oe “BUREAU OF FISHERIES. GEORGE | M. BOWERS, Commizsioner ? ’ 4 ‘ON SALMON ANDYTROUT IN ALASKA “Butead of Fisheries Docament No, 627: : WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE (1907 Class Z “H.4 + B Book ‘A VE ce | ho ; . ’ a ' | | | a o , iD | | { l . | 1 ; | | SOME OBSERVATIONS ON SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. By F. M. CHAMBERLAIN, Naturalist, U.S. Fisheries Steamer Albatross. Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 627. ay DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR BUREAU OF FISHERIES GEORGE M. BOWERS, Commissioner SOME OBSERVATIONS ON SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 627 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1907 DEC ~ 41297 D., of D.. | COE Ran IS. Page introduction..........-- ee 5 Distinctive ienncuee of ies SPECIES MEE eas eens eh SEO OS Ld ay, Fe 6 SDIRRITR OL GHENT ER SO See ee anne eres poe bene et 6 iterentiaiing marksymvaduits. 2... 2202 wee ee ae oe et Pe be: 6 EGS IOnN Ole YOUNG SAMMON 22-22 cacy 2 oe Se nt ae Sete ed Ul Hybridization. . : EE Pic Ae aE RE AOE ees CENT Fe ener ae eer 10 Resemblance of ee YAU TUILAYS”. Sia L e ep eNSk SUC e eae eee ole 1 Derailed descriptiougol the young. ........./.-J2¢c22) nad cede ele. 13 Ebon ac cosmo. 4-12 tts ae i Se UE ed icles, 13 HUET nese enna ees es Ps a Se Ny ey ee Ria. tte be Pe dae es a 14 PGK HEa NOM hoe a ees ont ee ATs eee kayo ls Likes pl eeeen ts thee 15 (ODD (SLOVO) ek a a ee A ae ee 16 SOC RGN ESTO ee ee nena ee areas Se ep Pes CPR es aes eee ily See cineaUm nol wemee eye S55 2a Ne AS Sop pyre tes. 22 19 Wiser or Dolly Wardenmtnout <2) 432.8002 oe ey aca ais eal 19 The basins studied. tery 20 Conditions controlling the work. Mee Ae ern te Rea: fat os: 20 Method used to determine migratory movements. .........-..-.-------.-- 21 The Naha.. meCy 22 Ohenveiae a ‘lis iret. nds CARE Ae SE se aes a tick ame) eee 22 BYieldvot salmon. 20) tmsc ee Pee Mop ie ae keh Rpw tot et Sabi hy: 23 CArchtoL youne Salamon in. tel trap. s. <3. 052402 - see ona s behets ckhe as 25 “YG LBA ISU ge TRL URES Peg Se ne ge ee ae ee 27 SESe uel ican erty 7 Weer erate erg ete eye orci eacre = cd a oe tee BAe Phones ws Ho RL hae 4 28 Suutabilityas a spawning stream: 3.22 y.osooso. eo estae eile... 28 Movements of young salmon as shown by trial catches ............... 28 Conditions reported im British Columbia. ..-.--2ic2.-. oi js25- sunk. 2... 30 SIMIAN OMOOSCEVALLONS a oss oe -e 2-8 BE ite ei el ASN Ly. ais yet oll Dears cAlMOmsimstesh, WAbers 22.52.02 <245% aclt Se wtefacek el 26. alasceeasteds! 3 BR ens Be rere tae ap as ya oie Se SPN SEs SPB Meo Gas soars 31 Movement .atiny above the lakes: 2: 5-240 #79: Jen sgeckkeote tenes: 31 Food and feeding........-- Steers eosp ose ee fer 32 Food supply in rion to ihe fee BESOIN G2 rE eg) stays so 3 Grow anim nes i Wa beRc es. sso) i Gleliey eG aay ce rs Bye ali oie eras 34 Mra OO VCAnWUAGS ens oie eS. eye ge, Pe s a eete Jacko 36 SE Siia ee Sealer Oneness Acre Soe aac SY ofS SP ee Sis Gyomhgte HERE AS foe 40 FAP EHATIC SCASON Ol MMOTARLOM. - esas oh ets fe Sei. lions hue? Ieee beer te 40 Hithect ot change frompiresh: to, saltnwater: i222) 2. 6. sses6 2 ot last. -- 42 IH cso epee ara eye ete Pkt ee cess Obes bore} eps cel 43 RO ep ETON Stn OL ty ee eh eo es Aigo ad ny teen te re 44 AGEs imipra LON Saver Hee aeons. ys oeeec osnas AE SL Se yen air He ofa 2 44 ooduaT dena Wiiserees = ae a pees eee sie. oa a Aina ageyt a bait Hf yay 44 % 9 vw 4 CONTENTS Young salmon in fresh water—Continued. : Page. Doe salmont sa G esto eee eee. Rees ee a ek 47 Humpback salmon=)3- 63 et Pee eee os. ane are oe oe Pe 48 Trowt and) chair 22: fsa sese toes aos Stee eee Sec eee ee 48 Dea habitsior young salmonessss see eee cee | eee ee ce 50 Notes afforded by collections and records.............-..---------- 2aeee 50 Thesoc key ene. Aotearoa hi ee kes 50 Keimovsalm Ones eh sone yee etre see a. Sm Se ere ae. 53 CORO Bates setae San eee) eas. > Ree ott. 53 Dogvandshumpbpack-salmonin: 2.2 222... soko: 2-2 55 Conclusions from‘available datas.* > sa... .ceee se ese ate hn 57 AbUNGaN ELON TOGd ee wes esate eee os 5. hee co eee or 57 Returnzotadulltsitodreshiwater.-sssacc. 5. <5 2 nee ee 59 A pproachtol schools ee S...6. 6 Slacsess «fae eee. 2 -e ceee 60 Food and feeding.............- BOI neta: A sore kis ego ot 61 inh efsockey.crsy-e see cet per nae a eee AOS: lane 61 Kang sali onee.stee eer ey ee ete eee afr 5c oe) 5 64 (Cols ORNs see te re ese ee eee eee ee Re ocr gr 64 Humpbackianadorisalmon: 22250 4..022c0 4. eee oe Oe eee 65 Relation of food supply to number of adult salmon....... 22.0 65 APE Ola quilt, Salim One eee eee © oe eee 7 Ss 66 salmon-markino experiments: ol. (0. en!s 22s oan. k soi dai ie) ee 66 Me Ch Od setae eee ey ey eee seis sec Bean 66. Revenerationsopilost partse.-22.222 Le. 'cacs ane ate oe 67 Salmon imethewlrocadero.atebaris Gee. 22 oe 82 eee ee eee 68 Factors: influencing return to fresh water ...-.4.0.::¢2..-2..2: J.) See 69 Sex instincts versus:condition) of nutrition... 2.2 s2..5.2:..2.0 oes 69 ‘Rherditterent tims. scare hee oe ss a tee ee 70 Pempera tien -osc- ee bap eae re asthe ae ese See cit |e rr 71 CURE TS ee ee Yah eee nin een AS Ee eke eee ee Soe ee 73 INGEN OlsetPeaIOSs ci sr see coer Bees cate b ae tent as 2 5 eee 74 Interval betweenvarival and spawmine. .5.. 222-22 824-455 .2c 2 eee ae 75 RarentisireaMs =e 20 te: She ote neat omic neater aoe oe oe Oe eee eee 76 ‘“‘TIntroduction into streams not previously frequented’?.......- {eae TT. “Return. of marked ssalmom: 2.201.252 2022 022 288 asics. = eee 78 ““Mistinetive and characteristic TUNS)’ =: 2222/4052 2.2 22k 2 -<. A ao 78 Variations in weights and measurements...............---------- 79 Variatlonsunscounts.sseccase eee eee eee. ee 89 Streams not utilized: by socke yess) soe. eee 22 tile sic- nae ee 92 Relation/of-size.ol run to spawning area... 2: —-- 224. =2-.. e252 eee 93 Selection Of spawaume oround = fe. ee eee e ce n-ne senda 94 Conditions required by theisockeye:2 2.2. 22:2) 72.44.02 24-2 seeeeee 94 Preterences of the:kine-salmion= 2". 2+ -- 3 se. 4 eis 2 - 20 ee 96 Spawning streams chosen by the coho, dog, and humpback salmon... 97 Nature of spawmime beds selected .---2 ---)-2-2r ote ee ee 98 Deposit Oleg es? poe eG e-Bay ase ec nk he ae ce I 99 Completenessioijepawaing ss. se eee ee a oe) oe 100 Percentage of natural production) 2. ----22- =~ -- 1.025. <° | S-ceeeeee 101 Relation of spawning habits to number of fish..........-..-----.----- 102 Chanves sncident toumatlratlon es ja eeeeene sees cere eee == 104 Return otadults to salt water. --2s eee ee ce ae oe ee ee 106 Eimemies of youmnp calanon 2-2-9 J. ese ee ee ee ce aren le ee 107 Geographical glossary... 0s. o- eee Pricer seis teeth ae.) k CR eee 109 Af ul ae ap. | . pen Buses, SOME OBSERVATIONS ON SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA, By F. M. CHAMBERLAIN, Naturalist, U. S. Fisheries Steamer Albatross. INTRODUCTION. To assist in the solution of various problems, it was deemed desir- able in connection with the Alaska salmon investigation of 1903 to establish shore stations. The work at these stations was to comprise not only the study of the habits of the salmon in fresh waters and adja- cent bays, but, in addition, a reconnaissance of all the neighboring basins with reference to available hatchery sites, observation of the methods employed in taking fish for the canneries, an inquiry into the sea habitat and the factors influencing the return of the adult fish, an inquiry into the efficiency of the hattheries then operated, and a gen- eral study of the biological features of territory immediately adjacent to the stations. The facilities offered by the establishments of the Alaska Packers’ Association at Loring and at Karluk determined the adoption of the Naha and Karluk rivers as localities for this work.¢ The greater part of the data obtained at these shore stations is con- tained in unpublished reports. In the present paper are presented such of the facts as bear upon the natural history of the salmon and, with a view to the application of these results in future work, some notes on the methods used in the inquiry. Most of the material contained herein relates to young salmon, but the known facts in the life of the adult, including the spawning period, are considered, and mention is made also of the trout as associated with the salmon. A chapter differentiating and describing the ‘species, particularly in the finger- a The observations in the latter region were made between the early part of May and September, 1903, by the late Cloudsley Rutter, naturalist of the steamer Albatross, assisted by M. H. Spaulding, of Starfford University. At Loring the work was carried on during 1903 and 1904 in charge of the writer, assisted at different times by E. L. Goldsborough and H. D. Aller, of the Bureau of Fisheries, and H. C. Fassett, fishery expert on the steamer Albatross. During the summer of 1905 observations along some of the above lines were continued by the writer at Yes Bay, in connection with other work of the Albatross, with the assistance of Mr. Fassett and of J.S. Burcham, of Stanford University. 5 LOWER PART NAAR aan BASED ON STENOMETER AND Compass SURVEY BY E.L.Goldsborough AND F.M.Chamberlain scale of feet 2 logo 2o00 S000 Mug\etic Grace Peak 2ioo ft. 4, >» Ue Fat Spawning / “%, Ground ssa S ee & aS Th \s Stotion*3 GQ if R in jes) 5 = (\\= 45) Q Q us FD [os ) => “% Y us, Nursery Pond et) 4% a0 a - seas oO. fo) ortmann Hatchery {0am ee : “yl Are a Le os . ee aI e (| Gale ae Core J bp 4% totion*| _fumpbackund Coho beds J fo a on 4 in 4 ey ag Beech LE DorrFalls 7 es SI SA aE ip COO \ = Sa os '( Skow Goose. eer es iS Bay a VV = J o Knights I. Hirsch Rapids Station*2 6 SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA, ling stage, is followed by a detailed record of the field observations on the young, and upon these data, which are largely statistical, is based the succeeding discussion of the habits of the salmon from the time of the migration of the young until the return of the adults to the spawning beds. Liberal use has been made in this discussion of the results of previous workers on the subject, and, in addition to the collections and notes made by the shore parties in Alaska in 1903, 1904, and 1905, all of the Albatross collections of young salmon now in possession of the Bureau have been studied. The concluding chapters of the report are given to the discussion of questions relating to the adult salmon, and contain in tabular form the statistics of weights and measurements of nearly 10,000 sockeye salmon, with anatomical counts of about 4,600 of these. In the entire paper the sockeye, as the most valuable commercial salmon of Alaska, has been made the main feature. DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS OF THE SPECIES. COMMON NAMES. The most common appellations of the various species as they are known in Alaska are used in this paper. There seems to be no reason why, for example, the words ‘“quinnat,’” ‘“chinook,” and “king,” which in a loose way pertain, respectively, to the Sacramento, Colum- bia, and Alaskan tschawytscha, should be continued to the confusion of readers. The ‘‘blueback” of the Columbia differs in no specific essential from the ‘‘sockeye”’ of Alaska. Names based on characters common to several species, such as “red,” ‘‘silver,” etc., are especially apt to be confusing. The name ‘trout’ as here applied to small fingerlings may include