ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1931 31 



hers of red salmon were noted spawning at the mouths of various tributaries and 

 along the shores of each lake. An accurate estimate of the number of fish was 

 impossible because of tlic fog. However, it was observed that the upper lakes 

 contained most of the spawners. Local inhabitants were engaged in the destruc- 

 tion of the predatory enemies of salmon on each lake. 



The flight was tlien continued to the Tikchik Lake series. Fair numbers of 

 salmon were seen along the shores of the first two lakes but none in the upper 

 lakes. There are 5 lakes in the Tikchik chain, 3 large ones and 2 small connecting 

 lakes. Fog interfered with all but the close-up observations; and these were not 

 satisfactory, as flying so low made it difficult at times to see the fish. The spawn- 

 ing possibilities in the upper lakes appeared very limited, as only the heads of 

 these lakes are favorable for seeding areas. It was planned to cross over to the 

 Mulchatiia and Upper Nushagak Rivers, but this plan was frustrated by con- 

 tinued fog which hindered observations and made fhdng hazardous, necessitating 

 a return to Snag Point. Judging from the aerial observations, there appeared to 

 be a fair escapement. 



As it was learned that weather conditions such as were encountered usually 

 prevail for about a week or 10 days, and as indications pointed to such a continua- 

 tion, it was deemed advisable to leave the district without visiting the Tgushik and 

 Snake River lakes. Warden Fenno remained in the Nushagak district for fall 

 and winter work. 



The survey was continued on August 21, departure being made from Snag Point 

 for the eastern shore of Bristol Bay. In crossing over to Kvichak Bay the plane 

 passed through a dense bank of fog. Lockanok River was reached and followed 

 for about 60 miles in a direct line, the stream being about 100 miles in length as it 

 meanders to the lake at its source. This river is composed of numerous small 

 channels in its upper reaches, covering a vast territory of lowland, which makes 

 it extremely difficult to reach the lake by boat from Bristol Bay. The river sepa- 

 rates into two branches near its head, the branches rising from lakes that lie 

 parallel to each other. These lakes are of good proportions, and at the head of 

 each a narrow neck of water circles around the bases of the mountains. Observa- 

 tions farther inland were prevented bj- the fog. A landing was made in Lake 

 Grant which is the upper one of the two lakes. No fish were seen during the flight, 

 as conditions were unfavorable for proper examination. 



The trip was continued to Lake Iliamna. The inspection of Belinda Creek was 

 unsuccessful as it was necessary to fly at such low altitudes. A temporary lift of 

 the fog enabled an examination to be made of a small portion of Kokhonak Creek. 

 A good escapement was noted near and inside the river mouth and for about a mile 

 up the river. An examination of the lake at the head of Kokhonak Creek, the 

 lakes tributary to Kokhonak River, and the upper reaches of Copper River was 

 impossible due to weather conditions. No information was obtained on the lower 

 reaches of Copper River because of poor visibiIit^^ The flight was continued to 

 Roadhouse Portage across Iliamna Lake. It had been planned to survey Lake 

 Clark and its tributaries from this point, but as weather conditions were unfavora- 

 ble it was felt that nothing could be achieved by continuing the aerial observa- 

 tions. Weather reports indicated no signs of improvement, so a return was made 

 to the base at Cordova. The total number of miles covered on the trip was 

 approximately 2,000. 



GENER.'iL SUMMARY 



From observations made by bureau employees over the entire dis- 

 trict Mr. Winn summarizes the situation as follows: 



The escapement into the Naknek Lake series was the most satisfactory for 

 several years. The bureau has maintained a counting weir in the Naknek River 

 since 1929, which shows the improvement in the salmon run as follows: In 1929, 

 the escapement was 561,916; in 1930, 287,208; and in 1931, 1,117,629. Obser- 

 vations by airplane of the spawning grounds indicate that a much greater number 

 can be accommodated for maximum seeding efficiency. 



The Ugashik district received one of the heaviest escapements of red salmon in 

 its history. The records of escapement through the counting weir maintained in 

 the Ugashik River since 1926 had shown a discouraging decline up to the current 

 year. The escapement of 1931 was far ahead of that of the corresponding cycle 

 in 1926, which is an encouraging indication for the future. The weir counts for 

 six consecutive vears areas follows: In 1926, 786,775; in 1927, 443,283; in 1928, 

 202,966; in 1929, 147,513; in 1930, 168,988; and in 1931, 1,379,623. 



The movement of fish in the Iliamna-Lake Clark district resembled that of 1926, 

 when the major portion of the escapement passed into streams along the north 



