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, July 01

During the 2022 Board of Fisheries (BOF) meeting in Anchorage, action plans were adopted giving the department direction, through emergency order authority, to identify and implement actions that provide conservation for Southeast Alaska/Yakutat (SEAK) and Transboundary River (TBR) wild Chinook salmon stocks while continuing to identify harvest opportunities for the troll fishery that maintain conservation of these stocks. These measures and supplementary emergency order actions restrict spring troll fisheries for conservation of SEAK and TBR Chinook salmon stocks by limiting fisheries to areas on the outer coast near hatcheries or hatchery release sites. A total of 11 spring troll and 9 terminal harvest areas targeting Alaska hatchery Chinook salmon were opened in May and June. The spring troll fishery season closed on June 30.

A total of 251 troll permits have reported 15,166 Chinook salmon harvested from 1,202 spring and terminal troll landings through June 30 (statistical week 27). This is a decrease in effort of 28 permits from 2021 and 58 permits from the 5-year average, primarily due to the reduced number of open fishing areas. The 2022 cumulative spring Chinook salmon harvest is down from 2021 by 995 fish but above the 5-year average by 1,833 fish. The seasonal spring troll Chinook salmon average weight of 11.5 lb is greater than the 2021 average of 11.4 lb but below the 5-year average of 12.3 lb for the same period. The spring seasonal Chinook salmon average price per pound of $7.20 is below the 2021 and 5-year average prices of  $9.51 and $8.85.

Alaska hatchery chum salmon fisheries have been opened in 6 spring troll and several terminal areas. Regional troll effort targeting hatchery chum salmon is low. Based on fish tickets received for statistical weeks 25 through 27, a total of 13 vessels have harvested 1,177 chum salmon in the Homeshore and Cross Sound chum salmon fisheries with a catch/landing of 62 fish.

The 2022 summer troll fishery opened July 1 at 12:01 a.m. to target approximately 110,200 Chinook salmon during the first summer retention period, estimated to last between 10 and 12 days. 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, July 01

The 2022 Southeast Alaska (SEAK) pink salmon harvest is predicted to be in the weak range with a point estimate of 16 million fish (80% prediction interval: 10-24 million fish). There have been two purse seine openings for the Point Augusta Index fishery. Effort was minimal each opening and harvest is confidential. The next opening will be Sunday, July 3 and area in Districts 1, 2, 4, 7, and 12 are scheduled to open. Subsequent openings will be based on aerial observations and fishery performance data. The department will carefully monitor inseason information and will manage the fishery to ensure escapement goals are met, obtain district and stock group escapement targets, and distribute escapements throughout the run while providing maximum fishing opportunity. The department is prepared to provide additional fishing opportunity as run strength and fleet distribution allows by expanding fishing opportunity from one to two 15-hour periods per week, to 39-hour periods, to 2-days-on/2-days-off, or a more continuous fishing schedule. 

In 2022, the District 4 purse seine fishery may start, by regulation, on Sunday, July 3. District 4 will be managed under the Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) annex through July 23 (statistical weeks 28, 29, and 30). The inseason forecast will be analyzed prior to the July 3 opening and if run size warrants an opening, the district will open on July 3. The initial opening will be for a yet to be determined length and will be based on the best available data at the time of the announcement. The duration of following openings will be based on sockeye salmon escapement estimates through the Tyee test fishery at the mouth of the Skeena River, harvest and catch per unit effort (CPUE), effort levels, and pink salmon run strength. Fisheries and Oceans, Canada (DFO) has a preseason expectation of approximately 2,694,000 sockeye salmon to the combined Nass and Skeena Rivers in 2022. This is a combined forecast of 2,134,000 Skeena River sockeye salmon and 560,000 Nass River sockeye salmon. If the 2022 forecast is accurate, and the combined escapement is 1.1 million sockeye salmon, then the Annual Allowable Harvest for District 4 will be approximately 39,000 Nass and Skeena Rivers sockeye salmon.

For the 2022 season, terminal harvest area (THA) purse seine fisheries to harvest fish returning to Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) hatchery release sites are occurring 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 have begun or are scheduled to open at later time at Thomas Bay, Southeast Cove, Deep Inlet, and Crawfish Inlet, and possibly the Amalga Harbor SHA remote release site to harvest returning Douglas Island Pink and Chum (DIPAC) fish. Common property purse seine openings in the Hidden Falls THA to target hatchery produced chum salmon are unlikely in 2022.