steelhead, rainbow, and cutthroat. Individual variations in both trout and splinter aratlkeys the limiting points in most characters, but in the salmon the sum of various char- acters sets the five American species distinctly apart. Careful exami- nation has so far failed to show any distinguishing character to differentiate the young of these trouts. Indeed, apparently no specific difference is constant in the adult. DIFFERENTIATING MARKS IN ADULTS. Fishermen and large handlers of salmon roughly but very accu- rately distinguish the adults of different species by certain obvious characters. The king salmon is knowfi by the small black spots on the tail. The tail of the humpback is spotted, but with larger oblong spots. The backs of both king and coho are commonly spotted, the spots of the coho being as a rule smaller than those of the king, but these spots are not noted by fishermen. Rarely the sockeye shows a few spots, particularly on the tail, but these are never distinct as in the other species. (To the sea-run form only does this statement - SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. “§ apply; the dwarf lake-dweller is spotted.) The steelhead, also a spotted fish, is at once recognized by its sliimness, the square tail fin, and the deep caudal peduncle. It is difficult to pick up a steelhead by grasping the tail, whereas a salmon may be readily so held. Sal- mon without spots—sockeye, dog salmon, and sometimes the coho— are somewhat confusing. The sockeye is usually distinguishable by the blue back after death, the sharp nose, and the narrow maxillary, while the tail fin lacks the produced pointed lobes of the dog salmon; also the scales are firmer and show a clean-cut paving, and the flesh is intensely red. The coho and dog salmon scales when silvery appear to be of a finer and more delicate texture than those of the sockeye. This is especially notable in the dog salmon. The female dog salmon is usually very deep, both dorsoventrally and in lateral thickness— ‘““plumpness.’’ The caudal peduncle is less compressed than in other species and the curves joining it to the body are shorter than in the coho. In the Alaska fisheries the dog-salmon males are seldom taken until the secondary sex characters begin to be developed—the ‘‘ hook- bill” and dirty coloration.” The produced caudal rays mentioned above and the light color of the flesh are distinguishing marks in this species. The coho is distinguished from the dog by less delicate scales and deeper peduncle, by its small pupil, and in general by the occurrence of spots often at first overlooked. In closer examination one will consider the greater length and fineness of the gillrakers in the sockeye, the increased number of anal and branchiostegal rays in the king, the fine scales of the hump- back, the large and few pyloric coca of the coho. The dog salmon possesses no single diagnostic mark, but differs from the other species respectively in each character as mentioned above. Changes incidental to the spawning period will be noted under that head. DESIGNATIONS OF YOUNG SALMON. The lack of a distinctive terminology for the young of fishes has led to much confusion in the interpretation of reports of fish cultur- ists and investigators, more or less consequent acrimonious debate, and some legal entanglements. In an effort to settle this matter for the benefit of American writers and readers, the American Fisheries Society in 1905 adopted the following nomenclature: ° Fry=fish up to the time the yolk sac is absorbed and feeding begins. Advanced fry=fish from the end of the fry period until they have reached a length of 1 inch. Fingerlings=fish between the length of 1 inch and the yearling stage, the various sizes to be designated as follows: No. 1, a fish 1 inch in length and up to 2 inches; a‘*Tn handling a large number of dog salmon in 1907 it was observed at Juneau early in September that many green silvery males were being taken in the traps at Shelter Island and vicinity. Among these were several dog-salmon grilse.’’ (Fassett.) 6 Report of the Commissioner of Fisheries for fiscal year ended June 30, 1906, p. 24. 8 SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. no. 2, a fish 2 inches in length and up to 3 inches; no. 3, a fish 3 inchesin length and up to 4 inches, etc. Yearlings=fish that are 1 year old, but less than 2 years old from the date of hatching. These may be designated no. 1, no. 2, no. 3, etc., after the plan deseribed for finger- lings. ’ These definitions have been generally adopted in government and state reports and are the ones used in this paper. The use of the French term ‘‘alevin’’ instead of ‘‘fry’”’ for the larval stage of sal- monids has been abandoned here for the reason that the French writers do not restrict the term to that period of development of the young fish. Though the use of ‘‘alevin” has had the support of such authorities as Francis Day, Livingston Stone’, and Cloudsley Rutter’, it seems unnecessary, if not even absurd, to continue the use of a foreign word and give it a meaning not recognized in the language from which it is drawn, more especially as even the writers mentioned above did not make a strict application of the term. Some French writers’ have apparently endeavored to make a technical use of the terms ‘‘alevin”’ and ‘‘fretin,” but their example has not been followed by later writers, and the word alevin seems to be used now to designate the young of the salmon in the most general way. In the same manner the German word ‘‘Brut,” or ‘“‘Jung- brut,” has about the same latitude as has been given hitherto to the word ‘‘ fry”’ in English, nor does the German term ‘‘Setzlinge”’ admit of strict application./ The words ‘‘larva’’ and ‘‘larval’’ have been used by many writers in descriptions of the young salmonids. Others would restrict these terms to fishes exhibiting a greater change in the stages, such as the eels and the ladyfish. As in neither case is there a complete meta- morphosis, this limitation is scarcely tenable. The terms, however, are not yet current among fish culturists. The great diversity of size among species and among individuals of a given species at the time of hatching, as well as the intimate dependence of fish growth upon environment, in some cases may a Francis Day, British and Irish Salmonide, p. 43, 44, and 82, 1887. b Livingston Stone, Domesticated trout, p. 151, 6th ed., 1901. ¢Cloudsley Rutter, Natural history of the quinnat salmon, Bulletin U. 8S. Fish Commission, vol. xxi, 1902, p. 69 and 72. d Larbalétrier, Albert, Traité-Manuel de Pisciculture d’eau douce, p. 220, 1886: ‘Alevins.—Les jeunes poissons venant d’éclore portent le nom d’alevins. Toutefois, il est A remarquer que cette dénomination s’applique surtout aux jeunes des saumons, truites et ombres-chevalier, tant qu’ils n’ont pas résorbé la vésicule; aprés, ils consti- tuent le fretin; pour les carpes et autres cyprins, quelques auteurs préférent l’appella- tion de feuilles. Cette distinction ne nous semble pas nécessaire; d’ailleurs, nous ne sommes pas seul 4 penser de la sorte, car le nom d’alevin tend & se généraliser.”” €©. Raveret-Wattel, La Pisciculture, vol. 11, 1907, p. 185. 7Paul Vogel, Ausfiihrliches Lehrbuch der Teichwirthschaft, p. 334, 341, 347, 349, 1898. SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA, a seem to introduce inconsistency into the definitions adopted. Thus under some circumstances a yearling charr might be found of less size than a salmon fry; but it’is believed that by use of the above nomen- clature an exact interpretation of language will always be made possible. As in all instances involving individual characters, physio- logical and physical limits may overlap. Salmon fry usually begin to feed before the complete absorption of the yolk, a remnant of the yolk being persistent even for some time after the ventral walls have united and all outward appearance. of the sac has been lost; and hence the migrating young of the salmon could with equal propriety be termed fry, since many still have yolk remnants, or fingerlings, since they have begun to a small degree to feed and have become over an inch in length. In this paper, in all cases where the schools contain many individuals with the embryonic fin membrane still evi- dent, the term ‘‘fry”’ is retained. In case of the humpback and dog salmon young which were taken in salt water, it is sometimes impos- sible to know whether ‘‘fingerling”’ or ‘‘yearling”’ is the proper desig- nation, but since it seems probable that the greater number were less than one year of age, the term ‘‘fingerling’’ is used. In the case of the coho the distinction is even more doubtful, but is applied with as much discrimination as the state of our knowledge permits. The terms “‘parr”’ and ‘‘grilse’’ have come into American use from the British writers on Salmonide, but the latter designation has attained a meaning somewhat different from the original. ““Grilse,’”’ as applied to the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) by both American and British writers, refers to the incompletely grown fish which return from the sea to the rivers to spawn. Unlike the Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus), the Atlantic salmon, both male and female, mature perfect sex products before completing their growth, and after spawning in the same manner as the grown fish of one or more years’ greater age, return to the sea as ‘‘grilse-kelts”’ to continue their growth and return the following season (or second year after) as ‘‘salmon.”’ What are known as “‘erilse’”? among Pacific salmon are the small males, presumably lacking at least one year of the usual age of adults of the species, which leave the sea for the spawning beds, mature per- fect milt, but after ‘‘spawning”’ die in the same manner as fully grown males. Females in no instance show this precocity. While there are sometimes small females among mature fish, they grade into the regular size in such manner that they can only be supposed to be those individuals which by heredity or unfavorable environ- ment have failed by a greater or less degree to reach the standard size. (See p. 86-87.) The term ‘‘parr’’ is applied in general to young fish still in fresh water and showing the dark bars or parr marks. They may be fin- gerlings, or yearlings, or even adults. The males of this stage in the 10 SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA, case of the Pacific salmon in some instances mature perfect sperma- tozoa, but whether they spawn and die immediately afterwards is not known, nor is it known definitely whether fingerling parrs may develop the sex product. The terms ‘‘smolt’’ (frequently still spelled and pronounced ““smelt’’) and ‘‘kelt’’ as used for stages of the Atlantic salmon hardly have parallels in the case of the Pacific salmon. If any of the genus Oncorhynchus return to sea as kelts, it has not yet been fully demonstrated, and almost the entire weight of evidence is against the belief that it ever occurs. The term ‘‘smolt’’ (French ‘‘tacon”’) is applied, in contradistinction to parr, to that stage of Salmo salar when, in fresh water, the parr marks are lost and the young fish assumes its livery of silver in preparation for its descent to the sea. It might be used with some propriety of the yearling migrating sockeye, but it seems undesirable to confuse further the meaning of words which have their proper use only with the eastern species. HYBRIDIZATION. The question