112 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



Nushagak River in 1923, about 2,000 were caught by 13 native families that 

 live along the river. All of these were caught above the mouth of the Kokwok 

 River, and it is considered fairly certain that they were bound for the Tikchik 

 lakes. The gear operated by these natives, consisting of gill nets and traps, most 

 of which was inspected by the writer, was not capable of catching a large pro- 

 portion of the salmon passing up the river. In examining the spawning grounds 

 of the Tikchik lakes it was estimated that 4,000 red salmon were found, prob- 

 ably 3,000 of which were spawning along the north shore of Chauiskuktuli 

 Lake and the remainder in Camp Creek, which enters the Nuyakuk River near 

 the outlet of First Nuyakuk Lake. There was evidence that some red salmon 

 pass up the Tikchik River to Nishlik and Uppnuk Lakes, but they do not ascend 

 other tributaries. 



OTHER FISH IN THE TIKCHIK DISTRICT 



The natives living in the Tikchik district, consisting of three families, none 

 of whom has ever been to Bristol Bay, reported that all five species of salmon 

 now enter the lakes, but that humpback salmon never ascended above the second 

 rapid previous to the season of 1920, when extensive changes occurred in the rapids 

 during the spring break-up. During the examination of the district a few king 

 salmon were noticed in the upper reaches of the Nuyakuk, but none were found 

 in the lakes. Several hundred silver salmon and a few humpbacks were seen in 

 the lower part of First Nuyakuk Lake, but none in the upper lakes. No chum 

 salmon were seen during the examination of the lakes. 



According to a story common among the natives of Bristol Bay, the Tikchik 

 is the home of a great fish known as the "chieginuk," which is said to become 

 so large and vicious as to attack and destroy caribou and other animals that at- 

 tempt to cross the river and lakes, and the natives in the Tikchik never use 

 brightly painted kayaks for fear they will attract these fish. Upon reaching the 

 Tikchik district it was found that the story was true with respect to the paint- 

 ing of the kayaks and also that the natives are afraid of the fish. Excitement 

 became keen when one of the natives volunteered to catch a small chieginuk, 

 large ones never having been seen by them, but our disappointment was 

 keen next morning when the native paddled up to camp, and with the word 

 "chieginuk" tossed a fine specimen of lake trout {Cristivoiner namaycush) on 

 the beach. Great numbers of lake trout were found in all parts of the lakes. 

 The natives reported that each fall, shortly before the freeze-up, a great run of 

 these fish occurs from First Nuyakuk Lake up the Tikchik River, and it is from 

 this run that they take most of their winter's supply of fish. 



KUSKOKWIM RIVER 



In July and August Stream Guard Charles McGonagall made a 

 special trip from the Yukon to the Kuskokwim River, particularly to 

 investigate allegations that commercial fishing operations were being 

 carried on above the mouth of that river as established by the Bureau 

 of Fisheries, but fishing operations had ceased by the time of his visit. 

 Commercial products were as follows: Kings, 32 tierces mild cured 

 and 329 tierces and 37 barrels piclded; chums and silvers, 430 barrels 

 pickled; reds, 20 barrels pickled. Local residents also prepared 

 14,700 king salmon and 132^ tons of dried dog salmon. 



YUKON RIVER 



Commercial fishing for salmon off the mouth of the Yukon River 

 was carried on by three mild-cure and salting plants — Waechter 

 Bros., Frank Kern, and O'Connor & Sheppard — all located on Leslie 

 Island. The run of king and chirni salmon was reported to be the 

 largest since 1912. The run of kin^s began at the mouth of the river 

 on June 9, and by July 3 all available containers had been filled and 

 fishing ceased. During this period weather and fishing conditions 

 were ideal and very little gear was lost. The total pack was as follows : 

 Kings, 565 tierces mild cured and 10 tierces and 125 barrels pickled; 



