288 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



titles. The rocks liavc the ai)pearauce of beinjj of volcanic origin, and 

 are very rou^ili and sliari>. Tliey Avould be very destructive to most 

 kinds of lisliing gear. 



Cod are frequently caught from the wharf and beach in Iliuliuk Har- 

 bor, and native women may often be seen fishing for them from the rocks 

 along the sliore. Certain grounds in Cajttain's Harbor are snfficiently 

 rich to supply the inhabitants of Iliuliuk during the entire year. The 

 fish taken there, however, are not as good as those from the ofishore 

 grounds, but the Aleuts are not ])articular about their quality. 



The cod in this locality will accept almost anything as bait, and 

 among the articles used for this purpose may be mentioned seal meat, 

 sculi)ins, flounders, pork, and bacon. Salmon being the principal diet 

 of these people, a large stock of cod is never secured at one time, and 

 the latter species is abnost invariably eaten fresh. Such as are not 

 immediately eaten, however, are cured in the same manner as salmon. 



Considerable time was spent in testing the bottom in the vicinity of 

 Priest Eock and Cape Cheerful, at the entrance of Iliuliuk Harbor. 

 Trials were made with hand-lines in depths of from 22 to 58 fathoms. 

 In close proximity to the cape, cod* were found abundant, the average 

 weight of those captured being 11 pounds. A halibut weighing 6^ 

 pounds was caught in a depth of 40 fathoms, sandy bottom. This species 

 has never been regarded as common in this region, but, as no one ever 

 fishes for them, the real facts in the case have not yet been ascertained. 



In approaching Priest Eock we met with less success, the scarcity of 

 cod being due, no doubt, to the extent of muddy bottom which occurs 

 there. By a careful series of trials j^roductive spots could probably be 

 found in that vicinity. 



This part of Unalaska Island offers many inducements for the estab- 

 lishment of fishing stations, such as occur on the Sannak and Shuma- 

 gin islands, ami a profitable industry of this character could undoubt- 

 edly be built up at this pi ace. Good bait can readily be obtained in the 

 fishing season, such as herring, smelt, sculpins, flounders, and salmon, 

 and the cost of catching the same would be slight. 



Ctqw Cheerful to Makushin Bay. — Between these two points the 

 bottom differs but little from that above described. A welldefined 

 platform, from 5 to 6 miles Avide, and Avith depths of 1*0 to (50 fathoms, 

 runs paralhd with the coast. At its outer edge the bottom drops off" 

 suddcMdy into deep water. In many places cod were fairly abundant, 

 and small vessels could ])robably fish in this region witli profit. Owing 

 to the force of the Avind, which interfered greatly with oi)erations, noth- 

 ing was obtained in many of .the trials made by the Albatross. Had 

 an anchorage been made in each instance it is reasonable to suj)pose 

 that better results would have been secured. By far the greatest 

 number of cod were found near the shore, but the best fish, as to size 

 and (]uality, were taken some distance oif the land. At other seasons, 

 however, the conditions may be more favorable inshore. 



Excellent fishing was obtained at the mouth of a small indentation 



