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: Friday, May 16, 2025

Area-specific fishery announcements, harvest, and escapement data can be found on the Commercial Fisheries homepage.

Inseason fish counts are posted on the Fish Count Data Search homepage.

Inseason harvest timing can be tracked here: Inseason Commercial Salmon Harvest Timing.

Southeast Alaska & Yakutat

Troll Fishery

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

The first Chinook salmon opening of the general summer troll season began on July 1 to target approximately 38,000 fish. The fishery was open for Chinook salmon retention for 4 days. Landing reports indicate a reduced number of vessels compared with the previous 2 years.

Preliminary fish ticket data reported through July 10 indicates a total of 435 troll permits have landed 42,000 Chinook salmon. Additional fish tickets are not accounted for and the final harvest estimate is not expected for another week. Harvest reported on fish tickets for other species include 39,800 coho and 28,600 chum salmon. Average prices are $7.83/lb for Chinook, $1.81/lb for coho and $0.60 /lb for chum salmon. Current average weights are 10.8 lb for Chinook, 5.0 lb for coho, and 7.5 lb for chum salmon. Chinook salmon average weight is equal to the 2024 average but below the 5-year average by 0.1 lb, while coho salmon average weight is above the 2024 and 5-year averages by 0.1 lb and 0.3 lb. Chum salmon average weight is below the 2024 and 5-year averages by 1.6 lb and 0.6 lb.

The current regional power troll coho salmon catch rate for this week (SW 28) is 63 coho/boat/day, with the highest catch rate in the Central Outside area at 84/boat/day, followed by the Southern Outside area at 35/boat/day.

Directed chum landings reported on fish tickets for the summer troll fishery in West Behm Canal and Neets Bay indicate 37 vessels have taken 21,600 chum salmon from 75 landings at a rate of 288 fish per landing. A total of 7 vessels have reported 4,200 chum salmon from 18 landings in District 14 (Icy Strait) at a rate of 231 fish per landing.

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

Purse Seine Fishery

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

A detailed management plan for the 2025 season will be posted at:

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#management

Regulations allow purse seine fishing in Districts 1 (Sections 1-C, 1-D, 1-E, and 1-F only), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Sections 6-C, 6-D, and 6-E only), 7, 9, 10, 11 (Sections 11-A and 11-D only), 12, 13, and 14. Although the areas specified above are designated purse seine fishing areas, specific open areas and fishing times are established in season by emergency order (EO). Purse seine fishing is also allowed in hatchery terminal harvest areas (THA) at Carroll Inlet, Neets Bay, Kendrick Bay, Anita Bay, Thomas Bay, Southeast Cove, Hidden Falls, Deep Inlet, Crawfish Inlet, and Amalga Harbor. Purse seine openings in THAs are established by EO in consultation with hatchery operators.

The 2025 SEAK pink salmon harvest is predicted to be in the average range with a point estimate of 29 million fish (80% prediction interval: 16–53 million fish). Although uncertainties are inherent in salmon forecasts, the NOAA/ADF&G joint pink salmon harvest forecast has maintained a strong track record, despite the unique forecasting challenges for pink salmon.

Traditional pink salmon openings begin Thursday July 3 in Districts 1, 2, and 4. Traditional pink salmon openings continued with two openings this week on July 6 and July 10. Area expanded to include area in Districts 7 and 14 for yesterday’s opening on July 10. Pink salmon harvests have increased and are generally above average but are not at the levels seen during the 2023 parent year. The next opening is scheduled for July 13 and additional area is expected to open.

Common property purse seine openings began June 1 in select THAs and continues in the Kendrick, Anita, and Thomas Bays THAs. All other THAs have closed for cost recovery fishing and/or broodstock collection.

The ADF&G interactive map where districts, sections, closed waters as well as other features used in the management of commercial salmon fisheries can be viewed, has been updated with recent changes from the Alaska Board of Fisheries and descriptions of THAs have been added. This map is available on the ADF&G website at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#maps. Geographic information system data used to make the map is also available for download at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=cfnews.main.

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

Drift Gillnet Fishery

Last updated: Friday, June 20, 2025

A detailed management plan for the 2025 season will be posted at:

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#management

There are 5 traditional drift gillnet fishing areas in SEAK: Tree Point and Portland Canal (District 1); Prince of Wales (District 6); Stikine (District 8); Taku/Snettisham (District 11); and Lynn Canal (District 15). In addition, drift gillnet fisheries occur in several terminal harvest areas (THA) adjacent to hatchery facilities and at remote release sites throughout the region. The Pacific Salmon Treaty PST directly influences management of Districts 1, 6, 8, and 11 drift gillnet fisheries (5 AAC 33.361).

The drift gillnet fishery primarily targets sockeye, pink, and chum salmon during the summer season and coho and chum salmon during the fall season. Directed commercial fisheries harvesting Stikine and Taku Rivers stocks of Chinook salmon began in 2005 after ceasing in the 1970s. District 8 was opened to directed fisheries on Stikine River Chinook salmon from 2005 through 2008, and limited fisheries occurred in 2012 and 2016. In District 11, directed fisheries on Taku River Chinook salmon occurred in 2005, 2006, and 2009, and two 12-hour openings occurred in 2012.

Traditional common property fisheries began on June 15. For details on various drift gillnet fisheries, see the following sections by gillnet area.

The ADF&G interactive map where districts, sections, closed waters as well as other features used in the management of commercial salmon fisheries can be viewed, has been updated with recent changes from the Alaska Board of Fisheries and descriptions of THAs have been added. This map is available on the ADF&G website at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#maps. Geographic information system data used to make the map is also available for download at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=cfnews.main.

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 11, 2025

The Tree Point drift gillnet fishery opened at 12:01 p.m., on Sunday, July 6, for an initial 4-day fishing period. In comparison to the 10-year average, the harvest of all salmon species were below average. The effort level of 35 vessels was below the 10-year average of 40 vessels. The estimated weekly harvest for statistical week 28 was 40 Chinook salmon, 400 sockeye salmon, 100 coho salmon, 9,000 pink salmon and 30,000 chum salmon. The 2025 preseason forecast for the Nass River is 597,000 sockeye salmon, allowing the Section 1-B drift gillnet fishery to harvest approximately 54,700 sockeye salmon of Nass River origin. With effort below average and currently no treaty concerns, Tree Point will be open four days in statistical week 29, beginning at 12:01 p.m., Sunday, July 13, 2025.

