island. It was doubtless seen elsewhere, but no specimens were retained. 58. Micropterus salmoides (Lacépéde). Large-mouth Black Bass. Common everywhere. Cape Vincent; Grenadier Island; Stony Island; Chaumont River; Salmon River and Little Salmon Creek; Three-mile Creek at Oswego; Great Sodus Bay; creek at Pultneyville; Four-mile Creek at Nine-mile Point; Long Pond at Charlotte; Marsh Creek at Point Breeze, and Lakeview. NOTES ON THE FISHES OF LAKE ONTARIO. eyed pike are heard among fishermen and anglers, among which may be mentioned blue pike, yellow pike, dore, and jack salmon, the last an absurd name in use in various places in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. ‘‘Pike perch” is a book name largely in use by fish-culturists and in the publications of the United States Fish Commission. 60. Stizostediun canadense (Smith). Sauger. Not seen by us, but occasionally taken, especially about Chaumont Bay. 61. Perca flavescens (Mitchill). Yellow Perch. Abundant everywhere. Cape Vincent; Grenadier Island; Stony Island; Little Stony Brook at Henderson Bay; Chaumont River; Black Creek near Scriba Corner; Little Salmon Creek and Salmon River; creek at Pultneyville; Great Sodus Bay; Four-mile Creek and Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point; Lakeview and Three-mile Creek near Oswego; Long Pond near Charlotte. Percina caprodes zebra (Rafinesque). Log Perch. Common in all suitable places. Grenadier Island; Cape Vincent; Horse Island; Lake at Nine-mile Point; Little Salmon Creek; Salmon River near Selkirk; and Marsh Creek near Point Breeze. Hadropterus aspro (Cope & Jordan). Black-sided Darter. Found only in Marsh Creek, near Point Breeze, where three specimens were obtained. These have the scales 9-68-11, 9-65-11, and 9-65-11, respectively. Diplesion blennioides (Rafinesque). Green-sided Darter. Three specimens obtained in Sandy Creek at North Hamlin. Boleosoma nigrum olmsted (Storer). Olmsted’s Darter. Cape Vincent and Mud Creek near Cape Vincent; Horse Island; Grenadier Island; Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor; Stony Island; Little Stony Brook at Henderson Bay; Cemetery Creek near Watertown; Guffon Creek and Chaumont River near Chaumont; Spring Brook near Pulaski; Salmon River; Little Salmon Creek; Three-mile Creek near Oswego; Great Sodus Bay; Long Pond near Charlotte; Sandy Creek near North Hamlin. Etheostoma crruleum Store R. Rainbow Darter. Found by us only in Marsh Creek near Point Breeze, and Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point. 67. Etheostoma flabellare Rafinesque. Fun-tailed Darter. Quite common and well distributed throughout the western part of the State. Numerous specimens obtained at the following places: Grenadier Island; Horse Island; Mill Creek near Sacketts Harbor; Little Stony Brook at Henderson Bay; Cemetery Creek near Watertown; Chaumont River; Big Sandy Creek near Belleville; Spring Brook near Pulaski; Wart Creek near Buena Vista; Three-mile Creek near Oswego; Great Sodus Bay; Four-mile Creek and Salt Brook near Nine-mile Point; Sandy Creek near North Hamlin; Marsh Creek near Point Breeze. 68. Boleichthys fusiformis (Girard). Fusiform Darter. Obtained only in Mud Creek near Cape Vincent at Grenadier Island and in Guffon Creek near Chaumont. Head 4; depth 5.5; D. x-11; A. 1 8; scales 5-57-9; specimen 2.25 inches long, from Mud Creek. 216 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 69. Roccus chrysops (Rafinesque). White Bass. Found by us only at Horse Island, Sacketts Harbor, where three examples were obtained June 30. Published reference to the occurrence of Roccus lineatus in this lake are all probably based upon specimens of this species. 70. Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque. Fresh-water Drum or Sheepshead. Seen only at Point Breeze, where one specimen was obtained from the lake. 71. Cottus ictalops (Rafinesque). Common Blob. Specimens obtained at Grenadier and Stony islands. 