100 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



of 1903 but two traps were in successful operation in the estuaries of 

 any of the Bristol Bay rivers, and these two were in especially favor- 

 able localities, which could perhaps not be duplicated; but the num- 

 ber of traps in the upper streams has steadily increased. 



Although, as has been said, the immediate purposes of the prohibi- 

 tion of traps would be largely accomplished by preventing their use, 

 or that of any fishing device in the upper rivers, it would yet be wise 

 to make the prohibition of traps absolute at this time, when no con- 

 siderable interests would be imperiled thereby and there are no exten- 

 sive vested rights opposed to the regulation. There is no question 

 that all the salmon which now or in future can safely be spared from 

 the run of spawning fish can be obtained readily and cheaply by the 

 use of the gill net. 



All the considerations that have been urged for the prohibition of 

 fishing in the upper waters, away from the estuaries, apply with 

 especial force to Wood River. This stream, as has been shown, forms 

 the highway to the principal spawning grounds of the red l.:: non in 

 the Nushagak district. Exclusion of the salmon from these spavv'ning 

 grounds means, it is believed, inevitable disaster to the fisheries, and 

 that such exclusion is being rapidly accomplished admits of no denial. 

 During the sunnner of 1900 but one fish trap was operated in Wood 

 River (see Moser, Alaska Salmon Investigations, 1902, p. 201), and no 

 record exists of an\^ gill netting in the stream itself. In 1903 no fewer 

 than six traps were in operation, occupying especially favorable local- 

 ities along the lower 15 miles of the river. In addition, extensive 

 gill netting was resorted to along this same stretch of the stream. 

 The traps are permitted, by the regulations now in force, to obstruct 

 one-third of the channel, while the gill nets average 500 or 600 feet in 

 length. Some reaches of the river in which fishing is carried on by 

 both traps and gill nets do not exceed 800 feet in width. The result 

 is largely the obstruction of the stream to the ascent of fish, an 

 obstruction which becomes almost absolute during seasons when the 

 run is poor or only moderately good, as in 1903; and, bad as are the 

 present conditions, there are reasons for believing that they will grow 

 rapidly worse. Even such cannery superintendents as most sincerely 

 deprecate the foll}^ of the present system find themselves compelled 

 by fierce competition to permit no advantage, however slight, to their 

 rivals, and against their judgment they are now preparing to invade 

 Wood River or other available streams. On account of its preemi- 

 nent importance, Wood River demands immediate attention. Should 

 the general legislation above recommended fail of enactment, Wood 

 River and lakes should receive special consideration. 



In the judgment of the special commission, the statutes governing 

 the salmon fisheries of Alaska should contain the following provisions: 



