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BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
making still further important observations. In addition to the definite information 
gained, the investigations are of great value in that they show us just what problems 
connected with these fishes can be studied with advantage in these waters and indicate 
when and how these problems may be best investigated. 
The investigations show undoubtedly that very important spawning-grounds of 
the chinook salmon, redfisk, and steelhead are found in Idaho, and that it is upon these 
grounds that we must depend in large measure for the natural increase necessary to 
the continuance of the salmon industry of Columbia Eiver. The actual extent of 
these spawning-beds, the actual time of spawning in different streams, and several 
other questions of importance, can be learned only through a series of observations 
covering the entire breeding season of each species. For the redfish and the chinook 
salmon which ascend to the headwaters of Salmon, Payette, and Weiser rivers, this 
time apparently lies between July 1 and October 30; for the steelhead, observations 
should cover the time from April 1 to early summer, at least. 
While making these inquiries and investigations in Idaho we were the recipients of 
many favors and courtesies from various citizens of that State. To all who rendered 
us assistance in any way I desire to express our appreciation of the kindness shown 
us. We are under especial obligations to Mr. Liberty Millet and Mr. Joseph McMeekin, 
of Upper Salmon Falls, who not only showed us every kindness during our week’s 
stay with them but who were kind enough to keep an accurate record of their seining 
operations after we left. This record involved a large amount of work, in that it 
includes the weight, length, sex, and condition of every salmon which they caught, 
items of information of very great value to us in our investigations. To Mr. George 
JH. Day, of Upper Salmon Falls, and Messrs. George W. Bell, Robert E. Conner, and 
Charles Harvey, of Lower Salmon Falls, we are under obligations for numerous favors 
shown us. Mr. William O’Brien, of Ontario, Oregon, not only furnished valuable 
information regarding his own fishery at Weiser, but he very kindly obtained for me 
as complete data as possible concerning the salmon and salmon-trout catch of all other 
fishermen between Huntington and Glenn Ferry. 
I desire to mention also Messrs. Frank C. Parks, of Sawtooth; J. L. Fuller, of 
Bliss; Calvin White and William C. Jennings, of Salmon Meadows, and Thomas C. 
McCall, of Payette Lake, whose numerous kindnesses enabled us to accomplish much 
more than would otherwise have been possible. 
SALMON EIVER BASIN. 
The Salmon River is the largest and most important tributary of Snake River, in 
Idaho. It has its sources in Alturas and Custer counties, on the eastern slope of the 
Sawtooth Mountains, and, after a very crooked course for several hundred miles, it 
finally empties into Snake River near the northeast corner of Oregon in about latitude 
46°. This river is said to be one of the most important salmon streams in the Columbia 
Basin. I know nothing about this stream, however, except at its headwaters in the 
vicinity of Alturas Lake, where we made observations September 11 to 14, inclusive. 
Alturas Lalce . — This small lake lies on the east side of the Sawtooth Mountains, 
about 45 miles northwest from Ketchum, the nearest railroad station. The elevation 
of the lake above sea level is abont 7,335 feet, or 200 feet lower than the mining camp 
of Sawtooth, which is given as 7,536 feet by the United States Geological Survey. 
The lake is about a mile in average width, 3 miles in greatest length, and is estimated 
to be about 200 feet in greatest depth. The inlet is at the upper end and is called 
