2017 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.

Updated Friday, June 23, 2017

Southeast Alaska
Troll Fishery A total of 40 spring troll and terminal harvest areas have opened in 2017. Through June 22 (SW 25), approximately 358 permit holders have made 1,196 landings, with a total of 13,100 Chinook salmon harvested. Since fisheries re-opened June 15, following a 17 day wild Chinook salmon conservation closure, a total of 287 permits have made 562 landings for a harvest of 8,095 Chinook salmon. The current spring troll average weight for Chinook of 11.6 pounds is below both the 2016 and 5-year averages of 11.8 and 12.6 pounds, respectively. The seasonal Chinook average price per pound of $9.40 is a $1.08 increase from 2016, and an increase of $3.06 from the 5-year average. A news release announcing the fishery opening schedule for the week of June 25 will be issued Friday, June 23. Purse Seine Fishery The 2017 Southeast Alaska common property purse seine fishery is now in its first week. During statistical week 25, fishing occurred on June 18-21. For the region, purse seine harvest to date includes 36,000 chum, 1,200 Chinook, 500 sockeye, 400 coho, and 200 pink salmon. Seine effort during the June 18-21 fishing period included 26 boats in District 2, with a harvest of 30,000 chum salmon, 400 sockeye, and 350 coho salmon for the first two days of fishing. Harvests from Kendrick Bay Terminal Harvest Area (THA), Hidden Falls THA, and Point Augusta were confidential. The statistical week 26 purse seine opening on June 25 will include portions of Districts 2, 10, and 12. The pink salmon harvest forecast for 2017 is 43 million fish with a range of 27-59 million. It is too early in the pink salmon run to assess run strength or escapement at this time. Southeast Alaska Chinook salmon stocks are currently experiencing a cycle of very low abundance. Over the past five years (2012-2016), the eleven monitored Chinook salmon index systems did not meet escapement goals 45% of the time. In 2016, nine of the eleven monitored Chinook salmon index systems were below their escapement goal ranges. In 2017, three of the six systems for which forecasts are developed are projecting runs below their escapement goal ranges. In an effort to meet escapement in Southeast Alaska systems, restrictions will be implemented in gillnet, seine, troll, sport, personal use, and subsistence fisheries in Southeast Alaska. The Pacific Salmon Treaty Chinook salmon allocation for purse seine gear in 2017 is 9,020 fish, down from 15,291 in 2016. For Kendrick Bay THA and the District 2 purse seine fishery, no Chinook salmon may be retained, landed, or sold. This includes Chinook salmon less than 28 inches in length. For all other fishing areas open outside of THAs, Chinook salmon 28 inches or greater in length may not be retained and sold. Chinook salmon greater than 21 inches and less than 28 inches may be retained but not sold. Chinook salmon 21 inches or less may be retained and sold. All Chinook salmon harvested in the Hidden Falls, Anita Bay, and Neets Bay THAs may be retained and sold. All Chinook salmon harvested in the Deep Inlet THA must be retained and may be sold. For further harvest information by gear type see Southeast Inseason Harvest by Gear webpage. Drift Gillnet Fishery Traditional Southeast area drift gillnet fisheries occur in Districts 1, 6, 8, 11, and 15. Tree Point/Section 1-B The Tree Point drift gillnet fishery was open for four days starting at 12:01p.m., Sunday, June 18, 2017. Harvest of chum salmon was above average and harvests of all species of salmon were below the previous 10-year average. The effort level of 36 vessels was below the 10-year average of 44 vessels. The estimates weekly harvest was 350 Chinook salmon, 5,000 sockeye salmon, 200 coho salmon, 50 pink salmon, and 11,500 chum salmon. The Nass River has a pre-season forecast of 454,000 sockeye salmon. With below average effort, and above average harvest of chum salmon, Tree Point will open for four days in statistical week 26, beginning at 12:01 p.m., Sunday, June 25. For further details concerning this fishery, please see the 2017 Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan (PDF 533 kB). Stikine and Prince of Wales/Districts 6 and 8 District 6 opened for drift gillnet fishing for an initial 48 hour period on Sunday, June 18. District 8 did not open for this initial opening due to the poor run of Stikine River Chinook salmon. On the grounds surveys indicated an abundance of sockeye below the level to warrant additional fishing time in District 6. Harvests of Chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon were below average, pink salmon was average, and chum salmon was well above average. The Districts 6 and 8 gillnet fishery is managed for sockeye salmon abundance through early August. The preseason forecast for Stikine River sockeye salmon is 185,000 fish, above the recent ten year average of 168,000 fish. The early portion of the run consists primarily of the Tahltan Lake origin sockeye, which is expected to contribute to the majority of the allowable catch. Both Districts 6 and 8 will open on June 25 for 48 hours. A maximum allowed mesh of six inches will be in effect for both districts and there will be area restrictions in place for District 8 for Chinook salmon conservation. ADF&G personnel will be on the grounds assessing sockeye salmon run strength for possible adjustments to fishing periods A reliable inseason estimate of Stikine River king salmon abundance has not been produced to date; however, all indications point towards a run size lower than the preseason forecast of 18,300 fish and below the lower end of the escapement goal range. Taku-Snettisham/Section 11-B The inaugural 2017 Taku Inlet / Stephens Passage (District 11) drift gillnet fishery got off to a cautious start with an unprecedented area