Chilkoot River Sockeye Limits Increasing

Chilkoot River and Lake Sockeye Salmon Sport Fish Limits Increased

(Haines) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish is increasing the sockeye salmon bag limit to 12 per day, 12 in possession in Chilkoot River and Lake beginning at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 1, 2019 and continuing through the remainder of the year.

ADF&G’s Chilkoot River weir project has passed 101,272 sockeye salmon upstream of the weir as of July 29. This count exceeds the upper end of the escapement goal range of 38,000 to 86,000 sockeye salmon. To allow additional harvest on these surplus sockeye salmon, the department has liberalized the sport fishery and extended subsistence and commercial periods in Chilkoot and Lutak Inlets.

Anglers should follow these guidelines to prevent bears from associating anglers with food.

  • Clean your fish in the river and place fish remains into swiftly moving water.
  • Secure your fish in a vehicle or other bear-resistant container immediately.
  • Store your food, fish and garbage in a vehicle or other bear-resistant container at all times. Never leave food, fish, coolers or garbage unsecured and unattended.
  • Cease fishing when a bear approaches within 100 yards.
  • Release hooked fish by cutting or breaking the fishing line when a bear approaches within 100 yards or when the bear is attracted by your struggling fish, whichever is greater.

Anyone needing further information concerning this announcement should contact the Division of Sport Fish office in Haines at (907) 766-3638

Sport fishing licenses can be obtained online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/Store/.

Port Valdez Pink Salmon Limits Increased

(Anchorage) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag and possession limit for pink salmon to 12 fish per day and 24 fish in possession in the Valdez Terminal Harvest area effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 2 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2019. The increased limit is effective for all marine waters north of line from Entrance Point to Potato Point (Valdez Narrows). Fresh water salmon closures remain in effect for Port Valdez. The bag and possession limit for coho salmon does not change. Only six salmon in your bag limit can be coho salmon and only twelve salmon in your possession can be coho salmon.

Pink salmon returns to the Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) Solomon Gulch Hatchery (SGH) are high. Pink salmon cost recovery efforts for this hatchery have been completed and they have secured sufficient broodstock at SGH.

“There are plenty of pinks around, but anglers may have to sort through the fish to find brighter ones suitable for table fair,” said Jay Baumer Sport Fish Area Management Biologist. “Later in the run the quality of the meat may be deteriorating so anglers are encouraged to not wait until later in the season.”

Unlike many other Prince William Sound saltwater salmon fisheries, Valdez has numerous areas where shore anglers can cast for pink salmon, especially by the harbor and Allison Point. No wild stock concerns will occur from the increased bag limits and it is warranted to increase the pink salmon bag and possession limits in the Port Valdez marine waters for these surplus hatchery fish.