76 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES, 1911. 



1,000 eggs, while the other 2 each had about 150 eggs which had died 

 with the fish. The need of reform at Karliik is strikingly apparent, 

 and the justification of fish-cultural methods under present conditions 

 is most questionable. The remedy lies in moving the hatchery to the 

 lake, where there \vill be no need of impounding the salmon. Another 

 argument advanced as a reason for moving the hatchery is that the 

 fry therefrom can be released on the natural spawning grounds of the 

 lake instead of witliin 2 miles of salt water, as at present. Since it is 

 beheved that normally the greater part of the young red salmon 

 remain in fresh water a year before going to sea, it may be assumed 

 that results under the present system of planting at the Karluk hatch- 

 ery are also of very questionable value. Tliis conclusion is certainly 

 most logical. But irrespective of any loss in this direction there is 

 sufficient actual proof in the enormous loss of eggs due to the death 

 of impounded brood fish to make the removal of the hatchery to the 

 lake an absolute necessity if it is to be operated with satisfactory 

 efficiency. 



An exploration was made of Karluk Lake the latter part of July 

 primarily for the purpose of locating a hatchery site. A tributary 

 stream near the lower end of the lake appears to be suitable for tins 

 purpose. The lake is about 8 miles long and averages 1 mile in 

 width, but the quite precipitous mountains winch almost surround 

 it leave remarkably few tributary streams accessible to the salmon 

 f(^r spawning purposes. The result is that many salmon spawn in 

 the lake along the gravelly beaches. On August 1 the lake con- 

 tained a large number. Two small lakes droin into Karluk Lake, 

 the outlet of winch is Karluk River, a stream shown by compass 

 survey some years ago to be approximately 15 miles long. The 

 pri^sent hatchery is about If miles up from the mouth of the river, to 

 which point it is navigable for a light-draft boat or small launch. 

 Above the hatchery, however, it becomes so swift and shallow in 

 places that only with great difficulty can a light boat be hauled 

 upstream by means of lines from the shore, but there are also stretches 

 where a light skilT can be rowed up without much trouble. To reach 

 the lake it is much easier to go over the old native trail or portage of 

 about 3 miles from the head of Larsen Bay to the river and thence 

 6 miles up to the lake. A small boat can be rowed most of the 

 way from tliis point to the lake and can be hauled along shore without 

 much trouble through the mile or so of swift w^atcr just below the 

 lake. 



The proposed plan of transporting the fry from the Karluk hatchery 

 to the lake for planting is considered impracticable. The removal of 

 the hatchery to the lake would be much more satisfactory. From the 

 foot of the lake to navigable water at the head of Larsen Bay, a dis- 

 tance of some 7 roiles in a direct line, the country is open and is 