of natural hybridization has never been investigated, though it has long been well known that trout may be artificially crossed and fertile hybrids produced. That the species of salmon may be variously crossed with success has also been demonstrated, but owing to the difficulty of retaining them in fresh water until of breed- ing age the fertility of salmon hybrids has not been proved. Rarely adult salmon are taken which seem to possess characters of two spe- cies, but on the basis of predominating characters they have been assigned to one or the other of the species and the possibility of a hybrid ignored. The differences in time and place selected by the different species of salmon for spawning minimizes the possibility of natural hybridization; and the deficient vitality of crossed eggs and hybrid fry is, perhaps, sufficient to account for the failure of most if not all such accidental product when natural vicissitudes must be overcome. Moreover, the young of the different species of salmon are distinct and show characteristically distinct habits. This is not so evident, however, in Alaskan trout. Rainbows and steelheads spawn together in the Naha. Spawning cutthroats have not been noted there because they do not happen to inhabit that portion of the Naha which was under observation; but their segregation is inconstant. One species or the other may be most numerous in the lower or upper reaches of astream. In the Naha basin cutthroats are more numerous a Day, op. cit., p. 90. b Fora full discussion of hybridization of trout, see ‘‘ British and Irish Salmonide’’ by Francis Day, p. 47-50, 254-270, pl. x and x1, 1887, and Paul Vogel, op. cit., p. 308, 311. SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. gb in the upper sections of the system; at Yes Bay the case is reversed. If the fry and fingerlings of the three recognized species possess any distinctive marks or habits these have so far escaped detection. RESEMBLANCE OF THE YOUNG. By one who knows the adult salmon, the young of the salmon are not apt to be confused with any fishes except trout. Of the fishes having an adipose dorsal they are readily distinguishable from the capelin, smelt, and eulachon by the siphon-shaped stomach and numer- ous ccecal appendages; the grayling is known by its high dorsal fin; the whitefish by its comparatively small mouth. The young of the true trout very greatly resemble the spotted species of salmon, and are distinguishable mainly by the short anal,fin. The salmons usually show at least 14 fully developed— that is, full length—rays, exclusive of the 3 to 5 short, simple (un- branched) rays in the front of the fin. Sometimes there are but 13, and in rare instances only 12, while the number may be increased to 17 in the sockeye, which normally has 14, and in the king salmon, with 16 as a normal, the extreme will doubtless be still greater. The trout have normally 10 to 12 developed rays in the anal, but while this seems little separated from the number given for the salmon, as a rule the extra length of the fin in the latter may be noted by even a casual comparison. When spread the fin of the trout fingerling shows a rounded outline, the front rays somewhat more evenly graduated than in the salmon and the hinder rays much higher in proportion, causing it to resemble the dorsal in general outline. The anal of the salmon fingerling usually has a slightly concave outer margin, the hinder rays being shortened. The charr (Dolly Varden, or ‘‘salmon trout’’), in addition to the characters of the anal as just described for the true trout, is distinguishable by the peculiarly mottled coloration, and in the advanced stages also by the less com- pressed body. The different species of salmon (Oncorhynchus) are not usually difficult to distinguish from one another, yet individual variations sometimes confuse the determination. While in adults the sum of various differentiating characters makes it possible to decide the species, the late development of some characters greatly increases the probleminimmatureexamples. Itis possible that some local variations obtain; for example, sockeye fingerlings from Wood River seem to have a much smaller eye than fingerlings of the same size and species in Southeast Alaska. There is also much variation in the length and number of gillrakers in the young of this species and perhaps also in those of the humpback salmon. From the number of specimens at present available for study it can not be determined whether or not this variation is of geographical origin. 12 SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. The humpback (O. gorbuscha) is unique among the salmons in never developing the parr marks. It is usually entirely silvery in all the young stages, and is the only one of the salmons whose young up to some 6 inches in length, taken in fresh water, will show no parr marks even under the scales. As possible exceptions to this must be noted the dwarf sockeye, whose young are as yet unknown, and perhaps small mature fishes returning for spawning. The fingerlings of the dog salmon (O. keta) have the parr marks sometimes much reduced, and those readily disappear in poorly preserved specimens. But where several examples are at hand the greater average size in the younger stages, the slightly different out- line, and the presence of these marks will always distinguish them from the humpback. Of the four species of strongly marked fingerlings the steelhead (Salmo gairdneri) may be recognized by its short anal, as noted above for trout, and by its small size taken at the season of migration. The sockeye (O. nerka), king (O. tschawytscha), and coho (O. kisutch), being all for some time resident in fresh water and hence very vari- able in size, require close inspection for trustworthy identification. In general, in the fingerling stage the sockeye will be recognized by its more slender and tapering form, and by the more nearly circular outline of the parr marks, though this latter does not always hold true. The coho is usually distinguishable by the orange tints of the lower fins (a character rarely absent) and by the white front margins of both anal and dorsal, but especially by the falcation of the anal through the extreme production or elongation of the first developed rays. The king, very similar to the coho in general outline, does not exhibit this extreme form of the anal, and in the specimens examined from the Karluk River the parr marks are larger and the marking of the back much more notable. Ina careful examination the sockeye can almost always be identified by the greater length and number of the gillrakers, and the king by the greater number of branchiostegal and anal fin rays. (See detailed descriptions following.) In salt water the parr marks are rapidly covered by the bril- liancy of the silver, so that, except the king and coho, which are spotted, all the species soon become plain. It is not known when the spots of the adult humpback first appear. Whether this obliteration of the parr marks by the silver overcast is caused by the salt water may be questioned, although in.the trout, which are known to run indifferently in salt and fresh water, the change is marked, fish from salt water being much more silvery. I have taken one example of sockeye yearling in Jordan Lake that seems almost as silvery as the salt-water individuals of the same size, but it is entirely unlikely that it had returned from the sea.¢ «See under smolt, p. 10. Day, op. cit., p. 90. SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. 13 Another change with residence in the sea is a rapid increase in proportional depth. This is most marked in the coho. Seven exam- ples from the head of Naha Bay, May 31, length 98 to 117 mm., had depth 4.6 to 5, while in four examples taken August 2, at the cannery wharf, 154 to 210 mm. length, the depth is 3.75 to 4.4, which approaches the normal depth of the adult fish with matured sex products (3.5 to a): DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE YOUNG. The following key will assist in the identification of small fingerlings. In larger examples—as large fingerlings and yearlings—the specific characters of the adult must be the main reliance. Key ror IDENTIFICATION OF YOUNG SALMON AND TROUT BETWEEN | AND 2 INCHES 7 IN LENGTH. With adipose fin, large mouth, moderate dorsal fin, siphon-shaped stomach. a. Anal fin long, at least 12 developed rays, the last of these much shorter than the first, giving the fin a straight or concave margin or outline.......... SALMON. b. Showing no distinct parr marks. Back dark in dead examples Bae: gorbuscha. bb. Usually with distinct parr marks. c. Parr marks less distinct, mainly above lateral line, body comparatively slender; gillrakers short, equal to less than 2 interspaces; eye small. keta. cc. Parr marks more distinct, showing below lateral line; body rather slen- der or deep; eye large. d. Gillrakers long, equal to or greater than 2 interspaces; body rather slender; parr marks tending to become circular. ........... nerka. dd. Gillrakers short; body deep; parr marks well defined bars. e. Parr marks narrower than interspaces, often orange coloration on fins; branchiostegals and anal rays few, 13 or 14; anal with jay. Nga CVE IUY <1 9 a 012): ee ea Sea ee A PAA RN aL kisutch. ee. Parr marks wider than interspaces; branchiostegals and anal rays many, 15 to 16, anal not striped...-........ ischawytscha. aa. Anal fin short, fewer than 12 developed rays, the last not much shorter than the first, the entire fin thus having a convex outline or margin, the height great in proportion to length of base....................-. Trout and CHarr. b. Parr marks as bars, body compressed, depth carried well toward tail. .TRrout. bb. Parr marks as roundish blotches with mottling above and below, body less compressed, tapering rapidly toward tail............2...2..2....