202 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
Nearly all of the blueback salmon and the bulk of the Chinook salmon 
enter the Columbia in the spring. Ordinarily the run of both begins 
about the last of March and continues until autumn, subject, however, 
to many interruptions and fluctuations from a variety of causes. As a 
rule the summer runs are light, but they increase when the autumn 
rains fill the rivers and send a volume of cold, fresh water out into the 
Pacific. 
“ Those salmon which run in the spring,” remark Jordan and Gilbert, 
“ are chiefly adults (supposed to be at least 3 years old).” A rise in the 
river during spring always brings in a large school of salmon, or “ in- 
creases the run,” as it is called. “As the season advances the smaller 
and younger salmon of these two species (quinnat and blueback) enter 
the rivers to spawn, and in the fall these young specimens are very 
numerous.” 
Mr. Livingston Stone has estimated the progress of salmon in the 
Columbia, after entering the river, at about 3 miles per day. At first 
they “play” about in the river without seemingly making any special 
effort to advance, though they always head toward the current. Later 
they gather in the deeper parts of the channel and swim up the stream. 
The salmon season on the Columbia and its tributaries is limited by 
law. The “season” begins on April 1 and continues until August 1. 
There is a close season during August and September, but after this 
expires there is a limited fishery in the fall. 
Trout and salmon trout are reported abundant in the tributaries of 
the Columbia near their headwaters. These may eventually become 
commercially important. At present they are seldom or never taken 
for commercial purposes, though many are caught by Indians and others 
living along the streams for home use, and occasionally some may find 
their way into the Portland fish markets. 
Sturgeon of large size are abundant at least as high up as the Snake 
River. The maximum weight is 600 pounds,* though the fish ordinarily 
weigh from 40 to 200 pounds. The fishermen claim that there are three 
edible species of sturgeon (besides the green sturgeon, which is not 
eaten), but this is undoubtedly an error, for the best authorities mention 
only A. transmontanus in addition to the green variety. Flounders and 
soles are taken in considerable numbers near the river’s mouth, but 
are not saved. Herring do not regularly enter the river. Smelt are 
abundant in February and March in the Columbia and several of its 
tributaries. Sardines are numerous from July to October. Suckers 
and “Oregon pike” are plentiful enough, but are not in demand except 
by Chinese. Shad weighing from 4 to 6 pounds enter the river in 
small numbers. A few are taken in pounds and wheels. Lamprey eels 
(Ammoccetes tridentatus ) are very abundant, and are the only eels found 
in the river. They have a habit of crawling out on the rocks or ledges 
on the river banks at The Dalles, Cascades, and at Oregon City, on 
A sturgeon of this size is said to have recently been taken at The Dalles. 
