THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 
1G3 
Howecl gently, and in depths of 2 to 3 feet. In the lake a large number of salmon 
indicated their presence by jumping. At a point about 500 yards within the mouth 
of the inflowing stream from the southeast, it is from 30 to 40 yards wide, with an 
average depth of 14 feet and a velocity of 2 to 3 feet per second. 
At the northwest end is the lake outlet, which flows generally with considerable 
velocity through a wide river valley. It is well wooded, having along its banks dense 
thickets of alder and willow interspersed with large cottonwoods. About 4 miles 
from its mouth a photograph was taken; here it is about 50 yards wide, 1^ feet deep, 
and flows with a velocity of 3 feet per second. Its general course is to the northwest, 
and from the lake to the mouth is a distance of about 8 miles. From the mouth the 
river flows into the east arm through a wide tidal basin at low water by two channels 
for a distance of 2 miles. About 3 miles above the mouth it receives a small tribu- 
tary, which is also an outlet to a small lake. 
In 1890 the canneries took 365,850 redfish from around the mouth of the stream. 
In 1897 the fisheries were a complete failure; the stream probably did not yield 
15,000 redfish. The Aleuts say this failure was due to the lack of snow. The redfish 
from Uganuk are highly prized by the canneries, as they are much larger than the 
Karluk fish, running 10 to the case. 
Inaccessibility renders this site unfit for a hatchery. 
I may mention here the large number of bears infesting this region. Along the 
streams their trails cross and recross like the lines on a checkerboard. Half-consumed 
salmon Avere seen everyAvhere, and quite freiiueutly salmon were noticed whose life 
was not yet extinct, having been abandoned by bears that had been alarmed at our 
approach. 
APOGNAK ISLAND. 
Afoguak Island was not visited, because there is no caiinery in operation at that 
place now. While it seemed desirable to see the stream, it has been fully described 
in Hr. Bean’s report, pp. 185-188 and pp. 207-208, Bulletin ix, 1889, United States 
Fish Commission. I will therefore only refer to it in connection with the brief 
histories of the canneries. 
Afognak is a large island northeast of Kadiak, and separated from it and Itasii- 
berry Island by a narrow strait, Avhich is nluch obstructed. On the southern side, 
near the western end, is Afognak Bay, which receiA^es the waters of a lake outlet, and 
was once a very good redfish stream, 
Mr. Livingston Stone examined this stream with especial reference to its adapta- 
bility for hatchery pui-poses, and in accordance with an act of Congress, approved 
March 3, 1891, the President, by proclamation of December 24, 1892, set aside 
“ Afognak Bay, Eiver, and Lake, Avith their tributary streams and sources thereof, * 
and the lands including the same on said Afognak Island, and within one mile from 
the shores thereof, as a reserve for the purpose of establishing fish-culture stations, 
and for the use of the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, the boundary 
lines of Avhich include the head springs of the tributaries above mentioned, and the 
lands the drainage of which is unto the same.” 
The stream at Afognak has been much abused by barricades. The Eussiaus 
built a zapor in the river which has been maintained by their descendants, first 
for their own use, and afterwards to supifly the cannery. Although the iilace is 
reserved by the Government, I am told that it is still fished (1897) for cannery pur- 
poses. The value of this stream some years ago Avas from 10,000 to 15,000 cases a 
year. Its present value is unknown. 
