ADFG Announces Upper Chilkat Inlet King Salmon Retention Closure To Remain Through July 15

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Sport Fishing Regulation Updates for King Salmon in the Haines/Skagway Area for 2026

(Haines) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is announcing that the marine waters of upper Chilkat Inlet will remain closed to sport king salmon retention through Wednesday, July 15, 2026, as follows:

In the marine waters of upper Chilkat Inlet: north of the latitude of the northernmost point of Kochu Island at (59°09.03? N) (see attached map);

• April 1 through July 15: No retention of king salmon. All king salmon caught must be released immediately.

This upper Chilkat Inlet non-retention king salmon regulation is needed to conserve king salmon, comply with the management plan, and better align sport fishing regulations with subsistence regulations. Subsistence fisheries are given priority, and opportunities may be provided for subsistence users to fish in upper Chilkat Inlet prior to July 16. Chilkat River king salmon run strength will be monitored in season and changes to both sport and subsistence regulations may be needed. Chilkat River king salmon run strength will be determined using lower river adult tagging data and by closely monitoring the fisheries in the remaining waters of District 15.

The waters of District 15, excluding waters north of the latitude of the northernmost point of Kochu Island in Chilkat Inlet, will open to king salmon retention beginning June 15. The waters of upper Chilkat Inlet will open to king salmon retention beginning July 16, unless otherwise announced by emergency order. When retention is allowed the following regulations apply:

• Alaska Resident
  • The resident bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
  • From October 1 through March 31, a resident angler may use two rods when fishing for king salmon, a person using two rods under this regulation may only retain salmon;

• Nonresident
  • The nonresident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
  • From April 1 through June 30, the nonresident annual harvest limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
  • From July 1 through December 31, the nonresident annual harvest limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length; any king salmon harvested from January 1 through June 30 will apply towards the one fish annual harvest limit;
  • Immediately upon landing and retaining a king salmon a nonresident must enter the species, date and location on their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.

For further information concerning this announcement please contact the Haines Office at (907)766-3638.