Inseason Alaska Commercial Salmon Summary

This summary provides management, harvest, and escapement information for the Alaska commercial salmon fishing season. This summary will be updated each Friday between mid-May and September. Please note, inseason harvest data published in this summary are preliminary and subject to change. For more information on the Blue Sheet, inseason summaries, and harvest timing charts, please see our Blue Sheet, Inseason Summary, and Harvest Timing Charts Overview page.

Statewide Summary

Last updated: Thursday, May 12

Alaska's commercial salmon net fisheries begin this week with the Copper River District opening on May 16. Most other areas of the state will see their first commercial salmon net fishery openings in early June. Many ADF&G stock assessment projects are being deployed this month and inseason counts will be posted on the ADF&G website as those projects become active and begin providing data to fishery managers and the public.

The forecast all species commercial salmon harvest for 2022 is about 161 million fish, which if realized, will be considerably larger than recent even-year harvests, and would be the largest even year harvest since 2010. Inseason harvest timing can be tracked here: Inseason Commercial Salmon Harvest Timing.

Southeast Alaska & Yakutat

Troll Fishery

Last updated: Friday, September 09

The Southeast Alaska/Yakutat commercial troll fishery re-opened to the taking of all salmon at 12:01 a.m., August 1, after a three-day coho salmon conservation closure from July 29–31. Trollers are targeting approximately 69,000 Chinook salmon (including a 2% Alaska hatchery component) during the second summer Chinook salmon retention period. The areas of high Chinook salmon abundance remain open until further notice [5 AAC 29.025]. The retention period will remain open until further notice and will be closed by emergency order when the harvest allocation is taken, or 11:59 p.m., September 20, whichever occurs first.

Preliminary fish ticket data reported from the second retention period through September 8 indicate a total of 484 trollers have landed 49,000 Chinook, with another 2,000 Chinook salmon reported to be onboard vessels but not yet landed. Fish ticket harvest totals reported for other species since July 1 include 703,000 coho and 1,041,000 chum salmon. Seasonal average prices are $5.99/lb for Chinook, $2.12/lb for coho and $1.20/lb for chum salmon. Average weights are 11.1 lb for Chinook, 5.1 lb for coho, and 7.2 lb for chum salmon. Chinook salmon average weight is down from 2021 by 0.1 lb and below the 5-year average by 0.4 lb, and coho salmon average weight is below the 2021 and 5-year averages by 0.1 lb and 0.7 lb. Chum salmon average weight is up from 2021 by 0.9 lb but below the 5-year average weight by 0.8 lb.

The current regional power troll coho salmon catch rates for this week (statistical week 37) is 72 fish/boat/day, with the highest catch rate in the Southern Outside area at 107 fish/boat/day, followed by the Central Inside and Central Outside areas at 75 fish/boat/day and 67 fish/boat/day. 

Troll effort and harvest for vessels targeting hatchery chum salmon returning to the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) release sites at the Medvejie Creek hatchery, Deep Inlet Terminal Harvest Area (THA), and Crawfish Inlet have continued to decline this week. In the Sitka Sound area, based on fish tickets received for statistical week 37, a total of 6 troll permits have taken 225 chum salmon at a rate of 38 fish per landing. The cumulative harvest is 829,200 chum salmon with an average chum salmon/landing of 309.

There were no directed chum salmon landings reported for Statistical week 37 in West Crawfish Inlet and Crawfish Inlet THA. The cumulative harvest for both areas is 148,600 chum salmon with an average of 299 chum salmon/landing.

The 2022 Summer Troll Fishery Management Plan is available at ADF&G area offices or on the troll website at:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon_trollsummer.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Purse Seine Fishery

Last updated: Friday, September 02

Directed fisheries for pink salmon closed for season on August 25. Common property opportunity remains in select hatchery terminal harvest areas (THAs). In addition, the department will continue to monitor fall chum salmon runs to Cholmondeley Sound, Security Bay, Port Camden, Nakwasina Sound, Chaik Bay, and Excursion Inlet. At this time, no directed fall chum salmon fishing opportunities have been identified.

The 2022 Southeast Alaska pink salmon harvest was predicted to be in the weak range with a point estimate of 16 million fish (80% prediction interval: 10–24 million fish). Traditional common property purse seine openings began July 3 and concluded August 25. Fisheries occurred in Districts 1–7, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 14. The purse seine pink salmon harvest was greatly improved from the parent year of 2020 with a harvest estimate of 14 million pink salmon, the 42nd highest since 1960. Similar to most past years, the majority of the harvest was from Southern Southeast. The overall pink salmon harvest is estimated to 15.9 million fish when including common property drift gillnet harvest and harvest for the Annette Islands Reserve. Escapement surveys are still being flown and escapements are still being tabulated. Preliminary results indicate pink salmon escapements were generally improved from 2020 with most, if not all stock groups meeting or exceeding target ranges in Southern Southeast. And in Northern Southeast, escapements were generally improved from 2020 but there were still many stock groups that escapement fell below target ranges. Purse seine effort was low, with only 195 boats making landings.

For the 2022 season, terminal harvest area (THA) purse seine fisheries to harvest salmon returning to Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) hatchery release sites occurred at Anita Bay, Carroll Inlet, Kendrick Bay, Carroll Inlet, Neets Bay, and Anita Bay. Fisheries to harvest fish returning to Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) hatchery release sites occurred at Thomas Bay, Southeast Cove, and Hidden Falls, and continue at Deep Inlet. In addition, there was one common property purse seine opening at the Douglas Island Pink and Chum (DIPAC) remote release site in the Almaga Harbor THA. Hatchery produced chum salmon runs were expected to be below average in 2022. With the exception of Deep and Crawfish Inlets, hatchery produced chum salmon runs have concluded. The estimated common property purse seine THA harvest is currently 1.06 million chum salmon, below the 2012–2021 average harvest of 2.1 million chum salmon

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Drift Gillnet Fishery

Last updated: Monday, May 02

For further details concerning this fishery, please see the 2022 Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan (PDF 3,507 kB)

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Tree Point/Section 1-B

Last updated: Friday, September 09

The Tree Point drift gillnet fishery was open four days starting on Sunday, September 4. In comparison to the 10-year average, harvest of all species except pink salmon were below average. The effort level was below average at 22 vessels. The estimated weekly harvest for statistical week 37 was 70 sockeye salmon, 2,800 coho salmon, 1,300 pink salmon, and 6,000 chum salmon. Section 1-B is being managed based on the return of wild fall coho and chum salmon. With low effort and no concerns, Section 1-B will be given four days of fishing time in statistical week 38, beginning at 12:01 p.m., Sunday, September 11.

