State Shuts Down Recreational Fishing At Anchor River, Deep Creek

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

(Homer) – In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring sport fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the Anchor River and Deep Creek drainages to all sport fishing effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 5 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July 15, 2021.

As of June 1, 2021, a total of 127 king salmon had been counted on the Anchor River using a combination of video weirs and sonar. By this date, in years when the Anchor River sustainable escapement goal (SEG: 3,800-7,600 king salmon) was not achieved, an average of 300 king salmon had been counted. Based on the 2018-2020 Anchor River king salmon run timing, the escapement is projected to be less than 2,000 kings in 2021.

“This year’s Anchor River king salmon run does not look strong enough to support further sport fishing opportunities this season,” stated Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “Closing these streams to sport fishing, along with the nearshore closure in the Upper Cook Inlet salt waters, will give us the best chance of achieving the escapement goals.”

In conjunction with this closure, emergency order 2-KS-7-17-21 closes king salmon fishing, including catch-and-release, in the Upper Cook Inlet salt waters north of Bluff Point and within one mile of shore from June 5 through July 15, 2021. Please review the emergency orders in their entirety.

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