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 11, 2025

District 6 and two small areas in District 8 were opened for an initial 96 hours. Management emphasis was based on sockeye salmon abundance with Chinook salmon conservation measures in place for both districts. A large area closure was in place for District 8 and the maximum size mesh allowed in both districts was six inches. Results from on-the-grounds surveys indicated above average sockeye salmon abundance for the time of year with a below average number of participants. As such, a 48-hour extension occurred. The next opening will start on Sunday, July 13, for 48 hours in the same open areas as last week with mesh restrictions in effect for Chinook salmon conservation. Then, following the closure on Tuesday, District 8 will re-open for a 24-hour mid-week with expanded area starting at 6:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 15. As per the McDonald Action Plan, District 6 will be limited to 48 hour openings for the next three weeks. Management personnel will be on the grounds assessing sockeye salmon run strength and wild Chinook salmon harvests for possible adjustments to the mid-week opening.

Inseason model projections for Stikine River sockeye salmon are pointing towards a 90,000 fish run with a U.S. allowable catch near 40,000 fish, mostly of Tahltan Lake bound fish. The cumulative U.S. harvest is estimated to be approximately 10,700 Stikine River sockeye. Considering historical harvest timing, the Tahltan portion of the run typically peaks this time of year as mainstem sockeye salmon harvests typically peak a couple of weeks later.

The 2025 preseason terminal run forecast for Stikine River large Chinook salmon is 10,000 fish. This forecast is well below the 10-yr average of 14,500 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. Recent trends of Stikine River Chinook salmon abundance and trends in Chinook salmon abundance throughout SEAK indicate very poor survival of Chinook salmon. As such, conservation measures will be in place for next week’s opening. It is estimated that 300 large Stikine River Chinook salmon have been harvested in commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries in District 8 at the time of publication.

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 11, 2025

District 11 drift gillnet fishery drew the effort of an estimated 70 vessels making landings in this week’s opening which was 88% of the recent 10-year average. Harvest in the district this week was above average for all species except for pink salmon.

Sockeye salmon harvest was good this week with an estimated harvest of 8,500 fish, which is 127% of the recent 10-year average and catch per unit effort (CPUE) 91% of average. Reported sockeye size was a mixed bag on the grounds this week with fishermen seeing large blueback lake fish upwards of 6-pounds at times, along with shots of small, less than 5-pound fish hitting their nets. Otolith samples taken from sockeyes harvested in Taku Inlet indicated an increased component of Little Trapper and Tatsamenie Lakes fish in the harvest this week. Interestingly, no Snettisham hatchery sockeyes were found in the sample this week. Up Taku River, sockeye catches at the Canyon Island fish wheels increased over the previous week, and the Canadian inriver commercial gillnet fishery had strong harvests with low effort. The first inseaon Taku River sockeye salmon run estimate is likely to be produced next week.

Harvest of hatchery chum salmon was very good in the district this week with an estimated 195,000 fish harvest, which is 179% of the recent 10-year average and CPUE 156% of average. Douglas Island Pink and Chum (DIPAC) gave an average weight of 7.0-pounds and 65% male this week from a sample of Taku Inlet harvested chum salmon this week.

District 11 will open for three days next week with no area restrictions in Taku Inlet. In effort to conserve wild sockeye salmon returning to Port Snettisham streams, on day-three Stephens Passage, south of Circle Point, will utilize a 6-inch minimum mesh size restriction. Limestone Inlet will open to the inside markers on day-three to allow additional opportunity to harvest hatchery chum salmon returning to the inlet.

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 11, 2025

District 15 opened for two days this week with expanded fishing areas targeting wild sockeye and hatchery-produced chum salmon. In Section 15-A, the eastern shoreline was extended north to Ayiklutu Point, while in Section 15-C, fishing was permitted south of the latitude of the Boat Harbor Terminal Harvest Area (THA) southern line. The Boat Harbor THA itself was extended to 2 nautical miles offshore and opened initially for three days, followed by a 24-hour extension. Conservation measures for Chilkat River Chinook salmon remained in effect throughout the district. Inside waters of the Boat Harbor THA remain open until further notice, with no current restrictions.

Fishing effort increased slightly from the previous week, with approximately 140 vessels making landings—just below the 10-year average of 147 boats for this period. Most of the fleet focused on targeting hatchery chum salmon in Section 15-C, though there was some renewed participation in Section 15-A. Sockeye harvest in Section 15-A showed a notable improvement; however, catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) in Section 15-C remained low. The total sockeye harvest was approximately 4,000 fish—only 56% of the recent average and below expectations for this time.

Chum salmon harvest remained strong and stable, with an estimated 270,000 fish landed—118% of the average. DIPAC reported an average weight of 6.2 pounds per chum, a slight decline from last week, and a sex ratio of 60% male. Pink salmon began to appear in District 15, though harvest remains modest at around 5,000 fish, well below average. Notably, some unusually large pink salmon were reported, weighing up to 8 pounds. Coho salmon harvest declined this week and was below average.

Sockeye passage through the Chilkoot River weir continues to lag, mirroring last year’s delayed trend. High river levels and poor visibility offer some optimism that fish are merely delayed and may arrive in greater numbers soon—though hopefully not in the compressed pulses observed in past years. In contrast, escapement to Chilkat Lake is progressing well, with 8,300 sockeye counted to date. The Chilkat River adult Chinook drift gillnet project also continues to perform strongly, with 57 large Chinook captured to date, tracking above average.

Due to continued weak performance of Chilkoot sockeye salmon stocks, District 15 will open for two days next week with the same areas open as this week. However, Chinook salmon restrictions will be lifted in Section 15-C.

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 11, 2025

The Alsek River set gillnet fishery opened on July 6, for 72-hours. A total of 7 permits harvested 2 Chinook and 2,030 sockeye salmon. There was a 24-hour extension on the Alsek River this week, due to this not all fish tickets are accounted for, and so harvest is preliminary. Fleet participation was near average, and the Chinook harvest was average, and sockeye harvest was above average for this statistical week.

The Yakutat Bay set gillnet fishery opened on July 6, for 84-hours. There was a 24-hours extension on give for Yakutat Bay this week. A total of 9 permits harvested 23 Chinook, 860 sockeye, 21 coho, 87 pink and 3 chum salmon. Fleet participation was above recent 5-year average and harvest of all species was above the 10-year average for this statistical week.

The Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet set gillnet fishery opened on July 6, for 60-hours. A total of 24 permits harvested 3,856 sockeye, 3 coho, 157 pink and 1 chum salmon. Fleet participation was average, and sockeye harvest was average for this statistical week.