 

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, July 01

The Tree Point drift gillnet fishery was open 4 days starting on Sunday, June 26. In comparison to the 10-year average, harvest of Chinook salmon was near the average, all other salmon species was below average. The effort level of 30 vessels was below the 10-year average of 42 vessels. The estimated weekly harvest for statistical week 27 was 700 Chinook salmon, 5,000 sockeye salmon, 200 coho salmon, 2,000 pink salmon, and 10,000 chum salmon. The Nass River has a pre-season forecast of 560,000 sockeye salmon, allowing for a treaty harvest of approximately 50,000 sockeye salmon. With effort below average and currently no treaty concerns, Tree Point will open for 4 days in statistical week 28, beginning at 12:01 p.m., Sunday, July 3.

 

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, July 01

Districts 6 and 8 opened for an initial 48 hours beginning Sunday, June 26. Area was limited in District 8 to conserve Stikine River and Andrews Creek Chinook salmon. Additionally, a six-inch maximum mesh restriction was implemented for Chinook salmon conservation. The number of participants was near average and harvest rates for sockeye salmon were well above average in both districts. As such, a 24-hour extension occurred. While the sockeye salmon harvests were almost twice the average, the harvests of the other species were well below average. District 6 and a small area in District 8 will open on July 3 for 48 hours with mesh restrictions in effect for Chinook salmon conservation. ADF&G personnel will be on the grounds assessing sockeye salmon run strength for possible adjustments to fishing periods.   

The Districts 6 and 8 gillnet fishery is managed for sockeye salmon abundance through early August. The 2022 preseason forecast for Stikine River sockeye salmon is 63,000 fish, which is well below the average of 99,000 fish. This forecast includes: 42,000 Tahltan Lake and 21,000 mainstem sockeye salmon and results in a U.S. allowable catch of 9,500 Stikine River sockeye salmon and is comprised only of Tahltan Lake fish. The cumulative U.S. harvest of Stikine River sockeye salmon is estimated to be approximately 6,000 fish. Due to limited data available, reliable fishery statistics were not available for an inseason estimate this week. However, sockeye salmon harvests from the past couple of weeks suggests a stronger presence of Stikine River sockeye salmon then the preseason forecast.

The 2022 preseason terminal run forecast for Stikine River large Chinook salmon is 7,400 fish. This forecast is well below the average of 17,600 fish and below the escapement goal range of 14,000–28,000 fish. This forecast does not allow for directed Chinook salmon fisheries in District 8 and conservation measures will continue to be in place next week.

 

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, July 01

The second opening of the 2022 District 11 drift gillnet fishery drew higher interest and effort than the previous week with approximately 40 boats participating in the opening, about 62% of the recent 10-year average for the week. Significant restrictions on time, area, and gear remained in place to minimize harvest of Taku River Chinook salmon. This week showed a significant increase in sockeye salmon harvest from the previous week, and in response to the good harvest and relatively low number of boats fishing, the opening was extended by 10 hours to increase opportunity.

Fishermen choosing to use sockeye salmon nets were rewarded with a weekly harvest estimate of 5,500 sockeye salmon which was 146% of the recent 10-year average and the highest harvest for this week since 2014. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was more than double the recent 10-year average for the week. The average weight of sockeye salmon harvested varied depending on the mesh size used, but overall was just below six pounds, which is an improvement from last season. Inriver stock assessment of sockeye salmon on the Taku River has been ongoing and the fish wheels at Canyon Island have continued catching good numbers of sockeye salmon with CPUE above the recent 10-year average for the week. The Canadian inriver commercial fishery commenced this week. The harvest of fish previously tagged at the fish wheels will allow for mark-recapture estimates of the inriver abundance of sockeye salmon in coming weeks as more data becomes available.

Chinook salmon harvest was above average with an estimated 300 fish harvested, which is above the recent 10-year average but consisted of a substantial number of non-large and hatchery fish bound for Gastineau Channel. The Taku River drift gillnet stock assessment project is wrapping up their efforts capturing and tagging Chinook salmon with a cumulative catch of approximately 465 fish—about 300 fish being large Chinook salmon. The cumulative catch by the drift net crew suggests that this season’s Chinook salmon return will align with recent seasons where escapement was around 7,000 to 8,000 large Chinook salmon—well below the lower end of the escapement goal range of 19,000 to 36,000 large fish. A Chinook salmon escapement estimate will not be available until the recapture event on the spawning grounds is conducted in late July and early August.

