30 U. S. BUEEAU OF FISHERIES 



and green as the fish when they first arrive in Bristol Bay. The journey was 

 continued to Current Creek, and no sahiion were passed en route, with the excep- 

 tion of the few mentioned above. The spawning ponds and sloughs of Current 

 Creek were barren of salmon. A broken shaft on the outboard motor made it 

 necessary to row to Tarnalia Point, where repairs were made. On September 9 

 the trip was resumed to Pickerel Creek, which is located just above the islands 

 between Nondalton Lake and Lake Clark proper. An immense beaver dam 

 forms an obstruction to the ascending salmon, thus cutting off considerable 

 spawning area. Hundreds of salmon were noted below the dam. The trip of 

 inspection was concluded at Roadhouse Portage, Lake Iliamna. 



The water level of Lake Clark and its tributaries was the lowest that has ever 

 been witnessed by tlie oldest inhabitants at this particular time of tlie year. 



The run of salmon from Kijik to the head of the lake was far behind its usual 

 time, the first salmon appearing at Tarnalia Point on June 13 and at Kijik on 

 July 16. 



Natives from Kokhonak reported that the streams in Kokhonak Bay were well 

 populated with salmon, and the lake at the head of Kokhonak Creek was filled to 

 capacity, as were the tributaries thereto. It was also reported that Belinda 

 Creek had a very good escapement of fish. 



AERIAL SURVEY 



During the 1931 season an aerial survey of the spawning grounds 

 was made for the first time in the Bristol Bay area. While the results 

 accomplished were not wholly satisfactory, due to unfavorable weather 

 conditions, they were sufficient to indicate the possibilities offered by 

 this means of travel if a plane were available to make the trip at 

 appropriate times and if stops could be made when the examiner 

 found it desirable to make additional investigations on foot. The 

 advantages of aircraft for obtaining a complete check on all important 

 salmon spawning areas, as well as a means of control over the patrol 

 of any large district, are obvious. 



Mr. Winn's report on the aerial survey is as follow^s : 



On August 19 departure was taken from Cordova to Bristol Bay on the seaplane 

 Ketchikan of the Alaska- Washington Airways (Inc.). Routing was made over 

 Jackpot Bay and the northern end of Port Bainbridge, Prince William Sound, to 

 ascertain the relative position and importance of the lakes' in these areas in as- 

 sociation with future weir installation. Travel was continued to Iliamna and 

 then to the bureau's marine ways at Naknek. 



On the following day Warden Fenno accompanied the writer on the aerial 

 inspection trip. The plane circled the Naknek Lake series, passing over Naknek 

 Lake to the Bay of Isles, then into Lake Grosvenor, and up Coville Lake to the 

 stream at its head. This stream was well suppUed with fish. Good numbers of 

 salmon were noted in the mouth of the stream that is located about midway on the 

 north shore of Naknek Lake. Fair numbers were observed also along the north 

 shores of Grosvenor and Coville Lakes. The fog ceiling lowered to such a degree 

 during the flight that flying was confined to very low altitudes, thereby making 

 estimates of the escapement impossible except during short intervals when the 

 fog lifted and ascent could be made to a higher level. The course continued down 

 Savonski River into Iliuk Arm, thence to Kittiwake Creek, and into Brooks Lake. 

 There was a heavy escapement into the creek, and a schooling of salmon at the 

 outlet of Brooks Lake indicated that apparently the fish had just passed up from 

 Naknek Lake. Brooks Lake was circled, and only one fairly large school of red 

 salmon was seen along the shore, this being at the head of the lake. An endeavor 

 was made to fly into Becharof Lake, headwaters of Ugashik River, but heavy 

 banks of fog between the mountains forced a retreat to water safety. A landing 

 was made in Kukaklek Lake, one of the Lockanok series. Due to continued 

 interference by fog a return was made to Naknek. The escapement of salmon, 

 while better than fair, was not considered sufficient for maximum seeding, for 

 more salmon could be accommodated on the vacant spawning areas in the Naknek 

 Lake system. 



Weather conditions improved and a take-off was made for Snag Point, on 

 Nushagak River, in the early afternoon. It required 45 minutes to cover the 

 distance of approximately 70 miles. The trip was then resumed to the Wood 

 River and Tikchik Lakes. The five Wood River lakes were circled and fair num- 



