98 V- S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



fishery, according to old residents who have fished in the lakes for over 30 years. 

 The natives had killed more than half of their sled dogs up to the time of our 

 visit, and many more dogs will go before snow falls. In years of scarcity such as 

 this the natives require for home use nearly all the salmon that escape the com- 

 mercial fishermen, which results in the utter wiping out of the runs of some 

 streams. This, together with the small size of the fish that filter through the 

 commercial nets, which constituted most of the escapement and were mainly 

 males, presents a most discouraging prospect. The natives and local residents 

 of both Iliamna and Clark Lakes, after working over the entire spawning area, 

 will probably cure about 30,000 red salmon, which is 20 per cent of the usual 

 number. They contemplate centering their activities on trout fishing to supple- 

 ment their winter food supply, and every encouragement was given them even 

 to the extent of lending them some of our small gill nets. 



WINTER WORK IN THE WOOD RIVER DISTRICT 



Warden A. T. Looff and P. E. Hamm, engineer of the Scoter, were 

 detailed to remain in the Bristol Bay district over the winter of 

 1925-26 to carry on certain investigations and look after the bureau's 

 equipment. Mr. Looff's report on work during the fall and early 

 winter is as follows: 



At the close of commercial fishing in Bristol Bay on July 18 the patrol boats 

 and other equipment not needed for fall work were taken to Naknek for winter 

 storage at the bureau's marine ways. Immediately after arrival at Nushagak on 

 August 14 the writer left for Aleknagik Lake with a power skiff. Headquarters 

 were established at the mouth of the river entering Aleknagik Lake from Nerka 

 Lake, from which point trips were made for the inspection of the spawning areas. 

 The entire shore line and all tributary streams of Aleknagik Lake were visited 

 and carefully examined. 



At the time of the examination (August 15 to 27) practically all movement 

 of red salmon up the river from Aleknagik Lake to the upper Wood River Lakes 

 had ceased; hence it is thought that most of the salmon found in Aleknagik Lake 

 at that time were resident fish. Large schools of salmon were at work in the 

 gravel on the spawning beds around the mouth of the river entering Aleknagik 

 Lake from Nerka Lake. Salmon had ascended each of the eight main streams 

 tributary to Aleknagik Lake and were attempting to ascend in places where 

 only a trace of water entered the lake. The salmon were concentrated mainly 

 in the vicinity of the mouths of the tributary streams, but they were also spawning 

 in practically all suitable gravel along the lake shore. The salmon were counted 

 in the smaller tributary streams and along the lake shore, where they were not 

 so numerous. Where many salmon were encountered, their numbers were 

 estimated. It was estimated that 250,000 red salmon spawned in Aleknagik 

 Lake and its tributaries this season. 



During an examination of the Wood River lake system in 1922 it was estimated 

 that 213,600 red salmon spawned in all of the lakes and that 32,000 of these 

 spawned in Aleknagik Lake and its tributaries. If there was a proportionate 

 escapement of salmon to the upper lakes this season, the total number must have 

 been enormous. 



EXAMINATION OF SNAKE RIVER LAKE 



Leaving camp on Aleknagik Lake August 28 a trip was made with the power 

 skiff by way of Nushagak Bay up Snake River to the rapids about 3H miles below 

 Snake River Lake. From this point to the lake the river was so shallow and swift 

 that it was impossible to proceed with the boat and the trip was completed by 

 walking. Spawning beds in the vicinity of the lake's outlet were examined. 

 Large schools of red salmon were noted in the gravel along the southeast shore 

 of the lake, and it was apparent that many red salmon had entered Snake River 

 Lake. As but little work could be accomplished without a boat, it was decided 

 to return to Nushagak for a native skm boat or "kyak," which could be portaged 

 from the rapids to the lake. However, no such boat was available and the exam- 

 ination of the Snake River district was therefore discontinued. A further exam- 

 ination of the Snake River district will be made after the freeze-up, when over- 

 land travel will be possible. A report and description of the district will then be 

 submitted. 