The weekly harvest of chum salmon was estimated at 8,500 fish, which was approximately double the harvest for this week last season, but was a mere 13% of the recent 10-year average. CPUE was 33% of the recent 10-year average. Average chum salmon size was about 8.2 pounds, which is an uptick from what was seen this week last season. Chum salmon catch rates fell towards the end of the opening—more so than sockeye salmon catch rates during the fishery opening.

The District 11 drift gillnet fishery will again have a 48-hour opening next week with the north line relaxed to Jaw Point in Taku Inlet without any mesh size restrictions or night closures in place.

 

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, July 01

The commercial drift gillnet fishery in Lynn Canal/District 15 opened for 2 days on Sunday, June 26. Restrictions including reduced area and time, mesh size restrictions and night closures were again implemented as Chilkat River Chinook salmon conservation concerns continue. Section 15-A was open south of Eldred Rock Lighthouse and east of a line from Eldred Rock Lighthouse to a point 2.0 nmi from the eastern shoreline. In Section 15-C, open waters included the Postage Stamp and the Boat Harbor Terminal Harvest Area. Outside waters of the Boat Harbor THA remained open at 1.0 nmi offshore. Inside waters of the Boat Harbor THA will remain open with no restrictions until further notice.

Fishing effort was similar to last week with approximately 104 boats fishing throughout the district. For the second consecutive week, the majority of the effort was concentrated in the Postage Stamp, resulting in over-crowding issues. Approximately 90 Chinook, 4,000 sockeye, 10 coho, 11 pink, and 39,000 chum salmon were harvested. Although the sockeye and chum salmon harvest was significantly better than last week, the total harvest was below the recent 10-year average.

The Haines escapement monitoring programs have been compromised for nearly a week due to extreme flooding in the Chilkat and Chilkoot Rivers. At this time, there is concern for Chilkat River Chinook salmon as captures in the fish wheels and drift net projects are well below average. Sockeye salmon escapement to Chilkoot and Chilkat Lakes are also currently below average.

Next week (statistical week 28), commercial fishing in District 15 will open for 2 days. Night closures and a 6-inch maximum mesh restriction remain in effect. The Postage Stamp will be extended 1 nmi north of Vanderbilt Reef Light. All other open areas will remain the same as last week.

 

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, July 01

The Alsek River set gillnet fishery opened on June 26, for 72-hours. A total of 4 permits harvested 7 Chinook and 731 sockeye salmon. Fleet participation was below average, and Chinook and sockeye salmon harvests were below average for this statistical week. The Yakutat Bay fishery opened on June 26 and was open for 2.5 days. A total of 8 permits harvested 42 Chinook, 378 sockeye 2 coho and 13 chum salmon. Fleet participation was comparable to recent years and harvest was near average for this statistical week. The Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet was opened on June 26 and was open for 2.5 days. A total of 27 permits harvested 4,665 sockeye salmon. Fleet participation was average, and sockeye salmon harvest was below average. The Manby Shore Ocean fishery was also opened on June 26 and was open for 2.5 days. A total of 3 permits harvested 4 Chinook salmon, 2,770 sockeye salmon, and 1 pink salmon. Fleet participation was comparable to recent years and harvest was average for this statistical week. Manby inside waters were not fished for statistical week 27.

Escapement monitoring at the Situk River weir for sockeye and Chinook salmon started on June 1. To date, there has been 26,732 sockeye salmon and 198 Large Chinook salmon enumerated at the weir.

Fishing times may be adjusted based on escapement through the weir for statistical week 28. The East Alsek, Akwe, and the Italio River 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, May 20

The forecasted return for Nakat Inlet is 248,000 summer chum salmon and 50,000 fall chum salmon. Nakat Inlet will remain closed to harvest of salmon through 12:01 a.m., Thursday, September 1, to allow for Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) cost recovery operations.

 

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, July 01

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 opens to the harvest of salmon by troll gear on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, and by rotational fishery between drift gillnet and purse seine on Friday, June 17, 2022. Neets Bay will close to the harvest of salmon by all gear groups at 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2022, to allow for Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) cost recovery operations. The current harvest is 2,000 Chinook salmon and 1,500 chum salmon by purse seine and 2,400 Chinook salmon and 350 chum salmon by drift gillnet gear.