-- CHARR. THE Humpsack Saumon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (Walbaum). The humpback fry (pl. 1, fig. 3) at the time of closure of the ventral walls average about 35 to 36 mm. in total length. Depth, greatest just behind pectorals, 6 in length (exclusive of caudal rays); in ill-nourished examples the slenderness becomes marked, this usually quite notable in late migrants; head about 3.5; eye 2.5 in head; nose round and blunt, tip of lower jaw scarcely reaching profile; contour in front of dor- sal fin little arched; lunation of caudal slight; pectoral rounded, 2 or a little more in head (measured from axil to tip of longest ray); longest ray of dorsal about 2.5 to 3; longest ray of anal 3 to 3.75; greatest length of ventral equal to or somewhat greater than greatest height of anal; gillrakers long and close-set, about 5-13 developed, longest equal to half diner of pupil, and to the distance from first to fourth (3 interspaces) at upper end of lower limb. 14 SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA, In life, back green to bronzy, changing to indigo blue upon death; the sides sil- very with brassy luster and green tints; ventral surface silvery white, usually with- out marks of any kind, but rarely with a few faint short parr marks above the lateral line; a narrow median dark line on back; membranes of caudal greenish, with black punctulations; dorsal similar with a narrow darker front margin; pectorals and lower fins colorless; iris greenish silver. In preserved specimens, particularly formalin specimens, a magnifier shows minute punctulations over almost the entire side, the back, and the dorsal and caudal mem- branes, and sometimes on the maxillary, chin, and throat. The humpback fingerling (pl. um, fig. 2) is little changed from the fry described, exceptinsize. Itis the most slender species of the genus, with head long and pointed. In 20 examples from Karluk Beach 65 to 92 mm. in total length, the average depth was 5.57 in length to base of middle caudal rays, extremes 5.12 to 6; in 6 examples 83 to 92 mm. long the depth was 5.54, head 4.4, eye 3.8 in head, pectoral a little less than 2, dorsal 2.26, anal a little more than 3, ventral 2.46. Branchiostegals 11-12 to 12-13; gillrakers 10 to 13 upper limb and 16 to 19 in lower limb, longest from 1} to 14 times diameter of pupil and spanning 4 to 5 interspaces. The length and number of the gillrakers is not infrequently greater than in the sockeye fingerling, but the absence of visible scales in the smaller individuals, and their delicacy and small size in the larger of the humpbacks, as well as the more slender body outline, will distin- guish these fingerlings from the sockeye. In the adult humpback the gillrakers are 11-17 to 13-19, the longest 1% to 2 times diameter of pupil, covering 4 interspaces. Colors of the fingerling: The dusky of the dorsal shows as a diffuse blotch on the front and distal portions, the dusky of caudal more intense toward the points of the lobes and at the base, but less marked than in the dog salmon; a little dusky appears in the axil of pectoral. A few small black blotches on the upper side were noted in a few of some fingerlings reared at the Clackamas station. At this stage the scales, though very thin and delicate, may be made out with a magnifier ora good eye. The lateral line isa mere furrow and shows no tubing. In the dog salmon of the same or much less size the scales are evident and tubes of the lateral line distinct. | In the Karluk specimens examined the ovaries are ribbon-like, whereas in other species the ovaries are more cylindrical and usually somewhat swelled at the ante- rior end. THe Doe Saumon, Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum). The dog-salmon fry (pl. 1, fig. 5) attains a length of about 40 mm. by the time the ventral walls are fully united, perhaps a greater length than the fry of any other salmon of the genus. It resembles the humpback in general shape. Greatest depth just behind pectorals, 5.5 to 6 in body; head 4; eye about 2.66 in head; pectoral 1.75 to 2; dorsal about 2; anal about 2.5; ventral equal to anal; gillrakers little more than tubercles, about 5-11 to 12 may be made out, longest about one-fourth diameter of pupil, equal to about one interspace. In life, ground color bright grass green, becoming slightly darker on back and paling on lower side to an overcast on the silver; occasionally a brassy luster on back; lower parts silvery with the palest green iridescence; back with very fine black punctula- tions, fusing into numerous small black spots about the size of pupil from nape to base of caudal; a median dark line on back in front of dorsal, not marked back of dorsal. The punctulations cover sides to axil of pectoral in front, to about halfway between lateral line and ventrals, and surround caudal peduncle, becoming coarse and scat- tered below. The parr marks, from 6 to 12 in number, lie mainly above lateral line. SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. - 15 Pectoral and lower fins uncolored, caudal and dorsal greenish, fading distally, black punctulations on membranes, dorsal with blackish front margin. Iris brassy. In preserved specimens the general color is silvery, with the dusky shades as described for the humpback, but never so dark on the back. Parr marks along lateral line elliptical or oval in shape, narrower and longer (deeper) toward the head; greatest diameter equal to eye, usually more numerous and narrower than in the sockeye, and not becoming bars as in the coho and king; also more subdued by the silver overcast than in the two last-mentioned species; along median dorsal line a row of small blotches sometimes coalescent into a mere stripe, the area between this and the parr marks usually spotted with round dots less than half diameter of pupil; occasionally a few broken blotches below. Dorsal and caudal membranes and first ray of pectoral dusky; other fins immaculate. The dog-salmon fingerling (pl. 11, fig. 3) is less slender in outline than the humpback, which, except that the dog salmon is obviously scaled, it otherwise resembles. Tn 26 examples from Whidby Island, taken J une. 30, 1903, 78 to 122 mm. total length, sexes in equal numbers, the average depth is 5.1 in body (4.87-5.4); head 4.4; eye3.3 in heady pectoral 2—; dorsal 2+; anal 3; ventral 2.4; developed anal rays 13 and 14; branchiostegals 13-13 to 14-15; gillrakers 8-12 to 9- is. longest about equal to pupil, spanning about 3 interspaces ( sometimes only 2); scales 130 to 146, average 139. In specimens from Dundas Bay, July 24, 67 to 103 mm., the Re are somewhat shorter, 3 to once the diameter of pupil, covering 2 to 34 interacts: scales 129 to 136, average 132. In fingerlings from Naha Bay, July 2, 50 to 65 mm. in length, the parr marks are still apparent. In sea-run examples from Karluk Beach, July 24, up to 100 mm., they scarcely show through the scales, but are quite evident when the scales are Dawe The other coloration much as in the late fry stage; chin dusky; several rays of the pectoral with punctulations; tip of dorsal, except last ray, distinctly black; tip of caudal black, marked even in fork, this black tip of caudal distinguishing them roughly from the humpback of the same size, though the scaling must be the final test. Ture Kine Saumon, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha (Walbaum). The young king salmon (pl.1, fig. 4, figure and description from Karluk River speci- _Inens) at the time of the complete union of the ventral walls are from 35 to 37 mm. aver- agelength. In general outline they are less slender and tapering than the humpback or dog salmon. The depth, greatest in the region of front of dorsal, 4.25 in body; head about 3.33 to 3.5; eye 2.5 in head; pectoral 1.75, vertical fins high, dorsal 1.5; anal 2; ventrals 2.33; gillrakers about 4-11, short and well separated, longest equal to one-half diameter of pupil, spanning 1 interspace. The increased number of branchiostegal and anal fin rays (about 16 in each) help to distinguish this species. Ground color of specimens in alcohol silvery, and except breast and in front of ven- trals, with fine punctulations; about 9 to 12 long narrow parr marks usually equal to or greater in width than the silvery interspaces and lying about equally on either side of lateral line; a dark median dorsal line in front of dorsal fin, not so evident in caudal region; between this and the parr marks numerous round or oval blotches about size of pupil, the larger of these alternating with the parr marks so that it gives the upper end ef these the appearance of being symmetrically margined by the silvery of the ground color; caudal lunation comparatively deep. In the Sacramento the caudal some- times has a reddish tinge, and shades of yellow may appear on the ventrals and anal. Yearlings (pl. ur) from Karluk Lagoon, about 137 mm. long, have the follow- ing measurements: Depth 4.4; head 4; eye 3.5-4; pectoral 1.6-1.7; dorsal 1.8-2; anal 2.3-3; ventral 2.2-2.3; greatest depth about midway between pectoral and dorsal, gracefully tapered to tip of the rather sharp nose. Gillrakers 10-13; longest equal to or less than diameter of pupil, spanning about 2 interspaces. (In adults 107 16 SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. from Oregon the longest gillraker is about 14 to 2 times diameter of pupil, covering 3 interspaces. ) Color silvery, dark above; top of head, back, and sides to lateral line more or less: thickly spotted with small roundish black spots about half diameter of pupil and less; distal portion of dorsal dusky, sometimes nearly black; caudal dusky; inner side of outer rays of pectoral dusky; anal and ventrals unmarked; parr marks visible: under silver. Distinguished at sight from coho by the longer anal and the usually somewhat smaller eye, but definitely by the more numerous and finer branchioste- gals and greater number of pyloric ceca. Tue Cono Satmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum). The coho fry (pl. 1, fig. 6) at the time of hatching is about 27 mm. in total length, the sac about 10 mm. The greater size and the peculiar shape of the yolk sac distin- guish the coho from the sockeye. ‘ These fry average about 35 mm. total length at closure of ventral walls. The ven- tral membrane on either side of the ventral fins is persistent for a long period. In general shape the coho fry and small fingerlings much resemble the king salmon. Greatest depth just in front of dorsal, about 5 in body; thence diminishing toward nose; dorsal outline arched; head about 3.75; eye 2.5 in head; pectoral 2; vertical fins high, the front rays in both soon becoming extended; dorsal about 1.75; anal 2; ven- trals 2.75; caudal lunation shallow. Gillrakers very short, little more than tubercles, about 5-10. In Steelhead Creek, May 29, migrating fry had a ground color of smoky green with brassy iridescence, black punctulations everywhere except on throat and breast; these punctulations finest and most numerous on back, becoming coarser and more scattered on lower side; lower side with a red overshade or iridescence; mem- branes of fins with punctulations, but on pectoral and ventral these punctulations only close to body; remainder of these fins brownish orange; caudal-fin membranes orange ground, the fine black punctulations giving a dark effect, upper and lower (dorsal and ventral) margins clear brown, most pronounced on rudimentary rays, membrane between ray branches colored and dotted as between rays; membranes of dorsal with very pale orange shade deepening on rear, front with black margin equal in width to a central membrane, sometimes a narrow orange margin in front of this; anal membranes distinctly orange with punctulations as in caudal, these becoming close near margin at extremity of long rays and forming a black band about equal in width to two rays and joining membrane, tips of these rays and membranes white, giving the fin a white front margin and a black submargin equal to two or three times the width of white; adipose with orange front and top margin; dentary surface of mandible orange-brown at tip; maxillary uncolored, with scattered punctu- lations; iris bronzy to brassy; cheek with bronzy ground; opercular face dark; parr marks one-third to one-fourth as wide as long, increasing posteriorly in relative width (antero-posterior), and extending about equally above and below lateral line, the first partly under opercular flap, the last roundish and usually about under adipose fin, the penultimate sometimes under adipose; a narrow dark median line on back; smaller round spots on’ back sometimes alternate with parr marks. Viewed from above in water, the back shows ground color bronzy, with a few scattered dark spots narrow supraorbital stripes ending at nostril, the median dark line showing distinctly with bronze bands of about equal width on either side. In alcohol entire surface dusky, with punctulation except on a little of breast, some of the lower surface of head, and the paired fins. Parr marks present as 8 or 9 short and narrow