CXXXVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The Klamath Lakes, on the Oregon-California border, have already 

 been examined by the Commission.* The relations of the faunas of 

 these lakes to each other and to those of the Snake Eiver Basin and 

 the Great Salt Lake Basin present a very interesting problem in geo- 

 graphical distribution ; and it is the purpose of the Commission to con- 

 tinue these investigations until a full knowledge of the fish life of these 

 waters is obtained. 



COASTAL STREAMS OF WASHINGTON, OREGON, AND CALIFORNIA. 



In the summer and fall of 1898 a systematic examination of the salmon 

 streams of the coast of Washington was taken up. Mr. Cloudsley 

 Rutter was in charge of the investigations, and was assisted at times 

 by Mr. C. F. Foote and Mr. E. R. Brady. The inquiry was begun about 

 July 25, immediately north of the Columbia River, and was concluded 

 on October 1, by which time the streams on the south side of the Strait 

 of Fuca were reached. 



The investigations had for their object the determination of the 

 physical character of the principal streams, the nature of the general 

 fish fauna, and the distribution, abundance, habits, spawning, etc., of 

 the different species of salmon. 



Among the numerous waters visited were the following: Nasel, Wil- 

 lapa, and North rivers, tributary to Willapa Bay; Chehalis River, 

 which empties into Grays Harbor, with its more important branches, 

 including Black River and Black Lake, Satsop River, Wynooche River, 

 the east and west forks of Wishkab River, and a number of smaller 

 streams; east and west forks of Humptulips River, which enters Grays 

 Harbor; Lake Quinault and its tributaries; Elk Creek, a branch of 

 Quinault River ; Raft River ; Queets River with its tributaries, Salmon 

 River, Tacoma Creek, Mud Creek, Clearwater River, and Hurst Creek; 

 Hoh or Ohalot River; Bogachiel River, tributary of the Quillayute 

 River; Ozette Lake and tributaries; Pleasant Lake, Beaver Lake, 

 Beaver Creek, and Soleduc River, in the Quillayute Basin; Crescent 

 Lake and Sutherland Lake, with their feeders and outlets. 



Many of the foregoing waters are very remote from regular lines of 

 communication and had never before been examined with reference to 

 their fish life. Large collections of the fishes and other water animals 

 were made for future study. 



The investigation showed that both the quinnat salmon and the 

 silver salmon are found in all the principal streams, and that the dog- 

 salmon is distributed throughout the region and ascends even the 

 smallest streams. The blueback salmon, or redfish, enters the Quinault 

 River and Lake, and also Ozette Lake. The dwarfed redfish exists in 

 Ozette Lake, and probably in Quinault Lake. Ozette Lake affords good 

 facilities for a conclusive study of the question as to whether the small 

 redfish are migratory or permanent residents of lakes. 



* The Fishes of the Klamath Basin. By Charles H. Gilbert. Bull. U. S. Fish 

 Commission, 1897. 



