FISHERY INDUSTRIES. 7 
the Chitina River, Klutina Lake on Klutina River, the headwaters 
of the Gulkana River, and the Copper River proper north of Chitina. 
On account of the extent and inaccessibility of the territory involved, 
results were rather incomplete, but it appeared from such informa- 
tion as was obtained that comparatively few salmon escaped the 
commercial fishermen lower down the stream and reached the 
spawning grounds. In some measure these observations confirmed 
the testimony of local fishermen at Chitina and of Indians at various 
places. 
Observations covering one season, however, are of little value 
unless they are considered with and are a part of a series of investi- 
gations extending over several years. In this connection certain 
facts and known conditions are worthy of consideration, as they relate 
to the vital question of the effect of commercial fishing upon the per- 
manency and preservation of the fishery in this stream. Among 
these may be mentioned the size of the run, as indicated by the 
number of salmon caught during a given season; the opportunity 
of the salmon to escape and ascend to the spawning grounds; whether 
' the stage of the river is high or low; and the amount of gear employed 
and its efficiency. Consideration must also be given to the weekly 
close period of 36 hours, which affords an opportunity for salmon to 
ascend, and there must also be taken into account those intervals 
of daily occurrence while the fishermen are resting or for other rea- 
sons when operations naturally cease, and, further, there must be 
considered those periods when fishing is seriously interrupted for 
days at a time on account of high water. 
That part of the Copper River where commercial fishing is carried 
on extensively is herein considered in three sections—viz, the delta, 
Miles Lake, and Abercrombie Canyon. The lake is about 5 miles 
above the upper end of the delta and is merely a widening of the 
river along the face of Miles Glacier. It is a rectangular body of 
water about 4 miles long and 2 miles wide. The entire eastern shore 
and part of the north and south shores of the lake are formed by 
the glacier, where it is impossible to fish. About 6 miles of the shore 
line is available, where fishery operations may be conducted by means 
of anchored gill nets. The length of the nets used in 1916 varied 
from 50 to 80 fathoms each. At frequent intervals during the fish- 
ing season the lake is so filled with icebergs that operations are inter- 
fered with very seriously. 
Not far above the lake the Copper River is confined by precipitous 
banks for a distance of about 2 miles to a channel varying from 450 
to 600 feet in width, where the current runs very rapidly. This 
section of the river is known as Abercrombie Canyon. Fishing in 
the canyon is by means of hand dip nets, each about 16 inches in 
diameter. The fishermen select the most advantageous points along 
6111°—17——17 
