282 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Many trials were made on this bank, and wliile they were never of 

 long duration, the exauiination was sufficiently thorough to disclose its 

 principal features. As on Slime Bank, the best fisli were found some 

 distance from the shore, the most favorable localities being from 15 to 

 1*0 miles from land. Those caught within 4 or 5 miles of the beaches 

 and headlands were small and many were inferior in quality. 



During the progress of the inquiry only one cod-fishing vessel was 

 seen, the schooner Yanderhilt, of San Francisco, commanded by Capt. 

 A. W. Smith. She was anchored on the Pore Miiller ground, about 20 

 miles off shore, and had been on the bank a little over a montli. Only 

 one berth had been made, and 43,000 cod had been taken up to that 

 time. We subsequently learned that the VanderbUt completed her trip 

 with 48,500 count fish, measuring 28 inches and over, and several thou- 

 sand small fish. Capt. Smith informed us that heavy winds prevailed 

 from June 11 to 21, preventing any fishing during that period. The 

 same wind on the Grand or Western Bank would not have interfered 

 with fishing, as the sea there takes a different shape, and is less liable 

 to trip or break into a dory. On the south banks of the Alaska Penin- 

 sula the sea is also much more uniform than in Bering Sea. Stormy 

 weather is said to scatter the cod on the banks in Bristol Bay or to 

 drive them into deeper water. 



The halibut on Baird Bank seldom exceed 25 pounds in weight. They 

 are always used as bait when taken, and are sometimes very abundant. 

 During the past season, however, they proved to be unusually scarce. 

 Capt. Smith considers the Port Moller ground to be superior to all other 

 fishing-grounds in Bering Sea. The cod are not larger or of better 

 quality than on Slime Bank, but there are fewer obstacles to fishing. 



Nearly all the cod in Bristol Bay and other parts of Alaskan waters 

 have black napes, specimens with white napes being rarely taken. 



As we proceeded to the northward and eastward from the Port Moller 

 region the fish gradually decreased in size and abundance, but while 

 the difference ts not great it is sufficient to induce the fishermen to 

 remain in that locality. However, so little is know n about the habits 

 of the cod in this region that no reliable deductions can yet be made 

 regarding this general subject. Good fares can undoubtedly be 

 obtained to the eastward of the Port Moller ground, but at the eastern 

 extremity of the bank the fish become scattering and greatly reduced 

 in numbers, due no doubt to the volume of fresh water which issues 

 from the Ugashik, Ugaguk, Naknek, Kvichak, and Nushagak rivers. 

 The cod which visit the head of the bay are probably attracted there by 

 young salmon, the remains of which were found in the stomachs of cod 

 examined from this locality. In this same region cod are said to be more 

 abundant and to range farther east on the fiood tide than on the ebb. 



The oidy availabh; harbors for shelter adjacent to Baird Bank are 

 Port Moller and llerendeen Bay, but as these places are not yet buoyed, 

 their tortuous channels are especially difficult of navigation by sailing 