The Manby Shore Outside set gillnet fishery opened on July 6, for 84 hours. There was a 24-hours extension on give for Manby Shore Outside Waters this week. A total of 5 permits harvested 4 Chinook, 2,374 sockeye, 4 coho, 3 pink and 1 chum salmon. Fleet participation was average, and harvest was near average for this statistical week.

The Dangerous River also fished this week, but due to less than 3 permits fished. Harvest information is confidential.

Escapement monitoring at the Situk River weir for sockeye and Chinook salmon started on June 1st. To date, 41,256 sockeye, 271 large Chinook, 146 medium Chinook and 255 small Chinook salmon have been enumerated at the weir. Model still has not been run to account for the 10 days that weir was not fish tight in the early part of June.

The East Alsek River and the Akwe River will be opened on statistical week 29.

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: Friday, July 11, 2025

The outside waters of the Boat Harbor THA opened initially for three days this week, followed by a 24-hour extension for a total fishing period of four days. Fishing was open within 2.0 nmi of the western shoreline of Lynn Canal south of the latitude of Lance Point at 58°43.95′ N lat and north of the latitude of a regulatory marker at 58°36.96′ N lat. Conservation measures for Chilkat River Chinook salmon remained in effect this week but will be removed next week (SW 29).Approximately 200,000 chum salmon were harvested in the THA this week. The inside waters of the Boat Harbor THA will remain open until further notice with no restrictions. DIPAC is projecting an above average total return of up to 2.8 million hatchery-produced chum salmon to the Boat Harbor and Amalga Harbor release sites in 2025, with a projected common property harvest of 1.3 million fish. Harvest opportunities throughout the season will remain contingent upon the inseason abundance of wild salmon returning to Chilkat and Chilkoot Rivers.

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

Nakat Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

The forecasted Nakat Inlet return is 516,000 summer chum, 6,000 fall chum, and 22,000 coho salmon. The Nakat Inlet THA will be open by regulation to the harvest of salmon by drift gillnet gear from Sunday, June 1, through Monday, November 10, 2025. The current estimated harvest is 100,000 chum salmon.

For updates on SSRAA contributions visit their website at http://www.ssraa.org/.

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

Neets Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

In 2025, SSRAA is forecasting total runs of 1,375,000 summer chum and 98,000 coho salmon with anticipated terminal runs of 894,000 summer chum and 39,200 coho salmon to the Neets Bay THA and will open to troll gear.

The Neets Bay THA will be expanded on July 1 to Chin Point at 131°42.10′ W long (Chin Point line) for troll gear only. Chinook salmon may NOT be retained in this expanded area, as Chinook salmon retention and possession in the Neets Bay THA is prohibited for vessels operating commercial troll gear within all waters of the THA.

The THA will remain open to troll gear 12:01 AM, Friday, June 27 through 11:59 PM, Thursday, July 31 as follows, unless closed by emergency order:

  • 12:01 AM, Friday, June 27, to 11:59 PM, Monday, June 30, east of the Bug Island line (131°39.14' W long);
  • 12:01 AM, Tuesday, July 1, to 11:59 PM, Thursday, July 31, east of the Chin Point line (131°42.10' W long);

The Neets Bay THA is not scheduled to open for rotational net fisheries in 2025. Details of the 2025 season fishing schedule and area for the Neets Bay THA were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 15. Common property fisheries, if warranted, will be announced by advisory announcement, and opened by EO in consultation with SSRAA.

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

Kendrick Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

For 2025, SSRAA is expecting a total run of 1,431,000 summer chum salmon with an anticipated terminal run of 358,000 summer chum salmon. Due to budgetary shortfalls and the need for additional cost recovery, the Kendrick Bay THA will NOT open by regulation on June 15. The Kendrick Bay THA will remain closed to common property harvest until approximately 1.5 million pounds of chum salmon are harvested for cost recovery. Details of the 2025 fishing schedule for the Kendrick Bay THA were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 16.

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

Caroll Inlet THA

Last updated: Thursday, July 03, 2025

The forecasted return for Carroll Inlet is 11,100 Chinook salmon. The Carroll Inlet THA will be open to troll gear from Sunday, June 1, through Monday, June 30, 2025. The Carroll Inlet THA will be open in the waters of Carroll Inlet north of the latitude of 55°34.83′ N lat, approximately 1.3 nautical miles north of Nigelius Point, to the harvest of salmon by net gear groups from Sunday, June 1, through Saturday June 7, 2025. The entire THA will open to drift gillnet and purse seine concurrently Sunday, June 8 through noon, Thursday, June 12, 2025. The Carroll Inlet THA will open to a rotational fishery between purse seine and drift gillnet on Sunday, June 15, 2025. The 500-yard stream closure (5 AAC 39.290) will not be in effect in the Carroll Inlet THA. The Carroll Inlet THA will close to all gear groups on Monday, June 30, 2025. . The current estimated harvest is 2,600 Chinook salmon by purse seine gear and 1,100 Chinook salmon by drift gillnet gear.

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

Anita Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

SSRAA is forecasting total runs of 8,900 Chinook, 395,000 summer chum, and 13,600 coho salmon from releases at Anita Bay. A total of 7,900 Chinook, 158,000 summer chum, and 6,100 coho salmon are expected to be available for harvest in the THA. The total reported gillnet harvest to date is 3,500 Chinook and 1,500 chum salmon. The seine harvest to date is 3,400 Chinook and 800 chum salmon. Trolling efforts have harvested an additional 200 Chinook salmon. The Anita Bay common property fishery is governed as described in the District 7: Anita Bay Terminal Harvest Area Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 33.383). A rotational fishery will be in place for drift gillnet and purse seine gear through August 31. Further details of the 2025 season fishing schedule and open area within the Anita Bay THA can be found in an ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 16.

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: Thursday, July 03, 2025

The Deep Inlet THA has been closed to all common property fisheries since June 29 to aid in cost-recovery harvest. The THA is scheduled to reopen on August 3, with purse seine fishing open on Sunday, Thursday, and Friday, and drift gillnet fishing open on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. A second closure will begin on August 10 and remain in effect until cost-recovery operations are complete. NSRAA will need approximately 132,500 chum salmon for broodstock this season. Harvest from drift gillnet openings to date is approximately 2,100 Chinook salmon and 23,000 chum salmon. Harvest from seine openings to date is approximately 2,050 Chinook salmon and 77,000 chum salmon.