 

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, May 20

The forecasted return for Kendrick Bay is 732,000 summer chum salmon. Kendrick Bay will remain closed to harvest of salmon through 12:01 a.m., Thursday, September 1, to allow for Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) cost recovery operations.

 

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, July 01

The forecasted return for Carroll Inlet is 6,000 Chinook salmon. The Carroll Inlet THA opens to the harvest of salmon by all gear groups on Wednesday, June 1, and closes to purse seine and drift gillnet on Sunday, June 12, 2022. The rotational fishery between purse seine and drift gillnet begins on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. The Carroll Inlet THA will close to all gear groups on Thursday, June 30, 2022. Current harvest is 5,000 Chinook salmon by purse seine and 1,700 Chinook salmon by drift gillnet gear.

 

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, July 01

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. A total of 6,900 Chinook, 113,500 summer chum, and 5,200 coho salmon are expected to be available for harvest in the THA. The total harvest to date is 3,000 Chinook and 200 chum salmon. A rotational fishery began for drift gillnet and purse seine fleets on June 13. Additionally, Anita Bay will be closed to commercial salmon fishing from 11:50 p.m., Wednesday, July 6, through 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, August 31, to facilitate cost recovery efforts. If cost recovery efforts cease prior to September 1, the THA will be open to rotational harvest beginning with purse seine, through Wednesday, August 31.

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, July 01

The Deep Inlet THA opened on Wednesday, June 1.  Seine openings occur on Sunday, Thursday, and Friday, while drift gillnet openings are on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Forecasted runs for Deep Inlet THA and Medvejie Hatchery includes 1,814,000 chum salmon, 20,000 king salmon, and 97,000 coho salmon. This season, 122,500 chum salmon are needed for broodstock. The Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) does not anticipate cost recovery operations this season in the Deep Inlet THA.

Total seine harvest into Statistical Week 27 is 400 Chinook and 2,625 chum salmon. Deep Inlet drift gillnet harvest is confidential.

 

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

Hidden Falls THA

Last updated: Wednesday, May 11

The Hidden Falls Hatchery expects 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 are no scheduled common property purse seine openings at Hidden Falls for 2022. Due to a low projected run of chum salmon, Hidden Falls will be managed for broodstock. NSRAA will assess the run through a weekly test fishery to determine run strength. In the event that surplus chum salmon are available, common property openings may be announced. Purse seiners are advised that openings at Hidden Falls during the 2022 season may be announced with a minimum 24-hour notice if necessary, in order to maximize fish quality.

 

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

Crawfish Inlet THA

Last updated: Wednesday, May 11

A run of 1,145,000 chum salmon is forecasted to return to the Crawfish Inlet remote release site in 2022. No chum salmon are needed for broodstock. The Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) is planning to conduct a cost recovery of 740,000 chum this season in Crawfish Inlet. Following the conclusion of cost recovery operations in Crawfish Inlet, purse seine openings will be scheduled for Sundays and Thursdays. Seine openings may occur inside the boundaries of the special harvest area (SHA). Purse seiners are advised that openings at Crawfish Inlet during the 2022 season may be announced with a minimum 24-hour notice if necessary, in order to maximize fish quality.

 

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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Southeast Alaska & Yakutat | Central Region | Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Region | Westward Region

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, July 01

Commercial fishing is still slow in the Togiak District with minimal effort. It should increase next week. The Togiak Tower camp is expected to deploy July 3. Total harvest is close to 12,000 fish; the extended schedule will be implemented starting July 1.

 

Nushagak District

Last updated: Friday, July 01

The single day record harvest of 2.46 million sockeye salmon occurred on June 30. The cumulative harvest through June 30 was 7.2 million fish with a total run estimate of 11.4 million fish. Escapements on the Nushagak and Wood River are over the top ends for sockeye salmon. King and chum salmon runs on the Nushagak are projecting low. Igushik is off to a strong start.

 

Naknek-Kvichak District

Last updated: Friday, July 01

On June 28, Naknek River escapement was 54,000 fish for a cumulative of 300,000. Kvichak River escapement was 84,000 fish and the 6:00 a.m. count was 41,000 fish for a cumulative of 200,000 fish. The Kvichak inriver estimate is 150,000 fish. The Alagnak Tower became operational at midnight and approximately 2,900 fish have passed through the tower. The Naknek-Kvichak District harvest on June 28 was 181,000 fish for a cumulative of 1.2 million fish. There are 224 vessels registered to fish in the district.

