78 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



covered the entire lake with the exception of about one-half mile around the 

 outlet. Operations were begun here, but results were meager. The party was 

 unable to reach the upper end of the lake until June 2. 



No trout were running in the main river at this time, and a floating trap 

 was installed near the entrance to the stream connecting Lakes Aleknagik and 

 Xerka. Trout appeared to be scarce and continued so until the salmon made 

 their appearance on June 27, when they were noted in increasing numbers 

 passing up with the salmon. Most of those taken on that date appeared to be 

 sea run. 



The migration was passing out in good schools, and at times parts of the 

 lake appeared alive with young salmon. It is estimated that there were about 

 four times as many as last year. This migration was passing at the time of 

 the arrival of the party at the head of the lake and continued through July 

 and early August. 



Native boys were engaged in order that the crew might divide and operate 

 in Nerka" Lake also. Fair results were obtained, but they were not up to 

 expectations. Without doubt the trout are diminishing here, as was evidenced 

 by the difficulty experienced in capturing large numbers. A certain per- 

 centage of large Dolly Vardens enter and ascend with the salmon, which are 

 always to be contended with. In checking the ascent passing the tally scow, 

 in which camp was made at the mouth of the river connecting Aleknagik and 

 Nerka Lakes, there were at times nearlj' half as many large trout as salmon 

 passing up. According to the tally on July 15, 175 Dolly Vardens as large 

 as red salmon passed up with the salmon in a period of 40 minutes. 



Salmon entered very slowly in small schools, usually with long intervals 

 between. The first red salmon was noted passing the tally scow on June 27. 

 The run reached its crest about July 11, when they passed steadily, but only 

 one or two at a time. This condition was of short duration, and by July 26 the 

 run to the upper lakes was practically over. It was estimated that from 70.000 

 to 80,000 red salmon passed into the upper lakes, and since the greater number 

 spawn there the extent of the run is not encouraging. 



As trout were noted ascending the lower Wood River on the occasion of the 

 departure of the crew, two e±tra local men were engaged, so that operations 

 could be carried on in this river as late as possible, in addition' to the Tikchik 

 Lake survey. A floating trap was installed in the lower river, and it is be- 

 lieved the results will warrant the outlay. All trout taken were Dolly 

 Vardens. 



The previous winter a trip was made by Warden A. T. Looff and party, leaving 

 Snag Point on January 2, 1923, with a dog team, and the district was covered 

 to gather data relative to the loss of eggs from water receding, freezing, etc. 

 An extensive water system was shown by this survey, with an extremely 

 large area devoted to spawning. The party returned to Snag Point on Febru- 

 ary 26. An extremely heavy snowfall impeded progress and made travel diflS- 

 cult. A report of this trip was forwarded to the bureau, but apparently was 

 lost in the mails, as it was never received. At most places where spawning 

 was noted and at practically every point where nests were marked the water 

 did not freeze over, showing springs to be in the locality. Considerable work 

 on trout was accomplished. Mr. Looff and an assistant have again been de- 

 tailed by the bureau to winter in that section, and this year will give special 

 attention to the Nushagak River section and Tikchik Lake system. 



During Mr. Looffs fall trip last year 1,018 trout were destroyed and 6,501 

 were captured previous to the departure of the regular crew on the Chillicothe 

 on August 4 of this year, making a total of 7,519, averaging 2% pounds, or a 

 total of 18,797 pounds. Many more trout will be destroyed during the fall 

 and winter operations conducted by Mr. Looff this year. 



lliamna. — The Iliamna crew, in charge of Otto Kestner. obtained passage 

 on the lirookdale, leaving Seattle May 15 and arriving at Bristol Bay the end 

 of the same month. Transportation was then immediately secured for them 

 with O. B. Millett to Iliamna Lake. 



Arrangements had been made the previous fall for H. H. Millett, who lives at 

 the lake, to begin operations as early as possible in the spring. Nets were set 

 Ai)ril 28, as soon as the ice disappeared sufficiently, and operations were con- 

 tinued by Mr. Millett from that date to June 1. when he proceeded to tjie 

 cannei-y to have the launch repaired and painted and to erect markers and 

 prepare for patrol. Through this period and during a short period of operation 

 before the freeze up in November. 1922, Mr. Millett captured a total of 2,849 

 fish, 98 per cent being Dolly Varden trout and 2 per cent miscellaneous preda- 



