20 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



ment was alnaost negligible for an efficient seeding of such an extensive area as the 

 Iliamna Lake system. 



The entrance to the lake was reached on August 12 and the boat was anchored 

 there for the night. Three families of native reindeer herders were camped on 

 the west shore and one family on the east shore. Those on the west shore had 

 very few fish in their caches and few on the racks, in all about 500 salmon; but 

 the natives appeared improvident and the men were intoxicated, as they are 

 nearly every j^ear when this camp is visited. The family on the opposite shore 

 were better providers and they had about 2,000 salmon dried, enough for their 

 winter use. 



The following day the trip was continued up the lake, but weather conditions 

 prevented landing at either Belinda Creek or Kokhonak Creek, and the course 

 was directed to Copper River. No indications of salmon were seen en route, 

 and little indication around the mouth of this stream. A local resident who 

 was fishing salmon and trout for dog feed at this place advised that few fish had 

 as yet entered the river. Having just come down the river and observed the 

 salmon, he estimated that not over 5,000 red salmon had ascended. He has 

 been at this location for six years and in his opinion the run this year was much 

 lighter than in 1925. The writer feels, however, from earlier observations in 

 Kvichak River, that later returns will show numbers exceeding those of 1925 

 by possibly 50 per cent, unless the bulk of the fish are destined for other streams 

 by conditions over which we have no knowledge. 



Departure from Copper River for Kokhonak Creek was made on August 14, 

 but it was still impossible to land there because of severe weather, so a trip was 

 made across the lake to Newhalen River. Here the natives appeared to have 

 about sufficient for their winter needs. Many families of natives were camped 

 on both sides of the river and all appeared to be well supplied with cured salmon. 

 Their racks and smokehouses showed about 33 per cent less fish than last year, 

 but there was every assurance that their winter needs were well cared for. An 

 estimate of the quantity of cured salmon placed the number at about 10,000 fish 

 on the east shore and about 5,000 on the west shore. 



Information from a reliable source was to the effect that the salmon had not 

 as yet entered Lake Clark, and as the water of Newhalen River is too discolored 

 by glacial sediment for observations no attempt was made to proceed up the 

 river. However, a dory was taken across from Roadhouse Portage to Newhalen 

 River above the rapids and placed in the care of a trader so that it would be 

 ready for use in the future. 



Streams along the north shore of Iliamna Lake were then visited. At Road- 

 house Portage one or two salmon each night was the limit of the catch for home 

 use and dog feed, whereas in favorable years the nets would be loaded with 

 salmon. A short stop was made at Goose Bay, but no salmon were in evidence. 

 Chekok Creek was examined for a distance of about 3 miles, together with about 

 1% miles of a tributary stream, which was cleared of obstructions that prevented 

 the ascent of the fish to spawn. Only 12 red salmon were seen on the trip and 

 but 2 were at spring ponds. 



At Knutson Bay a resident white man stated that he had caught and dried 

 about 1,000 salmon for dog feed, which was about all that had entered the stream 

 near his home. Few signs of fish were noted elsewhere in the vicinity. At 

 Pedro Bay an investigation was made of the spring ponds, and it was estimated 

 that about 2,000 red salmon were scattered through the various ponds, approxi- 

 mately 30 being observed at the stream entrance. Some of the supply for winter 

 use at Iliamna Village was taken from this district. In Iliamna River about 100 

 salmon only were seen, although the local people had a fair supply cured — 6,000, 

 according to information given, of which 2,000 came from Pedro Bay. It would 

 appear that practically all the salmon entering Iliamna River were taken by 

 local inhabitants for home use. 



The salmon run in this district in 1929 closely resembled that of the beginning 

 of the cycle in 1924. The 1930 escapement was deemed better than that of 

 the corresponding cycle in 1925, but early observations indicated that the main 

 body passed \ip the Newhalen River to Lake Clark. This was verified later by 

 bureau observers. The generally small size of the fish this year was a feature 

 similar to that observed in the run of 1925. 



Further investigations were made in the latter part of August and 

 the first of September by C. M. Hatton, who reported thereon as 

 follows: 



Inspection of Belinda Creek on August 25 showed 252 live and 500 spent 

 salmon in the stream. The water was high and somewhat discolored, A local 