The Naknek-Kvichak District will open to drift gillnet gear for an 18.5-hour period from 1:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 30. The current set gillnet period in the Naknek-Kvichak District will be extended for 25 hours from 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 29 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 30.

 

Egegik District

Last updated: Friday, June 24

Approximately 50,000 fish passed through the Egegik Tower on June 23, bringing the season cumulative to 145,000 fish. Information from the inriver test fishery and counting tower this morning, suggest that passage rates have slowed. Egegik District harvest from June 23 was 424,000 fish, for a season total of 1.3 million fish.

The Egegik District will open to commercial fishing with set gillnet gear for 8 hours from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Saturday, June 25. Commercial fishing with drift gillnet gear will open for 6 hours from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 25.

 

Ugashik District

Last updated: Friday, June 24

The Ugashik inriver test fishery began operations on June 23 and early data indicates a small amount of fish are moving into the river. The counting tower crew is mobilizing, and operations should begin over the next few days. There are currently 25 vessels registered to fish in the district. Through June 23, total harvest in the Ugashik District is 43,000 fish.

Ugashik District will open to commercial fishing with both set and drift gillnets for 12 hours from 6:45 a.m. until 6:45 p.m. Saturday, June 25.

 

Copper River and PWS Drift Gillnet

Last updated: Friday, July 01

The Copper River District opened to commercial fishing for a 36-hour fishing period on June 27 and a 48-hour fishing period on June 30. These were the 11th and 12th fishing periods of the 2022 season. The Miles Lake field camp was deployed on Saturday, May 7. The cumulative sonar count through June 30 is 623,202 fish whereas 455,856 fish are projected by this date. The 0600 count for July 1 is 2,684 fish. Both south and north bank sonars are currently deployed. The north bank sonar was first deployed at 1300 on May 17 and the south bank sonar was first deployed at 1030 on May 25; 24-hour data collection is anticipated from this point forward. Based on improving Chinook and sockeye salmon inseason abundance indices, Copper River fisheries are being progressively liberalized. Waters inside of the barrier islands from Steamboat through the eastern end of the district were open during the Monday, June 27 and Thursday, June 30 fishing period.

The 2022 commercial harvest forecast for the Copper River District are 716,000 sockeye 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 cumulative Copper River District harvest to-date is 455,000 sockeye and 11,300 Chinook salmon. The cumulative anticipated Copper River District sockeye salmon harvest to-date is 569,000 fish.

The 2022 Coghill Lake sockeye salmon total run forecast is 414,000 fish with a sustainable escapement goal (SEG) range of 20,000–60,000 fish. The Coghill River weir was fish tight as of June 9. Through June 30, 19,847 sockeye salmon have passed Coghill weir vs. an anticipated cumulative estimate of 4,792-14,376 fish for the same date. 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. Eshamy River escapement will be assessed in 2022, but no forecast was produced this year due to lack of regular assessment in recent years.

The Eshamy and Coghill districts opened to commercial salmon fishing for the season on May 30. The Eshamy District fishing schedule is currently two 36-hr fishing periods per week and the Coghill District fishing schedule is currently a 60-hr followed by an 84-hr period. 

The cumulative Coghill District harvest to-date is 89,300 sockeye and 523,900 chum salmon. The cumulative Eshamy District harvest to-date is 373,000 sockeye and 96,000 chum salmon.

Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) has begun cost recovery fishing at both WNH and MBH.  PWSAC is 63% complete at WNH and 100% complete at MBH.

 

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, July 01

The Prince William Sound (PWS) purse seine fishery is currently open for 3 periods per week to target enhanced chum salmon returning to the Armin F. Koernig (AFK) Hatchery special harvest area (SHA) and terminal harvest area (THA) and the Port Chalmers Subdistrict. The fishing schedule at both AFK and Port Chalmers was two back-to-back 12-hour periods on Monday and Tuesday and two 36-hour periods occurring on Thursday and Saturday. Cumulative harvest to date at AFK is 119,760 chum salmon and 21,871 sockeye salmon; the preseason chum forecast for AKF is 360,000 fish. Cumulative harvest to-date at Port Chalmers is 383,942 chum salmon, which is well above the preseason forecast of 280,000 chum salmon. Effort at both areas remains high.

