20 SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



seining operations, carried on almost without interruption, except during twenty-four 

 hours in the week, prevent mauy salmon from going up the stream for the purpose of 

 spawning. The number of salmon actually caught in Karluk Bay, near the river 

 mouth and in the lower portion of the river, is so large as to make a true statement 

 concerning them seem incredible. In 1888 the canneries put up over 200,000 cases, 

 averaging about 13 red salmon to the case, or more than 2,500,000 fish. In 1889 

 the number of fish put up was still larger, reaching probably 250,000 cases, containing 

 more than 3,000,000 salmon. As the number of fish arriving at Karluk Bay for along 

 period of years has been known to be far greater than in any of the other bays of 

 southern Alaska, it is probable that most of these salmon were present at Karluk for 

 the purpose of ascending the river to spawn. Now the number of spawning fish seen 

 in the river, the lakes, and their connecting rivers was comparatively very small, 

 indeed out of all proportion to the number taken on the beach. 



We were told by persons who have spent a number of years at Karluk that in 

 former years the great catch of salmon was made in the river, and that at a certain 

 time in the spring myriads of youug salmon filled the river on their way down to the 

 sea. In my opinion this river will soon cease to show such a state of productiveness, 

 if indeed it has not already done so, and we must conclude that the most formidable 

 obstruction at present to the ascent of salmon in the Karluk for the purpose of repro- 

 duction is overfishing. 



The river freezes over in winter with such solidity that the natives travel along 

 its course all the way to Karluk Lake on the ice. As the water is very shoal in many 

 places, it must necessarily freeze to the bottom in such localities. The natives told us, 

 however, that salmon may be taken any time during the winter under the ice in deep 

 holes in the river, as well as in Karluk Lake. Karluk Biver does not thaw out until 

 late in the spring. 



The relations of the rivers to one another could not be determined in the short 

 space of time at our disposal. 



The temperature of the air was recorded by Mr. Stone, and a table showing the 

 results of his thermometer readings is given elsewhere. 



There is no doubt that the salmon are affected in their movements by the condition 

 of the weather, but observations upon this subject have been so fragmentary that no 

 principles as yet can be deduced from them. For some reason unknown to us the 

 salmon were late in making their appearance at Karluk in 1889. Up to the first of 

 August the outlook for the fishermen was very discouraging, but during the month of 

 August the arrivals of fish were numerous and the schools verj' large. 



Photographs were taken to show the relations Of the seining beach to the lower 

 course of the river, and especially the spit with the buildings located upon it, the 

 nature of the banks and adjacent mountain slopes near its mouth, and also a series 

 of Karluk Lake and its tributaries. 



ALITAK BAY AND OLGA BAY. 



(Plates xxvii-xxxi and xxxix-xl.) 



The outlines of this large and irregularly shaped body of water as laid down upon 

 the chart furnished for our guidance differ greatly from those represented upon the 

 running chart of Oapt. L. P. Larsen, which Mr. Booth was allowed to copy for the use 



