An unusual maskinonge from Little Vermilion Lake

An unusual type of maskinonge found in two lakes in Kenora District, Ontario, is regarded as a hybrid between Esox masquinongy and Esox lucius. It differs from the typical maskinonge found in the same waters in having a stouter body, longer and deeper head, longer maxillary, and longer fins. It retains dark vertical bars throughout life whereas in the typical form these break up and tend to disappear with age. Of 69 specimens examined, six were of the presumed hybrid type. These all appeared to be sterile. They showed the following Esox lucius characters—cheeks totally scaled, head concave interorbitally, cheeks and opercula vividly marked.