State Announces Catch-And-Release Fishing Only For Nushagak-Mulchatna King Salmon (Updated)

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

Nushagak-Mulchatna Drainage King Salmon Catch-and-Release Only

(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 restrictions in all waters of the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage. The retention of king salmon of any size and the use of bait and multiple hooks is prohibited effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 3 through the remainder of the king salmon season, which closes at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2024. King salmon may not be retained or possessed, this fishery is limited to catch-and-release only. King salmon caught while fishing may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is allowed.

“This year’s run is behind on the projection curve, with 24,041 fish counted past the Portage Creek sonar through June 30,” stated Area Management Biologist Lee Borden. “We are taking a conservative approach with this restriction to prohibit inriver sport harvest and put more fish towards achieving the escapement goal of 55,000–120,000”.

King salmon sport fishing opportunities may be restored or further restricted in the Nushagak-Mulchatna Drainage by a subsequent emergency order based on ADF&G sonar counts and other run strength indicators.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Lee Borden at
(907) 842-2427.

UPDATE: Nushagak-Mulchatna system also getting increased sockeye limits

Nushagak-Mulchatna Drainage Sockeye Salmon Limits Increased

(Dillingham) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon to 10 fish, with no size limit, in all waters of the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage, effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 3 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024. The bag and possession limit for other salmon, except king and sockeye salmon, remains at five fish with no size limit. These limits are in combination (chum, pink, coho salmon combined to total a bag limit of five fish) with the more liberal limits for sockeye salmon.

The escapement of sockeye salmon in the Nushagak River is projected to exceed the escapement goal of 370,000 – 900,000 fish. Therefore, it is warranted to increase the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon in the Nushagak-Mulchatna River sport fishery.

“This year’s sockeye run is anticipated to exceed the upper end of the escapement goal,” stated Assistant Area Management Biologist Greta Hayden-Pless. “With nearly 900,000 fish passing the sonar station at Portage Creek, we are increasing opportunity for harvest of sockeye salmon in the sport fishery.”

For additional information, please contact Assistant Area Management Biologist Greta Hayden-Pless at (907) 842-2427.