The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-01-04
FISH FOUND IN THE RIVERS AND LAKES IN
AND AROUND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

AND AROUND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.
BY GEORGE CLARK.
Hon. j. C. HOLMES, Sec'y Of tie Mich. Stat
| fig. Society.
Dear Sir-In compliance with your reoucs
| herewith submit a brief description of the sew
eral varieties Of fish that are found in the Riv
ers and Lakes in and about the State ofMichi
gan. Igive the weight, length and pfobabl
age to which they live.
lhaye enumerate twenty seven varieties tina
have scales, and four that have no scales, bu
q tough smooth Shiny skin.
will commence with the description of til
smallest, and continue in rotation according 4
their weight, length and age, making thirty
one varieties in all.
These little fish are sometimes used as pan
fish, but generally for bait to catch large
fish. They are found in creeks and along tn,
shores OF rivers and lakes They spawn in th,
spring, and usually in creeks. Average weigh
quarter of pound; large weight, one fb: ave
rage length, three inches; age twelve years.
SINNERS.
These harmless little fish arc used as bait
and sometimes as pan-fish; they are Of but lit
tie valne for food. They are found in river.
and lakes in large schools and many other kinds
OF fish feed upon them. In fact they seem tc
have been created TO scrve as food for other fish
They are often caught in seines with other fish
and generally thrown back into the water
Average weight, half pound large weight
one and half pounds; length SIX inches; age
IL years.
sUNFIsH.
Those pretty little fish arc found in all the
creeks, rivers, and lakes; they are the best of
pan-fisb, but, unfortunately not very numerous.
They spawn in the spring. Average weight.
sfb; large weight, islbs; common length, 9
inches; age IL years
SPOTTED OR BROOK TROUT.
These beautiful fish are fiavorite with all
who know thcm; they surpass all other fresh
fish as pan-ish They are found in all the
clear creels rivers and lakes from Mackinaw
to the head of lake Superior. II is fine sport
to catch them with hook, They are not We
rv numerous, but are sometimes caught at tho
Sault with scines and salted Average weight
Glib; large. Obs; average length, 6 inches; age
twenty-five years.
ROCK BASS.
They are very fine pan-fsh, found in all the
creeks, rivers and lakes, mostly in pairs but
are not very numerous. They spawn in the
spring. Average weight, afb; large lsibs; con-
mon length, inches; age Is years.
YELLOW PERCH.
These are the best summer pan-fsh tht -a.e
caught in tho creeks rivers and lakes. They
are usually found in pairs, but not very numo-
rous. Average weight Glib; large, lafbs: COM
mon length, 6 inches;age Is years.
ROACH.
These are very good fish, and are found In
pairs in most of the rivers and lakes; they
spawn in the spring. They are not ry plen-
ly. Average weight lib; large weight 2lbs;
common length, inches; age Is years.
SMALL HERRING.
Are harmless little fish; almost all larger fish
prev upon them. They are found in the
straits and large lakes, and are taken in consi-
ierable quantities for packing;thev rank fourth
rate in value for that purpose. They spawn
n the fall. Average weight. lfibs; large
weight Obs; common length inches; age 90
years.
MINNows.
These fish bear some resemblance to both
he herring and white fish. and appears 10 be
! cross of those varieties. They arc gond fish
% salt, but not very plenty; they are taken in
ome ofthe rivers and lakes. They spawn in
he fall. Average weight lib; largo weight |
Tbs: common length. 10 inches; age 25 years.
WHITE BASS.
Those NAV be called bunch Of fins, scales |
nd bones; il is almost impossible to take them |
p without woundng the bhsPDas With the sGA spfns n
nd arc found in large numbers in most of tho |
ivers and lakes. They are considered abont
venth in value for sailing. Average weight |
Abs: large, 2lbs: common length 9inches; age
o years.
CARP OR RED SUCKER.
These fish are found in large Quantities in |
.akes Huron. Michigan and Superior; also in
many ofthe creeks and rivers. They run up
he creeks and rivers in such large numbers
n the spring, to spawn, that where the water
J shoal thev can be caught with but little
rouble. They are very good pan fish, and
ank sixth in value for packing. Average
Weight, IL lbs, large weight 2lbs; common
eng'h IL inches; age 80 wears.
SUCKERS.
Are found in considerable numbers in the
reeks and rivers where they run Up in the
pring to spawn; they arc sometimes used as
an fish, put are not Of much value; average
,eigh:, ID lbs, large weight 2 lbs; common
ength, III inches; age 30 years.
STONE CARRIER.
These are knowing little fish. and are gen.
rally found in pairs. They swim near the
ottom and spawn in the spring, where there
gravel and small stone. They make bile
{ their spawn, then throw up tho gravel and
tone about the oggs to protect them until they
atch: one Of them stations itself above and
ear tho little pile to protectit it, and to take
barge Of the young when batched. They
re of but little value, and not very numerous.
Weight. 1slbs; large weight. 2lbs; common
,ngth inches; age; 80 years,
PLAcK BASS.
Arc we'll known and are very good fish; they
re- found in all the rivers and lakes, spawn
! the spring and are mostly found in pairs,
ut are not very numerous; average weight,
lbs; common length 10 inchos; age 80 years.
LARGE HERRING.
Are very good fish, found only in the straits
nd largo lakes they spawn in the fall, but, few
re'caught; average weight. II lbs; large weight
lbscommon length 10 inches; large 20 inch
); ago so years.
DOG FISH. /,
Are found in almost every place where there
water enough for them to swim. They
pawn in the spring They are ugly. DISCUS