ALASKA FISHERY AXD FT'E-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1923 



79 



tory species. On the departure of Mr. Millett from tlio lake t!ie work was 

 turned over to Mr. Kestner and crew. 



The regular crew from the States establisheil ('amy in Intricate Bay and 

 accompliished fair results. The camp was established iu a protected bay aud 

 set nets were placed in every suitable fishing locality that could be reached 

 without difficulty from the camp with dory and outboard motor. The early 

 spring work was carried on in the locality where results were the best last 

 year, namely, Goose Bay, along the north shore of the lake, and Woody Island 

 Lfikes. Trout were never found in large numbers at any point of operation. 



Predafoiii fifihes taken in 1923 



As tliere were no trout in Iliamna Kiver during 1921 and 1922 no effort 

 was made to operate there this year. When it was too late to give this stream 

 attention, information was received that large numbers of trout had been 

 present in the early spring months, feeding on the enormous schools of young 

 salmon coming from the gravel and working down into the lake. During 

 the fall inspection in the current year very few trout were noticed. This con- 

 dition is accounted for partly by the scarcity of young salmon in this river 

 during 1921 and 1922, while during the past spring the waters appeared alive 

 with the fry just leaving the gravel. They constituted the attraction for the 

 trout that ascended from the lake. This coming spring it is anticipated there 

 will be a fair number of salmon fry in this stream, aud every attention will be 

 given the trout. Suitable local help has been engaged for early spring work, 

 and a man will proceed from Seattle via Cook Inlet as early as possible in 

 the coining year to supervise operations. 



(Swing to the inaccessibility of tlie places where the operations were con- 

 ducted, it was impossible to note tlie extent of migrating fingeiiing salmon 

 and no report is available on that sul>ject. The number of predatory fishes 

 destroyed by the regular crew t<jtaled o.o55, of which 30 per cent were Dolly 

 Vardens and the remainder pike and lake trout in nearly equal proportions, 

 together with some suckers. This number, added to the 2,849 taken in the late 

 fall and early spring, makes a grand total of 8,204 fish averaging 2i/^ pounds, 

 or 20.510 pounds destroyed for the season. 



KXTENT OF SALMON RUNS 



In the Naknek-Kvichak district a light run was on when the season opened 

 on .Tune 26. and the fish came in large numbers on the morning of the 28th, 

 when a few of the canneries placed their fishermen on limit. The following 

 day practically all canneries were displaying the limit flag. On June 29 the 

 run slackened, and it declined very materially to July 1 and 2, when the limit 

 flags were removed. On July 3 the run again showed a decided increase, and 

 on the following morning tide the fish came with a rush. All limit flags were 

 up by 6 a. m. l)Ut were not effective before midnight of the same day. according 

 to an agreement between fishermen and packers. The water was alive with 

 snliiion in the vicinity of Xaknek Itivi-i-, and an excellent escapement into 

 that stream was occurring. On the morning of July the run slackene<l 

 in the vicinity of the shiiK»<, and most of the fishing boats api)eare<l to be en 

 route for the uiiper Kvichak in the vicinity of Squaw Creek. Small catche.'^, 

 with an occasional good capture, were nuule. On the following day more of 

 the boats were successful, and good captui-es were made at various points by 

 most fishermen, but many of the limit flags were taken down. Fish struck 

 in extremely heavily again on July 12, and limit flags were again displayed. 

 The rn?i wa.'^ spasmodic thrnnghnut, and showed a perceptible shickt'ning by 