Today, July 1, the purse seine fleet started a 36-hour period targeting Coghill Lake sockeye salmon. To reduce conflict with the gillnet fleet who are targeting both Wally Noerenberg Hatchery (WNH) enhanced chum salmon and wild sockeye salmon, the area available to the purse seine fleet is restricted to a terminal area near the mouth of the Coghill River. It is unknown how much effort this period will see.

The Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) began cost recovery efforts today, July 1. The VDFA preseason revenue goal estimated needing 3.2 million fish. Time and area available for upcoming commercial common property opportunities targeting pink salmon will be dependent on cost recovery progress and wild stock escapement indices.

Aerial surveys of the Eastern District have begun and a regular schedule of aerial surveys aimed at monitoring wild stock escapement trends is anticipated.

 

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, July 01

The following commercial fisheries are 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 Thursday
  4. Upper Subdistrict Set Gillnet fishery (ESSN): Mondays and Thursdays–  EO only
    1. Only the Kasilof Section is open at this time (Kenai Section will open on July 8)

The Kasilof River sonar began operations on June 15. The sockeye salmon passage estimate in the Kasilof River through Wednesday, June 29 is 80,286 fish. Total Kasilof River escapement falls below the previous 10-year average of 84,148 fish passage through June 29. The Kenai River sonar is expected to begin operation on July 1.

Participation in both the Central District and Northern District setnet fisheries is average, while participation in drift fishery is below average.

The Northern District set gillnet fishery opened June 27 and June 30. A total of 1,516 sockeye salmon have been harvested, with nearly a majority harvested in the directed king salmon fishery in early June.

The Western Subdistrict set gillnet fishery was open June 27 and June 30. Total harvest for the season was 29 king salmon and 1,029 sockeye salmon. Harvest from the June 30 opener was unavailable at the time of this report.

The Kasilof section of the Upper Subdistrict opened on June 23 for the season. A total of 24 hours of the available 24 hours of Emergency Order time was used for the week of June 26-July 2. Harvest from the June 30 opener was unavailable at the time of this report. Approximately, 23,378 sockeye and 68 king salmon have been harvested in the Upper Subdistrict through June 27. Harvest for both king and sockeye salmon fall below the previous 10-year average through June 27.

The drift gillnet fishery was open for regular periods District Wide on June 27 and June 30. The combined harvest of 4,383 sockeye salmon was much less than the previous 10-year harvest, however participation is small. Harvest from the June 30 drift opener was 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, July 01

Cost recovery of returning Trail Lakes Hatchery sockeye salmon from the Bear Lake release site began on May 24. Commercial set gillnet harvest began in the Southern District of Lower Cook Inlet on Thursday, June 2 with commercial purse seine openings for common property harvest in Kamishak Bay having begun on June 1. Set gillnet fishing in the Southern District is on a schedule of two 48-hour periods per week beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. Purse seine fishing periods in the specific areas of the Southern District began on Monday, June 13 on a schedule of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 16-hour fishing periods starting at 6:00 a.m. on those days.

Cumulative harvest to date from the set gillnet fishery in the Southern District is 10,512 sockeye, 144 Chinook, and 750 chum salmon. Cumulative harvest last year from the first 8 periods was 6,098 sockeye, 180 Chinook, and 411 chum salmon. The previous 5-year harvest average from these periods combined was 6,813 sockeye, 220 Chinook, and 615 chum salmon.

Harvest from the Kamishak District is confidential due to fewer than 3 permit holders reporting deliveries. Seine harvest from the Southern District to date is 14,356 sockeye salmon with an estimated 6 vessels participating.

Through June 25, approximately 5,207 sockeye salmon have passed through the English Bay River weir, which is above the anticipated range of 1,983- 4,463 fish for this date to achieve a final escapement on July 31; this is within the 6,000-13,500 fish sustainable escapement goal (SEG) range.

Through June 28, Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (CIAA) has harvested 75,742 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 92% 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. No harvest from the commercial common property fishery in Resurrection Bay has been reported. Current total return for Resurrection Bay sockeye salmon (Bear Lake escapement plus cost recovery harvest) is 86,077 fish. This figure does not include sockeye salmon harvested by sport anglers.

 

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, July 01

Kodiak commercial salmon fisheries continued this week in the Outer Karluk Section of the Southwest Kodiak District, and Central and North Cape Sections of the Northwest Kodiak District and was extended until June 30.

The fourth commercial salmon fishing period in the Alitak District was extended until July 2.

