460 U. S. BUREAU OP FISHERIES 



region generally indicate a considerable decline in the distributions 

 as compared with 1924, due principally to adverse climatic conditions 

 prevailmg in some sections during the spawning season. 



Afognak (Alaska) Station 

 [Frank L. Snipes, Superintendent] 



For the second successive season the number of sockeye salmon ascending to 

 spawning grounds in the vicinity of the Afognak station was very small, in conse- 

 quence of which it was deemed advisable to again defer propagation work and 

 allow the few fish in evidence to deposit their spawn naturally. The annual run 

 of this species into Letnik Lake lasted from May 30 to September 20, the total 

 escapement for that period amounting to 10,317, but little in excess of last year's 

 record. 



In the fall of 1921 this station made a fair collection of sockeye-salmon eggs, 

 but during the succeeding spring the fry were attacked by disease and suffered 

 heavy mortality. Shortly after the surviving fish had been planted, the yearling 

 salmon in the lake appeared to be affected by the same trouble, and they per- 

 ished in large numbers. According to the 4-year cycle theory, therefore, a poor 

 run of salmon may be expected in Letnik Lake during the 1926 season, which 

 conditions at the close of the fiscal year 1925 would seem to confirm. Between 

 July 31 and September 26, 1924, a large run of humpback salmon entered Letnik 

 Lake, the count registering nearly 16,000. It is very unusual for humpback 

 salmon to ascend this lake to any extent. 



The annual ascent of large numbers of Dolly Varden trout into the lake is 

 considered a serious obstacle to the success of salmon propagation at the Afognak 

 station. These fish commence devouring the eggs as soon as they are deposited, 

 and continue to prey upon the young salmon as long as there are any in the lake. 

 The destruction of thousands of the trout every year has not seemed to make 

 much impression upon their numbers. Quite recently a trap was installed for 

 the purpose of intercepting the fish at the counting weir, but this device is still 

 in the experimental stage. As an illustration of the destructiveness of Dolly 

 Varden trout, an examination of the stomachs of large numbers of them revealed 

 from 300 to 400 undigested salmon eggs and fry. It is not unusual to find from 

 100 to 200 salmon eggs and fry in the stomach of a trout 8 to 10 inches long. 



Among the more important items of repair work accomplished during the year 

 may be mentioned the completion of the wagon road leading from the station 

 grounds to tidewater on Letnik Bay and the construction of a new bulkhead to 

 protect the station grounds fronting on the lake. 



Yes Bay (Alaska) Station 

 [J. L. Gardner, Superintendent] . 



The year's work at this station was confined to the propagation of the sockeye 

 salmon. Shortly after completing the installation of the racks, on July 22, a few 

 sockeye and humpback salmon appeared in the river below, but no eggs were 

 taken until September 8. During the intervening period the seining grounds 

 were improved by the removal of all debris between the rack and the lake, and 

 two of the seining beaches were extended (one 20 feet and the other 40 feet) by 

 grading the river banks and covering them with gravel. Heavy rains late in 

 August raised the river level to a point within 2 inches of the top of the rack, 

 and on September 3 and 4 the entire station force was constantly employed in 

 keeping it cleared of leaves and d6bris. During this time water was flowing 

 around both ends of the rack on the shores, permitting the passage of fish in 

 small numbers. The flood began to subside on the 5th, and three days later 

 fishing was taken up and continued to be prosecuted up to the 25th of the month, 

 during which time 30,080,000 eggs were secured. This figure does not represent 

 all that could be obtained, as collections were suspended as soon as a sufficient 

 number were on hand to fill the hatchery to capacity with fry, and fish enough 

 to yield from 15,000,000 to 20,000,000 additional eggs were released to spawn 

 under natural conditions. 



When taken, the eggs appeared to be of extra fine quality, but by the time the 

 eye spots had developed it was apparent that a considerable number were un- 

 fertilized, undoubtedly because the eggs were taken from fish not fully matured. 



