104 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



working toward this stream. On July 18 another visit was made to Copper 

 River and conditions appeared most encouraging. Large schools of salmon 

 were in the deep holes near the river mouth and numbers were observed jumping 

 outside. Kokhonak Creek was visited at the same time and encouraging num- 

 bers were schooling at the mouth, but no estimate could be made as very few 

 had as yet entered the stream. Fish were red and apparently close to spawning 

 period. Other advantageous points were visited but no salmon were seen. 



A final inspection of the spawning grounds was made, beginning August 9 at 

 Belinda Creek. As in previous years, most of the spawning was in the lower 

 mile of the creek and almost none above 3 miles. Two families of native rein- 

 deer herders were camped at Belinda Creek drying fish for home use and dog 

 feed. They had already cured about 3,500 salmon, the usual number being 

 from 4,000 to 5,000 fish. About 2,000 red salmon were spawning in the creek, 

 but none were seen outside the mouth. This was about one-tenth the number 

 that spawned in the previous two 3'ears. From Belinda Creek the lake line 

 was followed for several miles in each direction, and salmon were seen spawning 

 at several points along the beach. A storm was beating on-shore, and the 

 salmon could be seen lifted on the waves and in some cases almost thrown on 

 the shore. When the waves subsided they were noticed working at the same 

 points in the gravel. 



Kokhonak River and falls were next visited and 500 red salmon estimated 

 below the falls, or about one-third the number observed last year. Some fish 

 were working at the falls, but none as yet were spawning. The fishwaj^ blasted 

 along the side of the falls in 1921 was washed away, as was a large portion of the 

 rock wall forming the south shore. A trip was made up Kokhonak Creek for 

 several miles and numbers of salmon were found in the stream. Fair numbers 

 were schooling in the deep holes in the lower reaches and near the mouth of the 

 river, and the spawning grounds were fairly well covered, but not in numbers 

 comparable with last year. The greater portion of the river was examined and 

 it was estimated that there were about 175,000 red salmon in the stream, or 13 

 per cent less than in 1923. 



The flood in the fall of 1923, which washed out the fishway at the falls, also 

 made many changes in the stream and its by-passes. The main channel of 

 the river was changed for a distance of about 1 mile at a point near the outlet, 

 and nearly all the sloughs, which had carried water from the main river and 

 reentered it farther down, were completely filled with gravel. As these sections 

 were well seeded last fall it is felt that severe losses of eggs resulted from the 

 filling in of these channels. This flood is said to have been the highest water 

 reported in the lake in the memory of the oldest resident, and all the lowlands 

 bordering on the river appeared to have been under water. 



At Copper River no salmon were noticed schooling outside the river, but 

 numbers were seen along the banks as we proceeded upstream. Spawners 

 in the lower reaches equaled or exceeded the number in previous good years, 

 but above 4 miles they were not so numerous. An estimate of 150,000 red salmon 

 was made, or equal to the number in 1923. There were signs of serious storms 

 everywhere, but no damage to spawning areas was noticed along this stream. 

 While indications show that the high water overflowed the banks on each side 

 of the stream, the river and tributary sloughs remained with their original banks 

 when the flood subsided. Bear trails and signs of their fishing were noticed along 

 the entire river. Some spawning was in progress around certain of the islands 

 in Intricate Bay, Ijut it was not extensive. 



All of the spawning localities on the north shore of Iliamna Lake were visited, 

 but there were practically no fish anywhere except in the Newhalen River. 

 Chekok Creek, always a good producer, was completely barren of salmon, as 

 were all the streams along that shore, including the small creeks in the vicinity 

 of Roadhouse portage, the Woody Island lakes, and outside shores. All the 

 natives and locals were securing their winter's supply of fish for home use and 

 dog feed from the Newhalen River, with the exception of a few taken at Iliamna. 

 The number of salmon spawning in the Newhalen River could not be estimated 

 owing to the discoloration of the water, which was high and of glacial origin. 

 Some salmon were passing through the rapids on August 14. 



Iliamna River was examined for about 10 miles from its mouth, including both 

 its forks, and about 300 salmon were seen. The natives had utilized about 3,000 

 salmon — practically all that entered. All of the streams tributary to lUamna 

 Lake showed considerable damage from floods. New channels were made and 

 old ones filled in in many places, which will have some bearing on the production 

 of fry from eggs deposited last fall in these waters. 



