settlers of the country, who, perhaps in some cases, but
for the assistance they afforded, would have been compelled to
relinquish their settlements. They could catch a supply at any time,
and they then had an unfailing resort when their crops failed.
Whitefish were a great favorite with the Indians. They would give many
times their weight in trout or any other species in exchange for them.
It is said that a person can subsist longer upon them than upon any
other kind.

Their ordinary weight is from 3 to 5 lbs, length 15 inches, though
some have been caught weighing not less than 18 lbs. They are a
beautiful fish, and when first taken out of the water and struggle and
flounder in the sun, they exhibit all the colors of the rainbow, but
they soon expire, and when dead they are of a delicate white color.
The trout, pike, and muscalonge devour them without mercy. Some of
these voracious kinds have been caught with the remains of six
white-fish in them.

The Detroit River white-fish are more juicy and better flavored than
those caught in the upper lakes, probably from the fact that they feed
on more delicate food, but those found in Lake Superior surpass all
others in size. They were once so numerous that eight thousand were
taken at a single haul. At present a haul of one or two thousand is
thought a very good one. In all the rivers they are growing scarce
very gradually, but surely. The ratio of decrease cannot be arrived at
with any degree of precision. A few years ago they were mostly taken
with gill nets, and when they fell of in one place, a corresponding
increase would be found in another. Now they are taken with trap nets
along the shore. The trap nets are a decided advantage over gill nets.
They allow the fish to be kept alive, and they are taken out at
leisure; they are therefore of better quality.

Pickerel are also held in high esteem. They are good either fresh, or
salted and dried, and for packing, rank next in value to white,
although held nominally at the same price as trout when packed. They
generally run up the rivers and lakes in the spring to spawn, where
they are caught in considerable numbers. Average weight, 2 lbs; large,
20 lbs; common length, 15 inches.

Lake or Mackinaw trout are as voracious as pike. They are chiefly
caught on Lake Huron with gill nets and hooks. Saginaw Bay appears to
be a favorite resort with them. Some winters large quantities are
caught in the Bay through the ice, with a