ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SLAL INDUSTRIES, 1924 103 



The following day the run was again light. There was a fair run of red salmon at 

 Egegik on Jul)^ 26. 



On July 11, during a strong southeast blow, fair numbers of salmon were noticed 

 passing up the Naknek River, although the fishermen outside were not making 

 encouraging catches. The fishermen well out beyond the ships, however, re- 

 turned with fair numbers the following morning. The catches continued small 

 from the 16th to the end of the season, and very few fishermen were out after 

 July 21. 



The number of salmon entering the Egegik River, while coordinated as to dates 

 with the Kvichak-Naknek run, was proportionately much greater. The packs 

 here were also affected by the reduction in gear and cannery personnel before 

 referred to. 



At Ugashik the closed periods, together with continuous stormy weather and 

 reduction of gear, favored an escapement of spawning salmon that was much 

 greater in relation to the pack than has occurred in previous years. No heavy 

 run occurred, but greater numbers appeared to be ascending toward the end of 

 the season than at any other time. 



ESCAPEMENT 



In the Wood River district a few salmon made their appearance at the lower 

 lake on June 29, and small numbers entered daily until July 2, when great schools 

 appeared and kept increasing. A trip down Aleknagik Lake and Wood River 

 was made on July 10, when the lake and river seemed alive with salmon. On 

 July 11a prospector from Nerka Lake reported that large schools of red salmon 

 were passing up that body of water. The run into the lake held strong until 

 July 12, when a perceptible slackening was noted. During the height of the run 

 an effort was made to estimate the numbers passing up, but the rush was so great 

 that it was impossible to make an intelligent estimate. This escapement was the 

 most satisfactory for the last several years, and it is felt that a sufficient number 

 of salmon passed up to their spawning grounds to seed adequately all available 

 territory. On July 15 the number of incoming salmon was small and no heavy 

 rush was experienced throughout the remainder of the season. A few silver sal- 

 mon made their appearance at the outlet of Aleknagik Lake on July 29. 



At Ugashik the salmon were late in arriving at the lake, the first appearing on 

 July 2. The main run reached the lower lake July 13 and on the following day 

 arrived at the rapids between the two lakes. This passage rapidly filled with 

 salmon ascending from the lower to the upper lake. Estimates of the fish pass- 

 ing up were made at several 20-minute intervals, and it was reported that about 

 250,000 salmon entered the upper lake. A survey of the lower lake was made 

 also, and it was estimated that there were 100,000 salmon in that body of water. 

 In addition, considerable numbers of salmon were noted on July 27 in the first 

 rapids ready to enter the lake, but owing to weather conditions it was impossible 

 to estimate the number. 



At Egegik the ascending red salmon reached the spawning grounds at the 

 head of Lake Becharof on June 28, and the run was of fair proportions until 

 August .3, when it slackened. On August 14 a heavy rush occurred, continuing 

 strong throughout August. Warden A. T. Loofi" visited the streams and spawn- 

 ing area along the lake shore and reported that all available spawning area was 

 amply seeded. 



The first red salmon seen at Naknek were at Coville Lake on June 19, where 

 they appeared before entering Kidawik Creek, although the fish first pass the 

 mouth of the creek. Numbers increased gradually, until large schools were 

 passing between Grosvenor and Coville Lakes. Considerable schools were noted 

 at various points in each lake, also, and on the return trip good-sized schools 

 were noted at the falls of Kidawik Creek. While the weather was severe and 

 precluded any possibiUty of estimating the number at each locahty, the observer, 

 who has worked in this district for four years, stated that in his judgment the 

 escapement was possibly 40 per cent of "that of 1923. The spawning grounds 

 were not visited after spawning began. 



Spawning areas on Iliamna Lake and tributaries were viewed several times 

 throughout the season, but only in certain areas were salmon observed in any 

 numbers. Kokhonak Creek and Copper River contained encouraging numbers 

 early in the season, and later the red salmon were plentiful on the spawning beds also. 

 These were the only places that received anywhere near an adequate number of 

 spawners. On July 8 several thousand red salmon were noted schooling at the 

 mouth of Copper River, and salmon were jumping in all directions, seemingly 



53896— 25t 4 



