96 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



1,134; Ugashik, 900; Kvichak, 1,185; Nushagak, 1,200; and Egegik, 1,200. 

 Data were gathered in regard to fishing operations and the runs of salmon in 

 the several rivers. In all, 912 fishing boats were operated by the canneries and 

 106 bj' independent fishermen, local whites, and natives, who sold the catches 

 to the canneries. Of these independent fishermen, 43 natives operated boats 

 belonging to the packers and the remaining 63 owned the boats and gear that 

 they used. The number of stake nets operated by local residents for commercial 

 purposes was 67, an increase of 47 over the preceding year. 



RUNS OF SALMON 



Kvichak-N aknek Rivers.— Yery light catches of salmon were made from the 

 opening of the season on June 24 until July 6, when a slight increase in the run 

 occurred. Middle Bluffs, between Naknek and Egegik Rivers, was the center 

 of all early fishing, operations being carried on during one tide only. Very few 

 fish escaped the nets at Middle Bluffs; therefore, very little fishing was conducted 

 in the upper Kvichak Bay until later in the season. A light escapement occurred 

 in the Naknek River on the evening tides of July 6 and 7. On July 8 fishing was 

 irregular, some boats making good catches while others took virtually nothing. 

 Several good catches were made in the vicinity of Libbyville, and a few boats 

 made fair catches in the upper bay. The first run of any size passed by the weir 

 at Kaskonak Flats on July 9, lasting only one day. A fair run materialized on 

 July 12, while on July 16 the run was virtually over. On the 18th and 19th 

 catches were very light, and the season was closed at 6 p. m. on July 19. On the 

 20th salmon again appeared in lower Kvichak Bay, and some were observed 

 passing up the Naknek River on the night tides on July 21 and 22. A fair run 

 occurred on July 25, after which only small numbers appeared. 



Egegik River. — Salmon appeared in the Egegik River in June, the run being 

 rather light until June 25, when a fair run started, which lasted only a few days. 

 The numbers diminished, until on July 4 and 5 virtually no fish were entering 

 the river, but on July 6 the heavy run began, continuing until the 20th, or four 

 days after the commercial fishing season closed. This was the latest run since 

 the season of 1917. The escapement up the Egegik River was considered very 

 good and almost equal to that of the 1926 season. 



Ugashik River. — At the beginning of the season very few fish were taken, either 

 in stake nets or drift gill nets, in the outside waters. Red salmon began to appear 

 in the river on July 2, and from that date on the count of salmon through the 

 Ugashik weir was very irregular. A slight increase in the number of fish was noted 

 in the lower river on July 11, and on the 12th these salmon appeared at the weir. 

 The run continued irregular, although increasing, until the peak of the run was 

 reached on July 24. From July 24 to August 25 there was a gradual decrease in 

 the number of fish passing up the river. 



Nushagak River. — When the season opened on June 24 there were almost no 

 red salmon in the river, the scarcity continuing for a week, with only about 3,200 

 cases being packed to July 2. The following week there was a slight increase with 

 indications of a run on July 7, which, however, did not materialize. Only a very 

 few boats made good catches, but the majority took practically nothing. The 

 numbers of red salmon continued to increase, until the peak of the run was at- 

 tained on July 13 and 14, although the schools were small and scattered; after 

 which a decrease was noted until July 23 and 24, when the last of the stragglers 

 entered the river. Not many red salmon were caught in the set nets after July 

 27, although a few were taken occasionally until about August 20. The king- 

 salmon run was good throughout the entire season and until about the middle of 

 August. 



WOOD RIVER DISTRICT 



Observations made by Eric D. Fenno, who arrived on July 28 at Igulawok 

 River, the second lake river, indicated that a very small run of salmon had 

 materialized. Few fish were seen in the lake and at the outlet of the river, where 

 in normal years good numbers are found spawning. The total number of salmon 

 counted to August 16 ascending Igulawok River was 38,673. 



Natives were compelled to carry on intensified fishing, employing additional 

 gear, in an effort to secure sufficient salmon for their winter supply of dog feed. 

 In the native village on the southern shore of the lake, situated al)Out 4 miles from 

 the outlet, the highest catch for a net during a day was 44, with very few salmon 

 taken up to August 29. Two white settlers also were engaged in catching salmon 

 for dog feed, meeting with no better success than the natives. 