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

Hidden Falls THA

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

The Hidden Falls THA has been closed to common property harvest since July 7 to aid in cost-recovery harvest. Depending on the progress of the cost recovery fishery, portions of the Hidden Falls THA may reopen to common property harvest later in the season. Harvest from the seine openings to date is 340 Chinook salmon and 316,000 chum salmon.

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

Crawfish Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

NSRAA expects a run of 454,000 chum salmon to the Crawfish Inlet remote release site. NSRAA plans on conducting a cost-recovery fishery this season in Crawfish Inlet. The number of chum salmon available for common property harvest will depend entirely on the progress of the cost-recovery fishery. No chum salmon are needed for broodstock in Crawfish Inlet.

The Crawfish Inlet THA opened on July 6, with additional openings scheduled to occur on Sundays and Thursdays through July 26. However, due to lack of fishing effort, there is currently no harvest to report. The Crawfish Inlet THA will close to all common property fishing, beginning on July 27 through the completion of cost recovery operations.

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

Thomas Bay THA

Last updated: Thursday, July 03, 2025

NSRAA is forecasting a total run of 379,000 chum salmon to the Thomas Bay THA. The reported harvest to date is confidential. A portion of the run will be harvested in common property fisheries in Chatham Strait and Frederick Sound. No cost recovery is planned in 2025. The Thomas Bay THA will be open to common property purse seine and troll fisheries from Sunday, June 15, through Saturday, August 9, 2025. Purse seine openings will occur on Sundays and Thursdays, and troll openings will occur on days closed to purse seining. Details of the 2025 Thomas Bay THA fishing schedule and area were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 16.

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

Southeast Cove THA

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

NSRAA is forecasting a total run of 587,000 summer chum and 550 Chinook salmon to the Southeast Cove THA. The total reported harvest to date is confidential. The THA closed to all common property fisheries on July 6 for cost recovery operations and will remain closed until cost recovery has been completed. A portion of the run will be harvested in common property fisheries in Chatham Strait. Details of the 2025 Southeast Cove THA fishing schedule and area were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 29.

In 2025, cost recovery will occur in the Southeast Cove THA beginning Monday, July 7.

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

Inseason Harvest Information

The 2025 Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run is forecasted to be approximately 51.4 million fish. Based on the forecast and using the mid-points of the lower or upper portion of escapement goal ranges, depending on forecasted run size, 34.8 million fish are potentially available for commercial inshore harvest. The department manages fisheries based on inseason information regarding abundance. The inseason management approach uses a suite of assessment tools to provide information on abundance in each district as each run develops. This information is then used by the department to determine fishing opportunity.

The commercial salmon season in Bristol Bay opens June 1 by regulation.

Bristol Bay Fisheries Collaborative (BBFC)

Togiak District

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

Harvest in Togiak District is now confidential. Effort has increased some and fishing will extend through the weekend in the Togiak River Section again this weekend. Escapement enumeration began on July 5 and is on pace to meet the midpoint of the escapement goal range.

Nushagak District

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

Escapement information is now available from Wood, Igushik and Nushagak rivers. Nushagak River sockeye salmon has exceeded the 2.5 upper end of the OEG range and is still going strong now at 3.1 million. The king salmon escapement continues to lag at only 32,530 fish. Wood River escapement has just passed the 2.4 million mark and still within the 700,000 to 3 million OEG range. Igushik escapement has exceeded the 400,000 upper end of the escapement goal range and is now at 350,000.

Harvest in the district is at 14.5 million with over 830,000 of that coming on July 2. It is expected harvest will surpass 2019 as the 4th largest harvest ever in the Nushagak District. The total sockeye salmon run now exceeds 20 million.

Naknek-Kvichak District

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

On July 10, the Naknek River escapement was 18,000 sockeye for a total of 855,000; the Alagnak River escapement was 132,000 for a total of 1.7 million; and the Kvichak River escapement was 145,000 for a total of 2.5 million. The Kvichak inriver estimate is 300,000 fish. The harvest on July 10 was 330,000 fish for a total of 8.5 million. There are 399 vessels registered to fish and there will be 424 in 48 hours.

The Naknek-Kvichak District will open to drift gillnet gear for an 8.5-hour period from 2:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 12 and again for a 5.5-hour period from 2:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12. The current set gillnet period in the Naknek-Kvichak District is extended until further notice.

Egegik District

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

Egegik District has been consistently fishing both tides daily since June 26th. Egegik River escapement through July 10 is 1.2 million sockeye. This is above the historical average of 880,000 for the date. It is clear at this point that the inseason run is larger than forecast. In the Egegik District, the drift fleet has been behind their allocation (86%) for the entire season. This is in large part due to fewer boats fishing the district in favor of others. There have been efforts to move allocation a bit, including having drifters began fishing earlier in the flood, as well as giving more ebb time fishing. However, the escapement began climbing quicky and set nets have still been in place for that reason. The Egegik District cumulative harvest to date (5.8 million) is slightly below the recent 5- and 10-year averages, though the run was expected to be on the smaller side this year.

Ugashik District

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

The Ugashik District has had a one-tide-a-day fishing schedule since June 28th. Ugashik River escapement through July 10 is 673,000 sockeye, which is also well above the historical average of 255,000 for the date. The run is on track to meet or exceed the preseason forecast. In the Ugashik District, the single set net buyer suspended buying on July 7th and 8th which skewed allocation slightly. It is back in range at 89/11. The Ugashik District harvest to date (3.6 million) is well above the 5-year, 10-year, and historical averages.

Copper River and PWS Drift Gillnet

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

The Copper River District was open for a 36-hour fishing period on Monday, July 7 and a 60-hour period on Thursday, July 10. There have been 354 hours of fishing time in the Copper River District during the 2025 season. The Bering River District is being managed on the same schedule as the Copper River District. The Coghill District opened for a 60-hour fishing period starting Monday, July 7 and an 84-hour fishing period starting Thursday, July 10. The Eshamy District opened for a 36-hour fishing periods starting on Monday, July 7 and Thursday, July 11. The Port Chalmers Subdistrict opened for a 60-hour fishing period starting Monday, July 7, and an 84-hour fishing period starting Thursday, July 10.

The Miles Lake field camp was deployed on Wednesday, May 7. Sonar monitoring of Copper River sockeye and king salmon passage at the outlet of Mile Lake is ongoing. Currently, north bank and south bank sonar is deployed 24 hours per day. A total of 712,352 salmon have been enumerated to date versus a cumulative management objective of 493,857 salmon.

