32 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



say that this species is as detrimental to tlie salmon industry as*ls the Polly 

 Varden, if not more so. One specimen was taken with two whiteiish over 12 

 inches in lenjith in its stomach without distending it. The trout follow the 

 migrating salmon to tidewater and gradually work liack into the lake when tlie 

 young salmon liave passed. We found this species distributed through the 

 entire main river above Ralph River and up through the rapids into the lake, 

 but not in extremely large numbers. Steelhead trout were more abundant in 

 the river, as were also grayling and whiteflsh, the latter, especially, appearing 

 in great numbers. 



After the river was tlioroughly cleared in the vicinity of our operations camp 

 was moved to the lake outlet, where fair numbers were taken, but, owing to the 

 difficulties of seining and to the salmon ascending, a survey was made of the 

 entire lake with a view to finding more suitable operating points. Camp was 

 finally located at the mouth of Kidawik Creek, on the south side of the lake 

 near the entrance to the east arm, where good numbers of lake trout and some 

 Dolly Vardens were taken. The lake entrance would be an excellent location 

 when the young salmon are descending early in the season, but none were in 

 evidence at that date, June 17. 



Practically all the fish entering Naknek Lake either pass up Kidawik Creek 

 or Simenoffsky River at the extreme head of the east arm. The lake shore, 

 with the exception of a few miles along the south shore, offers no inducement 

 for spawning fish owing to tlie amount of ashes accumulated from the eruption 

 of 1912 distributed along the shore line. All other tributaries are thickly im- 

 pregnated with ashes. While our arrival was late and help of little account, 

 about 16,600 pounds were destroyed, mostly lake trout. 



Kidawik Creek is an ideal salmon stream with fine spawning bottom its 

 entire length of about 2 miles. It connects Naknek Lake with Toms Lake, 

 which is 12 by 4 miles in extent, the greater portion being clear and suitable 

 for spawning grounds. About nndway between the two lakes there is a water- 

 fall from 5 to 8 feet high, over which it would be impossible for fish to ascend 

 during low-water stage. It is a stone shelf of volcanic formation extending 

 clear across the river, and, having no powder, we felt that a cut could be made 

 with steel bars, etc. We therefore secured several stone-cutting gads, a steel 

 bar, top maul, hammer and pick, and, after diverting the flow of water near 

 one side of the stream, a cut was made 10 feet in width, sloping back about 15 

 feet, through which the fish could easily pass. 



The salmon made their appearance in the mouth of the creek July 8, the 

 number increasing gradually. A good run entered July 15, which was the date 

 the cut was complete. There were fair numbers that found and passed through 

 the cut, but the majority worked continuously at the center of the fall, many 

 being injured and floating downstream. As the water rose, some of the fish 

 were noticed i)assing over the top of the dam, and with high water they had 

 no trouble in passing over. The cut makes it possible for them to ascend at 

 any time. Fishing at this point was conducted in conjunction with the work 

 of 'making a passageway through the dam. The trout taken were chopped fine 

 and used to bait certain suitable seining points, where the fish gathered in 

 numbers, and a seine was slipped around them. 



As this point was the only one where the fish could be observed, owing to 

 the murky water, we endeavored to keep a check on the new arrivals from day 

 to day in order to estimate the approximate escapement. From such observa- 

 tions it is estimated that about 150,000 fish entered the lake. This estimate 

 must of necessity he rough, as the water was so badly discolored. There was 

 no way by which we could intelligently estimate the number entering Simenoff- 

 sky River, as the water at that point was thick with ashes, but indications were 

 of'less fish than at Kidawik, and an average was accepted of from one-half to 

 two-thirds. This would place the total escapement at the figure mentioned, 

 which we consider as near an average as could be secured with our oppor- 

 tunities. 



On two occasions the camp was visited by bears, when all the crew were 

 absent, and the tent was slashed down the side. While bears were observed 

 from time to time in the vicinity, none (jf the men was ever threatened. 



WOOD RIVER SECTION. 



On the evening of June 8, accompanied by Mr. Savage and another white 

 man, I left on the Ala-ska-Portland Packers' Association boat North King, en 

 route to Lake Alekiiagik. We ariived at Dillingham the morning of the 9th, 



