ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1926 271 
the west coast of the Prince of Wales Island region the escapement 
was excellent, although extreme low water, due to lack of rain, 
proved a serious hindrance at times to the ascent of spawning 
salmon. This handicap was also true to some extent in nearly all 
streams, especially small streams in the Wrangell district and_ to 
the south. Rains in the latter part of August relieved this situation. 
In the general region centering at Ketchikan, a substantial increase 
in reds over the last few years was observed and a satisfactory 
escapement of this species was reported. 
Copper River district—The escapement of breeding salmon to 
Copper River waters was unsatisfactory. This stream has been 
depleted through overfishing in former years or from other cause, 
and sharp curtailment of fishing through regulatory measures has 
been necessary in order to begin restoration of the runs to their 
former abundance. Apparently this stream is in less satisfactory 
condition than any other large salmon stream in Alaska. 

Fic. 5.—Spent salmon on spawning beds, western Alaska 
Prince William Sound district—Reports indicate that in some 
streams there was a satisfactory escapement of red salmon to the 
spawning grounds. In particular, improvement was noted in the 
Eshamy region. In some sections the escapement seemed to be 
somewhat less than in previous seasons. The escapement of hump- 
back salmon to spawning beds in some places was satisfactory and 
in others not equal to that of former seasons. Some further restric- 
tions in respect to fishing may be necessary to improve the escape- 
ment to certain waters. 
Cook Inlet district—Investigations showed a bountiful seeding of 
red salmon spawning grounds in certain waters tributary to Cook 
Inlet. In other streams there was a good escapement, although 
salmon experienced difficulty in reaching the spawning beds in some 
places on account of low stages of the water. Certain places showed 
a large escapement of pink and chum salmon. On the whole, the 
escapement of salmon in the Cook Inlet district in 1926 was 
satisfactory. 