bars, about one-half the width of the interspaces (variable but not usually so broad as in the king), and equal in length (depth) to about half depth of body, lying about evenly divided by lateral line, becoming more nearly round toward SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. ky the caudal; a dark blotch at base and front of dorsal; tips of front anal rays immacu- late, forming a distal white stripe along front of fin. A fingerling 58 mm. in length (pl. 1, fig. 4) has a depth of 4 in body; head 3.5; eye 3 in head; pectoral 1.5; dorsal (longest ray) 1.33; anal 1.25; ventral 2 (some of the first dorsal and anal rays are variably produced); gillrakers, 8-14, longest one-half diameter of pupil, spanning about 2 interspaces. Markings much as in earlier stages, but with additional markings on back. Short oval or triangular blotches appear between the parr marks, and numerous small, round, dark spots become irregularly scattered over entire upper surface, including top of head. The orange tints of the fry and smaller fingerlings largely disappear at about this size, the time of the change varying greatly in different localities. In the same degree the falcation of anal and dorsal shows local and individual variation, but it is always notable. The tips of the first 4 to 6 rays of both these fins, with the outer * membrane, retain the orange color or become white, to form a stripe about half the width of the pupil at the margin of the fin; this lies upon a submarginal band of black of similar width. The distinctness of these bands is variable, but in no case are they entirely absent in fingerlings of 40 to 100 mm., or even more, when in fresh water. At a certain point the elongated rays seem to stop growth in extension while the remainder of the fin continues its normal increase in size until the permanent form has been reached, after which all the growth proceeds together. Examples of 130 to 150 mm. show traces of the peculiarity of both growth and color, but later there is no variation from the normal shape as found also in the king. A sea-run yearling (pl. 1v) from Karluk Beach, June 18, 1903, 150 mm. in length, had depth 4.75; head 4; eye 3.66 in head; snout nearly equal to eye; pectoral 1.5; dorsal 2; anal 2.8; ventral 2; gillrakers 9-14, longest equal to diameter of pupil, spanning about 3 interspaces (in adults from 14 to 2 times pupil, spanning 23 to 4 inter- spaces). Life colors (Rutter) ‘‘back olive brown, thickly spotted with black, dorsal dusky, except last ray is pale. Caudal yellowish by transmitted light, tip dusky, the dusky portions greater on lobes; pectoral yellowish; parr marks distinct; iris some- what golden.’’ In alcohol 11 parr marks quite distinct, a little broader than inter- spaces and depth about half depth of body, spots on back round, the largest about 4 diameter of pupil, covering top of head and back as far as lateral line—extending on to upper edge of caudal; anal and pectorals with very few punctulations, lower parts silvery. THE Sockeye, Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum). The sockeye fry at time of hatching measures some 24 mm. in total length, the sac itself about 9 mm, varying in individuals. The yolk sac is approximately cylindri- cal in general outline, sometimes slightly deeper (dorso-ventrally) at the posterior end. It has little tendency to become pointed at the posterior ventral extremity, as in the coho. The ventral walls become completely united and the yolk disappears externally when the young sockeye measures about 32 mm. in total length. At this stage both dorsal and ventral outlines are arched (the dorsal the more in alcoholic specimens by reason of the contraction of the softer ventral tissues). The greatest depth is near the middle of the body just in front of the dorsal, about 4.75 to 5.5 in length to base of caudal rays (end of scaling). In poorly nourished examples the depth is greatly decreased in proportion to the length. Head about 3.75; nose rounded, blunt, length about equaling half diameter of eye; eye about 2.5 in head; pectoral and dorsal about 2; anal and ventral about 2.66 in head; gillrakers 5-14, in length about two-fifths diameter of pupil, spanning 2 to 3 interspaces. General color silvery, becoming dusky above. There is less tendency to metallic iridescence than in the coho, and the fins do not show the orange tints of the latter. 18 SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. The ventral surface is immaculate, including all the lower fins. The fine punctula- tions with which the upper parts are shaded extend from just behind the gill-openings to slightly below the lateral line and posteriorly approach more and more the ventral surface until, at the caudal peduncle, they reach the lower fin membrane. The indi- vidual punctulations are larger and more separated on the lower side; the close setting above gives the back a marked dusky color. The membranes of the rayed dorsal and the caudal are similarly dusky. males ca : | a Pee with REP E am- | Male.| ee Total. Male.) a Total.) Male. cen Total. | £004. | with ined. ee | rae bem food | | : Karta Bay: | . | | ily t=4,919085-..-| 120 || 4 2 Gullsscmis: eset Beene exter Emenee sae a6 5.0 July 23-26, 1903...| 300| 1 /|.....- Meas 3 ea fs bs, ool eee Ee ee 2 6 July 1-6, 1904..... 512 | 3 3 Gia Batac ee ISsasgee |--+2--[--2-2-|--220-- v6 1.1 Yes Bay: Duly 7-205 19038:3-2| 400) | 22-6). My oases 2 Tee er elS aah eaosore I “2, Aigo —2iy LONE. 9) COLO |e rae se els oo 3 3 6 ig | ee 1 Ve 1:3 July 26 to Aug. 14, | MOO eee ate re <1 212,< WOO Sie Sererera-| yates ete er 112 85 197 16 6 32| ¢d197, 28.4 Boca de Quadra: | July 30 to Aug. 5, | 1O0S Fees c=. BOON eee |eecaversys hors ares ete 100 83 183 1 aa rae 1; €184|] 36.8 Aug. 24-29, 1904...| /512 |...--.- [ejeret yet. Ve ee ee oe i 6 US) | ee sete oe eel ere were 13 2.5 Kegan, Moira Sound: Auge 14; 1903... --- ICO.) ES es Nee ee See te 12 11 SOU lesepevace totes brevet l tetas ieee G23 || P2350 July 24-29, 1904-...} 511 i3 8 21 | 32 52 (ey eres 1 1 h93 |, 18.2 Nowiskay, Moira | Sound: f | | AUS T=19) 190323) S100! |s.< eal --5.-los-- <5 epee eyoval|(e escfetel| eretscaretars| etait a.5---52- 14.10) 26:8) 2832) |) 16264) 723) 221 +96 1 6.4 | 452 |... .- feet) ea SO PEP a eee 6 DEPOUNGS. = ---\.----.- 6.0 |12.4 |82.2 | 10.6 |13.5 | 7.6 | 9-0 {10.8 |11.0 | 1.6 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 5.4 | 0.6 |} 0) DADOUNCS 25-2)... 2 4.0 | 7.2 12.4 | 10.6 |12.7 | 4.3 | 8.0 [28.5 |17.4 | 6.0 | 3.7 | 5.8 |12.0| 2.4] .9 Gipound's: 322... 3. 1.6 | 5.0 |14.8 6.6 |13.5 | 8.6 |12.7 25.0 25.6 20.8 resOn Gal (1656 | 1583), 230 oe pounds= 2225. _ 224. 1.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 SOL WLbs2niloeo 255) (L720, /13.2 16.0 | 9.6 13.2 1.8 4.7 Mspounds! =). 2225.2. | 4 | Be Ge! 9.0 |18.3 |20.4 |17.4 | 5.4 | 8.2 |14.4 \24.4 (17.7 Ga OIlilato: 5.0 @epounds.---....... i 22) 8686 4.0 |11.3 |20.4 j10.2 | 5.4 | 5.8 |10.9 (22.0 |18.2 | 7.6 |11.5 | 11.7 SHOUT Smee rays ee Sakae -8 etd UB foi he Cedille | 6.0 |18.5 |13.0,]17.0 12.4 |25.4 | 15.3 5 TOO Eat ISS See ete eee eee SEA ere ae SRONP2 NT ede Sa|eeee | 2.6 | 4.5 | 2.7] 6.3 11.4 {18.2 | 18.2 OIPOUNG Septem De (A She oe TOS Os eon ee 28 ron) |e Goll 4d: )| Gus | L5.9) | 1458 SPROUT G Sapeeemereree Ae erie UE ns Siete Med ee ee oe alin -6|3.5| .6) 2.4) 4.2 | 9.1 | 13.9 UC) Teo tbaa vols 5s 2 ee PE see) (a De ee (ST eea ae ee EE Wey ial rec SON sO 4e2st oso. HOM pouNdS else 822! 5. le [eee [Peeesn bhi fee || fey see WS? hee UA plea | oe Ses SQ) 6h) She ii pounds Ate see ae hae A eee bd Sar | Lg Nema See | Ci ee lS et ei em -6 .3 11353] (0) 01010 {|e ee eee Pe [epeapeaes | sce | gare ony | apie ng SRLS eh NE it RA Bell | .6 13 No. of specimens....| 528 | 505 | 121 | 150 | 512 93 | 509 | 56 | 503 | 264 | 518 | 207 | 501 | 165 | 339 Average weight,lbs. 3.9 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 4.9 |6.2+] 6.9 egies 5.8 e234 Tea as Wale | FON} Saoh|| 8a2 | In table 4 are shown for the males the various by percentages of the number of fish in the lots same manner as in table 3 to show the weights. plotted the curves for each lot measured in 1904; lengths tabulated measured, in the In diagram © are in diagram p the curves for the lots of 1903 and 1905. Table 4a shows in the same manner the lengths of female sockeyes. 84 SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. TasLeE 4.—LENGTHS OF MALE SOCKEYES, SHOWN AS PERCENTAGES OF THE TOTAL NuMBER or Examples EXAMINED IN EACH Locauiry. Port ve | Tam-| Dolomi. |Ches- owes Quadra. | Kegan. | Yes Bay. Karta Standard lengths. Slat ter. ae | | Bay. | 1904 1904) 1903} 1904 | 1904) 1903 | 1904 1903 | 1904 | 1903 | 1904 | 1903 1905 1904 | 1903 | | 320mm ee ees (WP eeece (Pectla| Case ol aan te ae doe Bl ies eon. Sa oe en rn SoQ MMM Sees eas acee Bi CO224 ee se eee SPA DE WS eee ONS leas Jee cssle Se ScIS= Soe | S40 nT eee ee SON | Eaten seecee icone | See ae | aire aeereae cece oases bees a| aan eee ee S50 MMe Se certs ee | Sill ae ais |agete ras | Serer cto eee crea eee acs | areters | arolcteiall meopsrere| hepeietel| Coererees | Se te | ae ase SOO RMIT eee ee eee Fl Wetaloeend | Nee see |i oe cal ee celecieee temas aciecs tem peeserl seme {3a ee eae Sy(Vaciil peeesaaeoss Oy lEecas [MOSS |b cocel lemce| teers dle |-evcioe| sae pees lee saclee eRe |e en SSO MMe ee eee 7A eer oes Beene ect Meee Aaeo Soccer soso Haase Seems begEepoordall a 5-225: - SOO MIME Aare Ferrero Sy]! Cp tet | See ea Re [i a ee is fk epee eae lee apa oor |js.===ie)| 2 ere ee AQQ MINTS fore ey ta eyeerste | teversle = BC) ope eased beped Beacon esos) oreeecsac|eoaes|oosea| sae | 0&3) (Sees | ees Al Opin epee a eee er es SO ORGI ORD See ale ee BASS 5 | econ ener |e lence iene | ee AZO rrr ee teraraintclata VEN WO eee He see oes] e tess eee ete Bae |e ola Ve ese | 73:0) Se 8 | Peer UE poabadlas Soeaaeneiee tod ee: Otel Peter eet aie, BA ctatetseal| Peters ere eye sects escaeonae =. (Oi eee 440 mee aeee eee FES LOLON eS: eee Onl vot Biehl gee OR2e Eee s AG) RSJGnl ONAW eee Belltosee a 0.5 ES pechonle Aaoriecee acs 11.9 |14.8 | 7.5 Girl as Skee A Bees 2.6 | 1.8 (Ou Sees 79 SON EE AGO imma eee Ne epee ore 16.6) \16:4)) 9.0 |} 829))-4.1 | 1.7) 176 Ac Olaueei |) cele Lee le S| ere Bay) || 25 il 1.0 47Qimim = 2 32 eS 17.5: 1628 | 930) 829) 724 5.4) 450 SOMIn Oude a 410 seeiee = 9) 210 1.4 480mm eee ee eens | 11.2 |12.2 |22.0 | 18.8 | 9.2 | 5.4 | 8.0 | 3.6 | 6.0 14.3 | 7.6 | 0.6 |) 3.0 | 3.3 | 2.9 A490 mame es See ee %3)| 76: | 850))| 12655] 19.60) 5.411256 :5s2 9551 1453) 2 56ul 12 i Sa2 esas 3.8 HOO MMINE Es eee | 5.0 | 3.8 | 9.0 6.15) 922) 403 E74 UTE 50 WO 4 82) ese 4.3 OL OMT eens ees 3:8) 5.0)]°7)5 | -<38.4 | 8:0 1108 16.6 |1050 1854 11007 195.451) 128)) Zenon bes O20 fee ae Bose ou osONlnOsD 6.1 | 8.7 {19.2 |11.2 |11.8 |12.1 |14.3 | 4.3 | 3.7 11153855 5.8 Geile Se pe ecerenos 1.3 | 3:0) 9.0 | 822°)11.0 118.1 | 7.8 | 720 [1250.1 1.8: | 5.4 16.2) 10S aa OST AQ so ee ee Pe 1.456250 6.2 10.4 [15.0 | 5.4 |10.8 )14.7 | 5.3 | 7.4 | 9.4 114.8 |18.5 | 12.2 SHON ear etereetere a) 8) 1.7) 9.7 110.0 |10.7 | 4.6 |13.0 11.4 | 1.8 |12.0 16.2 )14.0 /21.6 | 13.0 SOOWMIME eee ke eee lao Sayles 3.4 | 6.8 | 3.2 | 4.4] 8.1] 5.6 | J.8 | 9.8 |25.6 13.3 |14.9 | 17.0 GyAl\acon dat eels bee Pesaro sete Lede) MP G4|eee oe yee) ATS ES (0) 01 sess 8.4 }16.8 | 8.6 | 8.5 |] 12.7 ite Acne eee a ae | 32) tere | saote = 04 PLOW) cee LA OD 30)}| LG) | beesere 3.0 |10.6 | 1.5 | 3.5 6.7 BO Oem Se eee. cee [esate [Were IAL Stoel ee Se ap desea sae MQEIV ONO Sates eae 167|0424))|) 36) eaGy| e289 GOOMmMSe sees [EG Soas| Real Rees) Sd [eee Meee BOR eB ats lexescstal eco Mates Sa PPalests fe er S24 ra9 G10 hmm eee ad le eee eee ee Cee 074i aR Ba anes BSE noes SOsleeree ae 1.0 No. of specimens....