KAELUK RIVER RED-SALMON INVESTIGATION 



21 



Falls Creek. — Stream comingin on left below O'Malley Lake. This stream was visited by walk- 

 ing over the ridge from O'Malley Lake to the falls. Did not see a live or dead red salmon in this 

 stream during the upper two-thirds of the distance from falls, but humpback carcasses were thick 

 almost to the falls. A comparatively small number of reds was spawning over the humpbacks in 

 the lower part of the stream. Some reds had spawned here before the humpbacks, but the entire 

 stream was, in the main, given over to the latter. 



Small stream at head of O'Malley Lake. — A few humpbacks have spawned here but no reds were 



seen. 



Canyon Creek. — This is the best red stream on the lake this year. Some dead humpbacks were 

 at the lower end, but live and dead reds were thick all the way to the falls. Some of the early red 

 eggs are being dug out by present spawners. 



The Thumb. — Beach at head of thumb. Reds and humpbacks have spawned here in about equal 

 proportions. Some reds are still spawning. 



Thumb River. — More reds spawning here than in previous years. Conditions very similar to 

 the similar stream at the head of the lake. Great numbers of humpbacks have spawned here and 

 the reds are now busily working over the same ground. Humpback eggs, with some red eggs, were 

 piled in heaps in eddies and shallows on the right-hand side. Apparently the humpbacks had dug 

 up the early red nests, and what eggs were past the tender stage were still alive but drifting around. 



Salmon Creek. — Found this stream well populated with reds. It had been even better populated 

 with humpbacks and some reds earlier in the season, as indicated by eyed red eggs drifting around. 

 One very small red was observed. A considerable portion of the live red salmon were small fish. 



Upper Thumb River. — Both of these creeks had been seeded early by reds. Only bones were 

 left in the water, but carcasses thrown out by the bears were thoroughly dried. A few live ones 

 were still to be seen, especially in the left-hand or smaller branch. A considerable number of 

 humpbacks had spawned. Trout were plentiful. Not many eggs were adrift. 



First creek below Thumb on north side (either Alder or Cottonwood Creek). — Had more dead 

 humpbacks than reds, with a few reds spawning now; also the usual number of humpback and 

 red eggs on top of gravel. Humpback eggs in larger quantities and all dead; some red eggs eyed 

 and alive. 



Second creek from the Thumb (either Cottonwood or Moraine Creek) . — This creek had at least 

 six times more humpbacks than reds, with a few reds spawning now. 



Spring Creek. — Evidently the humpbacks spawned mostly in creek below potholes. Red 

 carcasses in potholes were not as numerous as two years ago. Digging in the gravel, discovered 

 humpback eggs exclusively, up to the potholes; but in little lakes, especially the upper one, more 

 red eggs than humpbacks. Very few live reds anywhere in this creek. 



There were spawned-out humpbacks at every place where we landed around the lake. We 

 were delayed two days on the lake by a strong wind and provisions were exhausted. Each creek 

 was ascended as far as the fish could go, with two exceptions — the largest creek at the head of Thumb 

 Lake and the second creek from lower end of Karluk Lake on the north [east] side. 



The most extensive observations of the spawning in Karluk Lake were made 

 during the season of 1926 by the junior author and a small field party. The greater 

 part of the months of July and August were spent on the lake, which was carefully 

 mapped and sounded. Some preliminary observations on the limnology of the lake 

 were made, including both surface and deep temperatures on the lakes, temperatures 

 of the tributary streams, and some few qualitative plankton collections were made. 

 Other data bearing on the history of the eggs and of young salmon during their life 

 in the lake were secured. Particular attention was given to the spawning of the 

 adult fish, which was made especially interesting and important by the remarkably 

 fine run and escapement of 1926. The spawning escapement was the best in many 

 years, and in all probability was the best that has ever been observed by the few white 

 men who have visited the lake. The notes made are too extensive to quote in full, 



