a2 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
say that this species is as detrimental to the salmon industry as is the Dolly 
Varden, if not more so. One specimen was taken with two whitefish over 12 
inches in length in its stomach without distending it. The trout follow the 
migrating salmon to tidewater and gradually work back into the lake when the 
young salmon have passed. We found this species distributed through the 
entire Main river above Ralph River and up through the rapids into the lake, 
but not in extremely large numbers. Steelhead trout were more abundant in 
the river, as were also grayling and whitefish, the latter, especially, appearing 
in great numbers. 
After the river was thoroughly cleared in the vicinity of our operations camp 
was moved to the lake outlet, where fair numbers were taken, but, owing to the 
difficulties of seining and to the salmon ascending, a survey was made of the 
entire lake with a view to finding more suitable operating points. Camp was 
finally located at the mouth of Kidawik Creek, on the south side of the lake 
near the entrance to the east arm, where good numbers of lake trout and some 
Dolly Vardens were taken. The lake entrance would be an excellent location 
when the young salmon are descending early in the season, but none were in 
evidence at that date, June 17. 
Practically all the fish entering Naknek Lake either pass up Kidawik Creek 
or Simenoffsky River at the extreme head of the east arm. The lake shore, 
with the exception of a few miles along the south shore, offers no inducement 
for spawning fish owing to the amount cf ashes accumulated from the eruption 
of 1912 distributed along the shore iine. All other tributaries are thickly im- 
pregnated with ashes. While our arrival was late and help of little account, 
about 16,600 pounds were destroyed, mostly lake trout. 
Kidawik Creek is an ideal salmon stream with fine spawning bottom its 
entire length of about 2 miles. It connects Naknek Lake with Toms Lake, 
which is 12 by 4 miles in extent, the greater portion being clear and suitable 
for spawning grounds. About midway between the two lakes there is a water- 
fall from 5 to 8 feet high, over which it would be impossible for fish to ascend 
during low-water stage. It is a stone shelf of volcanic formation extending 
clear across the river, and, having no powder, we felt that a cut could be made 
with steel bars, ete. We therefore secured several stone-cutting gads, a steel 
bar, top maul, hammer and pick, and, after diverting the flow of water near 
one side of the stream, a cut was made 10 feet in width, sloping back about 15 
feet, through which the fish could easily pass. 
The salmon made their appearance in the mouth of the creek July 8, the 
number increasing gradually. A good run entered July 15, which was the date 
the cut was complete. There were fair numbers that found and passed through 
the cut, but the majority worked continuously at the center of the fall, many 
being injured and floating downstream. Ag the water rose, some of the fish 
were noticed passing over the top of the dam, and with high water they had 
no trouble in passing over. The cut makes it possible for them to ascend at 
any time. Fishing at this point was conducted in conjunction with the work 
of making a passageway through the dam. The trout taken were chopped fine 
and used to bait certain suitable seining points, where the fish gathered in 
numbers, and a seine was slipped around them. 
As this point was the only one where the fish could be observed, owing to 
the murky water, we endeavored to keep a check on the new arrivals from day 
to day in order to estimate the approximate escapement. From such observa- 
tions it is estimated that about 150,000 fish entered the lake. This estimate 
must of necessity be rough, as the water was so badly discolored. There was 
no way by which we could intelligently estimate the number entering Simenoff- 
sky River, as the water at that point was thick with ashes, but indications were 
of less fish than at Kidawik, and an average was accepted of from one-half to 
two-thirds. This would place the total escapement at the figure mentioned, 
which we consider as near an average as could be secured with our oppor- 
tunities. 
On two oceasions the camp was visited by bears, when all the crew were 
absent, and the tent was slashed down the side. While bears were observed 
from time to time in the vicinity, none of the men was ever threatened. 
WOOD RIVER SECTION. 
On the evening of June 8, accompanied by Mr. Savage and another white 
man, I left on the Alaska-Portland Packers’ Association boat North King, en 
route to Lake Aleknagik. We arrived at Dillingham the morning of the 9th, 