| 528 | 504 | 122 | 146 | 512] 93 | 502 | 267 | 509 | 56 | 502 | 162 | 338 | 518 | 208 Averagelength,mm.) 466 | 470 | 488 | 498 | 513 | 528 | 512 | 531 | 516 | 496 | 525 | 555 | 5382 | 5388) 543 TaBLE 4a.—LENGTHS OF FEMALE SOCKEYES, SHOWN AS PERCENTAGES OF THE Tora, NUMBER OF EXAMPLES EXAMINED FOR EKacH LOCALITY. . | Port es r ee Dolomi. |Ches- aiNag Quadra. | Kegan. | Yes Bay. ee Standard lengths. | ~~ ter. : | | he pears ey 1904 | 1904 | 1903 | 1904 | 1904] 1903 | 1904 | 1903 | 1904 | 1908 1904 1903 | 1904 1903 1905 = =| = | — —| ——- asOamime. Spe 2 io--. 6) ee Rone eel | ate Pee etl Lev dita dase 00 00 J Sees se a lege ne seed (es ee ee a peer Woon eae soem Piscaosoodc| tacas ao cualleacsciioacc|oo05- 400 mime erences DQ Osseo a] 5-25 2/-] aie oe Seo eee Sages poe ee ol berate alee eet tersl oe ers eee ee CA) pb see seecsasae De PB ilec sete] soe Sas t Soe ate Bee S| Sees ol dicate cw |Siereoe| Ctereteiatl Serre 2 | hearer reteset ADO MMII. ees acts ete ce TONS ON KONG? ONGh ee see| eee sles ee |tecee 0:2) |e sea Gee cl eee ole 28d ee ASO MMM eee eee. Pea NaC Wea er EP RP) a Ee aU Deed ee lle PAS Soeee Ie crevctel| Seesese O52) a Se 44Q MMe re fone oe DA ORS i e2a2a| Okan QnGuie oekel eee le ar DAO» leeterets Oat ee ee sot ee oars 45h mim eeias oer ae 2050813529) 550M] SONze | AGA AON MONGh | ON a etal ie O)| lea gear 1 00\/(08 55 eeeer AGQMIM Tne ae et ook 2057 IL7 ON UT 1) || T3A0 FA 258: 208 8a) 2.3 OOM ez Ones sa. #83. 3c 5|aeee A OMIM ete se T6307 12022! 120505) VIO GSO ss 7b. 4 Qu Sod MSN ON asS eee Sew || le! 48Q)MMleee eee eee 88/1454 120.5 | 1320) ]) 8.4/1.0) [L1s4: | 220/325 | 1519) | 450) O57) Wd) 2eSa ees. AQQ MIM es ome eons ALS MESAOMISE0! |) Setae 720 2s M4 e225 | Sela Mil Solon emis 15:9) | a4 eas OOOH eee eee eee 2.195189) 610 456) |LOSO "7150 165.1 SN P6195) 4ebs 416 ase (yet || Bea} 4.5 51 OM ee oe eee 4.3 | 3.6) 6.5 | 5:8 }1459 |16.10.)11..0))) 5.5 |14.2"| 405%) 408) too os 13.4 | 4.2) 9.3 iV Vaan. Aone seeaae 2.9) 2:2 3.8 | 8.5 115.0 |243 | 7,6 | 5.1 18.5 | 700/116") 920) 121.9854 lo HSM e 55 S8esdedee 1.1] 1.8] 3.8] 9.0 |12.7 |17.7 | 7.2 |14.6 |19.5 |13.6 17.4 |19.3 /21.5 /17.8 | 23.5 QAO MINN epee se eeyelline aaa .6 -5 5.8 | 4.8 14.0 | 7.0 [21.9 |P5.9 | 7.0 {18.2 |23.7 |12.2 [27-2 | 19:0 DOOM Seater e a 2 4) .5] 1.2) 3.1] 5.6 | 8.6 18.2.) 7.7 | 2.3 114.2 122.2 (11-6 |19. 2°) tors HOOanm ss ese ee cea Gal SS iSa7 |S. 6 T3580 |, 180223) OG aes ea7e De ea Sy (Vinie = pepeeae cage | eve ees [Seer ee sel ese aT eee PELE SO ese ese 2.21080" || 344) 320) | eile DSO MIME eel joetersocies | ae Sees 2 Tt biseoad sen cokoooe 152.) Meal Gillie seme) Sere hile sy leesee Ot ae nee SOO MMM ses ais See alee recs eater eee aca | weet Hoa elGrilteae eee Meee: eG eee Be ASelacccs (i) 1U)ks 60a 0 ah ag mene es eee tena ete bral bo, rea eel (Meas eral kee Be |) 22D! | 2 ae ea SE ee ea ee | eee eee No. of specimens....| 512 | 506 | 181 | 154 | 509 | 107 | 508 | 236 | 507 | 44 | 504 | 135:| 506 | 213 | 353 Averagelength,mm.| 464 | 471 | 483 | 486 | 519 | 500 | 512 | 537 | 517 | 495 | 523 | 544 | 524 | 536 | 580 | | | Ve a ‘a WV¥SVIG 34S Aay YOS ‘pO6! NI SAASMOOS FIWW JO SHLONIT ONIMOHS—'D Wradvig ols 064 OL? ee eee 5) i a nIaG0anaze SVRRERe Cv MEeT eee BASSREP SAG 1~3S0P aS She _<. os “ .———— es a ——. ar eh ah, a ak foe aN hae ~~ ees ie ha: Dy = ie 4 tithe oa U tan a heat Mae ae of jeane nt: Seth st a ee tapos eh vee Mt athe Ss cea var bo at a ie i 5 _ im ‘ Vig : tee yk i thee eat ea, aa * ao af ae Pe r - ie thay Am re : an : yt + ay 42) ene a as aE ; Sy Thiay, 4. e ea es ey #0 Sai y i pine me ong ot ey iw A= p, & ‘ fe ide oe ; ao ) 4 7 Ms a 7 ORY aos : Nae. én ae ie eae a fire ya icas ) He im . 7 oul Me Bie nie a Nae pY. a 2. i ee + oat see oT ix a > » ™ ¥ iy : ae oll, y a ae 1a i. ov FR » ca 7 ee iY i ion fine: rt, itt al AAT A cee Or a ry hay i: ull oa ay _ 7 ety ate —_ Pic? 44. Lh er - ay 7 ye i‘ so SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. 85 Table 5 shows the depths of the males tabulated in the same manner as the lengths and weights, showing these measurements in percentages of the total number of fish in each lot measured. Dia- gram E presents the same information for 1904 shown by curves. TABLE 5.—DeEpTus oF MALE SOCKEYES, SHOWN AS PERCENTAGES OF THE TOTAL NuMBER OF ExampLes EXAMINED FoR Eacu Locatiry. Port Tam-| Dolomi. |Ches-| Quadra. | NOWiS- | Kegan. | Karta Yes Bay gas. PREYS | Bay. Depth | ter. | | | ul —__—|—_— — bees 1904 | 1904 | 1903} 1904 | 1904 | 1903 | 1904 | 1903 | 1904 | 1903 | 1904 | 1903 | 1904 | 1903 | 1905 | | | (2{0) Toei es ee Sues eae (08 ee ee ee) Benne See ne Benn beten BECno hited Geet ed eood Pero eee SN) Ca CS a eee ee lesoce| bese ie seee eon saleaes5| Soe. Sore bearer eee ec eSeselaceogltsane| esse (i) mane eee Wee Op | ROSA gees eee cre ll pcysceat sce eel] eles; 5 | ciara llateraraic [Petrelli wakes es ea] stacee | seeesalisce ete GS RAIIIN sore, 2 e\a-io stl GOP Se oalSesoce| Gaccrl nese. aseee laseeel Sacro Acces seers oer | Neer eesti ENR Ohms ae cs ae NOB eriO a AO S01 es Ost area ra | Seavert | Reeeeiagal| oes rea felts all oso ietel [exe ever eee = | sictate cl rate tsiell exter s= Qf itehooe Boe caaeaeee etn bet Se | RASOM pdsce (Ol 28 eras eer aye [Pees Wee |S ah Se eae eee a De SR ee SMR i Ojammevs Sys 2 5 - LORANIGR IN WAS ON | deSil! 20\ ee Oe ere ee te ASR eel eee ake | See asl esa WD pO TIA as fetsye cs <2 eros 24.0 |19.0 | 7.4 | 10.6 AOM|eecse dist leeeoe Onaojets steal OSOT ese a leeea| basta i170) oshea a See eee 19.2 |26.3 |22.0 | 15.3 ot leone QESe Soe) eae LOR fon elee le ieee llores cee otal taraeter = ID | 13.2 |22.7 {18.0 | 11.3) 5.2 | 0.4] 6.5) 5.4 | 5.5 Desa adelotn|lplcv ake sal merece 0.3 PG OMMITMe aie scone Aer Lesa ISHOn| To oatssaa2n9 esa SiG) LON! WSO eA NOM etet a4 ee eo -6 WSS MM. fois tcc 5-8 | 3.4] 7.0 14.0] 8.0 19.6 |10.6 |14.9 |10.8 |13.5 [36.0 | 4.8 | 8.2 | 5.8 | 1.2 1.8 f4QhmiM a=. Sec. -- = 2.0} 2.8 16.5] 8.0 \25.2 |19.9 )16.0 14.0 12.3 |18.0 {11.7 /11.0 15.4 ]1.8) 2.3 it bys Sees aas .6 |] 1.4] 48] 8.0 {16.4 |17.0 |15.8 |16.1 |15.1 | 8.9 114.0 [24.0 |13.8 | 6.0 4.7 TUSt)) saa bone ee ie ee ene | .2| 4.0] 8.0] 9.2 {20.1 /17.0 |24.9 |20.6 | 8.9 |28.3 17.3 |16.4 12.8 7.4 ADOPT vase 2/2 =\bi-/2% ar ZU aee la S S20) |LSsOu|PSad) (od. OTe Osteo c 20.0 |15.4 |11.6 ]20.0 | 14.5 i1@)) (iki) ss BSS aec eae aetee (see) ees |emerers AVON 8: 76:0) | 3..2)| 5:3) 22.22 10.6 | 7.7 |14.6 |25.6 | 20.9 1G) Weta As Soe ceee Eeeateed acces) Heres Berets AO} NGO TSO) 22.22 DE Dalen eee 3:0! 1328) |) 916 117. 2,)) 2108 ROQ) i) Ae Oe Od nea od Gece] Reked aereae eee R26 30 ese Ieesegenes] enteral (ere .6.] 1.9 | 6.8 ]10.0 | 13.0 GAS Tagua © eh els ere eee eee eee (eae eae Wea eee eve PSY Sees (eal Pere mercer 2.6 | 4.9] 7.4 TIGL) TATA shoes ON a LE) (| sed beers (ivgelelee [Sed Saas [pen Pe ere sya | eel bese PORN eXoy| |e bl Ih Tia peep oocaEealleesEes| Seon OSGee 9000s IGee4\66 9aq||S3555 peacelace cel aeos eopeliaseds| Gears Only pei0 No. of specimens....| 528 | 505 | 122 | 150 | 503 | 265 | 512 | 93 | 509 | 56 | 518 | 208 | 503 | 164 339 Average depth, mm.| 114+) 121 |125— 126+ |138+ |145—|140—|140—|141+] 134 |147—|144+|151—| 159 158 ] | | ! A close correspondence will be seen in all the curves for Dolomi and Tamgas.* The greatest number of individuals in each are 4-pound fish. The balance of the average weights of the two lots is destroyed by the varying numbers under and over this maximum. The weight curve, however, for Dolomi is very similar to that for Tamgas, though it occupies a place about 0.5 pound higher in the scale, the average weight for Dolomi being 4.5 pounds as compared with 3.9 pounds. An examination of the length curves (diagram &) also shows a very close parallel between these two localities, while the difference between the curves for depths (diagram F) will explain the greater weight of the Dolomi examples, the depth curve for Dolomi standing about 5 mm. higher on the scale than that for Tamgas. Comparing the two lots, it is shown that while the average length is about the same for each locality, and the number of examples of any given length is about the same for each, the Dolomi fish average about 5 mm. greater in depth and therewith 0.5 pound greater in weight. These two localities seem to be set off clearly from all others examined. 41n the following discussion of the tabular data reference is to the males only unless otherwise specified. 86 SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. The Dolomi fish of 1903, only 200 in number, were much heavier than those of 1904, but in this they but follow the rule_exhibited by other localities, in almost all of which the 1904 fish are lighter than those of the previous year. It will be noted that in 1904 the examina- tion of Dolomi fish preceded that of Tamgas fish by about two weeks. The latter were reported to be quite immature sexually, apparently more so than the Dolomi fish of the earlier date. This may account in a measure for their slenderness. In both these localities running small fish, two type forms are noted more distinctly than in streams carrying the larger fish, viz, the slender terete form, usually dark, with scales more or less embedded, but not showing the other marks of sex maturity; and the deeper, more compressed form, with scales dis- tinct and brightly colored. Fassett noted at Tamgas that one or the other of these forms predominated on different days, indicating a difference in schools. The dark fish may be fish which have been feeding in the brackish water for some time. The fish of Karta and Yes bays, the heaviest of all, in 1904 approached one another closely in average weight, varying only 0.3 pound. Exami- nation of the curves for weight, however, shows great difference. The curve for Karta Bay is comparatively simple, rising to over 24 per cent on 7 pounds, extremes falling between 3.5 and 9.5 pounds and showing little tendency to indicate a double node or maximum, while Yes Bay shows 2 maxima, one on 6 pounds and one on 8 pounds, with small numbers on 7 and 7.5; in addition the upper extreme rises to 10.5 pounds. The length curves exhibit this variance increased. In this the line for Karta, showing some tendency to form a double node, rises on the same maxima with Yes Bay, 490 mm. for the lower, and 550 mm. for the upper, but in the case of Yes Bay the percentages on each are about equal (12 per cent), while for Karta they are, respec- tively, 3+ and 21.5 per cent. This shows that the relatively short fish are found in much greater number among the Yes Bay examples, reducing the total average length (std.) in this locality to 525 mm. as against 538 at Karta, in the face of a slightly higher average weight for Yes Bay. Reference to the depth curve again offers the explana- tion. The two length types of Yes Bay cause the depth curve for that locality to be somewhat truncated, rising to about equal height (14 to 16 per cent) on 140, 150, 160 mm. and wenn an extreme of 180 mm. This indicates the pr alone of short deep Soh in Yes Bay and long slender fish in Karta Bay. In this year the Karta fish were examined about six weeks earlier than those of Yes Bay. They were noted as nearly all bright, but some were of advanced maturity, with the usual changed form. The Yes Bay fish were noted as being of ‘‘advanced” maturity in out- ward appearance, and it was said they were so from the beginning of the run. The catches made in Behm Canal averaged smaller fish and ‘8 Wvddvid 3aS Ady Od ‘'y061 NI SSAFXOOS FIWW JO SH1ddd ONIMOHS—'Z Wvsoviq 08 | OL! 09! OS! 07 | O¢| 02d! Ol! RESIS SAaaes DESRRAAESRSees x Sl ESSERE SE SaShee ASS Y DD UD REL eee Ree ASAE aNe ACeaaRRee EICSRR Shes Sees PP LARS ABEe BA ChE RRR ER eee wre aesRe Peas PPL es re PANT Pa TT leet Tt Lert Nol T foIN} tok tt SESLAS.: by. 22 oa SAPQRSRaS Ree Sea eee ERAT eeeH fEREe hee ERGES SRR hs 2S Res IRAE eB RED PES eeh es SAR BARs oF EMSs Ue fren rea a] ete Peper PO rch teafes ERR SE Wea MesSeee 4 H2aSLP Re taeDes \ A \ ae vere 7 o- - —_ Pe vile ie ih ~ a — oO PAR BAY RD ee Uae ees ee Fre aU i Mees Fa Pfs Psa ape DI WSM 44/7 09 WrHrEDaW = ‘ er ee ee Pe ale, Lee ee a ae Te SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. 