The Inner Kitoi Bay, Outer Kitoi Bay, Duck Bay, and Izhut Bay sections of the Afognak District closed on June 24 due to low hatchery chum salmon numbers.

The Foul Bay Special Harvest Area and the Waterfall Bay Special Harvest Area opened to commercial fishing on June 9 and will remain open until further notice.

In the Southwest Kodiak District, the cumulative Karluk River early-run sockeye salmon escapement through June 30 is 163,871 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date. The cumulative Ayakulik River early-run sockeye salmon escapement through June 23 is 141,536 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date.

In the Alitak District, the cumulative Upper Station early-run sockeye salmon escapement through June 30 is 70,810 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date. The cumulative Frazer sockeye salmon escapement through June 30 is 51,302 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date.

In the Afognak District the cumulative Afognak Lake (Litnik) sockeye salmon escapement through June 30 is 11,358 fish, which is below the desired escapement range for this date.

In the Northeast Kodiak District, the cumulative Buskin Lake sockeye salmon escapement through June 30 is 4,705 fish which is within the desired escapement range for this date.

In the Eastside Kodiak District, the cumulative Saltery Lake sockeye salmon escapement through June 30 is 1,534 fish which is close to the desired escapement range for this date.

In the Eastside Kodiak District, the cumulative Pasagshak Lake sockeye salmon escapement through June 30 is 191 fish which is close to the desired escapement range for this date.

There is currently little or no early information on sockeye runs at Kaflia, Swikshak, Miam, Uganik, Little River, Malina, Long Lagoon, Thorsheim, Perenosa Bay, Pauls Bay, Akalura, Horse Marine, and other minor sockeye salmon systems.

So far this season, 74 purse seine permits and 84 set gillnet permits have made landings. It is anticipated that approximately 190 purse seine and 165 set gillnet permits will participate by the end of the season.  

As of June 30, approximately 438,000 sockeye salmon have been harvested in the Kodiak Area, which is average. As of June 30, approximately 88,000 chum salmon have been harvested in the Kodiak Area, which is below average.

 

 

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

North Peninsula

Last updated: Friday, July 01

Commercial fisheries are open in some locations on the North Peninsula. Harvest has been reported in the Nelson Lagoon Section with about 25 permits fishing the weekly fishing period. The harvest was on average 3,000-4,000 sockeye salmon per day for the first 2 days of the fishing period this week. Harvests are below long-term averages for this date.

The Ilnik River Section has been open 7 days per week as the upper escapement goal for the season has been met. Sockeye salmon harvests have been good in the Ilnik Section this week although there was strong winds late last week that limited fishing. The Outer Port Heiden Section opened for 2.5 days this week and catches ranged from 99,000-128,000 sockeye salmon per day from 73-83 vessels for the first 2 days. Aerial surveys on Meshik River have been conducted for the last 2 weeks under poor survey conditions.

The Nelson, Bear, Sandy, and Ilnik River weirs are all operational. At the Nelson River, 6,800 sockeye salmon have been enumerated which is behind for the date. An aerial survey on June 29 showed 9,000 sockeye salmon in the river and 400 Chinook salmon.  Escapement at Nelson River is behind sockeye salmon escapement objectives. Sandy River weir counts are up to 9,900 sockeye salmon. The June 30 interim escapement objective is a minimum of 13,000 fish and weir counts are a couple days behind schedule. Strong winds limited some counting in the last week. No commercial fishing has occurred in the Bear River and Three Hills Sections this year as both rivers have been tracking the 5-day escapement objectives but without a large scale commercial fishery. At the Ilnik River weir, approximately 59,000 sockeye salmon have been counted which is above the 10-year average escapement for this date and well ahead of 5-day interim escapement objectives. 

The total North Peninsula sockeye salmon harvest is over 900,000 sockeye salmon compared to a preseason projection of 2.6 million fish.

 

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

South Peninsula

Last updated: Friday, July 01

The last commercial fishing period in June began on June 25 at 6:00 a.m. and closed June 28 at 10:00 p.m. The Shumagin Islands Section of the Southeastern District was reduced to 40 hours from 6:00 a.m. June 25 to 10:00 p.m. June 26 for seine gear due to low returns of Chignik River early-run sockeye salmon, which was designated a stock of concern at a March 2022 board of fisheries meeting.

Three short aerial surveys have been flown so far this year and there are small numbers of pink salmon appearing in some streams and sockeye salmon appearing in the Northwestern District.