Based on the recent poor Chinook salmon production, a conservative management approach has been implemented so far this season. During the Monday, July 7 fishing period the Copper River District fishery was open for shorter duration fishing periods than sockeye salmon abundance and fishing effort dictated in an effort to reduce Chinook salmon harvest. The drift gillnet gear group has exclusive access to the Port Chalmers Subdistrict chum salmon fishery in 2025.

The 2025 Copper River District sockeye salmon commercial harvest forecast is 1.92 million fish, and the coho salmon commercial harvest 10-year average (2015–2024) is 182,000. The Copper River Chinook salmon total run forecast (36,000 fish) is 25% below the 10-year (2015–2024) average (48,000 fish). The 2025 sockeye salmon harvest forecast is 2.3 times the 10-year (2015–2024) average of 824,000 fish. The recent 10-year average (2015–2024) commercial harvests for the Bering River District are 11,100 sockeye and 52,300 coho salmon. The commercial fishery in Port Chalmers has a harvest forecast of 780,000 chum salmon. The 2025 sockeye salmon run to Main Bay Hatchery (MBH) is forecast to be 1.00 million fish. PWSAC anticipates utilizing 275,000 (27%) sockeye salmon for cost recovery and broodstock, leaving 728,000 (73%) fish available for harvest. The chum salmon run to Wally Noerenberg Hatchery (WNH) is forecast to be 1.45 million fish. PWSAC anticipates utilizing 948,000 (65%) chum salmon for cost recovery and broodstock, leaving 502,000 (35%) fish available for harvest. PWSAC projects the 2025 run to WNH to be 6,000 coho salmon, requiring 2,400 fish for broodstock, with all remaining fish (3,600) available for harvest. The wild stock sockeye salmon commercial harvest 10-year average (2015–2025) in Unakwik Inlet is 7,600 fish.

The Copper River District cumulative sockeye salmon harvest to date is 627,628 fish and, based on the forecast and recent historical run timing, the anticipated harvest for this period is 1.65 million fish. The Chinook salmon cumulative harvest to date in the Copper River District commercial fishery is 5,386 fish compared to a recent 10-year (2015-2024) average 12,200 fish over the same period. The Coghill District cumulative harvest to date is 584,000 chum salmon and is well behind harvest levels in recent years. The Eshamy District sockeye salmon cumulative harvest to date is 91,316 sockeye salmon and is low for this stage of the run timing curve for this stock. The Port Chalmers Subdistrict remote release enhanced chum salmon fishery cumulative harvest to date is 1.67 million chum salmon and is tracking ahead of harvest levels in recent years.

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 11, 2025

The 2025 pink salmon total run forecast for PWS is 66.70 million fish, with a potential commercial harvest of 56.12 million fish. Chum salmon is expected to make up a smaller proportion of the purse seine harvest, and the forecast is composed of a forecasted AFK hatchery return of 210,000 fish and a wild stock forecast of 443,000 fish.

This past week, 38,600 chum salmon were harvested from the AFK THA/SHA from 29 deliveries. The cumulative harvest of 427,300 is more than double the preseason forecast of 210,000 fish. Effort at AFK has recently decreased because of the pink salmon commercial fishing opportunity in the Eastern District.

VFDA pink salmon cost recovery began on June 29, and they are 72% complete with their cost revenue goal. The first commercial purse seine period targeting enhanced and wild pink salmon was on Saturday, July 5, and almost 1 million pink salmon were harvested. There were 2 more fishing periods this week, primarily targeting a strong SGH return. The combined harvest from those 2 periods is just under 7 million pink salmon. This large harvest has impacted local processing capacity; exact harvest numbers are currently unavailable. Pink salmon harvest from this past week has already exceeded last season's harvest for the entire season. VFDA cost recovery is anticipated to be completed or close to completion in the next 2 days, after which a regular fishing schedule with broad area can be expected.

Wild stock escapement indices are within the expected range for the date. As weather permits, aerial surveys evaluating wild stock escapement will continue.

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 11, 2025

There are four commercial fisheries currently underway this week in Upper Cook Inlet (UCI).

  1. Central District (Western, Kustatan and Kalgin Island subdistricts) Set Gillnet Fishery: Monday/Thursday –12-hour periods; 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  2. Central District Drift Gillnet Fishery: Monday/Thursday –12-hour periods; 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

With additional time announced by Emergency Order.

  1. Upper Subdistrict Dip Net Fishery; Monday through Friday 12–hour periods 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  2. Northern District Set Gillnet Fishery: Monday/Thursday –12-hour periods; 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Total harvest from the Central District (Western, Kustatan and Kalgin Island subdistricts) set gillnet commercial fishery is below average for sockeye salmon and significantly below average for king salmon. The cumulative harvest for the Central District set gillnet fishery is 24,999 sockeye and 3 king salmon. The 10-year average total harvest through July 10 is approximately 289 king salmon and 31,181 sockeye salmon. The 5-year average harvest is approximately 247 king salmon and 32,737 sockeye salmon.

The drift gillnet fleet began fishing July 19th in State of Alaska waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of UCI. Total harvest from both drift gillnet commercial fisheries is above average for sockeye salmon and significantly below average for king salmon. Cumulative harvest from both fisheries to date is 36 king salmon and 283,976 sockeye salmon. The 10-year average total harvest through July 10 is approximately 149 king salmon and 154,187 sockeye salmon. The 5-year average harvest is approximately 73 king salmon and 142,300 sockeye salmon.

The Upper Subdistrict dip net fishery began on June 20th. The cumulative harvest to date for the Upper Subdistrict dip net fishery is 11,845 sockeye and zero king salmon. This fishery was established in 2024; there is not enough historical data to compare this year’s harvest against.

The Northern District opened to commercial fishing on Thursday, July 3rd. Total harvest from the Northern District set gillnet fishery is below average for sockeye salmon and significantly below average for king salmon. The cumulative harvest for the Northern District set gillnet fishery is 6,150 sockeye and 3 king salmon. The 10-year average total harvest through July 10 is approximately 1,160 king salmon and 9,397 sockeye salmon. The 5-year average harvest is approximately 1,009 king salmon and 7,361 sockeye salmon.

The season opening dates in 2025 for the various fisheries are as follows:

  • Upper Subdistrict Set Gillnet Fishery: The ESSN fishery will begin closed (EO # 2-F-H-2-25) and may only open if Kenai late-run king salmon projections indicate achievement of the recovery goal of 14,250 large (>75cm mid eye to tail fork) fish. If inseason projections of large king salmon indicate the recovery goal will be achieved, then fishing opportunity will be reassessed and may be opened following provisions in the Kenai River Late-run King Salmon Stock of Concern Management Plan (5 AAC 21.382).