 

For further details concerning this fishery, please see the 2022 Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan (PDF 3,507 kB)

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Stikine and Prince of Wales/Districts 6 and 8

Last updated: Friday, September 09

The Districts 6 and 8 gillnet fishery was managed for wild coho salmon abundance during the statistical week 37 opening and was opened for three days beginning Sunday, September 4. Effort decreased from the prior week and continued to remain below average in both districts. The preliminary harvest estimate for this week was 20 Chinook salmon, 100 sockeye salmon, 5,000 coho salmon, 300 pink salmon, and 3,000 chum salmon from 37 boats fishing in District 6. The preliminary District 8 harvest includes 10 Chinook salmon, 10 sockeye salmon, 2,000 coho salmon, 50 pink salmon, and 300 chum salmon from 12 boats. Overall, this week’s wild coho salmon fishery performance was similar to recent weeks with harvest and catch per unit effort (CPUE) below average in District 6 but improved to near average CPUE in District 8.  

Although recent coho salmon fishery performance in the gillnet fishery continues to lag, continued improvements in CPUE indicates the run continues to build. Historically speaking, wild coho salmon harvests in District 6 tends to peak early to mid-September with the hatchery component peaking a week later. For statistical week 38, both districts will open for three days starting September 11.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Taku-Snettisham/Section 11-B

Last updated: Friday, September 09

Fishing effort in the District 11 drift gillnet fishery remained well below the 10-year average this week with approximately 14 boats making landings during the three-day opening. The fleet’s effort was primarily focused on the Point Bishop and Slocum Inlet areas. The few boats that tried their luck further up Taku Inlet reported slightly higher catches of coho salmon, but any additional success came with higher numbers of seals and the frustration of their nets being raided. We expect to see the fleet size decrease next week with several fishermen suggesting that they will be calling it a season after this week.

Coho salmon catch rates remained flat this week and were just under half the 10-year average and catch per unit effort (CPUE) 117% of average for the small fleet making landings. Reads of Coded-Wire-Tags recovered in the fishery from the previous week showed a very low contribution of Douglas Island Pink and Chum (DIPAC) hatchery coho salmon at 27% of the harvest. This is not surprising given the low return of hatchery fish forecasted to return this season. Catch rates of coho salmon at the Canyon Island fish wheels has remained well above average, while harvest the Canadian inriver commercial fishery have remained below average.

The fourth inseason Taku River coho salmon run size estimate was produced this week, and projects a terminal run of 76,200 fish, an increase of about 1,000 fish from last week. The terminal run estimate is below the preseason forecast of 87,000 fish. At this run size, the U.S. is allotted an allowable catch (AC) of about 1,200 coho salmon.

Sockeye salmon have continued to be harvested in small numbers in the fishery, with the week’s catch being nearly 300% of the recent 10-year average and CPUE nearly 400% of average. Although fishermen reported many blushed-up sockeye salmon being caught, a good number were reported to have been bright and beautiful with sea lice.

Catches of fall chum salmon have been above the recent 10-year average (119%) as well as CPUE (296% of average).

The District 11 drift gillnet fishery will be open for two days next week with no changes in area or gear restrictions.

 

The 2022 SEAK Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan can be found on the Southeast Management Plans webpage.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Lynn Canal/District 15

Last updated: Friday, September 09

Fishing effort in the District 15 gillnet fishery was similar to last week with 41 permit holders making landings. The fishery was open for three days in both Sections 15-A and 15-C beginning Sunday, September 4. Effort dropped substantially on the second day of the opening due to poor catch rates. The preliminary harvest estimate for this week was 5 Chinook, 1,800 sockeye, 1,300 coho,1,200 chum, and minimal pink salmon. Sockeye salmon harvest and catch per unit effort (CPUE) remained above the 10-year average, while the harvest and catch rates for all other species was below average. Although recent coho and chum salmon fishery performance in the gillnet fishery is lagging, improvements in harvests this week indicate a building run.

The Chilkoot River weir was pulled on Wednesday, September 7. The final estimated escapement was 57,176 sockeye salmon, within the escapement goal range of 38,000-86,000 fish. The lower bound of the Chilkat Lake sockeye salmon escapement goal of 70,000 fish was achieved on Wednesday, September 7. Sockeye salmon escapement to Chilkat Lake will continue to be monitored through the second week of October. The Chilkat River fish wheels are catching good numbers of chum salmon but the coho salmon catches remain below the 10-year average.

Next week (statistical week 38), the Lynn Canal District 15 gillnet fishery will be open for three days in all waters of Section 15-C, and in all waters of Section 15-A, excluding Lutak Inlet and waters north of Glacier Point.

 

The 2022 SEAK Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan can be found on the Southeast Management Plans webpage.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Yakutat Area Set Gillnet Fishery

Last updated: Friday, September 09

The Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet fishery was opened on September 4, and was open for 3 days and extended for 24-hours for a total of 4 days open. A total of 41 permits harvested 35 sockeye, 16,277 coho, 207 pink and 1 chum salmon. Fleet participation was average, and coho salmon harvest was near the 10-year average. The Yakutat Bay fishery opened on September 4, and was open for 3 days and extended for 24-hours for a total of 4 days open. Less than 3 permits fished and harvest information is confidential. Fleet participation was comparable to recent years and harvest was below average for this statistical week. The Manby Shore Ocean fishery was fished this week but less than 3 permits fished and harvest information is confidential. The Kaliakh River was fished this week but less than 3 permits fished and harvest information is confidential. The East Alsek River, Alsek River, Dangerous River, Manby inside waters, Tsiu River and Seal River were open, but were not fished.

Escapement monitoring at the Situk River weir for sockeye and Chinook salmon started on June 1. The Situk River project ended for the season on August 5 due to weather. Approximately 90,742 sockeye salmon and 888 large Chinook salmon were enumerated through the weir this season.