72. Triglopsis thompsoni Girard. Deep-water Blob. Three specimens from Nine-mile Point, one from the lake, the two others from a small 73. Lota maculosa (Le Sueur). Ling. One specimen obtained 4 miles off Nine-mile Point. AN ANNOTATED LIST OF THE FISHES KNOWN TO OCCUR IN LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND ITS TRIBUTARY WATERS. By Barron WARREN EVERMANN AND WILLIAM CONVERSE KENDALL. This paper is based primarily upon observations and collections made in the Lake Champlain basin in July, 1894, by the senior writer of this article and Mr. Barton A. Bean, of the United States National Museum. At that time collections were made at Rouses Point, in Missisquoi Bay, at Alburg Springs, on the west shore of Hog Island, in Saranac River near Plattsburgh, and in Scioto Creek near Coopersville, N. Y. Subsequently a small collection was received by the Fish Commission from Mr. A. L. Collins, of Swanton, Vt.; another considerable collection from Mr. John W. Titcomb, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., made by him in Caspian Lake, at the headwaters of Lamoille River, November 10, 1898, and a few specimens have been received from various other sources, among them a small collection made by Dr. Evermann in Upper Saranac Lake, in 1901... To make the list complete and more useful as a faunal catalogue, we have included all species known to us to inhabit Lake Champlain or its tributary waters. We have aimed to include all references of which we have found any definite record and a bibliography of the papers in which they occur. The titles are arranged chronologically. Under each is given a list of the species mentioned in it, the page upon which the record occurs, and our identification of each species in current nomenclature. In the formal list of species reference is made to the authority for the record. The total number of species known to inhabit the Lake Champlain basin is only 54. Doubtless this list will be considerably enlarged whenever its waters are more thoroughly studied. As a matter of fact, only the most desultory collecting has been done either in the lake or its tributaries. Practically nothing has ever been published concerning the fishes of the great multitude of small lakes and streams in the Adirondacks, many of which are tributary to Lake Champlain; and, Zadock Thompson’s list excepted, but little has been published even of the fishes inhabiting the lake itself. In 1896 the present writers published a list of the fishes known from the State of Vermont. The total number of species included was 53, 45 of which were from the Lake Champlain basin. The present paper adds 9 species to the Champlain list. An annotated list of the fishes known from the State of Vermont. Report U.S. Fish Commission for 1894 (1896), 579-604. 1817. Rarrinesque, C.S.—Museum of Natural Sciences; first decade of new North American fishes. American Monthly Magazine and Critical Review. 1817, 118-121. Nominal species. Identification. Ano uillaichnysypataesescic-ic-esses ane Anguilla chrysypa. Salmo pallidus... eee etn ciel wate Cristivomer namaycush, Abramis erysoleucas. Clypusine mip lus eyes. cieereielas emia ee 1817. Le Surur, C. A.—A new genus of fishes, of the order Abdominales, proposed under the name of Catostomus; and the characters of the genus, with those of its species, indicated. Journal Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia 1817, 102-111. Page. Nominal species. Identification. Catostomus catostomus. Catostomus longirostrum. 1818. RaFInesquE, C. S.—Description of three new genera of fluviatile fish, Pomozis, Sarchirus, and Exoglossum. Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences. Philadelphia 1818, 417-422. Page. Nominal species. Identification. Exoglossum nigrescens. Exoglossum maxillaria. RarinesquE, C. S.—Annals of Nature, or annual synopsis of new genera and species of animals, plants, etc., discovered in North America. 1, 1820. Page. Nominal species. Identification. Hemiphus le custris encesse secesisciee. Abramis crysoleucas. Dr. Kay, James E.—Natural History of New York: Fishes. 1-xv and 1-415. Page. Nominal species. Identification. Nominal species. Identification. Euciscus Mitidus. -eeccesesestice = Semotilus corporalis. Hydrargyra atricauda. Umbra limi. Ammoccetes unicolor. Ichthyomygon concolor. New genera and species are indicated by. FISHES OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND TRIBUTARY WATERS. Thompson, ZApock.