More Alaska Fishing Updates
The following reports are courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:
(Kodiak) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing closure for the entire Monashka Creek drainage and the waters of Monashka Bay shoreward of a straight line from Miller Point to Termination Point for king salmon effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 1, 2018. This closure prohibits sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release. During the closure, king salmon may not be targeted, possessed, or retained; king salmon that are caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. In addition, only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used in the waters of Monashka Creek which otherwise remains open to sport fishing. The freshwaters of Pillar Creek remain open to fishing for king salmon; however, this does not include the saltwater’s immediately adjacent to Pillar Creek.
“The Monashka Creek drainage supports an enhanced run of king salmon that ADF&G uses as a broodstock source for its annual hatchery king salmon release into Monashka Creek and three other streams located on the Kodiak Road System,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “Since 2011, there have been inadequate numbers of adult king salmon available from Monashka Creek for an egg take. Therefore, to ensure broodstock needs are met and to help sustain future king salmon runs and fishing opportunities for anglers on the Kodiak Road System, ADF&G determined it necessary to close the king salmon fishery for the entire Monashka Creek drainage and the waters of Monashka Bay.”
King salmon angling may be restored for the Monashka Creek drainage and the waters of Monashka Bay by a subsequent emergency order, if king salmon returns to Monashka Creek indicate that broodstock collection goals will be achieved. ADF&G staff will monitor these fisheries closely as the season progresses. Anglers can still fish and retain king salmon in the Olds River, American River, Salonie Creek, and Kalsin Bay.
(Kodiak) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing closure in the Karluk River for king salmon effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 1, 2018. This closure prohibits sport fishing for king salmon including catch-and-release. During the closure, king salmon may not be targeted, possessed, or retained; king salmon that are caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. In addition, as an added measure to reduce incidentally hooked king salmon, the use of bait is prohibited and only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used in the Karluk River drainage below Karluk Lake.
“Although escapements have occasionally improved slightly since record lows in 2008, the recent trend of poor runs and very low king salmon returns warrant closing the Karluk River sport fishery,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “Since 2006, the Karluk River king salmon broodstock has only been achieved three times, even with management actions to reduce king salmon retention in sport, commercial, and subsistence fisheries. In January 2011, the Board of Fisheries designated Karluk River king salmon a stock of concern.”
King salmon angling opportunities may be restored in the Karluk River by a subsequent emergency order, if an in-season assessment indicates the king salmon run is stronger than anticipated. Beginning late May, ADF&G staff will be closely monitor this fishery at the Karluk River salmon counting weir as the season progresses.
(Kodiak) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation restriction in the Ayakulik River drainage for king salmon effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 1, 2018. During the closure, king salmon may not be possessed or retained; king salmon that are caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. In addition, as an added measure to reduce incidentally hooked king salmon, the use of bait is prohibited and only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used in the Ayakulik River drainage.
“Even with management actions to reduce king salmon retention in sport, commercial, and subsistence fisheries, the king salmon broodstock has not been achieved six out of the last ten years,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “The recent trend of poor king salmon returns warrants the regulation restrictions of the king salmon sport fishery in the Ayakulik River drainage.”
Retention opportunities may be restored in the Ayakulik River drainage by a subsequent emergency order, if an in-season assessment indicates the king salmon run is stronger than anticipated. Beginning late May, ADF&G staff will be closely monitor this fishery at the Ayakulik River salmon counting weir as the season progresses.
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