In 2025, a run of approximately 6.9 million sockeye salmon is forecast to return to Upper Cook Inlet (UCI) with an estimate of 4.9 million available for harvest (commercial, sport, personal use, and subsistence).

The Kenai River sockeye salmon forecast is approximately 4.2 million fish. The 2025 Kenai River forecast is 302,400 (7.5%) fish more than the historical (1986–2024) average run of 3.9 million, but 968,000 (26%) fish more than the recent 10-year (2015–2024) average run of 3.2 million. For sockeye salmon runs 2.3–4.6 million fish, the Kenai River Late-Run Sockeye Salmon Management Plan (KRLSSMP) stipulates ADF&G manage to the SEG range of 750,000–1,300,000 and achieve an inriver goal of 1.1 to 1.4 million fish. The department will formally reassess the UCI sockeye salmon run after July 20.

The Kasilof River sockeye salmon run forecast is approximately 1.2 million fish. The 2025 forecast is 311,000 fish (29%) greater than the historical (1986– 2024) average run of 930,000 fish and 261,000 fish (24%) greater than the recent 10- year (2015–2023) average run of 978,000.

Approximately 404,000 and 105,000 sockeye salmon are forecast to return to the Susitna River and Fish Creek respectively in 2025. The 2025 Susitna River sockeye salmon forecast is approximately 22,600 fish (6%) below the historical (2002–2024) average run of 430,000 fish but approximately 29,500 fish (7.5%) greater the recent 10- year (2015–2024) average run of 380,000 fish. The 2025 Fish Creek sockeye salmon forecast is approximately 2,600 fish greater than the recent 10-year average run size (2.5%) of 102,400.

General Information

The UCI commercial fisheries information line will again be available by calling 262-9611. The most recent EO announcement is always available on the recorded message line and catch, escapement and test fishing information is included whenever possible. The same recording may be accessed at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareauci.main and clicking on the UCI Commercial Fisheries Information Recording player.

All EO announcements are also faxed or emailed to processors as quickly as possible and posted at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareauci.salmon. For very general information, we invite you to visit the Commercial Fisheries web page on the Internet at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingCommercial.main.

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 11, 2025

Eastern District

Cost recovery harvest of returning Trail Lakes Hatchery sockeye salmon from the Bear Lake release site began on May 26 and concluded in saltwater on June 20. Cost recovery harvest at the Bear Creek weir is ongoing. Through July 11 is approximately 11,000 hatchery produced sockeye have been harvested. Over the past 10 years, approximately 95% of the final harvest has occurred by this date. The cost recovery goal for this return in 2025 is 64,200 fish. Commercial common property purse seine salmon harvest in Resurrection Bay opened on a schedule of Monday through Friday 6AM to 10PM openings with a closure on the July 4th holiday and ending on Friday, July 11. Commercial harvest is confidential due to fewer than three permits delivering.

The weir at Bear Creek in Resurrection Bay has been in operation for several weeks. Through July 9, a total of 11,632 sockeye salmon have been counted at the Bear Creek weir. This is within the anticipated range for this date (4,037 – 11,815 fish) to achieve passage into the lake that meet both broodstock and wild stock escapement objectives.

Southern District

Cumulative harvest from the first eleven set gillnet fishing periods was 92 Chinook, 11,647 sockeye, and 1,929 chum salmon. Cumulative harvest last year from the first eleven fishing periods was 97 Chinook, 16,532 sockeye, and 718 chum salmon. The previous 5-year harvest average from these nine periods combined was 201 Chinook, 12,178 sockeye, and 1,022 chum salmon.

Portions of the Southern District opened to commercial purse seine salmon harvest on Monday, June 9 on a schedule of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 16-hour fishing periods beginning at 6:00 AM on those days. Through Wednesday, July 9 preliminary cumulative commercial common property seine harvest is estimated at 24,000 sockeye, 197 pink, 137 chum, and 2 Chinook salmon.

Kamishak District

Video monitoring of sockeye salmon escapement into Chenik Lake began on June 12. Through July 9 a total of 3,357 fish have been counted entering this lake. Preliminary estimates of sockeye salmon passage into Chenik Lake are posted here: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyarealci.salmon#fishcounts The sustainable escapement goal range for Chenik Lake is 2,900 – 13,700 fish.

The Chenik Subdistrict opened to commercial common property salmon harvest on Wednesday, July 2. Harvest from the Chenik Subdistrict is confidential due to fewer that 3 permit holders reporting deliveries. All other remaining areas of the Kamishak District remain closed until further notice.

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 11, 2025

There will be a 57-hour commercial salmon fishing period from noon Saturday, July 12 to 9:00 p.m. Monday, July 14 in the Duck Bay Section of the Afognak District.

There will be a 105-hour commercial salmon fishing period from noon Sunday, July 13 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, July 17 in the following areas:

  • The Northwest Kodiak District;
  • The Northeast Kodiak District;
  • The Eastside Kodiak District;
  • The Afognak District (except the Duck Bay Section is open for 57 hours beginning noon Saturday,

July 12 and the Izhut Bay, Inner Kitoi Bay, and Outer Kitoi Bay Sections remain closed); and

  • The Outer Ayakulik Section of the Southwest Kodiak District.

There will be a 57-hour commercial salmon fishing period in the Mainland District from noon Sunday, July 13 to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 15.

In response to the recent record-low Chinook salmon escapements in the Karluk River, commercial salmon fishing in the Inner Karluk and Outer Karluk Sections of the Southwest Kodiak District, the Northwest Kodiak District, and the Southwest Afognak Section of the Afognak District will remain closed from June 1 through July 5. Fishing will resume only after the Karluk River’s early-run sockeye salmon escapement goal of 150,000 to 250,000 fish is exceeded.

In the Southwest Kodiak District, the cumulative Karluk River's early-run sockeye salmon escapement through July 10 is 64,333 fish, which is below the target range for this date. Additionally, only 38 Chinook salmon have escaped, marking a record low for the Karluk River.

In the Southwest Kodiak District, the cumulative Ayakulik River's early-run sockeye salmon escapement through July 10 is 327,687 fish, which is well above the target range for this date. Additionally, only 396 Chinook salmon have escaped, marking a near record low for the Ayakulik River.