—History of Vermont, natural, civil. and statistical, in three parts, with a new map of the State, and 200 engravings, rv-+648, 1842. Part I is entitled ‘Natural History of Vermont,’ and comprises pages 1 to 224, pages 1 to 151 being devoted to the fishes. Page. Nominal species. Identification. 129 130 130 131 182 133 133 134 134 135 136 136 137 138 139 140 140 143 143 145 145 146 149 150 Perea serrato-granulata Lucio-Perca americana Pomotis  gibbosus. Ambloplites rupestris. Percina caprodes. Aplodinotus grunniens. Carpiodes thompsoni. Moxostoma aureolum. Catostomus commersonii. Semotilus corporalis. Abramis crysoleucas. Rhinichthys atronasus. Umbra limi. Esox lucius. Ameiurus vulgaris. Ameiurus lacustris. Salmo salar. Cristivomer namaycush. Osmerus mordax. Coregonus clupeiformis. Hiodon tergisus. Lepisosteus osseus. Lepisosteus Osseus (young). Lota maculosa. Acipeaser rubicundus. O. Ichthyomyzon concolor. 1849. THOMPSON, Zapock.—Notes on certain Vermont fishes. (Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, 1, 1848-1851 (July 18, 1849), 1851, 163-165. In this communication Mr. Thompson described the supposed new species Hsox nobilior, which is identical with Esox masquinongy, and another species which he supposed to be new, under the name Percopsis pellucida, and suggested that this last might represent a new genus, for which he would propose the name Salmoperca. 1850. BARP, SPENCER F.—A small collection of fishes was made by Professor Baird at Westport, N. Y., in Lake Champlain. 1850. In 1850, which are catalogued in the record books of the department of fishes of the U. S. National Museum, referred to in this paper as ‘‘Baird coll. 1850.” Species as recorded. Pimelodus) AMTATWS2 a2. sec-ea- sess ens se Ameiurus nebulosus Exoglossum... Percopsis Corvina oscula POLO SHAVESCUS atiee sae eas caee Seo cie cece ee Am bloplites rupestris ame --..-.----..=---- Aicea ke ae GCODPOTALIS Dies..<j-jncncc mene lenses i Dye SUH TS) Cera aa Ce ee ie ee a a Photegenis|spilopterus s-). 22. 52..4-\..20--- Micropterus dolomieu Catostomus teres Semotilus corporalis Identification. Ameiurus nebulosus. Do. Do. Amia calva. Exoglossum maxillulosa. Percopsis guttatus. Percopsis guttatus. Percopsis granum. Aplodinotus grunniens. Percopsis granum. Aplodinotus grunniens. Percopsis whipplii. Micropterus dolomieu. Catostomus commersonii. Semotilus corporalis. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 1853. Thompson, ZADOCK.—History of Vermont, natural, civil, and statistical, in three parts, with an appendix. Part 1, Natural History, pp. 1 to 224; Appendix, Natural History, pp. 5 to 58, 1853. Besides the list given in the edition of 1842, Mr. Thompson appends in the present volume an additional list of eight species. Page. Nominal species. Identification. 30 | Lucio-Perca canadensis...........--...-... Stizostedion canadense. 31 | Boleosoma tassellatum........... Cottogaster copelandi. $1 | Cottus gobioides.s2-)2235-2-. -222 Bele eae Uranidea gracilis. 32 | Leuciscus atromaculatus...........--.--- Semotilus atromaculatus. 327 | Esox nobilioriae nse ewes goer sc eee Esox masquinongy. 33 | Salmoperca pellucida...-..-. Soe haicmisiccere Percopsis guttatus. 34 | Coregonus clupeiformis -.............---. Argyrosomus artedi. 35 | Amiaiocellicandarccs-5.--2-- 2 o-- -aue cee Amia calva. Although the name Esox nobilior was first used by Thompson in 1849 (see ante), the first description of the supposed new species appeared in this place. 1872. Dumérit, August.—Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, 1, 1870, 1-608. Page. Nominal species. Identification, 135 Acipenser (Huso) megalaspis, Acipenser rubicundus. Amiga thompsonil, jess. cecccccawcscsin-=5 Amia calva. 1855. AGassiz, L.—Synopsis of the ichthyological fauna of the Pacific slope of North America, chiefly from the collection made by the United States expedition under the command of Capt. C. Wilkes, with recent additions and comparisons with eastern types. American Journal of Sciences and Arts, 1855, 71-99. Page. Nominal species. Identification. Carpiodes thompsoni, Carpiodes thompsoni. HALLOCK, CHARLES.