Fishing times may be adjusted based on escapement through the weir for statistical week 38. The Italio Rivers systems will open by emergency order when adequate levels of escapement can be documented.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Terminal Harvest Area (THA) Fisheries

Last updated: Wednesday, May 11

Terminal Harvest Area (THA) drift gillnet fisheries occur in Nakat Inlet, Carroll Inlet, Neets Bay, Anita Bay, SE Cove, Deep Inlet, and Boat Harbor. THA seine fisheries occur in Neets Bay, Carroll Inlet, Kendrick Bay, Anita Bay, Thomas Bay, SE Cove, Hidden Falls, Crawfish Inlet, and Deep Inlet.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Nakat Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, September 02

The forecasted return for Nakat Inlet is 248,000 summer chum salmon and 50,000 fall chum salmon. The Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) concluded cost recovery operations and the Nakat Inlet THA opened to the harvest of salmon by drift gillnet and troll gear at 12:00 noon, Friday August 12. The Nakat Inlet THA closes by regulation on November 10. The current harvest is 320,000 chum salmon. This total includes 182,000 salmon harvested by drift gillnet gear and 25,000 salmon harvested by purse seine gear in the traditional fishery, 57,000 harvested for cost recovery, and 56,000 salmon harvested in the THA. SSRAA estimates a return of 299,000 summer chum salmon which is 120% of the summer chum salmon forecast.

 

For further information please refer to the 2022 Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan (PDF 3,507 kB) and for updates on Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) contributions visit the SSRAA website.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Neets Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, September 02

The Neets Bay forecasted return is 440,000 summer chum salmon, 51,000 fall chum salmon, 6,600 Chinook salmon, and 127,300 coho salmon. Neets Bay opened to the harvest of salmon by troll gear on Wednesday, June 15, and by rotational fishery between drift gillnet and purse seine on Friday, June 17. Neets Bay closed to the harvest of salmon by all gear groups at 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, July 6, to allow for Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) cost recovery operations. The current chum salmon harvest is 427,100 chum salmon. This total includes 12,000 salmon harvested by Troll gear, 28,000 salmon harvested by drift gillnet gear, and 72,000 salmon harvested by purse seine gear in the traditional fishery, 182,000 salmon harvested for cost recovery, 154,300 salmon harvested for broodstock, and 11,800 salmon harvested by all gear groups in the THA. SSRAA estimates a return of 416,000 summer chum salmon, or 94% of the summer chum salmon forecast.

 

For further information please refer to the ADF&G advisory announcement for Neets Bay and for updates on SSRAA contributions visit the SSRAA website.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Kendrick Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, September 02

The forecasted return for Kendrick Bay is 732,000 summer chum salmon. The Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) concluded cost recovery operations and the Kendrick Bay THA opened to the harvest of salmon by purse seine and troll gear beginning 5:00 a.m., Friday August 12. The Kendrick Bay THA closes by regulation on September 30. The current harvest is 824,000 chum salmon or 112% of the summer chum salmon forecasted return. This total includes 38,000 salmon harvested by drift gillnet gear and 568,000 salmon harvested by purse seine gear in the traditional fishery, 147,000 salmon harvested for cost recovery, and 71,000 salmon harvested in the THA.

 

For further information please refer to the 2021 Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Fishery Management Plan (PDF 1,379 kB)  and for updates on SSRAA contributions visit the SSRAA website.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Caroll Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, September 02

The forecasted return for Carroll Inlet was 6,000 Chinook salmon. The Carroll Inlet THA opened to the harvest of salmon by all gear groups on Wednesday, June 1, and closed to purse seine and drift gillnet on Sunday, June 12. A rotational fishery between purse seine and drift gillnet started on Wednesday, June 15. The Carroll Inlet THA closed to all gear groups on Thursday, June 30. Harvest in the traditional fishery was 300 Chinook salmon by drift gillnet gear and 1,500 Chinook Salmon by troll gear. Harvest inside the THA was 5,300 Chinook salmon by purse seine and 1,900 Chinook salmon by drift gillnet gear. An additional 2,700 Chinook salmon were harvested for cost recovery. The total estimated return was 12,000 Chinook salmon.

 

For further information please refer to the ADF&G advisory announcement for Carroll Inlet and for updates on SSRAA contributions visit the SSRAA website.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Anita Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, September 09

For 2022, the Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) is forecasting total runs of 9,900 Chinook, 291,000 summer chum, and 11,800 coho salmon from releases at Anita Bay. The harvest to date is 2,400 Chinook salmon and 7,300 chum salmon by purse seine gear, 4,500 Chinook salmon, 5,400 chum salmon, and 50 coho salmon by drift gillnet gear, 220 Chinook salmon by troll gear, and 1,000 Chinook salmon and 92,500 chum salmon from cost recovery efforts. For further information and updates on SSRAA contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website.

 

For further information and updates on Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Deep Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, September 09

The Deep Inlet THA opened for the season on Wednesday, June 1. Seine openings are occurring on Sunday, Thursday, and Friday, while drift gillnet openings were on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Forecasted runs for Deep Inlet THA and Medvejie Hatchery include 1,814,000 chum salmon, 20,000 king salmon, and 97,000 coho salmon.

Gillnet harvest to date is approximately 2,200 Chinook salmon and 411,000 chum salmon. Seine harvest to date is approximately 1,000 Chinook salmon and 866,000 chum salmon.

This season, it’s planned to collect 122,500 chum salmon for broodstock from Deep Inlet. Approximately 10,000 chum salmon are still needed for broodstock.

The Deep Inlet coho salmon run has been exceptionally poor, with less than 6% of that forecast have returned to date. The Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) requested to protect the remaining chum and coho salmon for broodstock and cost recovery harvest, therefore, the Deep Inlet THA will close to all common property commercial salmon fisheries at the end of the troll opening on Saturday, September 10. NSRAA will continue to monitor the chum and coho salmon runs to both Bear Cove and Deep Inlet but a re-opening of the Deep Inlet THA this season is unlikely.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Hidden Falls THA

Last updated: Friday, September 09

The Hidden Falls Hatchery expected a run of 304,000 chum salmon. The Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) needs 150,000 chum salmon for broodstock and 50,000 chum salmon for cost recovery, leaving 104,000 chum salmon available for common property harvests. NSRAA does not intend to use a tax assessment on the common property harvest of chum salmon to satisfy cost recovery needs as provided under AS 16.10.455. There were no anticipated common property purse seine openings at Hidden Falls for 2022, but after a surplus of chum salmon was recognized, (7) common property openings occurred between July 21 and August 11. Total common property harvest for the Hidden Falls THA is 158,000 chum salmon. The chum salmon broodstock collection goal at the Hidden Falls Hatchery was achieved.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Crawfish Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, September 09

A run of 1,145,000 chum salmon was forecasted to return to the Crawfish Inlet remote release site in 2022. The Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) is conducting cost recovery in Crawfish Inlet with a goal of 740,000 chum salmon. No chum salmon are needed for broodstock. Cost recovery at Crawfish Inlet is approximately 85% complete. Based on cost recovery harvests and run timing, NSRAA does not anticipate achieving the cost recovery goals. Therefore, any common property openings in the Crawfish Inlet THA this season are unlikely.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Thomas Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, June 24

The Northern Southeast Alaska Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) is forecasting a total run of 68,000 chum salmon to Thomas Bay THA. This year’s run will be the fourth for this project and will be comprised of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old fish. A portion of the run may be harvested in common property fisheries in Chatham Strait and Frederick Sound.

