State Announces King Salmon Retention Prohibited In Portions Of Upper Chilkat Inlet
King Salmon Retention Prohibited North of Letnikof Cove Light in Chilkat Inlet
(Haines) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is announcing that a portion of the marine waters of upper Chilkat Inlet will remain closed to the retention of king salmon in the sport fishery through Wednesday, September 30, 2026, to provide continued protection for king salmon returning to the Chilkat River, as follows:
In the marine waters of upper Chilkat Inlet: north of the latitude of Letnikof Cove Light in Chilkat Inlet at 59° 10.42? N. lat. (see attached map);
- April 1 through September 30: No retention of king salmon. All king salmon caught must be released immediately.
The Chilkat River drainage is managed to achieve a biological escapement goal (BEG) of 1,750 to 3,500 large king salmon and an in-river run goal of 1,850 or greater. The 2026 total run forecast for the Chilkat river is 2,650 large king salmon and falls within the BEG range. However, in-season surveys suggest that Chilkat River king salmon escapement may just reach the lower-end or fall slightly short of the goal this year. Therefore, in the interest of conservative management, a portion of the saltwater area near the river mouth will continue to be closed to retention to provide additional protection for this stock.
Anglers are reminded that within the freshwaters of Haines and Skagway area, sport fishing for king salmon is prohibited; king salmon may not be targeted or retained and any king salmon caught must be released immediately and returned to the water unharmed.
For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist, John Whitinger, at (907) 776-3638.
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