INVESTIGATION OF THE SALMON FISHERIES OF THE YUKON RIVER. 
By CHARLES H. GILBERT and HENRY O’MALLEY. 
OUTLINE OF PROPOSED INVESTIGATIONS. 
An exhaustive investigation of the problems presented by the sal- 
mon run of the Yukon River obviously would require practical and 
scientific inquiry extending over a series of years. During the few 
summer months no very ambitious program could be attempted. 
Many of the most important problems must remain untouched. 
Time would not permit an examination of the tributaries with their 
spawning beds. No study could be made of spawning habits nor ob- 
servation of the fate of eggs and fry where these must he beneath the 
gravel of the ice-locked streams during the long severe winter and 
spring. Yet the possible destruction of eggs by freezing may be an 
important factor in limiting the size of salmon runs in far northern 
rivers and may, indeed, be responsible for the practical elimination 
of salmon from the streams that enter the Arctic Ocean. If natural 
propagation on the Yukon is rendered relatively ineffective because 
of severe climatic conditions, the operation of hatcheries would here 
produce proportionately greater results than in more temperate 
regions. To the extent that natural propagation in any region is — 
wasteful and unproductive do the advantages of artificial propaga- 
tion appear. 
In a single short season it could not be hoped to carry out more 
than the following program: 
1. To inspect the spawning runs as these enter the mouth of the 
river and to ascertain by microscopic examination of the scales as 
much as this method can furnish of the life history of the Yukon 
salmon. 
2. To examine the fishery operations carried on by the Carlisle 
Packing Co., in the Delta of the Yukon, this being the only can- 
nery which packs salmon bound for the spawning beds of the Yukon. 
3. To investigate the consumption of fresh and dried salmon by 
the resident population of the Yukon Valley and to estimate the im- 
portance to them of this salmon supply. : 
4. To draw such conclusions as the facts warrant concerning the 
magnitude of the Yukon salmon run and its adequacy to support can- 
nery operations in addition to meeting the needs of the local popula- 
tion and providing a sufficient spawning reserve. 
ITINERARY. 
In carrying out the program above outlined the writers arrived in 
Skagway on May 12 and crossed White Pass and Lake Lebarge in 
time to take the first steamer down the Yukon, close behind the 
running ice of the spring breakup. At Tanana, which was reached 
May 31, transfer was made to the gasoline launches of the Bureau of 
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