PACIFIC SALMOIT FISHERIES. 11 



In southeast Alaska the run begins in June and continues until 

 September. In western Alaska the period is somewhat shorter. In 

 Puget Sound it continues until late in the fall, although but few are 

 taken after September 15. 



DOG OR CHUM SALMON. 



The dog or chum salmon (0. keta) reaches a maximum weight of 

 16 pounds, the average being about S pounds. When it lirst appears 

 alono; the coast it is dirty silvery, immaculate or sprinkled with 

 small black specks, the hns dusky, the sides with faint traces of 

 gridironlike bare. Later in the season the male is brick red or 

 blackish, and its jaws are greatly distorted. Its flesh is light yellow, 

 especially when canned. It is especially good for freezing, salting, 

 and smoking. 



This species has a wide distribution. It is found as far south as 

 San Lorenzo River, Santa Cruz County, Calif., but is not utilized 

 commercially in California except on Eel Uiver. It is found in most 

 of the coastal streams from here north, being especially abundant 

 from Puget Sound northward to southeast Alaska, botli inclusive. 

 In this region it is being utlized in greater abundance each year, as 

 the market for it widens. 



In central, western, and arctic Alaska the species occurs in varying 

 abundance, but it is utilized sparingly, except by the natives, with 

 whom it is the favorite' species dried for winter food for their dogs. 



The run of dog salmon comes later than that of any other species 

 except the coho. In Alaska it begins in June, but the height of the 

 season does not occur until late in August or early in September, and 

 fish are found as late as Xovemi)er. In Puget Sound they run from 

 about the middle of August till late in November, and practically 

 the same is true in the Columbia River. 



STEELHEAD TROUT. 



Tlie steelhead trout (Salmo ffainlntri) is commonly elassed as one 

 of the salmons by the lishcrnn'n of the Pacific coast, and it has been 

 included in this report on this account. It is said to hav(^ received 

 its common name from the hardness of the skull, several blows of 

 the club being ref|uired to kill the salmon when taken into the boat. 

 In different localities the average weight is placed at from <S to 15 

 pounds, while extreme sizes reacli 45 ])ounds. The excellent quality 

 of its flesh causes it to be highly prized for the fresh and frozen 

 markets, but owing to its pale color only limited quantities are canned. 



The principal c< nter oi abundance of this sjx-cies is the Columhia 

 River. It is found fromCarmel River, Calif., north to central Alaska, 

 and possibly has an even wider rang(^ in Alaska. As a result of 

 extensive plants niade during the hist fiv(! or six years the range has 

 l)een much extended on the Pacific coast as well as elsewhere in this 

 country. It seems to be found in the rivers dui-ing the great(>r part 

 of the year. In the Columhia River the sj);iwning season is f^rom 

 February to May, in Puget Sound in the s))ring, and in south(>ast 

 Alaska in May and .June. The best commercial (ishing is in January, 

 February, and March. In California the catching of this species is 

 restricted to hook and line (ishing. 



