262 XT. S. BUBEAU OF FISHERIES 



natives had discontinued fishing, as they had a sufficient supply for their winter 

 use. About a dozen native families were located here, and from the appearance 

 of their caches and smoke houses, it was jud<ied they had from 20,000 to 25,000 

 salmon cured or in the course of curing. The river was badly discolored from 

 glacier water, so that no intelligent estimate was possible, and it was necessary 

 to rely on information received from the i)eople who operate he-re each year for 

 comparison of the run with that of former years. They claim that the niunber 

 of salmon this year was from two to live times that of last year at this point. 



No trip was made into Lake Clark, as previous experience indicates that nothing 

 can be gained from such a trip at this time of the 3'ear, because fish do not reach 

 the upper lake waters until very late and the waters in the lower reaches are too 

 discolored for effective observation. 



On August 20 a trip was made up the lliamna River for about 12 miles from its 

 mouth. This stream, like all others along the north shore except Newhalen 

 River, was practically' a failure up to this time, and future possibilities appeared 

 meager. However, local residents advised that long after the inspection last 

 year an enormous run of salmon entered this stream and that live salmon were 

 seen there in January. They stated it was the first time that such a run had 

 occurred and that the water in the river was unfit for home use luitil after the 

 spring floods. There was no indication on the date of inspection this season of 

 any number of salmon in the lake in the vicinity of this stream or along the north 

 shore east of Roadhouse Portage, and no late run is anticipated. However, a 

 representative of the bureau stationed here through the winter will report any 

 late runs or unusual occurrences through the fall and winter months in those 

 streams along the north shore which now have a negligible escapement. 



Summarizing the escapement over the entire district, it is considered almost a 

 duplicate of that of 1924, when a fair escapement was reported. Localities where 

 the salmon were numerous were the same as in that year, with i)ossibly a heavier 

 run this year into Newhalen River and thence to the Lake Clark district. 



KUSKOKWIM RIVER 



From the latter part of May until the first of Septein})er, Stream 

 Guard Charles McGonagall was again stationed on the Kuskokwim 

 River with a chartered launch to observe fishing operations, which 

 are carried on to supply local needs and not for export. 



Unusually good rims of salmon, especially reds and chums, ascended 

 the river, and weather conditions were favorable for curing and 

 drying fish for dog feed. The first catch of kings was made on May 27. 

 The run of this species continued through June, decreasing toward 

 the end of the month, and it was entirely over by July 10. The run 

 of reds and chums began on June 17, continuing strong until August 10. 

 The natives claimed they had never seen better runs, and they put 

 up an ample supply to carry them through the winter. During the 

 last few years the catch of furs in this region has been good and the 

 prices high, and therefore the natives have not been much interested 

 in catching many fish. The regular airplane service along the 

 Kuskokwim has pratically ruined the local dried-fish market. 



Two white fishermen and 354 natives were engaged in the fishery in 

 1929, using 345 gill nets of 4,100 fathoms, 20 fish wheels, and a number 

 of small boats. The products consisted of 7 barrels of pickled kings 

 and 364 tons of dried chum salmon for dog feed. 



YUKON RIVER 



Fishing in Yukon River for export from Alaska is prohibited, but 

 operations were carried on as usual for local requirements and to 

 supply the market for dried salmon throughout the interior of Alaska. 

 Inspector C. F. Townsend and one stream guard were on duty at the 

 fishing grounds throughout the season. 



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