Chinook Limits Reduced On Nushagak-Mulchatna Drainage

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

 (Dillingham) – In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation restriction in the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 3 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2019. The bag, possession and annual limits for king salmon, 20 inches or greater in length, in the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage are reduced to one per day, 20 inches or greater in length, with an annual limit of two. The bag and possession limit for king salmon less than 20 inches remains at five fish, with no annual limit.

Up to two king salmon recorded before Wednesday, July 3, 2019, on the harvest portion of an Alaska sport fishing license or harvest record card do not count against the two king salmon, 20 inches or greater in length, that may be harvested on or after July 3.

Through June 30, 2019, an estimated 35,271 king salmon have passed the Portage Creek sonar. The sustainable escapement goal (SEG) for Nushagak River king salmon is 55,000 – 120,000 fish. Although, the current projection of spawning escapement is within the SEG, those projections are decreasing and are approaching the lower end of the escapement goal. Therefore, a conservative approach is warranted to reduce the Nushagak River drainage sport harvest.

“This year’s run has begun to fall behind on the projection curve,” stated assistant Area Management Biologist Lee Borden. “With the possibility of the escapement goal not being met, we are taking a conservative approach with this restriction to slow down inriver sport fishing harvests.”

ADF&G will continue to monitor the king salmon escapement and may relax this restriction or further restrict the sport fishery as specified in the management plan.

Pullen Creek and Pond Open to King Salmon Fishing

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) announced today that Pullen Creek and Pullen Pond, in Skagway, are open to sport fishing for king salmon effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 6, 2019. In all fresh waters of Pullen Creek, including Pullen Pond, bait may be used, the bag and possession limit for all anglers (Alaska residents and nonresidents) is four king salmon of any size, and king salmon harvested in this area do not count toward the nonresident annual limit. This regulation will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, September 14, 2019. This additional opportunity is being provided to allow harvest of hatchery-produced king salmon that have returned to Pullen Creek.

Anglers are reminded that all salt waters in the Skagway and Haines area remain closed to king salmon retention through the end of 2019 due to Chilkat River king salmon conservation concerns.

Anglers sport fishing for king salmon are required to purchase a 2019 king salmon stamp in addition to a 2019 sport fishing license. Exceptions to this requirement are listed on pages 4 – 5 of the Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary. Sport fishing licenses and king salmon stamps can be obtained online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/store.