SALMON FISHERIES OF PACIFIC COAST. 11 



DOG OR CHUM SALMON. 



The dog or chum salmon (O. keta) reaches a maximum weight 

 of 16 pounds, the average being about 8 pounds. When it first ap- 

 pears along the coast it is dirty silvery, immaculate or sprinkled with 

 small black specks, the fins dusky, the sides with faint traces of grid- 

 ironlike bars. Later in the season the male is brick red or blackish, 

 and its jaws are greatly distorted. Its flesh is quite pale, especially 

 when canned, when also it is mushy in texture. It is especially good 

 for freezing, salting, and smoking. 



This species has a wide distribution. It is found as far south as 

 San Francisco, but is not utilized commercially in California except 

 on Eel River. It is found in most of the coastal streams from here 

 north, being especially abundant from Puget Sound northward to 

 southeast Alaska, both inclusive. In this region it is being utilized 

 in greater abundance each year, as the market for it widens. 



In central, western, and arctic Alaska the species occurs in varying 

 abundance, but is utilized sparingly, except by the natives, with whom 

 it is the favorite species dried for winter food. 



This is the most abundant species of salmon in Japan, where it is 

 called sake, and large quantities are dry-salted each year. In Siberia 

 the species is abundant and is known as kaita or kita. 



The run of dog salmon comes later than that of any other species 

 except the coho. In Alaska it begins in June, but the height of the 

 season does not occur until late in August or early in September, and 

 fish are found as late as November. In Puget Sound they run from 

 about the middle of August till late in November, and practically the 

 same is true in the Columbia River. 



STEELHEAD TROUT. 



The steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) is commonly classed as one 

 of the salmons by the fishermen of the Pacific coast, and it has been 

 included in this report on this account. In different localities the 

 average, weight is placed at from 8 to 15 pounds, while extreme sizes 

 reach 45 pounds. The excellent quality of its flesh causes it to be 

 highly prized for the fresh market, but owing to its pale color only 

 limited quantities are canned. 



The principal center of abundance of this species is the Columbia 

 River. It is found from Carmel River, Cal., north to central Alaska, 

 and possibly has an even wider range in Alaska. It seems to be found 

 in the rivers during the greater part of the year. In the Columbia 

 River the spawning season is from February to May, in Puget Sound 

 in the spring, and in southeast Alaska in May and June. The best 

 commercial fishing is in January, February, and March. In Califor- 

 nia the catching of this species is restricted to hook and line fishing. 