The Orzinski River weir was installed on June 17 and approximately 1,622 sockeye salmon have passed so far this season. The first escapement goal for the Orzinski weir is on July 1 and that is for 1,500-2,000 sockeye salmon.

Participation in the fishery is currently average. The commercial salmon purse seine fleet has been standing down to avoid harvesting chum salmon in the South Unimak June fishery and the seine fleet has been restricted to 40-hour openings in the Shumagin Islands Section of the Southeastern District due to low returns of early-run sockeye salmon in Chignik.

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. No commercial salmon fishing has occurred in Chignik at this time.

Sockeye salmon harvest is well above the recent 10- and 5-year averages, with 3,948,207 fish harvested through June 28. The 10-year average sockeye salmon harvest to date is 1,351,237 fish and the 5-year average is 1,468,940 fish. The pink salmon harvest of 1,162,533 fish is below the recent 10-year average of 2,070,546 fish and the most recent 5-year average of 3,374,979 fish. The to date Chum salmon harvest of 531,350 fish is above the 10-year average of 502,114 fish and below the 5-year average of 677,551 fish. Chinook and coho salmon catches are relatively low, which is normal for this time of year.

 

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

Chignik

Last updated: Friday, July 01

No commercial salmon fishing will occur in the waters of the Chignik Management Area until sockeye salmon escapement goals are met. Escapement estimates are below average with a total count of 213,821 sockeye salmon. One aerial survey has been flown with no salmon being observed, which is normal for this time of year. There is one salmon enumeration project operated in the Chignik Area, the Chignik Weir. The Chignik Weir is enumerating sockeye salmon and the run to this point appears to be weak. There are no anticipated commercial salmon fishing periods currently with the Chignik weir escapement being approximately 70,000 fish behind the minimum goal for this time period. There is no new information about the level of participation for the commercial salmon fishing fleet for the Chignik Management Area.

 

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: Wednesday, May 11

Commercial fishing opportunity is not expected for the Yukon River Area in 2022. The drainagewide summer chum salmon outlook is for a run size of 333,000 fish, with a range of 162,000 to 542,000 fish. The run is likely to be below the drainagewide escapement goal of 500,000 to 1,200,000 fish.

Fall chum salmon projection will be revised in early July based on summer chum salmon run size. The outlook for fall chum salmon is a range of 78,000 to 148,000 fish, which is below the drainagewide escapement goal of 300,000 to 600,000 fish. Chinook and coho salmon run outlooks are also poor and below average.

The full 2022 outlook flier can be found here: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/applications/dcfnewsrelease/1368784388.pdf

 

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

Kuskokwim River

Last updated: Wednesday, May 11

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. If the run comes back as projected, the drainage-wide escapement goal is expected to be achieved and a full subsistence harvest may be realized. Average to above average runs of sockeye salmon and coho salmon, and below average chum salmon are expected in 2022. Escapement information will not be available until projects begin operation in mid-June. The standard suite of weirs, sonar, test fisheries, and aerial surveys will operate in the 2022 season.

Subsistence fishing closures for Chinook salmon will go into effect on June 1, 2022 in the lower Kuskokwim River and proceed upstream through the subsistence fishing sections until June 11, 2022.

 

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

Norton Sound

Last updated: Friday, July 01

Escapement projects have been operational for 1 to 2 weeks in southern Norton Sound. The department suspended the subsistence fishing schedule earlier this week;  instead of the original schedule there was one 24-hour subsistence fishing period that ended Friday morning in both marine and fresh waters with gear restricted to 6 inches. Although only nearing 5% of the historical king salmon passage for June, the projection shows the low end of the king salmon escapement goal range will be reached. Escapement estimates fell short the last two years with no subsistence restrictions. Chum salmon runs have started off slow, and pink salmon runs are starting to pick up. Regulation allows for a direct pink salmon commercial fishing period starting today (July 1) but the department is holding off to allow more chum and king salmon to pass. The registered buyer is gearing up for commercial pink salmon fishing beginning after July 4.  

 

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

Kotzebue

Last updated: Friday, July 01

Commercial fishing in the Kotzebue area starts on July 10. Two buyers have registered in the area. The department expects a run similar to last year when just under 100,000 chum salmon were harvested. The commercial fishing schedule is expected to be greatly reduced again in hours and days fished.

 

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

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