State Opening Up Anchor River For Catch-And-Release King Salmon Fishing

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

Anchor River Opens to Catch-and-Release for King Salmon

(Homer) – Consistent with stipulations in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River King Salmon Sport Fishery Management Plan, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is opening the Anchor River to catch-and-release sport fishing for king salmon in the lower 2 river miles effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 13 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 15 and Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Gear will be restricted to one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure. King salmon may not be retained, must be released immediately, and may not be removed from the water. Both the Anchor River and Deep Creek will reopen to sport fishing for all species other than king salmon on July 1. Sport fishing regulations for other species are outlined on pages 60-62 in the 2026 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

The Anchor River sustainable escapement goal (SEG) is 3,200–6,400 king salmon. As of June 9, 756 king salmon have been counted on the Anchor River, which is approximately 20% of the total run based on recent run timing. Based on the recent 3-year run timing, the Anchor River king salmon is projecting a run of approximately 3,800 fish which is within the SEG range.

The Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River King Salmon Sport Fishery Management Plan was adopted at the November 2023 Alaska Board of Fisheries meeting. This management plan establishes management actions for these streams using preseason forecasts and inseason projections of escapement. For the Anchor River, if the inseason projection is greater than 3,200 and less than 4,800 king salmon, then the sport fishery will be open to catch and release fishing for king salmon, and gear is restricted to only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure.

“The Anchor River king salmon run has shown better than expected counts this season, which should result in making the escapement goal and provide a limited catch and release fishing opportunity,” stated Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “We are encouraging anglers that would prefer to harvest king salmon to fish the Ninilchik River for hatchery fish starting June 20.”

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Mike Booz or Assistant Area Management Biologist Holly Dickson at (907) 235-8191.