118 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE ESCAPEMENT OF SALMON 
The runs of salmon in each district of Alaska are observed closely 
by field employees during the commercial fishing season, and regula- 
tions are modified wherever necessary to permit the fullest possible 
utilization of this resource consistent with conservation requirements. 
Following the close of commercial operations a survey is made of the 
spawning areas in representative streams in each section of the Terri- 
tory. These surveys provide an accurate measure of the adequacy of 
existing regulations and also serve as an index for determining the 
probable extent of runs in future cycle years. 
Southeastern Alaska.—In the Ketchikan section, embracing the 
southern district and that part of the Clarence Strait district south of 
Ernest Sound, pink and chum salmon runs were the weakest in recent 
years, while reds appeared in about average volume. The run was the 
latest that has occurred in the past 4 years. Some streams that con- 
tained practically no fish by the middle of September were compara- 
tively well stocked by the latter part of that month. Ketchikan 
Creek was the only stream in which salmon were observed in consider- 
able numbers before the latter part of September. 
In the southern district good escapements were found in Robinson 
Creek, Chickamin River, and in some streams in Mink Bay, Boca de 
Quadra and Smeaton Bay, while other streams on the east side of 
Behm Canal had only fair or poor escapements. In the west arm of 
Behm Canal good escapements were observed in streams of Yes Bay, 
Moser Bay, and at Loring, although a number of other streams in this 
section were inadequately seeded. Along the east coast of Prince of 
Wales Island certain streams were especially well seeded, and good 
escapements were found also in the Crab Bay stream on Annette 
Island and in the Vallenar Bay stream on Gravina Island. In general 
it may be said that the runs of pinks and chums in the Ketchikan 
section were small and that the escapement of these two species was 
spotted, while the run and escapement of red salmon were about 
average. 
In the Wrangell district, including Sumner Strait and the northern 
section of Clarence Strait, the escapement was satisfactory for the 
most part, although unevenly distributed. Pink salmon streams in 
the northern section of Clarence Strait were unusually well stocked, 
while the escapement along the eastern shore of Kuiu Island and on the 
southern shore of Kupreanof Island was below normal. Chum and 
coho spawning areas were poorly seeded, and the escapement of reds 
was about normal. | 
The run of pink salmon on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island 
was very late and was at no time heavy or sustained. An increase in 
abundance occurred after August 19, but the peak of the run was 
reached by August 26, before the season closed. A late showing of 
pinks in the southern part of the district provided a fair escapement 
in this section. Streams in the northern part of the district were 
poorly seeded, with the exception of those in Calder Bay and Davidson 
Inlet. Staney Creek in Tuxekan Passage had a very poor escapement. 
In general, the escapement of pinks, chums, and cohos was inadequate, 
while the seeding of red salmon streams was satisfactory. 
Pink and chum salmon runs in the Icy Strait and Western districts 
of the Juneau section were among the poorest on record, and the escape- 
