98 



U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



numbers noticed schooling were almost equal to those of former good years,, 

 but spawning and dead fish, which in good years are in evidence on this date, were 

 wholly lacking this year. 



About 3,000 salmon were scattered over IJ^ miles of spawning area along the 

 lake shore in front of the site of old Kokhonak Indian village, east of Kokhonak 

 Creek. Natives reported that the salmon first appeared in the lake on July 

 15, but few in number and remaining far out, so that none were taken. They were 

 very likely part of those first noted passing up the Kvichak River on July 9, 

 which inrush lasted but one day. 



The next morning, in very heavy weather, a trip was made to the Copper 

 River area. A few small schools were noticed in the slough and at the mouth 

 of the river, but all appearances indicated that most of the salmon had passed 

 upstream. This was verified as the ascent continued, and good schools were 

 seen milling in every suitable hole and eddy in the river for a distance of almost 

 10 miles. The schools generally numbered from 100 to 2,000 salmon, and at one 

 point, in a deep meadow slough measuring about 15 by 600 feet, a school of 

 approximately 10,000 red salmon was encountered. No spawning was in progress,, 

 but small numbers of fish were working on the beds in preparation. 



Fig. 2.— Native type of fish wheel on Copper River, Alaska 



Copper River is comparable to Kokhonak Creek, in that ordinarily it has-, 

 harbored a good number of early-run salmon. In former seasons at this date 

 the beds were well covered and also many spent fish were noted. This year there 

 was no early spawning, but the schooling of late spawners in the streams was 

 nearly ecjual to that of good years on the same date. The high waters had 

 created various sloughs and channels, where the salmon were gathering to spawn. 

 When the water recedes to normal these channels will be dry, with consequent 

 loss of eggs or fry. The number of red salmon seen in this river was estimated 

 at about 75,000, including those schooling in the slough and at the stream mouth, 

 or 30 per cent of last year's estimated escapement. 



Early in the morning of August 12 a trip to Roadhouse Portage was begun, 

 but a heavy southeaster made it necessary to take shelter in Intricate Ray for 

 the remainder of the day and overnight. The wind had abated somewhat the 

 following morning and the journey was made across the lake, although increasing 

 wind made rough passage before the destination was reached. It was learned 

 from the people here that the salmon were just appearing in Lake Clark and that 

 only within the last week or 10 days had any noticeable number reached the 

 vicinity of the Portage and Newhalen River. Good numbers were observed in 

 the vicinity, but according to the local whites and natives they were in no way 

 comparable to the rims last year. At the mouth of the Newhalen River three 

 families of Tularic natives were curing salmon for home use and dog feed. They 