In the Alitak District, the cumulative Upper Station early run sockeye salmon escapement through July 10 totals 79,867 fish, within with the target escapement range for this date. The cumulative Dog Salmon River escapement through July 10 is 61,382 fish, within the target escapement range for this date.

In the Afognak District, the cumulative Afognak Lake (Litnik) sockeye salmon escapement through July 10 totals 16,613 fish, below the target escapement range for this date.

In the Northeast Kodiak District, the cumulative Buskin Lake sockeye salmon escapement through July 10 totals 8,593 fish, above the target escapement range for this date.

In the Eastside Kodiak District, the cumulative Pasagshak Lake sockeye salmon escapement through July 10 totals 1,105 fish. The Saltery Lake sockeye salmon weir total escapement through July 10 is 8,732 fish.

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.

It is anticipated that approximately 140 seiners and 150 set gillnetters will participate in the Kodiak fisheries.

As of July 10, approximately 278,000 sockeye salmon have been harvested in the Kodiak Area, which is below average. Approximately 689,000 pink salmon have been harvested, which is below average. Approximately 302,000 chum salmon have been harvested in the Kodiak Area, which is above average.

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

North Peninsula

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

Currently, the Nelson Lagoon is open until further notice. The Port Moller Bight Section is open until 11:59 pm Thursday, July 17. The Black Hills and Herreden Moller Bay Sections were extended from 6:00 pm Thursday, May 10, until 6:00 pm Sunday, May 11.

Fishing has been closed in the Ilnik Section since June 28, due to a poor return to the Ilnik River system.

Deployment of the Northern District weirs and field camps (Bear, Ilinik, and Nelson River) started on Tuesday, May 27, and finished on June 10. The Ilnik Weir was installed on June 6, and the Nelson and Bear River weirs were installed on June 10.

As of July 11, escapement at the Ilnik River weir has been well below average and weak, with only 31,286 sockeye having passed the weir. This escapement is slightly above the minimum expected for the date of 30,000 fish, but well below the ten-year average of 87,364 fish for the date. This is the second lowest return of sockeye for the date to the Ilnik River in the last ten years.

Escapement at the Bear River weir has been below average and weak, with 101,408 sockeye having passed the weir below the ten-year average of 176,000 fish for the date. However, escapements have been steadily improving over the last week, and the Bear River early run is well ahead of both 2023 and 2024, which were two of the lowest returns for early run sockeye in the past 20 years.

The escapement at the Nelson River weir has been strong and early, with 416,993 sockeye having passed the weir so far, exceeding the ten-year average of 134,000 fish for the date. This is the second largest return of sockeye to the Nelson River for the date in 20 years.

Due to budget constraints, the Sandy River weir will not be operational for the 2025 season.

An aerial survey of the Meshik River is expected to be conducted on July 11th.

Commercial fisheries began on the North Peninsula on June 16th within the Nelson Lagoon and Port Moller Bight sections; participation in these areas is comparable to that of recent years. Participation within OPH and the Ilnik Section has been slightly less than in recent years, with about 90 permits participating.

Harvest within Nelson Lagoon Section has started to tail off over the last week, with a daily average of 6,200 sockeye harvested over the last seven days. The cumulative harvest within Nelson Lagoon is at 172,000 sockeye.

Harvest within the OPH Section is below average for the date, with 189k sockeye harvested as of July 11, and the 5-year average for the date is approximately 305,000 fish.

Harvest within the Ilnik Section is well below average for the date, with 211k fish harvested as of July 11, compared to the 5-year average of approximately 855,000 fish.

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

South Peninsula

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

Commercial salmon fishing by set gillnet was permitted in the Northwest Stepovak Section of the Southeastern District for 96 hours beginning at noon on July 9. Purse seine was permitted in the Northwest Stepovak Section for approximately 60 hours beginning at 12:01 a.m. on July 11. The second post-June commercial fishing period for 36 hours began at 6:00 a.m. on July 10. The Shumagin Islands immature salmon test fishery concluded as scheduled on July 5. The average number of immature salmon per set that were harvested during the final day of the test fishery was 3.0 fish, which was well below the threshold of 100 immature salmon per set.

We have begun conducting aerial surveys for the South Alaska Peninsula. There are few known early systems that are beginning to show signs of pink salmon arriving to these systems. The remainder of the area still does not have fish showing near terminal areas in significant numbers at this time. There is one salmon enumeration weir operated in the South Alaska Peninsula Management Area, the Orzinski Weir. To date, Orzinski River weir has passed 7,757 sockeye salmon. This level of escapement is earlier than the recent 10 years. It is still too early to determine the strength of this run.

The 2025 South Alaska Peninsula post-June harvest estimate is 10.6 million pink salmon, and the total run estimate is 14.6 million fish. ADF&G will manage the commercial fishery according to the June and post-June schedules through July 31, after which time the commercial salmon fishing periods will be based upon strength of local pink and chum salmon stocks.

The 2025 forecast for the estimated total harvest of Chignik River sockeye salmon is 757,000 fish. ADF&G will manage the fisheries so that the number of sockeye salmon harvested in CMA, for both runs combined, will be at least 600,000 fish and the harvest of sockeye salmon considered to be Chignik bound in the SEDM will approach, as near as possible, 7.6% of the total CMA sockeye salmon harvest through July 25.

Participation for the beginning of the Post-June fishing schedules is average and harvest appears to be improving. After July 1, NWSS is managed for local stocks, specifically Orzinski sockeye salmon, and is excluded from much of the allocation associated with the Southeastern District Mainland Management plan. Escapement into Orzinski Lake is currently tracking within the escapement goal range but near the upper bound of the escapement goal, therefore an additional fishing period was warranted in this section. Additional fishing periods or the possibility of an extension of the current period is contingent on additional harvest and escapement information.

Sockeye salmon harvest of 500,455 is below the recent 5-year average of 1,984,358 fish and the 10-year average of 1,640,978 fish.

Pink salmon harvest of 174,796 fish is below the recent 10-odd year average of 3,271,160 fish.

Chum salmon harvest of 206,686 fish is below the recent 5-year average of 557,410 fish and the 10-year average of 635,453 fish.

Chinook and coho 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 11, 2025

The 2025 Chignik sockeye salmon harvest forecast is weak, with a harvest forecast estimate of 757,000 sockeye. Of this, 243,000 fish are estimated to be Chignik early run sockeye salmon and 441,000 fish Chignik late run sockeye salmon. The early run has a total run estimate of 593,000 fish with an optimal escapement goal (OEG) of 300,000–400,000 while the late run has a total run estimate of 741,000 fish with an OEG of 240,000–360,000.

