100 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 
of 1903 but two traps were in successful operation in the estuaries of 
any of the Bristol Bay rivers, and these two were in especially favor- 
able localities, which could perhaps not be duplicated; but the num- 
ber of traps in the upper streams has steadily increased. 
Although, as has been said, the immediate purposes of the prohibi- 
tion of traps would be largely accomplished by preventing their use, 
or that of any fishing device in the upper rivers, it would yet be wise 
to make the prohibition of traps absolute at this time, when no con- 
siderable interests would be imperiled thereby and there are no exten- 
sive vested rights opposed to the regulation.. There is no question 
that all the salmon which now or in future can safely be spared from 
the run of spawning fish can be obtained readily and cheaply by the 
use of the gill net. . 
All the considerations that have been urged for the prohibition of 
fishing in the upper waters, away from the estuaries, apply with 
especial force to Wood River. This stream, as has been shown, forms 
the highway to the principal spawning grounds of the red ¢2inon in 
the Nushagak district. Exclusion of the salmon from these spa\yning 
grounds means, it is believed, inevitable disaster to the fisheries, and 
that such exclusion is being rapidly accomplished admits of no denial. 
During the summer of 1900 but one fish trap was operated in Wood 
River (see Moser, Alaska Salmon Investigations, 1902, p. 201), and no 
record exists of any gill netting in the stream itself. In 1903 no fewer 
than six traps were in operation, occupying especially favorable local- 
ities along the lower 15 miles of the river. Jn addition, extensive 
gill netting was resorted to along this same stretch of the stream. 
The traps are permitted, by the regulations now in force, to obstruct 
one-third of the channel, while the gill nets average 500 or 600 feet in 
length. Some reaches of the river in which fishing is carried on by 
both traps and gill nets do not exceed 800 feet in width. The result 
is largely the obstruction of the stream to the ascent of fish, an 
obstruction which becomes almost absolute during seasons when the 
run is poor or only moderately good, as in 1903; and, bad as are the 
present conditions, there are reasons for believing that they will grow 
rapidly worse. Even such cannery superintendents as most sincerely 
deprecate the folly of the present system find themselves compelled 
by fierce competition to permit no advantage, however slight, to their 
rivals, and against their judgment they are now preparing. to invade 
Wood River or other available streams. On account of its preemi- 
nent importance, Wood River demands immediate attention. Should 
the general legislation above recommended fail of enactment, Wood 
River and lakes should receive special consideration. 
In the judgment of the special commission, the statutes governing 
the salmon fisheries of Alaska should contain the following provisions: 
