182 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
the lake again in 1872 and 1876. There were salmon in the lake at each of those visits, hut they were 
not nearly so numerous. Admitting that Mr. Carroll was not mistaken, it is quite certain that the 
Chinook salmon does not now enter auy of these lakes. 
In the last mile of Alturas Creek, and in Salmon Eiver from a mile above its union with Alturas 
Creek down to the outlet of Eedlish Lake, the salmon has spawning-beds in all suitable places. The 
most suitable bottom is that composed of fine gravel with a liberal matrix of coarse saud. On these 
beds the water will vary in depth from a few inches to 2 feet, and the current will usually be moder- 
ately swift. In deeper water the current is not strong enough and the bottom is too sandy; where 
the current is .strongest the proportion of large gravel is too great. 
It has often been said that salmon are always headed upstream when seen, and that they are 
never seen to go downstream. This is not altogether true. It is probably true that while en route 
to the spawning-beds the salmon rarely, if ever, turn and swim downstream even for a short distance, 
but when ou their siJawuing-grounds, though always headed upstream when comparatively quiet, 
one may frequently see them swimming downstream when chasing each other, either in playful or 
fighting mood. And when disturbed by anyone on the bank they will very often turn tail and swim 
downstream until a deep hole is reached. 
No salmon were seen or heard of at Big Payette Lake by Mr. Williams until August 1. On that 
date Mr. E. D. York reported seeing 4 salmon iti a deep pool in Payette Eiver about 3 miles below 
the lake. On August 2 and 3 Mr. Williams examined the river for some distance below the lake, but 
saw no salmon. On August 4 a large seine was used in the river about 5 miles below the lake, and 
salmon were found in considerable numbers. Several hauls were made, resulting in a catch of 25 
salmon, 11 males and 14 females, the lengths and weights of which are given in the accompanying 
table. All of these fish were in perfect condition, none of them showing mutilations or sores of any 
kind. Nearly all seemed to be almost ripe with spawn. The stomachs of all were examined, but no 
food was found in them. On August 7 six more salmon were taken, and on August 11 six others were 
caught. All of these were in perfect condition. 
The seine was used again August 16, when 9 were taken, and again the next day, when 42 more 
were gotten ; 35 of these were taken at one haul. This was about 5 miles below the lake. The river 
was seined at various places on down for about 5 miles farther, but salmon were scarce in the lower 
part, which seems to be about the lower limit of their spawning-grounds. In a deep pool about 
8 miles below the lake a large number of salmon were seen. All of those caught were in excellent 
condition. They had not begun spawning. 
On August 23 the river was examined again ; many salmon were seen, but none had yet begun to 
spawn. On August 28 salmon were seen in considerable numbers and some were probably spawning. 
During the two weeks following August 28 the s^iawniug season seemed to be at its height. On 
September 14 some spent fish were examined, and many were seen more or less covered with sores 
and with fins considerably worn. 
Lengths and weights of ehinook salmon taken in Payette River near Big Payette Lake in Augtist, 1895, and 
examined by Mr. Williams. 
D.'ite. 
Sex. 
Leiigtli 
ill 
inches. 
‘\\"eight 
pounds. 
Date. 
Sex. 
Length 
in 
inches. 
Weight 
in 
pounds. 
Aug. 4 
r emale . . . 
27 
7.5 
Aug. 4 
Female . . . 
29 
9 
4 
T’eniale - . . 
29 
9.5 
4 
Female . . . 
29 
10 
4 
‘Female . . . 
27 
8 
4 
Female . . . 
29.5 
9 
4 
Pemale . . . 
33.5 
13 
4 
Male 
30 
12 
4 
Female . . . 
36.5 
19 
4 
Male 
30 
10 
4 
Female . . . 
32 
12.5 
4 
Male 
27 
7.5 
4 
Female . .. 
30 
10.25 
4 
Male 
30.5 
10 
4 
Female . . . 
30 
10. 25 
4 
Miile 
30 
9.5 
4 
Female . . . 
28 
8 
4 
Male 
28.5 
9. 5 
4 
Female - . . 
33. 5 
13.5 
4 
Male 
30.5 
9.5 
4 
Female . . . 
32 
11 
4 
Male 
30 
9.5 