The purse seine fishery will be open from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday and Thursday each week from Sunday, June 19, through Thursday August 4. The troll fishery will be open during those periods the purse seine fishery is closed, from 12:01 a.m., Sunday, June 19, through 11:59 p.m., Saturday, August 6.

Chinook salmon retention is permitted in the troll fishery only during general summer troll Chinook salmon retention periods established under 5 AAC 29.100; trollers may retain and sell only those Chinook salmon that are 28 inches or greater in length. Chinook salmon harvested in the purse seine fishery 28 inches or greater in length may NOT be retained and Chinook salmon less than 28 inches may be retained but not sold.

There has been no seine harvest reported in Thomas Bay through June 24.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Southeast Cove THA

Last updated: Friday, June 24

The Northern Southeast Alaska Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) is forecasting a total run of 174,000 summer chum salmon to the Southeast Cove THA. A portion of the run may be harvested in common property fisheries in Chatham Strait.

The purse seine fishery will be open from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday and Thursday each week from Sunday, June 19, through Sunday, July 31. The drift gillnet fishery will be open from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday each week from Tuesday, June 21, through Wednesday, July 27. The troll fishery will be open from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Monday, Friday, and Saturday each week from 12:01 a.m., Monday, June 20, through 11:59 p.m., Monday August 1.

There has been no reported seine harvest in Southeast Cove through June 24.

There are currently no plans for cost recovery in the Southeast Cove THA. The THA will close to all fisheries on Monday August 1. However, if significant numbers of fish remain, additional common property opportunity may be provided via emergency order (EO), or a cost recovery fishery may be implemented dependent on the presence of wild salmon stocks in the area. If closures or additional openings are warranted, they will be announced by advisory announcement.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

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Central Region

Bristol Bay

The commercial salmon season in Bristol Bay opens June 1 by regulation. Fishing in eastside districts and the Togiak District will be allowed using a weekly schedule that varies by section. The schedules are in place to balance fishing opportunity with escapement in the early part of the season, particularly for king salmon. As each run develops and sockeye salmon run characteristics become defined within individual districts, fishing time will be adjusted accordingly. In the Nushagak District, management will focus on king salmon in the early part of the season, and switch to sockeye salmon management as abundance dictates.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Bristol Bay Management Area

Togiak District

Last updated: Friday, August 19

The Togiak fishery is looking to be smaller than forecast. The harvest to date is 570,000 sockeye salmon which is slightly above average for this date. Final escapement, at 242,412 fish, is now in the upper end of the escapement goal range. Fishing effort and harvest has dropped off and the season is basically over. Pink and coho salmon harvest is low as well and these fisheries are also expected to end soon.

This is the last update for the 2022 Togiak salmon season.

 

Nushagak District

Last updated: Friday, August 05

The Nushagak District sockeye salmon run is essentially over. There does not appear to be much interest in pink and coho salmon which are now showing in increasing numbers. The total sockeye salmon run has exceeded 30 million fish and the harvest is at 22.79 million fish. There are no buyers operating in the Nushagak District at this time. Escapement estimates for sockeye salmon are above the goals on the Wood and Nushagak rivers. This is in large part due to efforts to get additional king and chum salmon through the district. The king and chum salmon escapements are short of their goals, though the large number of sockeye salmon in the Nushagak River did confound the chum and king salmon counts to some extent. All Nushagak escapement enumeration projects are now complete.

This is the last update for the Nushagak District in 2022.

 

Naknek-Kvichak District

Last updated: Friday, September 09

The Naknek River tower operated from June 20 until July 21 with a season total escapement of 1,921,296 sockeye salmon, which is within the escapement goal range of 800,000 to 2 million fish. The Kvichak River tower operated from June 22 until July 26 with a season total escapement of 4,224,882 sockeye salmon, which is within the escapement goal range of 2 to 10 million fish. The Alagnak River tower operated from June 29 until July 26 with a season total escapement of 1,668,222 sockeye salmon, which is above the lower bound escapement goal of 210,000 fish. Preliminary harvest  is 14.2 million sockeye, 1,129 king, 34,000 chum, 18,800 pink, and 1,000 coho salmon.

 

Egegik District

Last updated: Friday, July 22

Egegik Tower has completed operations for the season. Cumulative escapement through July 20 is 1.8 million fish. Total harvest through July 20 is 15.3 million fish.

Egegik District has been open to commercial fishing with both set and drift gillnet gear from 2:15 a.m. Sunday, July 17 until 9:00 a.m. Monday, August 8. The fall fishing schedule of 9:00 a.m. Monday to 9:00 a.m. Sunday will take effect on Monday, August 8.

 

Ugashik District

Last updated: Friday, July 22

Approximately 20,000 fish passed the Ugashik River tower on July 21, bringing the season total to 1.4 million fish. Total harvest through July 20 is 5.8 million fish.

Ugashik District has been open to commercial fishing with both set and drift gillnet gear from 3:30 a.m. Sunday, July 17 until 9:00 a.m. Thursday, August 4. The fall fishing schedule of 9:00 a.m. Thursday to 9:00 a.m. Monday will take effect on Thursday August 4.

 

Copper River and PWS Drift Gillnet

Last updated: Friday, September 09

The Copper River District opened to commercial fishing for a 24-hour fishing period on August 29, the 26th fishing period of the 2022 season. The Copper River District fishery has been closed since this fishing period. The Miles Lake field camp was deployed on Saturday, May 7. The cumulative sonar count through July 28 was 786,834 fish whereas 620,039 fish were projected by this date. The 6:00 a.m. count for July 29 is unavailable due to sonar being pulled for the season. The north bank sonar was first deployed at 1:00 p.m. on May 17 and the south bank sonar was first deployed at 10:30 a.m. on May 25. For the week ending September 10, the Copper River Delta survey count was 11,240 coho salmon versus an anticipated range of 18,286 – 38,285 fish. Observational conditions during this survey were largely good to fair with less than 10% of index reaches with poor observational conditions. The next aerial survey will be conducted when weather and observational conditions permit. The Copper River District switched to coho salmon management starting Monday, August 15. The standard management strategy for coho salmon is one or two 24-hour periods per week, depending on escapement and harvest levels, but low escapement and harvest levels this year have lead to extended closure of the commercial fishery.

