INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 239 



living on the Island of St. Paul say that the past winter was very severe, 

 more so than for many years, and that the lake was frozen to the bottom. 

 If this be true, the trout planted were undoubtedly killed by the ice. 



The first ocean investigation was made with the beam trawl on June 

 20, off the northern entrance to Isanotski Strait, generally known as 

 False Pass. The bottom here is composed of volcanic sand, and has 

 very little on it to support a large amount of life. The principal part 

 of the catch consisted of starfishes; the economic species were floun- 

 ders and one small cod; the cod, however, was dead and considerably 

 bruised, as if it had been washed about violently by the sea. 



The first trial for bottom fish was made on Juno 29 at hydrographic 

 station 3192, latitude 57° 59' N., longitude 166° OP W., in 32 fathoms 

 of water. Fifteen hand lines baited with salt salmon were put over, 

 and fishing carried on for thirty minutes. The result of this trial was 

 two cod. Another trial was made the same day at hydrographic sta- 

 tion 3493, in latitude 58° 00' K, longitude 105° 22' W., 26 fathoms of 

 water. The same time was given here as at the previous station. Four 

 cod and two flounders were caught; the last-named species were taken 

 on very small hooks, none being caught on the regular cod gear. 



On the 30th three fishing trials were made, the first at hydrographic 

 station 3495, in 27 fathoms, latitude 57° 28' N., longitude 163° IP W. 

 Nothing was taken here. At the next station, which was in latitude 

 50° 59' K, longitude 103° 02' W., in 34 fathoms of water, one cod, 

 weighing 6f pounds, was taken. Later in the day we hove to and put 

 over 13 hand lines, in 37 fathoms, for thirty minutes. The result of this 

 investigation was the same as at the first station. 



The result of the fishing trials made in this region was far different 

 from what was anticipated; fairly good fishing was looked for. The 

 ground lying between the Pribilof Islands and Cape Xewenham has 

 never been considered by fishermen to be as prolific as the banks farther 

 south, yet at times cod may be expected in considerable numbers. The 

 almost negative result of the above trials could not have been due to 

 any fault of the bait, for it was such as we have always used, salt 

 salmon, and of good quality. It seems reasonable to suppose that the 

 low temperature of the water at the bottom where these fishing trials 

 were carried on accounts for the scarcity of fish. A comparison of the 

 bottom temperatures (bund this season with those of past years shows 

 a difference of from 4° to 8°. The bottom temperature of water at the 

 fishing stations thus far this season has varied from 32° to 35° F. A 

 difference of a few degrees may prevent cod from migrating to favorite 

 grounds. In past years it has been found that cod exist in greatest 

 numbers in water ranging from 38° to 43°. The cause for the extra 

 cold temperature of the water this season is no doubt due to a very late 

 summer and considerable quantities of field ice. 



