84. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
were likely to ascend the river. Furthermore, it was believed that 
bluebacks would not go above the lake in large numbers, and that the 
time for testing the matter was opportune; but experience proved 
that probably over 25 per cent did ascend the river, and after they 
leave the lake their capture is difficult and expensive. 
The first ripe female was taken on September 7, and fishing con- 
tinued without interruption until October 25, resulting in the capture 
of 1,140 females, which produced 4,171,000 eggs. No account was 
taken of the male fish. The eggs hatched without unusual losses, 
and 3,834,553 fry were liberated in Baker Lake and its tributaries. 
At the close of the blueback season fishing for silver salmon was 
commenced in three creeks tributary to the river, about a mile above 
the lake, and in a slough or old branch at the head or east end of the 
lake. By means of traps, seines, and gill nets 78 ripe females were 
captured before the cold rains and the high stage of the water came. 
From these 222,000 eggs were collected, which yielded 172,041 fry. 
Early in March it was decided to again attempt the collection of 
eggs of the steelhead trout, and a location on Phinney Creek, about 5 
miles from Birdsview and some 30 miles from Baker Lake, was 
selected and the work of reopening an old road to the site was com- 
meneced. A camp outfit was installed in some old ranch buildings 
near by, and by the middle of the month a rack was completed and 
net fishing commenced under the direction of Mr. Henry O’Malley. 
Only a few fish were caught, and it soon became evident that the run 
of steelheads was over. Explorations on Phinney Creek, Grandy 
Creek, and the Skagit River did not show any large numbers, all tes- 
timony seeming to prove that the principal run had gone up in 
January. 
In accordance with instructions from the office efforts were made 
to reduce the number of Dolly Varden trout in the lake, as it was 
believed they were feeding principally on the young salmon fry liber- 
ated there. A limited number were killed, but great quantities came 
up from the Skagit River, and it was soon found to be impossible toe 
materially reduce them without making a systematic effort on the 
main river. ; 
During the year improved connections have been made with mail 
and railroad by the construction of a trail down the east side of Baker 
River and the extension of the Hamilton branch of the Great Northern 
Railroad to Baker. 
