3G - U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



would be au ideal place for the capture of trout with any Ivind of gear through 

 the spring months. 



A good, run of salmon was found in Kokhonak Creek, with the usual native 

 family catching them on the spawning beds and drying them as food for the 

 family and dogs. Here we captured a number of steelhead trout in nets, and 

 great numbers were noticed on the beds with salmon, feeding on their eggs. 

 No Dolly Yardens were taken or seen. A trip was made to the lake at the head 

 of the stream, a distance of 6 miles, and it was observed that the stream was 

 well seeiled the entire way. The stomachs of the fish taken at this point were 

 filled with decomposed salmon and spawn, and on account of the unlimited 

 supply our bait traps did not appeal. 



All streams in Kokhonak Bay were visited, but no fish were noticed in any 

 streams other than Kokhonak Creek and Kokhonak River. A fall 20 feet high 

 in the mouth of Koklumak River prevents the ascent of fish. From 400 to 500 

 red salmon were observed endeavoring to pass over this obstruction, but they 

 could not proceed over halfway. It was believed that after being unsuccessful 

 in negotiating the falls they would drop back and spawn. After careful search 

 they were located spawning about 100 feet from the falls, close to a straight 

 rock bluff, in 9 feet of water, and between large bowlders where there were 

 suitable gravel .spots. Some lingcod and steelhead trout were observed working 

 in the beds for eggs, and each specimen taken had salmon eggs in its stomach. 

 An efficient fishway can be installed at small expense, providing it is undertaken 

 in tlie spring, when the water is low. Its installation would open uules of 

 perfect spawning area in the river, and would also permit the fish to pass up as 

 far as Kokhonak Lake. This river is one of the best streams for salmon tribu- 

 tary to Ilianma Lake. 



On tlie Ilianma River trips of observation were made about 12 miles up- 

 stream, the first on August 14, when not over 1,000 salmon were seen on the 

 beds; on the second trip, September 17, no salmon were noticed in localities 

 visited in August, but about 500 were found spawning 4 miles from camp. 

 These represented the entire run in Ilianma Ri\er for the season. There was 

 always a sprinkling of Dolly Vardens with the salmon, some of them spawning, 

 but they were so scattered as to render capture in any numbers impossible. 



Pile River was not visited, but the natives reported no fish there. 



A fair run of fish entered Chekok River, from which the majority of the 

 natives in the Ilianma River district obtained most of their fish supply. 



The last few days in the field were spent at Ilianma, where we set b.-iit traps 

 and caught several hmidred Dolly Vardens, thereby again clearing the pools. 



SUMMARY, 



Our work was severely liandicapped owing to late arrival, the impossibility of 

 securing suitable help, and the necessity of familiarizing ourselves with condi- 

 tions, each locality having a distinct problem to solve in tlie capture of trout. 

 We were compelled to pay top wages for native help, and most of the natives 

 were worthless, necessitating their discharge at the earliest moment possible 

 without embarrassment to the work. At no time was suitable help available, 

 except at Iliamna late in the seas(m after the canneries had closed. Our equip- 

 ment, too, was inadequate; while we expecttnl that gill nets of 3-inch and 

 3i-inch mesh would be suitable, we found the trout usually too large to gill. 



Our experience this year will enable us to wage an extensive and aggressive 

 campaign another season. At Naknek the work can be best accomplished in 

 the early spring months, or up to the time salmon enter the stream. After 

 this, if desirable, some of the operators could be used as stream watchmen 

 through the cannery season. In the Aleknaglk Lake section excellent results 

 could be olitained tlirougliout the entire season, or until the canneries close, 

 necessitating departure, (iood work can be accomplished in the Iliamna dis- 

 trict up to the period of spawning, or the middle of August. 



The salmon run was spasmodic in all but the Wood River section, but at no 

 time were there indications of an abundance of salmon in any portion of the 

 districts operated. While the escapement into Wood and Naknek Rivers was 

 greater than that of the previous year, a greatly insufficient number reached 

 the spawning grounds to insure a normal pack and allow sufficient escapement 

 for the future. Our Judgment wcMiid indicate a totally inadequate supply for 

 even a small year, t<j say nothing of normal. 



In the Kvichak and Ilianma sections the spawning beds were nearly destitute 

 of spawning salmon. I am positive that the storms, which interfered some- 



