PACIFIC COD FISHERIES 389 



were to be seen and the fish averaged very large — probably 12 

 to 15 pounds most of the time. On June 15 I weighed six cod, 

 selected so as to show the different sizes, with the following results: 

 One weighed 40 pounds, length 43 inches from tip to tip ; 1 weighed 

 37 pounds, length 42 ^ inches from tip to tip ; 1 weighed 22 pounds ; 

 1 weighed 21 pounds, length 39 inches from tip to tip; 1 weighed 

 23y 2 pounds; 1 weighed ll 1 /^ pounds, length 31 inches from tip 

 to tip. 



I had the first fish dressed immediately after being weighed and 

 measured, and when ready for the salting tank it weighed 21 pounds. 

 Before being weighed in the first place all of these fish had been 

 bled by having their throats cut. 



On a number of occasions I saw fish at the shore stations that 

 undoubtedly would run over 40 pounds if put on the scales. All of 

 the fish noted above were from inshore banks. Cod run larger in 

 size on the offshore banks, and it is probable that fish running from 

 50 to 60 pounds are taken sometimes on Slime and Sannak Banks, 

 where the largest cod are found. 



During the winter months the cod are very thin and watery, and 

 probably would not average in the round much more than 7 to 9 

 pounds. 



There are no records of any monster specimens having been secured 

 on the Pacific banks, similar to those reported occasionally from the 

 Atlantic. Capt. J. A. Matheson, of Anacortes, Wash., who has been 

 engaged in the cod fishery for a number of years, says that the largest 

 dry-salted cod he ever received from his vessels weighed 18 pounds. 



In the southern part of its range the cod are generally small, in 

 many places being no larger than those known as snappers on the 

 cod banks. 



MIGRATIONS 



On the main cod banks fish are to be found throughout the year, 

 although they are very scare at times. On certain of the inshore 

 banks cod are to be found all the year in considerable abundance, 

 with jDeriods of great abundance ; on other inshore banks only during 

 the winter months are the fish found in any abundance, while on 

 others they are plentiful only during the summer months. Pirate 

 Cove, Unga, and Kelleys Rock are all-the-year-round stations, the 

 Sannak Island and Northwest Harbor stations are all-winter ones, 

 while Sanborn and Dora Harbors are open only during the summer 

 months. At the stations open the whole year the best fishing is 

 usually from March to September, both inclusive. Part of this 

 superiority undoubtedly is due to the better weather that prevails 

 during these months than during the rest of the year, but the reports 

 and statistics all agree in showing that there is a greater shoreward 

 migration of the schools during this period. 



SPAWNING 



Cod are found spawning during the winter months, principally in 

 January and February. Those caught during February and March 

 and the early part of April usually are very thin, in consequence of 

 their having spawned shortly before this. 



