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HOW FISH SLEEP IN WINTER In southern New Jersey with the cooling water catfish are showing signs of letting up in biting Yellow perch atre being found in the deeper holes Ill the ponds the bass are moving away from the shallow waters around the edges and assembling in the deeper parts preparatory to their semi slumber until spring While the bass is probably not a true hibernating fish yet from about November until April the species gather together in holes below the ice lines and for that period remain with scarcely any movement Most of the time is passed in sleeping and little or no food is taken The state ¬ ment that the bass sleep may surprise some yet it is nevertheless true All fish sleep even as do other creatures although having no eyelids fish cannot close their eyes But eyelids and closed eyes are not essential to sleep Some fish while asleep actually lie down others lean against some object The majority rest quietly suspended in the water with only an occasional movement of the fins to preserve their balance
