ALASKA FISHERY AND PUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1925 93 



18-foot skiff launches for the bureau's use. These small launches proved a 

 valuable addition to the equipment, as they save time and labor in ascending the 

 rivers and are capable of passing up the rapids in the Naknek under their own 

 power whereas formerly it was necessary to line the boats over a long haul 

 where the stream was too deep for wading. The latter company also transported 

 piling, timbers, hardware, etc., for the construction of the bureau's marine ways 

 on Naknek River. 



DESTRUCTION OF PREDATORY FISHES 



Iliamna Lake. — The previous spring work having been satisfactory, it was 

 believed that good work could be accomplished late in the fall in the destruc- 

 tion of predatory fishes and that a man detailed in that locality for the winter 

 could, with a little local assistance, operate on trout efficiently and to good 

 advantage. Therefore, Warden F. G. Morton was detailed to this work in the 

 winter of 1924-25. After a survey of the spawning grounds by the writer and 

 Mr. Morton, in the fall of 1924 quarters were secured for the latter near Chekok 

 Creek on the north shore of the lake, where he began operations. 



Mr. Morton's first camp was established at Iliamna and Pile Bay, where 

 fair catches were made with gill nets and seines during part of September and 

 early in October. During the latter part of October the formation of ice caused 

 the cessation of operations in this vicinity. At that time the trout were de- 

 scending the stream into the lake, but never in large numbers. A total catch of 

 2,785 Dolly Vardens was made there. 



Camp was then transferred to the Chekok and Goose Bay districts, where 

 operations were conducted until November 17, and 4,559 Dolly Varden trout, 

 averaging 2}/% pounds each, or 11,397 pounds, were caught. The streams along 

 the north shore were prospected, but the ice prevented any noteworthy work. 



On November 12 Mr. Morton reported seeing large quantities of smelts that 

 had been washed in on the sandy beach of the lake near Goose Bay by the 

 severe storms, many of them so full of spawn that they burst open. 



Early spring activities were centered at Chekok, Pedro Bay, and Woody 

 Islands, the only points open that contained any trout. When the upper end 

 of the lake was clear of ice the entire shore was prospected, but with poor results. 

 Traps were installed in some of the streams, but very few trout were noticed at 

 any point and the catch was small. By May 16 it became possible to operate in 

 the Iliamna River, which was fully three weeks later than in 1924. A thorough 

 survey of the stream disclosed but one school of about 100 Dolly Vardens. 

 Another crew operated at Chekok and Goose Bay, but results there were also 

 discouraging. 



On June 3 Mr. Morton and a native assistant made a survey along the east 

 and south shores of the lake and visited all the tributary streams en route. Few 

 trout were noticed at any point. Mr. Morton reported more salmon fry descend- 

 ing into the lake from Copper River than from all the other streams together. 

 On his arrival at the foot of the lake (June 11) a few red salmon and many 

 Dolly Varden trout were entering. He went on to Koggiung and was on salmon 

 patrol for the remainder of the season. 



During the spring 694 trout were taken, making a total for fall and spring work 

 of 5,253 Dolly Varden trout, weighing 13,132 pounds, an average of 2}^ pounds 

 each. Based on results of operations in this district over a series of years, it is 

 apparent that unless the salmon season of the previous year was good the spring 

 trout work usually is negligible. The young salmon that descend the streams 

 into the lake constitute the attraction for trout. 



Naknek. — The Naknek party, with Gus Severson in charge, reached Naknek 

 anchorage on May 27 and the following day went ashore to the cannery where 

 boats, supplies, and equipment were assembled. The party proceeded upriver 

 on May 31 and established the first camp at the lake outlet, where good work was 

 accomplished for a few days. At the time of arrival a big downward migration of 

 young salmon was in progress. Camp was moved June 7 to the eastern end of the 

 lake, from which point a skiff was carried over the portage and operations were 

 begun in Grosvenor and Coville Lakes. Gill nets were used to good advantage 

 until June 14, when the salmon appeared and it became necessary to remove the 

 nets. Camp was then established at Kidawik Creek on June 16, where set and 

 hand lines were used with poor results to the end of the season. As one of the 

 bureau's wardens will remain in the Naknek district during the winter it will be 

 possible to secure information in regard to late fall conditions, of which nothing is 

 now known, and operations will be begun in the early spring as soon as ice and 

 weather conditions permit. 