87 brighter. The fishermen thought these were ‘‘Unuk River fish.” Whether regarded as fish traveling to another basin or as a later run not yet ready to enter the bay, these smaller fish account for the abundance of 6-pound fish and the double node in the curve. In 1903, the fish of these two localities, examined at approximately the same time, differed much more in averages, the Yes Bay fish exceed- ing those of Karta Bay by more than 1 pound in weight, by 12 mm. in leneth, and about 15 mm. in depth. In neither is there an indication of more than one type. The curves for length, weight, and depth show a single maximum, that for length in both localities on 560 mm., for weight on 7.5 and 8 pounds, respectively, for Karta and Yes bays, and for depth on 145 and 160 mm. Over 25 per cent of the Yes Bay fish reach the maximum, while of the Karta fish less than 20 per cent are of maximum weight and length and 24 per cent are of maximum depth. This indicates, again, that increased weight is largely due to increased depth. In condition the Karta fish of this year were noted as being quite as’ much, if not more, advanced than the Yes Bay. This applies rather to the last lot of 153, examined July 23 to 26, in which the shorter fish predominated, only 45 per cent being over 550 mm. in length, while of the first lot of 55, examined July 1, 62 per cent were of that length. In the two lots from Yes Bay the curve for that of 1903, taken earliest—about a month earlier than the 1904 lot—is much more like the curves for Karta than like that of Yes Bay for 1904, rising to over 25 per cent on 560 mm., with extremes between 480 and 610. In 1905 the values are more distributed, varying between 10 and 15 per cent from 520 to 570 mm., with extremes between 420 and 590. The average lengths, respectively, of the 1903 and 1905 examples are 555 and 532 mm., the average depths approximating 158 mm. in both cases, while the weights are 8.3 and 8.2 pounds. This indicates that the fish of 1905 were more of the deep form, while those of 1903 were rather long and comparatively slender. These 1903 fish were from the early part of the run, those of 1905 some weeks later, giving another example of the long slen- der type form in the early run. On the whole, it seems that Yes Bay fish may be said to be deeper than the Karta fish of corresponding maturity, and that the early fish of both localities are of less depth and weight for corresponding length than later fish. Quadra and the Moira Sound streams, Kegan and Nowiskay, show an almost exactly equal average weight in the fish examined in 1904, as well as close similarity in the averages of length and-depth. Inspec- tion of the curves, however, shows this similarity to be factitious. The Quadra fish are a symmetrical group, while the Moira Sound fish are, like Yes Bay, composite, apparently made of a short deep type, and another correspondingly longer and more slender. 88 SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA, In Quadra fish taken in 1903, about one month earlier than the 1904 lot, the length curve shows much variation (see diagram 4G). The average length is nearly 20 mm. greater than in 1904, and the curve zigzags between 500 and 570 mm. across the 10 per cent line, while in 1904 it shows a single rise to about 17 per cent on 500 and 510 mm. The difference in average length, weight, and depth of Quadra fish in the two seasons of 1903 and 1904 is very close to that of Yes Bay fish for the same years. ‘The curves, however, are quite unlike, that of Quadra for 1903 being compound, while that for Yes Bay is simple. It was noted that the Quadra fish of 1903, though examined later than those of Yes and Karta bays, were less developed sexually. In almost all cases the curves for the females, though quite similar in general form, exhibit less complexity than the curves for the males. (See tables 4 and 4a, p. 84.) Inno case is the curve of such a character as clearly to indicate fish of different ages, though it is possible that such curves as that for Yes Bay in 1904 may be so accounted for. The maxima in this case, separated by 60 mm. (80 total length) and 2 pounds, would seem to be about what might be expected for the difference between a 3-year and a 4-year fish. In the females the maxima of length are separated by the same interval and the much lower percentage of the lower maximum accords with what is known of the development of the king salmon in captivity, in which the males exhibit much the greater precocity. Of the occurrence of the grilse form, or Arctic salmon, we know little, for the reason that many doubtless pass the meshes of the nets, and many are unreported by the fishermen, since they are not taken as “counts.” At Quadra, of the sockeyes delivered at the scow about 1 in 300 were grilse. This is, perhaps, not far from the average ratio in the Loring district. They were not noted in unusual number at Dolomi. The Moira Sound fish examined in 1903 are too few to be of any value in the present comparisons. The increase of relative depth in the later fish may indicate only the change incident to sex maturation. It carries with it, however, a corresponding increase in weight. If it is not a typical form, but merely a sex character, then the early run ascends the stream with a smaller amount of tissue deposit than later runs, else they do not first enter the bay for the purpose of ascending the stream, but return again, if not hindered, to the feeding grounds. Such observations as could be made in opening the fish for deter- mination of sex did not indicate that the difference in sex maturity of the different parts (seasons) of the run are material until after the main body has arrived. The late arrivals—the last week or so of the regular run and belated sections—do show marked advance of sex maturity. It is probable that careful measurements would show a gradual increase in relative maturity, but not proportionate SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. 89 to the difference in time at which the different schools arrive at the breeding stream. Variations in counts.—For a further test of the similarity of fishes from a given basin, counts were made of the dorsal and anal fin rays, the branchiostegal rays, and of the tubes of the lateral line and number of longitudinal rows of scales. These various counts are tabu- lated in the same manner as the measurements, except that sexes are not differentiated, percentages being used instead of the number of examples in order to make comparable the results for the different sized lots that were obtained. In the fin-ray counts the totals of rudimentary and branched rays are used, but the terminal half ray, which varies greatly in development, is in all cases omitted. In table 6, showing the counts for dorsal rays, the similarity of the two years for each of the various localities is striking; Yes Bay, Karta, and Quadra exhibit the maximum on 15 rays, while Dolomi and the two Moira Sound points give it to the next lower number, or 14 rays; 12 and 17 are the extremes. The averages differ very slightly; Karta Bay is highest with 14.7 and Nowiskay lowest with 14.3. It is noteworthy that these two localities were examined in sequence in 1904, and the field notes call attention to the exact identity of method in recording the fin counts. TaBLE 6.—Dorsat Fin-Ray Count. | Percentage of fish with specified numbers Number | Average | of rays— Locality. Date. | exam- | number |___ s a edi ee More ae alate jlivatsee | Seale tet] 16 |, 179 ca8 | Karta B&Yis.cs<-0 cesar 1903 rom MONON | o20es)) 2ls6i|Plsad |) soa: | UO eee Galensee= | 6 ee ——————— SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. 91 In the number of tubes in the lateral line (table 9) no great local variation was found, the averages varying from 132.1 to 135, with extremes 126 and 143. The value of this count is somewhat lessened by the varying degree to which the tubes extend on the caudal. This does not imply that all the high counts are due to this; in some instances high counts are due to the finer scaling. In other cases even low counts continued well on to caudal. The averages for the different years, however, show a striking similarity. The maxima vary from 132 for Karta in 1904 to 135 for Dolomi in 1903, but mostly fall on 133. fue TABLE 9.—TUBES oF LATERAL LINE. Percentage of fish with specified numbers of lateral line tubes— Num-} Aver- : i, Lawn EL Locality. |Date. ber eG ; ; E | 8e- |196|127|128/129] 130 | 131 | 132 | 133 134) 135 | 186 | 137 |138 139)140 141/142 143 | “Katia........ 1904 512} 182. 1/0. 2,0. 4/1. 4/3. 2/12. 7/17. 5/23. 4120. 5/12. 7) 5.0) 2.5} 0.2/0.2). ..|...|.-.|.-.|..- ' 1903 | 419] 132.5]..-| .5/1. 1/1. 7] 9. 3/18. 6/19. 3/20. 0/15.0| 9.3] 3.3) . 7/1. 4)... | Nowiskay....| 1904 513} 133.1) .2)...] 81.1) 5. 6/11. 3/17. 7/23. 0/15. 8)13..6} 6.2) 3.1) .40. 1903 100} 132.9]...)...} .1} .1) 9.0)11.0)15. 0/24. 0/21.0/13.0] 4.0]....)...|.-- Yes Bay..--- 1904 509) 133.0)..-}---| .6/2.0 4,9/11. 2/20. 8/21. 6/20. 2)11.8 3.0) 2.0) Gl... 1903 | 298) 182:9))-_.4)) 3]. -|2..6 7.6)13.3)19. 0/21, 4)13. 3.12.3 5.0) 2.6/1.3! .3 Quadra... -. 1904} 512) 134.0)...).-. -4) .2) 1.9] 5.2)14. 6/15. 2/22. 0/19. 5}11. 5) 6.2/1.7) .8 1903 | 496) 133.6]...| .4/1.4] .6] 2.2 7.215.220. 0121.8 14.6 9.2) 4.4/2.2) .< Kerani-- =. 5. 1904 OU) SZ. Ole ah 6/2. 1 5. 4)11. 1/21. 0/22. 9/19. 5) 9.7) 4.9) 1.3) .7)... 1903 8] MRSA es eee ...|1.0} 9.0) 6.0/19. 0/23. 0/17. 0/13.0| 8.0} 2.0/1.0)... Dolomiess..: 1904 DUA Sool Se) 28 ---| 4] 29) 652/12. 5/15 6|23. 5/18 6/12. 5) 5.6/1.7) .7) .6] .4/0.2 1903 200 || 13550) Face neleeslece) 0D) 955 ae ee Cevedie vice ee cia} Steel see | In table 10, showing rows of scales, it will be seen that the counts for 1903 regularly fall below those for 1904. This is due to the vary- ing procedure regarding the fine rows in front of dorsal and ventral fins, where the counts were initiated. A considerable variance is thus introduced. The branching of the rows under the front of the dorsal also affected the accuracy of the count. In some specimens a few scales’ difference in the point at which this branching occurs adds or excludes a row in the count, which was made for the top rows from front of rayed dorsal down to lateral line, and for lower rows from front of ventrals up to lateral line, the lateral row being included in the total. TABLE 10.—Rows oF SCALES. Num- | Percentage of fish with specified numbers of rows of scales— Locality. |Date.| ber | Aver- l : ihren ined. age. | 3g | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | | | ls | | — , | ae | | Dolomi- 22. .4-22 1904 | 511 44.0} 0.2) 0. 