The 2022 commercial harvest forecast for the Copper River District is 716,000 sockeye salmon and 211,000 coho salmon. The Chinook salmon harvest (all fisheries) is projected to be below the 10-year (2012–2021) average of 12,577 fish. The 2022 sockeye salmon harvest forecast is 38% below the 10-year (2012–2021) average of 1.09 million fish. The 2022 cumulative harvest through August 31 is approximately 35,100 fish including the 11,300 coho salmon harvested for the fishing period that started August 29. This cumulative harvest is 142,000 fish below the recent 10-year average of 177,000 coho salmon harvested by this date.

The 2022 Coghill Lake sockeye salmon total run forecast is 414,000 fish. Approximately 34,092 sockeye salmon have passed the Coghill weir compared to an anticipated cumulative estimate of 19,998–59,995 fish for the same date. Starting July 17, salmon were not counted at the Coghill River weir due to high water levels and the weir was pulled for the season on July 29. The chum salmon run to Wally Noerenberg Hatchery (WNH) is forecast to be 2.48 million fish. The 2022 sockeye salmon run to Main Bay Hatchery (MBH) is forecast to be 841,000 fish. The Eshamy River weir was installed on July 11 and the cumulative sockeye salmon count through August 28 is 19,325 fish compared to an anticipated cumulative estimate of 11,313–24,368 fish for the same date. No forecast was produced for Eshamy River this year due to lack of regular assessments in recent years.

The Coghill District is currently open 7-day per week to commercial drift gillnet salmon fishing. The Eshamy District is closed for the season.

The cumulative Coghill District harvest to date is 216,000 sockeye, 4,300 coho, 495,000 pink, and 1.04 million chum salmon. The cumulative Eshamy District harvest to date is 574,000 sockeye, 270,000 pink, and 151,000 chum salmon.

Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) has begun cost recovery fishing at both WNH and MBH. PWSAC is 78% complete with chum and sockeye salmon cost recovery harvest relative to their preseason targets. Chum salmon cost recovery at WNH is well behind and PWSAC opted to take additional cost recovery from the MBH sockeye salmon run.

 

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Prince William Sound and Copper River Management Area.

Prince William Sound Purse Seine

Last updated: Friday, September 02

Prince William Sound (PWS) purse seine fisheries were opened for daily 12- hour periods in the Eastern District from Sunday, August 28 through Wednesday, August 31. The last reported purse seine harvest occurred on August 22 with 7 reported deliveries amounting to 5,300 pink salmon and 1,100 chum salmon being harvested. The next anticipated purse seine commercial fishing opportunity will be in Port Valdez next week, targeting surplus Solomon Gulch Hatchery coho salmon. This fishery historically occurs the day after Labor Day and marks the end of the season for purse seine fisheries. Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) continues to secure broodstock at their 3 facilities and they have begun egg takes at of their facilities.  As of, Wednesday, August 31 they were 67% complete at Wally Noerenberg Hatchery (WNH), 58% at Armin F. Koernig (AFK), and 18% complete at Cannery Creek Hatchery (CCH). PWSAC does not anticipate having any surplus fish to support additional commercial fishing opportunities, and any potential surplus will be processed as raceway sales.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Prince William Sound and Copper River Management Area.

Upper Cook Inlet

Last updated: Friday, September 02

The 2022 Upper Cook Inlet commercial salmon fishery is nearing the end of the season. However, the following commercial fisheries are still currently underway in Upper Cook Inlet:

  1. Northern District Set Gillnet fishery: Mondays and Thursdays – 12 hour periods
  2. Western, Kustatan, and Kalgin Island Subdistrict Set Gillnet fisheries: Mondays and Thursdays – 12 hour periods
  3. Drift gillnet fishery: Mondays and Thursdays regular periods

Participation in both the Central District and Northern District fisheries continues to decline as fewer salmon are located in the districts.

The Kasilof River sonar ran from June 15 through August 15. The final sockeye salmon passage estimate in the Kasilof River was 971,604 fish, the highest sonar count in history exceeding the biological escapement goal (BEG) of 140,000 to 320,000 fish. The Kenai River sonar began operations on July 1 and concluded operations on August 16 after three consecutive days of daily sockeye salmon counts. The final sockeye salmon passage estimate in the Kenai River was 1,567,750 fish. The inriver goal of 1,100,000 to 1,400,100 fish has been exceeded. The Larson River weir began operations on July 7 and concluded on August 15. The final sockeye salmon count at the Larson River weir was 17,436 fish, achieving the lower end of the sustainable escapement goal (SEG) of 15,000 fish. The Judd Lake weir began operations on July 15 and the final day of counting occurred on August 20.  A total of 38,442 sockeye salmon have been counted at Judd Lake achieving the lower end of the SEG of 15,000 fish.

On August 7, Emergency Order 2S-32-22 was issued that opened set and drift gillnetting in the Chinitna Bay Subdistrict of the Central District on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.  These openings will continue until closed or changed by emergency order. Additionally, Emergency Order 2S-36-22 issued on August 15, 2022 restricted commercial fishing with drift gillnets to Drift Gillnet Areas 3 and 4 from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 15, 2022. 5 AAC 21.353 Central District Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan states that from August 1 through August 15, regular fishing periods will be restricted to Drift Gillnet Areas 3 and 4 if the department determines that less than one percent of the season's total drift gillnet sockeye salmon harvest has been taken per fishing period for two consecutive fishing periods in the drift gillnet fishery. Based on preliminary harvest reports, the sockeye salmon harvest in the drift gillnet fishery on August 8 and August 11 were both less than one-percent of the season’s total sockeye salmon catch. Therefore, drift gillnet fishing will be restricted to Drift Gillnet Areas 3 and 4 on August 15, 2022, in compliance with the Central District Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan.

The Central District Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan also stipulates that from August 16 until closed by emergency order, Drift Gillnet Areas 3 and 4 are open for fishing during regular fishing periods. Regulatory drift gillnet fishing periods restricted to only Drift Gillnet Area 3 and 4 of the Central District, will continue on Mondays and Thursdays 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the remainder of the UCI salmon fishing season, until closed or changed by emergency order.

On August 15, the commercial set gillnet fishery in the Upper Subdistrict of the Central District of Upper Cook Inlet was closed for the season by regulation.

The Northern District set gillnet fishery opened on August 29 and September 1 for the week. A total of 50,368 sockeye and 1,324 Chinook salmon have been harvested. Harvest from the September 1 opener was unavailable at the time of this report.

