28 HALIBUT FISHING GKOUNDS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 



ranging from 3 to 7 pounds. In the immediate vicinity of both of 

 these stations whales were plentiful, apparently feeding upon surface 

 life of some kind. The result of these two trials did not indicate a 

 prolific halibut ground. 



On July 18 one dory left the ship at 4.50 a. m. and made a set about 

 30 miles from the last station in 72 fathoms on small rocks and pebbly 

 ground, latitude 57° 12' 30" N., longitude 151° 12' 00" W. The eco- 

 nomic species caught were 9 cod, 1 black cod, and 1 Attn mackerel. 

 On the ground were several whales playing around the dory and 

 shij^. Attached to some rocks brought up on the trawl were several 

 crinoids, indicative of what is termed by fishermen " good bottom." 



The Attn mackerel was accidentally taken, hooked in the eye, 

 apparently indicating that a school of this species was passing under 

 the dory at the time the trawl was being hauled, and this fish was 

 caught as the hooks were pulled rapidly through the water. So far 

 as known, there is no previous record of mackerel being taken any 

 considerable distance from the shore. Our position at the time was 

 37 miles from Narrow Cape, which is situated at the northern en- 

 trance of Ugak Bay, Kodiak Island, and 5^ miles from the 100- 

 fathom curve — 9^ miles from where the bottom drops off into pro- 

 found depths. Mackerel have generally been observed and caught 

 near ledges and kelp patches along the coast. 



During the day two other trials were made on the southern and 

 eastern edge of the bank 14 miles apart, the first 22 miles from the 

 last position occupied. At 1.35 p. m. a sounding was taken in 62 

 fathoms. The amiing on the lead showed the bottom to be composed 

 of coarse sand. At 1.45 p. m. a skate of trawl was set, baited with 

 fresh cod and salt herring; latitude 57° 27' 00" N., longitude 150° 

 40' 00" W. The length of this trial Avas 1 hour and 40 minutes, dur- 

 ing which time the ship steamed 5 miles on an east course and 

 sounded in 160 fathoms, getting no bottom. 



On returning to the dory it was found that the trawl had taken 3 

 halibut and 33 cod. The average weight of the halibut was 9^ 

 pounds, average length 38f inches. The five cod that were saved 

 averaged 20 pounds and 36 inches. They were excellent in quality, 

 as were the others that were removed from the hooks. It is very 

 probable that a trawl-line fishing vessel would soon secure a fare of 

 cod in this region. 



At 5.50 p. m., in 55 fathoms, rocks and sandy bottom, latitude 

 57° 42' 00" N., longitude 150° 42' 00" W., a trawl was set and 3 

 halibut, averaging 13 pounds and 30 inches, and 32 cod were caught, 

 the trial lasting 45 minutes. The trawl, as in the previous trial, was 

 baited with salt herring and fresh cod. There seemed to be as many 

 cod taken on the salt bait as on the fresh. This was also true of the 

 halibut. 