4) 1.3) 6. 6/11. 5/18. 5/21. 1/20. 5/11. 3) 5. 6) 1.9) 0.6)... .). 222)... 1903 | 200 43.0|....) 2.5) 3.5/16. 0/21. 5/24. 0/18. 5; 9.0} 3.5) 1.0) .5]....|....|... 21... Megane.) 2. fe. = 1904 Sle 44 5Ih 2 .6| .6) 3.5/10. 0/14. 0/18. 7/22. 5)16. 4) 8.5) 3.5) .6 OFSiaees 1903 100 44.1]... .-| 2.0} 1. 0/13. 0/21. 0/20. 0/23. 0/15. 0} 3.0) 1.0) 1.0)....)...- Karta se so keth 1904 | 512 45.0) _. | .4! 1.1) 4.3) 9. 7/18. 1/25. 0!24. 0/12. 3) 3.9) .2! .4! 0.2 1903 420 44.0]. - 2) .2) 3.3)18. 3/19. 3/17. 1/20. CULT Era alll SHO! COA alas a Quadra... 22.22 1904 512 45. 2] _. lesen} aloes) 6,210. 306. 22219-3131 Whol 2so|he a8), 2ieebe | 1903 496, 44.9]. . .6| . 8} 6. 0)11. 3/20. 8/24. 4/20. 4) 9.3) 5.2) .8) .4) .2).- MIESHIB Aes: 4.212 1904 509 45. 5). . .2/ 1. 2) 3.9)10. 6/15. 5/17. 4/21. 2/16. 6) 8. 4) 3.1) 1.2) .6].- 1903 | 300) 44.3)... 3] 1.3} 2. 0/10. 3/17. 6/21. 3/23. 6/12. 6] 6.6] 3.0) .6/....] .3]-. Nowiskay..._.. 1904 513, 45.8}. . 34 . 8] 3.3} 8. 7}11. 3/19. 3/18. 9/19. 1/11. 1) 4.7) 1 9) .4) 0.2 1903 100 43. 8}. 1 4 6:0} 9:'0/27.0|26.:0)17..0) 9.0) 2.0) 38.0). 20-1328) 2 | 99 SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA, The average number of rows of scales varies from 43 to nearly 46, with extremes 38 and 52. It was noted that the slender type form usually showed a slightly smaller number of rows. In conclusion, it may be stated that the various counts, while not amounting to demonstration, point to similarity in fishes from a given basin rather than to a heterogeneous mixture of schools. In general the environment at any one locality is very like that at any other; hence if the output of each stream were entirely segregated there would scarcely arise great differences of character among the different lots. The range of variation is, in fact, so small that it appears to fall within the possible effect of the personal factor if the counts were made by different individtials; or of changing schools in any given stream if made by the same individual in sequence. With measure- ments, however, there is a difference. A sufficient number of fish for the purpose can be measured in a few days spent at any one locality, and the time element may be controlled by frequent change of place and renewed examinations at each. The remarkable difference found between the fish of such adjacent localities as Dolomi and the Moira Sound streams clearly proves the value of such data.¢ STREAMS NOT UTILIZED BY SOCKEYES. It is unfortunate in the study of Alaska salmon that almost no streams not known to be frequented by sockeyes have been examined. The only exception of importance is the Anan of Bradfield Canal, which was visited on August 31, 1905. This stream is noted as the earliest and most productive humpback stream in Southeast Alaska. It is slightly less than the Naha in volume and about 3 miles in length below the first lake. Nowhere in the course are any impedi- ments to salmon at ordinary stages of water. The lake has about 160 feet of elevation, and on the above date had a surface temperature of 59.5°, about 1 degree higher than the stream. A tributary of the stream was 54°. At that time humpback.and king salmon in small numbers were seen, and there were a few scattering red fish which were thought to be sockeyes. Two humpbacks were seen to Jump in the lake. There is no apparent reason why sockeyes should not ascend this stream in numbers equal to the runs in such streams as those of Moira Sound. An examination of the lake might reveal some obstacle to their natural propagation. There was nothing at that season apparent in the surface densities or temperatures to deflect a run entering Clarence Strait. From this strait through Ernest Sound and into Bradfield Canal the temperatures were in general increasing, 54° to 58°, and densities decreasing, 1.020 to about 1.010. In Behm a@¥or a similar study of the winter flatfish (Plewronectes americanus), see Hermon C. Bumpus, On the identification of fish artificially hatched. American Naturalist, vol. xxxu, June, 1898, p. 407-412. SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. 93 Canal at the same time temperatures rose from 55° at the head of Tongass Narrows to 58° off Spacious Bay, densities falling from 1.0188 to 1.0124 at the same time. Subsurface tows demonstrated an abundance of plankton food throughout all the channels. Ketchikan Creek is a larger stream than Helm Bay Creek, which carries a few thousand sockeyes. It drains a lake and is frequented by humpbacks and cohos. No sockeyes are known to enterit. They could not reach the lake owing to falls about a mile from the mouth, but a school of fish looking for a suitable stream would learn this fact only after ascending the river. A few hundred yards below its head Naha Bay receives a small creek known as Steelhead Creek. This creek drains lakes of considerable size, and should carry water suitable for sockeyes, though they could not enter the lakes on account of an intercepting fall. The volume is small, but during the rainy season is ample for the ascent of fish, and many coho, ie and humpback salmon, as well as steelheads, spawn there. No sockeyes are known to enter it, nor were any sockeye fry seen among the thousands of salmon fry taken there. It is probable that examination of the unstocked streams of Alaska would disclose others of interest in the question of stream selection. RELATION OF SIZE OF RUN TO SPAWNING AREA, There seems to be no relation between the size of the run at any given stream and the extent of spawning ground. Hetta, consid- ered good for from 50,000 to 150,000 fish, has comparatively little area of beds. The fish spawn mainly in one small creek about a mile in length, and along the lake shores. The Naha, as noted above, has a small area compared to its natural productiveness. Kegan has almost no spawning bed—only about a hundred yards of the main stream. At Nowiskay the borders of the lake are used almost entirely, none of the entering streams being suitable. Yes Bay and Karta streams both have excellent and extensive beds. On the other hand, the stream at Ward Cove has a greater area of good spawning ground than any of these streams except Karta and Yes bays, yet it yields too few sockeyes to pay for fishing. Karluk Lake has many tributary creeks that are used by spawning a. but the total area seems scarcely commensurate with the enormous nugehige verses With the exception of the few streams just mentioned, little is known of the spawning grounds of the Alaskan sockeye. Up to 1903 no attempt was made to arrive at the natural fecundity of the spawn- ing beds; hence the investigator is absolutely without standard or means of accurate comparison. 94 SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. SELECTION OF SPAWNING GROUND. CONDITIONS REQUIRED BY THE SOCKEYE. Zs Interesting preferences are shown by the mature salmon on coming out of the lakes to spawn. ‘The first run of sockeyes at Fortmann Hatchery (usually of somewhat smaller fish) enters McCune Creek. This creek is a mile or so in length and drains a slope to the southeast- ward of the lake, the mouth, as will be seen from the map, being but a few yards from the entrance of the main stream. The lower course is over fine gravel and has but a moderate fall. On July 28, 1903, Heckman Lake at the surface was 64°, Naha River at the hatchery 60°, McCune Creek 53°. There were no spawners in sight. August 27 the river was 61° and the creek 524°, and fish had been spawning a week. At this time some fish were showing a preference for the creek, which was fenced. Considerable numbers of ripe fish were in the river. October 15 the river was about 46°; November 17, 363°. Selective discrimination is also shown in Jordan Lake. Emma Creek, tributary to that lake, has a small lake near its source in which its water is somewhat warmed. Gibson Creek, a larger stream, evidently has no expansion in its course, for its waters are always cold. Sockeyes are never known to spawn in Gibson Creek, which carries a temperature of 48° or less, while Emma Creek, between 50° and 60°, is to a small extent made use of. August 18, at Nowiskay, North Arm of Moira Sound, the main stream above was 51°, the lake over the spawning beds 624°. A few fish were in sight, but none spawning. This stream is 44° and the lake 46° to 45° during the spawning season. No sockeyes enter the stream, though dog and humpback salmon do. The sockeyes spawn about the lake shores. At Karta Lake, September 11, Willow Creek was 504°; Alder Creek,474°. Sockeyes were spawning in both inabout equal numbers, or slightly preferring Willow Creek, perhaps for its greater size. The. main river below the lake was 534° and full of dog and humpback salmon. At Yes Bay, September 19, 1903, the river above was full of spawn- ing sockeyes, temperature 50°; sockeyes were also entering the flooded creeks at 70°. September 14, 1904, the surface of the lake was 52°, the water over the beds, 49.5°; in the pool above, 48.5°; a feeder of this pool, 46°. May 2, 1905, the temperature of the main stream had reached 49°. Early in September of that year salmon were spawning in water of 51°. At Quadra, August 1, 1903, the lake surface was 63° to 65°. Osten Creek, at the head of the lake, in which the fish spawn, 51° at 3 p. m.; the sockeyes had just begun to appear at this stream. A fine creek a ee SALMON AND TROUT IN ALASKA. 95 farther down the lake was 57°; it is said few sockeyes enter this. The hatchery brook was 46°. The bay just off the stream August 5 was 64° at 6 p. m., or practically the same as the outflow from the lake. At Kegan, October 3, fish were spawning in the main stream above at 47° and refusing a smaller stream at 43° flowing through the same mouth; later they were reported to be spawning in both, tempera- tures unknown, but doubtless equalized to a degree. At Ward Cove, September 6, a few sockeyes were spawning in the stream at 553°, but this is not a.sockeye stream, properly speak- ing, though it has the required lake and an extensive stretch of good spawning bed. In the Wallowa Dr. Kendall observed that the dwarf sockeye preferred the warmer water after temperatures fell below 45°, though spawning continued until the temperature had dropped to 40°. These observations indicate that the natural spawning temperature for the sockeye is between 47° and 55°, probably not over 50° by preference. (See p.97.) The natural fall temperature for creeks not draining lakes or extensive swamps is about 45° to 48°, lake outlets 55° to 60°. The presence in a stream’s course of a lake of any large size and a low altitude may usually be at once discovered by tem- perature, except, of course, when the lake outflow is mingled with another stream of low temperature, as from a glacier. Ordinary springs have a summer temperature of 44° to 48°, winter around 40°. Creeks, of course, fall with the air temperature to freezing. In the same manner in which they approach the ascent of a river from the sea, the sockeyes school about the spawning stream a short time before entering, and after entering the current proceed by easy stages to the bed finally occupied. Frequently they are seen to drift back over a riffle they had almost surmounted, and appear in most cases to enter swift water with hesitation and caution. It was noted at the Fortmann Hatchery when high water prevented the usual seining of ripe fish that the natural spawning did not com- ‘mence for a day or so after the fish covered the beds.