The Western Subdistrict set gillnet fishery was open August 29 and September 1 for the week. Total harvest for the season was 72 king salmon and 31,807 sockeye salmon. Harvest from the September 1 opener was unavailable at the time of this report.

The Kasilof Section of the Upper Subdistrict opened on June 23 for the season. The Kenai Section of the Upper Subdistrict opened on July 11. Approximately 81,145 sockeye and 248 king salmon have been harvested in the Kasilof Section of the Upper Subdistrict through the closure on July 18. Harvest for both king salmon and sockeye salmon fall below the previous 10-year average through July 18. Approximately 20,139 sockeye and 58 king salmon have been harvested in the Kenai Section of the Upper Subdistrict through July 18.

The drift gillnet fishery was open for regular periods on August 29 and September 1 in Drift Gillnet Areas 3 and 4. Additionally, fishing time was provided on August 30 and September 2 in Chinitna Bay. The combined harvest of 897,131 sockeye salmon was much less than the previous 10-year harvest, however participation is smaller than average. Harvest from the September 1 and September 2 drift openers were unavailable at the time of this report.

 

Please see the 2022 Upper Cook Inlet Salmon Fishing Outlook (PDF 589 kB) for more information on fishing strategies.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Upper Cook Inlet Management Area.

Lower Cook Inlet

Last updated: Friday, August 26

Through August 24, a total of 96,768 sockeye, 41,780 chum, and 298,107 pink salmon have been harvested by 11 commercial purse seine permit holders in Lower Cook Inlet excluding the Kamishak Bay Subdistrict. Approximately 20 set gillnet permits have harvested 24,705 sockeye, 173 Chinook,  362 coho, 2,736 chum, and 6,570 pink salmon through August 6. Through August 3, Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (CIAA) has harvested 112,627 sockeye salmon, and approximately 36,500 pink salmon for cost recovery purposes.

 

Southern District

Escapement- Through July 27, approximately 11,452 sockeye salmon have passed through the English Bay River weir. This is within the 6,000-13,500 fish sustainable escapement goal (SEG) range for this system.

Cost recovery harvest- Through August 10 CIAA has harvested 22,293 sockeye salmon and approximately 36,500 pink salmon from the Tutka Bay Lagoon special harvest area (SHA) for cost recovery. Anticipated number of salmon to be harvested from the Tutka SHA for cost recovery is 30,300 sockeye and 1.7 million pink salmon. An aerial survey of Tutka Lagoon on August 3 estimated 22,000 pink salmon in the lagoon. Historically by this date the run is 93% complete.

Common property purse seine- Through August 10, total commercial common property seine harvest from the Southern District is 81,034 sockeye, 5,756 pink, 308 chum and 167 coho salmon. There has been no reported commercial purse seine harvest from the Southern District since July 29.

Common property set gillnet- Cumulative harvest through August 5 is 24,705 sockeye, 173 Chinook, 7,847 pink, and 2,736 chum salmon. Cumulative harvest last year from the first 19 periods was 12,981 sockeye, 231 Chinook, 3,461 pink, and 2,231 chum salmon. The previous 5-year harvest average from these periods combined was 20,865 sockeye, 322 Chinook, 25,385 pink, and 3,922 chum salmon. There has been no reported commercial set gillnet harvest from the Southern District since August 5.

 

Eastern District

Escapement- Through July 6 a total of 12,584 sockeye salmon have passed through the Bear Lake weir. This is slightly below the upper end of the 5,160 - 12,760 fish escapement goal range for Bear Lake. This goal is the summation of the SEG (700 – 8,300 fish) added to the CIAA sockeye salmon broodstock goal (4,460 fish) for this stock.

Cost recovery harvest- Through June 30, CIAA has harvested 76,521 sockeye salmon for cost recovery from both cost recovery seiners fishing in Resurrection Bay as well as at the Bear Lake weir. Over the last 10 years approximately 93% of the final cost recovery harvest had been landed by this date on average. CIAA's preseason estimate was for a total return of 78,100 sockeye salmon to Resurrection Bay release sites in 2022, with 58,800 of those fish harvested for cost recovery. Saltwater cost recovery ended on June 19 with Resurrection Bay commercial common property seine harvest opening on Wednesday, June 22.

Common property purse seine- No harvest from the commercial common property fishery in Resurrection Bay has been reported. This fishery closed for the 2022 season at 10:00 p.m. on July 15. Current total estimated return for Resurrection Bay sockeye salmon, (Bear Lake escapement plus cost recovery harvest) is 89,105 fish. This figure does not include fish harvested by sport anglers.

 

Outer District

Escapement- The weir at Delight Lake was installed on July 5 and is staffed by CIAA. Final escapement through the weir when it was pulled on July 25 was 23,407 sockeye salmon with an additional 2,000 fish estimated below the weir. An aerial survey on June 27 documented 540 sockeye salmon in Delight Lake. Total sockeye salmon escapement into the lake is 23,947 fish. The SEG for Delight Lake is 7,550 – 17,650 fish.

Common property harvest- Through August 18 a total of 15,734 sockeye, 41,472 chum, and 292,351 pink salmon have been harvested by 10 permit holders from the Outer District.

 

Kamishak District

Escapement- Through July 27 a total of 14,700 sockeye salmon have been counted in Chenik Lake exceeding the SEG range of 2,900 – 13,700 fish.

Cost recovery harvest- Through August 3, CIAA has harvested 15,752 sockeye salmon from the Kirschner Lake SHA for cost recovery. Anticipated number of sockeye salmon to be harvested from the Kirschner SHA for cost recovery is 27,300 fish.

Common property harvest- Harvest from the Kamishak District is confidential due to fewer than three permit holders reporting deliveries.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Lower Cook Inlet Management Area.

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Westward Region

Kodiak

Last updated: Friday, September 02

The Outer Karluk Section of the Southwest Kodiak District, the North Cape and Central Sections of the Northwest Kodiak District and the Southwest Afognak Section of the Afognak District have been extended through Monday, September 5 targeting local late-run sockeye salmon.

The Karluk late-run sockeye salmon escapement through September 1 is 183,311 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date.

The Upper Station late-run sockeye salmon escapement through September 1 is 92,940 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date.  

So far this season, 170 purse seine permits and 135 set gillnet permits have made landings.  