—Game Fish of North America. The Sportsman’s Gazetteer and General Guide. The game animals, birds, and fishes of North America: Their habits and various methods of capture. Copious instructions in shooting, fishing, taxidermy, woodcraft, etc., together with a directory of the principal game resorts of the country; illustrated with maps, 1877, 239-407 (1-688 and 1-208). Page. Nominal species. Identification. 273) (Centrarchus; Neus. sje see seis eemecessaee Ambloplites rupestris. 292) (ESO XsTClICHIAUNS semana ene eae aa Esox reticulatus. 304 | Salmo confinis............+-.-.--+-+-------- Cristivomer namaycush. 808 | Coregonus labradoricus ........--.--:----.: Coregonus labradoricus. 310) || (Osmerussmordaxt) cease e ecresceae sce es Osmerus mordax. 1883. JorpAN, Davin §., and GitBert, CHARLES H.—Synopsis of the Fishes of North America, Bull. 16, U. S. Nat. Mus. Lv1 + 1018, 1883. On page 498, specimen No. 1314, U. 8S. Nat. Mus., collected in Westport Brook, Essex County, New York, is described as Cottogaster putnami, which proves to be a synonym of C. copelandi. FISHES OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND TRIBUTARY WATERS. 221 1894. EverMANN, B. W., AND Bran, B. A.—A collection made in Lake Champlain and tributary waters by the senior author and Mr. B. A. Bean in 1894, is referred to in this paper as ‘‘Evermann & Bean coll. 1894.’ It consists of twenty-one species, which is about 40 per cent of all the species recorded from Lake Champlain and tributaries. 1. Lepisosteus osseus. 8. Notropis whipplii. 15. Eucalia inconstans. 2. Catostomus commersonii. 9. Notropis cornutus. 16. Esox reticulatus. 3. Pimephales notatus. 10. Notropis atherinoides. 17. Ambloplites rupestris. 4. Semotilus corporalis. 11. Notropis rubrifrons. 18. Micropterus dolomieu. 5. Abramis crysoleucas. 12. Rhinichthys cataracte. 19. Perea flavescens. 6. Notropis blennius. 13 Rhinichthys atronasus. 20. Percina caprodes. 7. Notropis hudsonius. 14. Exoglossum maxillingua. 21. Boleosoma nigrum olmstedi. 1894. EvermMann, B. W., and Krenpatit, W. C.—An annotated list of the fishes known from the State of Vermont. <Report of U. 8. Fish Commission 1894 (1896), 579-604. Page. Nominal species. Identification. 584 | Acipenser rubicundus................------ Acipenser rubicundus. 584: || hepisosteus:.Osseus.-.5 << Sasccc-cacees ces Lepisosteus osseus. Hsp PAWMEIUNUS LACUSULISS co Jaemsnccece Ss esesinec ce Ameiurus lacustris. b8by|-AmennnusimebulOsuss--sc-s2-eseecasece = ces Ameiurus nebulosus. 586 | Carpiodes thompsoni.............-------.-- Carpiodes thompsoni. 586 | Catostomus commersonii. 586 | Moxostoma aureolum. DSTaieeimephalesmnotatusis = sae 4565s one ek Pimephales notatus. 587. Semotilus Corporalis. 522. Semotilus Corporalis. 522. Exoglossum maxillulis. 589 | Coregonus clupeiformis. 589 | Coregonus clupeiformis. 590 | Coregonus labradoricus. 590 | Coregonus labradoricus. 590 | Coregonus labradoricus. 590 |  Eupomotis gibbosus. 600 | Micropterus dolomieu............ Micropterus dolomieu. 601-|Stizostedion vitreum..-...--s--0------<-6-- Stizostedion vitreum. 601 | Stizostedion canadense.............. Stizostedion canadense. 602 Percina caprodesi.co-s24--22---2 5eceee ssa Percina caprodesi. 603 | Boleosoma nigrum olmstedi.............. Boleosoma nigrum olmstedi. 603 | Aplodinotus grunniens............... Aplodinotus grunniens. 603 | Lota maculosa... 22. 2 sjccsctcics ees --------| Lota maculosa. 1897. Ratupun, RicHarp, and WAKEHAM, WILLIAM.—Report of the Joint Commission relative to the preservation of the fisheries in waters contiguous to Canada and the United States. House Document No. 315, Fifty-fourth Congress, second session, 1897, 14-178. Page. Nominal species. Identification. 42 | Stizostedion vitreum -- 2......0eecsecsseess Stizostedion vitreum. 43 | Coregonus labradoricus...................- Coregonus labradoricus. 43 | Coregonus:clupeiformis. CANN 5) FCS Ce ee ee ee Micropterus dolomieu. BAD AGING UF OU Gs sccticu ot vicceces on ais accu ce mecie sce Cristivomer namaycush. Aa MCHOW PEL Mires swe sisicass ccucicvece case chores Perca flavescens. 