101-32 WILSON RIVER K 34 
N55° 23.7 W1i30° 26.3 Previous No. 29 
KETCHIKAN, BEHM CANAL, SMEATON BAY, WILSON ARM, head, main fork (West) 
MAJOR SPECIES Pink OTHER SPECIES Chum, coho, king, trout 
ESCAPEMENT TIMING Early. July-Aug. -Sep. ESCAPEMENT MAGNITUDE >100,000 
SPAWNING FACILITIES Exceilent and extensive. This is one of the most productive salmon streams in South- 
eastern Alaska. Past records indicate that escapements greater than one-half million occur during good years. 
The spawning areas extend from the half tide point to a barrier falls 5.5 miles up the W. fork and over 10 miles 
in the E. fork (K 34-1): 
STREAM TEMPERATURES Normal range. Observed ranges: 52.5°F., 9/24/47; 48°F. -56°F., 1949; 50°-56°F., 
1950; 50°-57°F., 1951; 48°-58°F., 1952; 50°-57°F., 1953. 
VALLEY DESCRIPTION Stream cut glacial. Broad lower valley floor, well timbered. Cross-bedded area beginning 
5.5 miles upstream and above forms two falls. Wilson Lake, 8 miles upstream, is 5 miles long, 1, 100 acres at 
280 foot elevation. The glacial valley extends beyond the lake an additional 5-6 miles with steep rock sides. A 
number of cirques and hanging valleys throughout. 
DRAINAGE 110-150 square miles. Lake fed with snowfields and several small glaciers in the upper drainage. A 
number of tributaries drain small snowfields and lakes throughout the system. Several small beaver pond areas are 
in the lower valley. The water is clear except during flood levels. 
STREAM MOUTH IDENTIFICATION 2 miles of delta with extensive grass flats at the head of Wilson Arm. 
River enters Wilson Arm along W. shore. 
ANCHORAGE Daylight anchorage just off W. shore at drop-off. This is inside point 2 miles from the timber at 
the head of the grass flats. Overnight anchorage off opposite shore near bedrock beach. 
TRAILS AND SURVEY ROUTES Best surveyed by river skiff which may be taken to area below first falls 
(about 4.5 miles). High tides reach to the forks and other types of skiffs may be taken that far with ease. Foot 
survey is practical only in the lower stream since crossing the river is usually difficult on foot except on low 
water levels. 
AERIAL SURVEY NOTES Excellent visibility on most water levels and light conditions. The broad valley allows 
full maneuverability for most planes. Pass to Rudyerd Bay, S. Arm, over Big Goat Lake, at about 1,000' above 
W. side of Wilson Lake. 
INTERTIDAL ZONE 
LENGTH 2 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH  100-150'/2-4' 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES Less than 1° at 2-3' per second 
BOTTOM Silt, sand, gravel in the upper area. 
LOW TIDE LOCATION _ Just inside anchorage point, some snags visible. 
HIGH TIDE LOCATION At the confluence of the E. fork with the main stream. Extreme tides go beyond, backing 
freshwater up both streams for some distance. 
SCHOOLING AREAS _ Two large, deep holes with the major one being the lower hole opposite the logged area 
on the E. bank. The hole just below high tide is too deep for visibility, but contains large numbers during the 
peak of migration upstream. 
SPAWNING AREAS A limited spawning area lies below the hole opposite the logged area on the riffles of the 
main stream and the top of the small branch. Heavy spawning occurs on the riffles at the forks. 
GENERAL NOTES Though the two primary spawning areas may contain substantial numbers of spawning salmon, 
it is not considered as important in comparison with the upstream spawning. In recent years of reduced abuncance, 
most of the spawning occurs upstream. 
UPSTREAM 
LENGTH ACCESSIBLE 5 miles AVERAGE WIDTH/DEPTH 70-100'/2-4! 
GRADIENT AND VELOCITIES 1° at 1-3' per second 
BOTTOM _ Gravel 1-4" in diameter, some sand. 
MARKER DISTANCE 2 miles. 
MARKER IDENTIFICATION Bend Creek (K 34-2) entering river from W. valley at sharp bend eastward (120° ). 
BARRIERS Impassable falls 5 miles upstream. A second falls 2 miles further upstream is also impassable (32"). 
TRIBUTARIES E. Fork of the Wilson River (K 34-1) at its confluence at the high tide mark. Bend Creek (K 34-2) 
is 2 miles upstream at the marker and offers some spawning facilities. Fourmile Creek (K 34-3) entering from the 
W. has good spawning facilities in the lower stream. 
SCHOOLING AREAS 1. Sev. hundred yards above high tide ina long pool. 2. 1 mile upstream in deep holes 
against the hill. 3. 1.3 miles upstream in a long pool opposite an area of numerous dead trees. 4. The long pool 
over . 2 miles long just below Bend Creek (K34-2) at the marker. 
SPAWNING AREAS Heavy spawning in between all schooling areas. Greatest density observed around high tide mark. 
Good area 1.4 miles upstream where a split entering from S. offers good facilities as far as log jam and above the 
log jam to the riffles below schooling area 4. Heaviest spawning observed above marker on riffles at Fourmile Creek. 
GENERAL NOTES Avail, beginning at the forks, was once used to reach Wilson Lake. 
