XCII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The streams visited were Lewis, Toutle, Hood, Big White Salmon, 

 Little White Salmon, Des Chutes, and John Day rivers; the Columbia 

 River at the Cascades and Celilo; Hamilton and Rock creeks near the 

 Cascades, and Tanner and Eagle creeks. 



The examinations were in the main limited to the lower parts of the 

 streams on account of their greater accessibility, a reasonably close 

 proximity to the railroad being a desirable feature of the proiDosed 

 station. During the visits made to these streams early in August the 

 inquiries consisted chiefly in determining their physical characters, the 

 examination of possible sites for hatchery buildings, and the collection 

 of information concerning the abundance of salmon. At that time the 

 run of fish had not begun, and no authentic information regarding the 

 spawning time and condition could be obtain(?d. It was therefore 

 necessary to revisit the different localities in September, when salmon 

 were arriving upon the spawning-beds and it was possible by personal 

 observation to determine the relative advantages of the different sites 

 and streams for fish cultural purposes. 



Salmon were found in some numbers in Big White Salmon and Little 

 White Salmon rivers and in Tanner and Eagle creeks. No salmon 

 were observed in Des Chutes, John Day, and Hood rivers, and it is 

 doubtful whether, at the present time, these rivers contain any impor- 

 tant spawning-grounds of the chinook salmon, Salmon were observed 

 in greatest abundance in Little White Salmon River, and this stream 

 was selected as the most desirable site for the contemplated hatching- 

 station. Temporary buildings were hastily constructed and the station 

 operated during the same fall. The number of eggs collected was com- 

 paratively large and warrants the belief that this is one of the best 

 sites in the lower Columbia basin for fish-cultural work. 



In September and October, 1896, Mr. A. B. Alexander spent consid- 

 erable time at the canneries of Mr. I. H. Taff'e and Messrs. Seulert Bros., 

 at Celilo, Oreg., inspecting the catch of salmon made in their wheels 

 and nets. Important data were obtained as to the relative abundance 

 of Chinook salmon, silver salmon, and steelheads, their sizes, spawning 

 condition, relative numbers as to sex, and the time of run. 



WALLOWA LAKE, OREGON. 



A brief visit was made to this lake in August, 1896, by Messrs. Meek 

 and Maddren for the purpose of ascertaining what facilities existed in 

 that region for the study of the blueback salmon or redfish and the 

 quinnat salmon, more especially their spawning habits and grounds 

 and their condition after spawning. No large redfish were seen, but it 

 was learned that this species formerly spawned in large numbers in 

 an inlet of Wallowa Lake; the run has been rapidly decreasing in 

 recent years. This region is also a spawning-ground of the small 

 redfish, but they had not arrived at the time of this visit. Important 

 spawning-grounds of the chinook salmon formerly existed in the west 

 and main forks of Wallowa River, but during the last few years not 

 many of this species have been seen. 



