Source: The lure of Alaska – Author: Harry A. Franck
Publisher: J. B. Lippincott Company Year: 1942
The fish wheel shown in the photo is a sort of fish trap that was common in Alaska during 1940s and before. These wheels work all night as well as all day long. The wheels are anchored to the shore and turned by the current, they lift a broad scoop high twice each revolution and run their fish, if any, off to the bank.
The majority of stakeholders (official and private) showed negative opinions against fish trapping which led to bills before the Congress stating that the elimination of all fish traps in Alaska would require five years.
The caption of the photo reads: the current-operated fish wheel is the most persistent work of man along the Yukon
