More Salmon Fishing Closures And Bag Limit Reductions

The following updates are courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Saltery Cove Sockeye Salmon Bag Limits Reduced

(Kodiak) – In an effort to achieve escapement goals, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is restricting the bag limit for sockeye salmon to two fish per day and two in possession for the Saltery Cove drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, July 12 through December 31, 2018.

“Without reductions in the current harvest levels, ADF&G does not expect to meet sockeye salmon escapement goal stocks on the Saltery Cove drainage,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “ As of July 9, 2018, only 1,938 sockeye salmon have passed through the weir; therefore, it is warranted to reduce the bag limit for the sockeye salmon sport fishery in an attempt to meet escapement objectives.”

Pasagshak Drainage Closed to Sport Fishing for Sockeye Salmon

(Kodiak) – In an effort to achieve sockeye salmon escapement goals, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation closure for the Pasagshak River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2018. The Pasagshak River drainage, including Lake Rose Tead, and its tributaries are closed to sport fishing for sockeye salmon. Sockeye salmon may not be retained or possessed from these areas.

“ADF&G does not expect to meet escapement goal stocks on the Pasagshak River,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “ As of July 9, 2018, only 221 sockeye salmon have passed through the weir; therefore, it is warranted to close the sockeye salmon sport fishery in an attempt to meet escapement objectives.”

Chignik River King Salmon Sport Fishery Closed

(Kodiak) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation closure for the Chignik River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2018. King salmon fishing is closed in the Chignik River drainage downstream to Mensis Point. This closure includes Chignik and Black lakes and their tributaries. King salmon incidentally caught, while fishing for other species, may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. As an added measure to reduce the probability of hooking mortality, the use of bait is prohibited within the Chignik River drainage, and only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used.

“Based on the current weir counts of 215 king salmon, we do not expect to achieve the escapement needs for the Chignik River drainage” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “Therefore, it is not only necessary to close the king salmon sport fishery but is warranted to only allow one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure to reduce the probability of hooking morality.”