XCTV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISELERIES. 



in 1895. Upward of 2,000 were observed on their spawning-ground in 

 the inlet to Alturas Lake. They were closely watched through the 

 season and it was found that all died at the close of the spawning period. 

 These fish were already in xVlturas Lake when the observations began, 

 July 10, and it is not yet certainly known whether they are anadromoas 

 or remain permanently in the lake. 



TRIBUTARIES OF PUGET SOUND. 



In 1889 a large plant of fry of the eastern whitefish {Goregonus ckipei- 

 formis) was made in Lake Washington, near Seattle, by the United 

 States Fish Commission. In June, 1896, Mr. A. B. Alexander devoted 

 a short time to a series of examinations to determine whether any of 

 these fry have survived. No whitefish were found. Investigations 

 were again taken up in November and December, 1896. Various tests 

 were made with appropriate kinds of apparatus in different parts of 

 the lake, biTt no evidence was obtained that any of the whitefish 

 remained. The physical features of the lake were carefully studied, 

 soundings were made, a valuable series of temperature observations 

 was recorded, and collections of the fishes, crustaceans, and other 

 inhabitants of the lake were obtained. 



Connected with Lake Washington, and distant only a few miles, are 

 Lakes Union and Sammaraish. Mr. Alexander conducted similar inves- 

 tigations in these waters, studying the physical conditions and making 

 collections of the fishes and crustaceans. 



During July and August, 1896, Messrs. Alexander and Cox carried 

 on studies of the blueback or sockeye salmon {Oncorhynchus nerl-a) in 

 certain streams flowing into Puget Sound from the east. One object 

 of the investigation was to obtain information desired by the Inter- 

 national Joint Fishery Commission as to whether any large numbers 

 of blueback salmon entering Puget Sound ascend Washington rivers 

 for the purposes of spawning. The movements of the bluebacks in 

 the region of the San Juan Islands were studied, and the more impor- 

 tant rivers were visited and examined, among them being the Skagit, 

 Nooksack, and Stilliguamish. It was ascertained that the blueback 

 enters only the Skagit Eiver in noteworthy numbers, and that im- 

 portant spawning-beds occur in Baker Lake and Baker Eiver, one of 

 the principal tributaries of the Skagit. 



TSILTCOOS, WHOAHINK, AND TAHKENITCH LAKES, OREGON. 



These are small lakes situated near the coast a few miles south of 

 the mouth of the Siuslaw River. A number of persons living in the 

 vicinity had requested the Commission to stock Tsiltcoos Lake with 

 black bass and Whoahink Lake with brook trout. Dr. Meek, who was 

 engaged in experimental fish-cultural work on the Siuslaw Eiver, was 

 detailed to report on the advisability of complying with the requests. 

 The biological and physical features of the lakes were studied and 

 large collections were made of the native fishes and the various kinds 