As September 1, approximately 2,200,000 sockeye salmon have been harvested in the Kodiak Area, which is average. As of September 1, approximately 537,000 chum salmon have been harvested in the Kodiak Area, which is below average. As of September 1, approximately 14,900,000 pink salmon have been harvested in the Kodiak Area, which is average. As of September 1, approximately 73,000 coho salmon have been harvested in the Kodiak Area, which is well below average.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Kodiak Management Area.

North Peninsula

Last updated: Friday, September 09

Commercial fisheries were open in most areas on the North Peninsula during the last week but effort was limited to the Nelson Lagoon and Bear River Sections. About 6 permit holders are targeting coho salmon in Nelson Lagoon. Strong winds have impacted fishing in the Bear River and Nelson Lagoon Section. It appears that most of the effort in the Bear River Section has stopped and there may be no further deliveries. The Nelson River weir was removed on August 20 with the last day of counting fish resulting in almost 1,200 sockeye salmon. An aerial survey flown on August 20 showed about 5,000 sockeye salmon still holding in the river. The total Nelson River sockeye salmon escapement was 98,000 fish meeting the escapement objective of 97,000-219,000 fish. The Chinook salmon escapement goal of a minimum of 2,400 fish was met with over 3,785 fish that were passed through the weir.

The Bear River, Three Hills, and Ilnik Sections closed to commercial salmon fishing on July 29 and then reopened on August 9. The late-run sockeye salmon run at Bear River begins August 1 and the extended closure during this time is typical. The daily escapement for the late-run peaked on August 5 to date with over 13,000 sockeye salmon passing the Bear River weir. The weir was pulled for the season on August 27 with over 121,000 sockeye salmon counted toward the late-run escapement goal of 87,000-165,000 fish. No effort is occurring in the Three Hills and Ilnik Sections, and effort levels in the Bear River Section is about 10 boats per day which is less than half of the effort last week. Strong onshore winds have hampered fishing over the past few weeks.

At Nelson River, the escapement goal has been met. The weir was operational longer than usual to try and count the fish that have been observed in the river holding downstream below the weir. Aerial surveys in July and early August showed 14,000-20,000 sockeye salmon in the river behind the weir but they have been slow to pass, it is believed due to the very low river water levels. However, in early August, the rain started, the water levels increased and fish started to pass. The fish were staging below the weir site and most were colored up when they passed through the weir. Additionally, the commercial catches in Nelson Lagoon in August indicated that there are still ocean bright sockeye salmon entering Nelson Lagoon and the run was not entirely over. However, on August 22 there were more coho salmon caught than sockeye salmon which is typical for this date, indicating the sockeye salmon run is over.

The Ilnik River weir sockeye salmon count was 94,000 fish and when combined with the Ocean River sockeye salmon escapement of 16,000 fish brings the Ilnik River system escapement up to 110,000 fish, exceeding the escapement goal of 40,000-60,000 fish. The weir was removed in mid-July. The Sandy River sockeye salmon weir count of 42,000 fish met the escapement goal range of 34,00-74,000 fish and that weir was removed in July.

The total North Peninsula sockeye salmon harvest is over 3.5 million sockeye salmon compared to a preseason projection of 2.6 million fish. The Outer Port Heiden sockeye salmon harvest for 2022 is about 1.2 million sockeye salmon. The sockeye salmon harvest in Nelson Lagoon of 58,000 fish is well below average and one of the lowest harvests in many years. The bulk of the remaining North Peninsula harvest has occurred in the Port Moller to Strogonof Point reach. Minimal effort occurred in the Black Hills Section in 2022. Final aerial surveys occurred in the Cinder and Meshik Rivers, Herendeen-Moller Bays, streams in the Black Hills Section, and other systems throughout the North Peninsula in the last few days as weather finally cooperated. The Cinder and Meshik Rivers each had over 100,000 sockeye salmon and chum salmon escapements into Herendeen Bay was good. No fishery occurred in Herendeen Bay for chum salmon this year. Coho salmon surveys occurred this past week and most systems looked to have decent runs.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Alaska Peninsula Management Area webpage.

South Peninsula

Last updated: Friday, September 02

Commercial salmon fishing by set gillnet and seine gear opened at 8:00 a.m. Monday, August 29 and was extended until 8:00 p.m. Saturday, September 3 in the Beaver Bay, Balboa Bay, Southwest Stepovak, Northwest Stepovak, and East Stepovak Sections of the Southeastern District.

Commercial salmon fishing by set gillnet and seine gear opened at 8:00 a.m. Monday, August 15 and was extended until further notice in the Unimak District, the Southwestern District, excluding the inside waters of the Volcano Bay Section north and west of a line from Arch Point at 55° 12.30' N. lat., 161° 54.30' W. long. to a point on Belkofski Peninsula at 55° 09.50' N. Lat, 161° 57.80' W. long. (Statistical Area 284-36) and the inside waters of Belkofski Bay north of a line at 55° 08.00 ' N. lat., the South Central District, and the Shumagin Islands Section of the Southeastern District.

Commercial salmon fishing by drift gillnet gear opened from 8:00 a.m. Monday, August 15 and was extended until further notice in the Unimak District, and the Ikatan Bay Section of the Southwestern District.

The last aerial survey of the South Alaska Peninsula was conducted August 28.

The escapement goal for the South Alaska Peninsula Area for pink salmon is 1.75 to 4 million fish. To date, a preliminary estimate of approximately 3,992,450 pink salmon.

The escapement goal for the South Alaska Peninsula Area for chum salmon is 330,400 to 660,800 fish. To date a preliminary estimate of approximately 339,202 chum salmon have been seen in-river.  By the end of the salmon season, we would like to achieve the midpoint of the escapement goal, which is 496,000 chum salmon.

The sockeye salmon run at Christianson’s Lagoon was strong enough to meet its escapement goal and the fishery was opened from July 9 at 6:00 a.m. until further notice.

The Orzinski River weir was installed on June 17 and approximately 17,083 sockeye salmon have passed the weir for the season. The weir was pulled on August 5. The escapement goal for Orzinski on August 7 is for 15,000 to 20,000 sockeye salmon.

Participation is average at this time and only a couple of set net fishermen are still fishing.

There is one management plan in the South Alaska Peninsula Management Area that has allocative ties to another area. The Southeastern District Mainland Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 09.360) is based off the Chignik Management Area (Area L) harvest. Commercial salmon fishing has occurred in the Area L but harvest is not projected to be great enough to warrant fishing in the Southeastern District Mainland other than in Orzinski Bay which is managed based on local stocks.

Sockeye salmon harvest well above the recent 10- and 5-year averages, with 4,399,154 fish harvested through July 28. The 10-year average sockeye salmon harvest to date is 2,343,933 fish and the 5-year average is 2,362,596 fish.