The Chignik weir was operational May 27 with counts starting on May 28. Through July 10, 475,852 sockeye salmon have passed through the weir. Of that, an estimate of 397,183 are early run and 60,669 are late run. In addition to sockeye salmon, 319 Chinook, 6 pink, and 6 chum have passed through the weir. So far the Chignik early run sockeye appear to be on time and weak, though escapement is the highest it has been for the date since 2018. Six commercial fishing openers have occurred so far, with the first starting on June 20th. Currently, the Chignik Bay District is scheduled to open for 24 hours beginning at 4:00 a.m. Sunday, July 13. The Eastern, Central, and Western Districts are currently open until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 15. Non-Confidential harvest so far is 14 Chinook, 258,992 sockeye, 460 coho, 1,871 pink, and 6,093 chum salmon. The majority of harvest has occurred in the Chignik Bay District with 210,571 sockeye salmon harvest.

Beginning July 1 additional restrictions focused on protection of Chinook salmon went into effect. Fishing in the Chignik Bay District is limited to 48-hours per week in order to protect Chinook Salmon. Additionally, if more than 1,000 Chinook salmon are caught within a 48-hour period, the districts primarily responsible will be closed for one week.

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, May 16, 2025

No commercial salmon fishing is anticipated in either the summer or fall seasons of the Yukon River in 2025. The drainagewide Chinook salmon run is expected to be between 58,000 and 88,000 fish which is below average and unlikely to meet escapement goals. The Canadian-origin portion of the Chinook salmon run is forecast to be 24,000 to 37,000 fish, which is well below the U.S./Canada border passage objective of 71,000 fish. The drainagewide summer chum salmon forecast is for a run size of 1,100,000 fish, with a range of 550,000 to 1,800,000 fish. The drainagewide fall chum salmon forecast is for a run size of 218,000 fish, with a range of 114,000 to 322,000 fish. There is a large amount of uncertainty in the chum salmon forecasts given the recent salmon declines, the small size of the parent years from 2020 and 2021 and the uncertainty associated with recent year sibling relationships. For fall chum salmon it is unlikely any of the escapement goals will be achieved. The coho salmon run is anticipated to be below average as the parent year was record low.

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

Kuskokwim River

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

The 2025 Kuskokwim River Chinook salmon forecast is for a range of 132,000 –217,000 fish. The drainage-wide Chinook salmon escapement goal is 65,000 –120,000 fish. If the run comes back as projected, the drainagewide escapement and tributary goals are expected to be achieved and surplus above escapement will be available to support a limited to normal subsistence harvest. The chum salmon run is expected to meet the escapement goal with a near average run and support normal subsistence harvest. The sockeye salmon is expected to come in above average, meet all escapement goals and support the full amounts necessary for subsistence harvest. The coho salmon run is expected to be an average run, to meet escapement goals and support normal subsistence harvest. The 2025 season will be managed in accordance with the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 07.365) with input from the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group. It is the intent of the department that all Kuskokwim River salmon stocks shall be managed in a conservative manner consistent with the Policy for the Management of Sustainable Salmon Fisheries under 5 AAC 39.222 to meet escapement goals and the subsistence priority. There are currently no registered commercial fishery buyers for the 2025 season in the Kuskokwim Management Area.

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

Norton Sound

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

Commercial

The third commercial salmon fishery in Norton Sound was scheduled for 24 hours in Nome Subdistrict 1 and 48 hours in Golovin Subdistrict 2.

Nome Subdistrict 1: 3 permits harvested 11 sockeye and 366 chum.

Golovin Subdistrict 2: This commercial period is ongoing at this time and harvest will be updated in future announcements.

Commercial harvest from the previous commercial period are as follows:

Nome Subdistrict 1: 3 permits harvested 18 sockeye, 399 chum, and 6 pink salmon.

Golovin Subdistrict 2: 7 permits harvested 43 sockeye and 1388 chum salmon.

In the Port Clarence District, the commercial fishery is expected to remain closed because of a continued lack of market interest.

Escapement projects

Pilgrim River Weir: counts began on June 26 with 8 kings, 339 chum, 107 pink, and 9936 sockeye salmon recorded to date.

Nome River Weir: counts began on June 28 with 19 chum and 6 pink salmon recorded to date.

Eldorado River Weir: counts began on June 24 with 1316 chum, 251 pink, and 16 sockeye salmon recorded to date.

Niukluk River Tower: counts began on June 24 with 24 kings, 6126 chum, 7232 pink, and 6 sockeye salmon recorded to date.

Kwiniuk River Tower: counts began on June 26 with 1020 chum, 4122 pink, and 132 sockeye salmon recorded to date.

Ungalik River Tower: counting began on June 25 with 2811 chum, 30246 pink and 3 sockeye counted to date.

North River Tower: counting began on June 17 with 9 kings, 123 chum, and 2646 pink salmon counted to date.

Subsistence

Subdistrict 1 is currently on the subsistence schedule outlined in regulation. Fresh waters and Marine waters west of Cape Nome are open from 6:00 pm on Wednesday to 6:00 pm on Monday. Marine water of Subdistrict 1 east of Cape Nome are open 7 days per week.

Marine waters in Subdistricts 5 and 6 are closed to subsistence net fishing. Fresh waters in Subdistricts 5 and 6 are open to beach seining with the non-retention of king and chum salmon. Gillnets may be used in the Unalakleet River upstream of the North River confluence with mesh restricted to 4 inches, or smaller.

Household annual limits on sockeye salmon have been waived. Current escapement indicated that there is a harvestable surplus available for subsistence needs.

All other areas of the Norton Sound-Port Clarence districts are open 7 days per week with standard net requirements.

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

Kotzebue

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

The outlook for the 2025 season is based on the parent-year returns and returning age classes observed in the commercial catch samples in 2024. During the 2024 season, the salmon return was weak and the 2025 return is expected to mirror that weakness to some extent with the 4-year-old component near average percentage of harvest based on the previous season’s 3-year-old return. The 5-year-old component of the run is expected to be above average percentage of the harvest based on the 4-year-old return last season. The 3-year-old and 6-year-old age classes are generally minimal components of the run and not expected to influence overall harvest significantly. The commercial harvest is expected to fall within the range of 50,000 to 150,000 chum salmon.

Commercial fishing will open in the Kotzebue District as follows:

  • 8 hours from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, July 10
  • 8 hours from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 11

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

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