ALASKA FISHERY AN^D FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1&22. 35 



WOOD RIVER LAKE SYSTEM. 



Warden A. T. Looff and one assistant remained in the district 

 during the winter of 1922-23 to make a survey of the spawning 

 grounds of tlie Wood River lake system. The following report was 

 submitted by Mr. Looff as a result of observations before the freeze 

 up in the fall. 



GENERAL REPORT OF SEASON'S OPERATIONS. 



During the fall of 1922 an examination was made of the Wood River system 

 to determine the extent of its fisliery waters. All of the spawning areas were 

 inspected and the number of salmon on the beds estimated. All tributaries 

 were examined for obstructions to the ascent of salmon. The principal breeding 

 grounds of the pi'edatory tern were located, and a study was made of the 

 spawning habits of Dolly Varden trout in this district. 



The Wood River watershed consists of the 5 AVo4)d River lakes, namely 

 Aleknagik, Nerka, Beverly, Fourth, and Kulik, together with their connecting 

 rivers, 5 small tributary lakes, and 55 tributary streams. The whole is drained 

 by Wood River into Bristol Bay. 



Leaving Snag Point August 23 the party proceeded up Wood River to Alek- 

 nagik Lake, thence to Nerka, Beverly, Fourth, and Kulik Lakes. Patrol boat 

 A'o. .'/ was used for the run up Wood River and the work on Aleknagik Lake. 

 An 18-foot codfish dory was used on the upper lakes. No difficulty was ex- 

 perienced in ascending and descending the connecting rivers. Each lake was 

 circled and the entire shore line examined. All tributary lakes and streams 

 were studied, and those frequented by salmon or other fish were explored. 

 Work was completed and return made to winter quarters at Snag Point on 

 October y. camp having been established 19 times, and about 525 miles, 400 of 

 which were ro\Aed in a dory, having been covered. 



Aleknagik Lake. — Aleknagik Lake is about 16 miles in length, has an average 

 width of about Si miles, and lies southeast and northwest. In the lake are 15 

 islands, 4 of which are important breeding grounds of gull and tern. Besides 

 the connecting river coming down from Lake Nerka, nine tributary streams enter 

 the lake, one of which drains a small tributary lake. Five of the tributaries 

 are entered by salmon. 



Creek No. 1 enters the lake on the southeast shore about 3 miles above the 

 outlet of the lake. It is 2 miles in length and heads in a small lake one-half 

 mile long and one-third mile wide. About 5,000 red salmon spawned in the 

 stream and lake. It was examined July 28 and September 25 and 29. Later, 

 while working on this stream in connection with Dolly Varden trout operations, 

 a number of coho salmon were seen ascending. 



Creek No. 2 enters the lake one-half mile northwest of creek No. 1. It is 

 small, 1 mile in length, and heads in the tundra. However, 50 red salmon 

 spawned in the stream, and one nest in only 2 inches of water was marked for 

 winter examination. 



Creek No. 3 enters the lake on the northeast shore behind the large island 

 near the lake outlet. Its length is 1 mile, and it heads in the tundra. A 

 native reported that red salmon enter this stream, but no salmon were found 

 there. 



Bear Creek enters Bear Bay on the southwest shore about 6 miles above the 

 outlet of the lake. It is a fair-sized stream 5 miles in length and heads in the 

 mountains to the southwest. The stream was examined on July 28 and Sep- 

 tember 27 throughout its entire length for obstructions and Dolly Varden trout. 

 Salmon were found 3 miles above the mouth, and it was estimated that 5,000 

 red salmon spawned in its waters. 



Creek No. 4 is a l)ranch of Bear Creek. It is one-half mile in length and 

 heads in the tundra to the west. Twenty red salmon spawned in this little 

 stream. 



Creek No. 5 enters the lake on the southwest shore about hjflfway up the 

 lake. It is the largest tributary and should really be clas.sed as a mountain 

 river. It is 8 miles in length and rises in the mountains to the south. It was 

 examined July 28 and October 5. Salmon spawned 3 miles above the mouth, 

 and it was estimated that the stream contained 4,000 red salmon. 



Stormy Creek enters the lake on the southwest shore near the head of the 

 lake. It is a mountain stream 2 miles in length and has no salmon. 