Pink salmon harvest of 5,803,806 fish is well below the recent 10-year average of 7,253,282 fish.

The to-date chum salmon harvest of 794,514 fish is below the 10-year average of 1,036,743 fish and well below the 5-year average of 1,445,457 fish.

The Chinook salmon harvest to date is 12,471 fish is below the 10-year average of 17,057 fish.

The coho salmon harvest of 44,961 fish is well below the 10-year average of 269,638 fish.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Alaska Peninsula Management Area webpage.

Chignik

Last updated: Friday, September 09

The first commercial salmon fishing period opened at 9:00 a.m. Monday, July 11 in the Central, Eastern, Western, and Perryville Districts. Commercial salmon fishing opened in the Chignik Bay District for the first time at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 13. Fishing in all Districts has been open since and are open until further notice.

The final day of weir counts for the Chignik River was August 31. The final sockeye salmon count was approximately 781,000 fish. Final sockeye salmon escapement was higher than the historical average. Age-Sex-Length samples indicated an increase in the proportion of late run fish starting July 5. The final estimated early run escapement was approximately 424,000 fish and the estimated late run escapement through August 31 was 357,000 fish. The final escapement objectives are 350,000-450,000 fish for the early run and 220,000-400,000 fish for the late run. The early run met the season escapement goal of 350,000-450,000 fish. Despite this, the early run was considered late and weak with little excess available for harvest. The late run met the season escapement goal of 220,000-400,000 fish. The late run tracked ahead of interim escapement objectives and was of approximately average strength.

The Chignik River Chinook salmon escapement goal is 1,300-2,700 fish. Chinook salmon escapement this season was a record low. Only 761 Chinook salmon passed the weir. The sport fishery on Chinook salmon closed completely on July 13. In the commercial fishery, the Chignik Bay district has been required to release Chinook salmon greater than 28 inches caught in the commercial fishery. State and federal subsistence fishing was also closed to Chinook salmon in the Chignik River drainage beginning on July 13.

A final survey of the Eastern District was flown September 1 while final surveys of Western, Perryville, and Central Districts were flown August 26 to evaluate pink, chum, and coho salmon escapement. Surveys showed more total fish in the Western, Perryville, and Central Districts and the Agripina Section of the Eastern District than the previous week’s surveys. Chum salmon peaked in mid-August while pink salmon appear to have peaked within the last week of August. Both pink and chum salmon surpassed minimum escapement in most index streams and surpassed escapement goals for each district as a whole. Coho salmon in moderate numbers were observed in stream mouths and inner bays.

Approximately 36 vessels participated over the season. Through September 1, harvest by species excluding confidential harvest was approximately: 3,628 Chinook, 334,407 sockeye, 40,066 coho, 1,041,209 pink, and 70,779 chum salmon for a total salmon harvest of 1,490,089 fish. Sockeye salmon harvest levels remained below average for the year.

 

 

For Advisory Announcements detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the Advisory Announcements webpage.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Chignik Management Area webpage.

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Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim (AYK) Region

Yukon River

Last updated: Friday, September 09

The Yukon River has transitioned to fall season management. The fall chum salmon run is projecting to be the third lowest on record (1974–2021). The inseason projection does not meet the threshold of 550,000 chum salmon needed to allow any commercial fishing, so fishing remains closed for chum salmon. Subsistence fishing is open for sockeye, pink, and coho salmon, but chum and Chinook salmon subsistence fishing remains closed. The department will continue to monitor runs with assessment projects during the season. Assessment projects in the lower river have begun to wrap up, with the last days of counts scheduled for September 10 at the Lower Yukon Test Fishery, September 12 at the Mountain Village Test Fishery, and September 7 at the mainstem sonar near the community of Pilot Station.

The 2022 summer chum salmon run is the second lowest on record based on the Lower Yukon assessment projects. The final passage estimate of summer chum salmon at the Yukon River mainstem sonar by Pilot Station was 437,000 fish. The Chinook salmon run in the lower Yukon River is nearly complete. Chinook salmon passage at the Yukon River mainstem sonar was 44,000 fish, which is the lowest on record. Escapement goals within the Yukon River drainage will not be achieved. Commercial and subsistence fishing were closed for summer chum and Chinook salmon during the summer season.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Yukon Management Area.

Kuskokwim River

Last updated: Friday, July 15

There are currently no registered commercial fishery buyers for the 2022 season in the Kuskokwim Management Area. The 2022 Kuskokwim River Chinook salmon forecast is for a range of 99,000–161,000 fish. The drainage-wide Chinook salmon escapement goal is 65,000–120,000 fish. Current assessment data indicates the run is coming in within forecast. Average to above average runs of sockeye and coho salmon are expected in 2022. The chum salmon run is currently well below average. Both chum and sockeye salmon runs appear late. Coho salmon are expected to start being caught in lower Kuskokwim River assessment projects over the next week.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Kuskokwim Management Area.

Norton Sound

Last updated: Friday, September 09

The coho salmon season closed with a whimper as the run was much weaker than expected for a record parent year run in 2018. The harvest of just over 13,000 fish was well below the forecast of 50,000 to 100,000 fish, but was double the previous year's harvest. One escapement project is still operational. Chum salmon harvests were much larger than expected with a 30,000 fish harvested (forecast of 5,000 to 10,000 fish). The pink salmon harvest of 84,000 fish was much lower than last year's harvest of 289,000 fish, which was a function of lack of buyer interest. King salmon escapements were not reached, falling 2% short of the goal at North River (Unalakleet) and 85% short at Kwiniuk River (Elim). All chum and pink salmon escapement goals were reached. Two of three aerial survey goals for coho salmon are expected to be reached if water conditions allow for flights and there is aircraft availability.

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Norton Sound & Kotzebue Management Area.

Kotzebue

Last updated: Friday, September 09

The commercial salmon fishery closed on August 31 by regulation for the 2022 season. Chum salmon harvest of 475,752 fish was the 8th highest in the 61-year fishing history and well above preseason projected harvest of 100,000-200,000 fish. The number of permit holders fishing (65) was a 25% increase from last year but still the second lowest permit holders fishing in over a decade. The average weight of 7.6 pounds was higher than last year's record low weight of 7.4 pounds but still was only the 6th time in history the average weight was below 8 pounds. The 2022 average price was the highest since the record run of 2014 with a July price of $.50/lb and an August price of $.55/lb. 

 

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Norton Sound & Kotzebue Management Area.

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