THE FISHEKIES OF ALASKA IN 1906. 37 



about 6 inches in diameter being left open. A few small green 

 branches are secured to the inside of this opening in order to give the 

 appearance of an opening in the grass. . Another and smaller section, 

 conical in shape, is inserted into the rear of the first section, and in 

 the back of this is a door which can be opened when the trap is raised 

 and the fish taken out. The lead, which is made in 3-foot sections, 

 is also of wickerwork. There were 5 of these traps scattered along 

 the banks of the river from a mile below Kaskanak village to the lake. 



It was impossible, owing to the lack of time and a suitable boat, to 

 carry the investigation further than Lake Iliamna. According to 

 trustworthy information tliis lake, wliich is said to be the largest in 

 Alaska, is about 90 miles long and about 30 miles wide. About mid- 

 way on the northern side is a tributary, Noghelem River, 20 miles in 

 length, connecting Lake Iliamna with Lake Clark, the latter itself 

 being about 80 miles long and with an average width of about 10 miles. 

 The northeastern end of Lake Iliamna extends to within 17 miles of 

 Iliamna Ba}^ on Cook Inlet, between wliich bodies of water there is an 

 overland trail, and tliis route is frequently followed by Indians, 

 traders, and prospectors in going from Cook Inlet to Bristol Bay. 

 There are 5 Indian villages on, or in the immediate vicinity of Lake 

 Iliamna, practically all of which are dependent upon the run of 

 salmon for the winter's supply of food for themselves and their dogs. 

 jVIi'. Emil Anderson, a prospector from the Nushagak, who made the 

 above passage in July of this year, states that the Indians on Lake 

 Iliamna had a fair season, but the reverse was the case with the 

 Indians of Kaskanak village. At the time of the visit to the latter 

 place the chief reported that the season just closed had been most 

 disastrous, although they had fished faitlifully with their wdcker 

 traps. 



Mr. J. P. Ilaller, president of the North Alaska Salmon Company, 

 two years ago made the .trip from Bristol Bay to Cook Inlet, via 

 Lake Iliamna, during the month of August. According to his state- 

 ment, he journeyed up the right-hand shore of the lake and about 12 

 or 15 miles from the outlet he found a small stream leading uj) into 

 a fair-sized lake, which was a seething mass of spawning fish. At 

 the head of the main lake, where most of the Indian villages are 

 located, he found thousands of salmon drying, while plenty were to 

 be seen in the river ascending to the lake above. lie thinks that the 

 red salmon spawn all along the shores of Iliamna Lake, especially at 

 the head, but that a great part of the fish go up into a long and nar- 

 row arm extending out from the upper part of the lake and into 

 Lake Clark. But few spawning fish were to be seen in the Kvichak 

 River, or in the lake near the outlet. 



The Lockonock River enters near the head of Kvichak Bay. It 

 has its source in a lake, and is chiefly noted for its king salmon run. 



