The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-10

,e Editor of the Indianapolis Journals:
diana has more fine lakes and rivers
for the culture and raising OF food fish
than any other State in the Union, except
Michigan and Wisconsin, and yet 1t is q
regretable fact that Indiana has less pro-
lection for her food fish than any other
State Under our inadequate law any fish
pirate can seine, not because the law al
lows it, for it does not, but because there
is no ample provision to prevent it. Our
law strange as it may appear, allows
spearing during two months of the year
Bass are allowed to be taken off their beds
while spawning, or while guarding their
fry in the spring. 1t seems strange thas
q quail, pheasant squirrel, or indeed,
any bird is protected-that is, there is a
closed season on all game birds, and on
others the killing is prohibited at any
time, and there is a penalty for the de-
struction of birds nests at any time. yet
a. mother bass may be taken from her pest
by fish pirates and thousands of spawn
or fry destroyed by turtles, frogs and other
fishes. The black, or pond bass, which are
so plentiful in Indiana waters. is not the
celent food fish, and one that Will multiply
amazingly, if given any chance at all. This
splendid fish, in addition, is one OF the
most devoted creatures to it's young.
A black bass spawns usually about May.
1t will prepare Its nest with great s care
male viii, like a soldier, stand sentinel,
and woe to any intruder that comes in the
way. ! have seen snake cut in twain
that was unfortunate enough to SWIM over
the bed, and I have known mother Dasa
to Kill young muskrat that come too near.
Should not such devotion be protected?
Now, these fish will not bite at a period
while they are spawning nor while guard
ing their young Afterwards, but the un-
sportsmanlike nsh pirate drags a spoon
hook, phantom minnow or other bait over
the nest and either male or female,
"A
is caught and from eighteen thousand "a
twenty thosuand spawn or Try are de-
Again. there is destructive process going
on in the State. especially the northern
the ice. A fish is dormant and sluggish in
the winter and lays in the deep water it
and around it for air. ana as they are
hungry will bite at anything put under
their noses. and they are caught by thou
sands. 1 saw on the streets of Rochester.
Ind, a wagon box, or bed, filled with black
bass, caught, it was said, in short time
out of Cedar. or Bass lake, through the
ice. Legislation is needed, and l offer the
following bill and ASK our present Legis-
"A bill for an act for the protection of
Fish
Section /. Be it enacted by the General
Assembly of the State of Indiana that 1t
shall be unlawful for any one to take any
black bass, pond bass, or any bass known
as as the piaek pass, IN any manner n between
the fifteenth day of June succeeding of the
following year, and it shall be unlawful
for any one to take fish i'm any manner,
through holes cut in the ice, In any of the
waters of this State, and 1t shall be unlaw-
full to seine. spear or take fish by trap
at any time. Any one violating any of the
provisions OF this act shall, upon convic-
ton, be fined in any sum not less than $40
more than $780, and upon second con-
viction of the same person imprisonment
may be added, not exceeding thirty days.
Section 2.-Whereas, an emergency exists
for the immediate taking effect of this act,
the same shall therefore be in force from
and after its passage"
Almost every state of this Union has a
closed season for bass. and yet Indiana lags
in this march of progress, and, on account
of the Legislature neglecting TO pass good
laws our splendid waters are plundered and
are incapable of furnishing any considerable
amount of food fish. / hope the members OF
the present Legislature will look carefully
to this. and pass the within bill or SINH
lar one. j. 3. KENNEIe.
Hfntinyton Ind Tan o