closure and six-inch maximum mesh size restriction in place to conserve Taku River large Chinook salmon. Although the vast majority (nearly 90%) of the Taku River Chinook salmon run has historically transited the District 11 fishery by mid-June, the preseason forecast of 13,300 large fish and inseason stock assessment suggesting the run will be worse than the forecast precluded an opening with "normal" restrictions. The escapement goal range for Taku River large Chinook salmon is 19,000 to 36,000 fish and it currently appears this year's run will fall well short of the bottom end of the range even with significant commercial and sport fishing restrictions. In going forward, there is not much more that can be done in the District 11 drift gillnet fishery as all but the tip of the tail end of the run is in the river. Approximately 20 boats participated in this week's opening which is well below the recent 10-year average. Chinook salmon harvest was larger than expected with the restrictions in place and port sampling efforts show that around 80% of the Chinook salmon harvested were non-large fish which was corroborated by observations from the daily fishery survey. Sockeye salmon catch rates were near average for the opening, a good sign considering many of the prime sockeye salmon fishing areas were in closed waters this week. Chum salmon catch rates were above average and the average weight of these fish was over nine pounds. The preseason Taku River sockeye salmon run forecast is 198,000 fish and it is too early to generate an inseason estimate. Daily inriver fish wheel sockeye salmon catch has been average to above average for the past several days and it appears the early component of the run might be about one week late. With inriver abundance trending in the positive direction and catch rates in District 11 off to a good start, there is room for optimism on the sockeye scene. The District 11 drift gillnet fishery will open for two days in Taku Inlet with the northern portion above Jaw Point closed to help protect Chinook salmon milling around the flats. The portion of the district south of Circle Point will open for three days and the six-inch maximum mesh size restriction will remain in place throughout the district to further minimize harvest of large Chinook salmon. Department staff will be surveying the fishery as usual throughout the season and extensions to any opening can be announced via VHF radio by 10 am on the day of the posted closure. Lynn Canal/District 15 The 2017 Lynn Canal (District 15) drift gillnet fishery will open again for two days beginning Sunday, June 25 in Sections 15-A and 15-C. The entire district will have a 6" maximum mesh restriction to reduce Chinook salmon harvest. The Chilkat River Chinook salmon return is projected to be below the lower end of the escapement goal, and the gillnet fishery in Section 15-A will also continue to be limited in time and area to reduce the Chinook salmon harvest. Additionally, the escapement of sockeye salmon into the Chilkoot River is currently below goal, with a total 399 fish through the weir as of June 22, 2017, and the catch of sockeye in the Chilkat River fish wheels continues to be low. Section 15-C management will focus on harvesting hatchery chum salmon while providing escapement within goal ranges for wild northbound salmon stocks. The harvest for the two day opening in statistical week 25 (June 18-20) was estimated to be 74,000 chum salmon, 1,200 sockeye salmon, 80 Chinook salmon, and a small number of pink and coho salmon. The harvest of sockeye salmon was about one third of the proceeding 10-year average, while the enhanced chum harvest was almost four times the proceeding 10-year average. An estimated 126 boats participated in the fishery, just below the average. Yakutat Area Set Gillnet Fishery In the Alsek River, 11 permits harvested approximately 650 sockeye and 35 Chinook salmon. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was below average and the fishing period remained at one day. In Yakutat Bay, 28 permits harvested 5,000 sockeye and 100 Chinook salmon. The Dangerous River was opened to commercial fishing but was not fished. The Situk-Ahrnklin Inelt fishery was opened for 2.5 days and 45 permits harvested 8,300 sockeye salmon. The Manby Shore fishery opened on Sunday, June 19 for 2.5 days with fewer than three permits, and harvest information is confidential. The remainder of the Yakutat District will open on June 25 for 2.5 days with the exception of the Akwe River. The Akwe River will remain closed until adequate levels of escapement can be observed. The East River and Italio River systems will open by emergency order when sustainable escapement counts have been observed. An aerial survey conducted on the East and Doame river systems on Monday, June 19 indicated an early, yet strong sockeye salmon return and it is anticipated that the Biological Escapement Goal (BEG) of 13,000 fish will be achieved soon. Sockeye salmon returns to the Yakutat Area in 2017 are expected to be average to above average. The 2017 preseason forecast of a total return of 475 large Chinook salmon to the Situk River is indicative of a below average return, and subsistence, sport, and commercial fisheries remain closed for Situk River Chinook salmon. These fisheries will reopen when Situk River weir counts indicate that the biological escapement goal (BEG) will be attained. A strong, and early push of sockeye salmon returned to the Situk River this year and the lower end of the Situk River sockeye salmon BEG of 30,000 fish was achieved on June 18. The coho salmon return this year is also expected to be average to above average. The Klukshu River weir in Canada is still not assembled due to high water interferences. Terminal Harvest Area (THA) Fisheries Terminal Harvest Area (THA) gillnet fisheries occur in Nakat Inlet, Neets Bay, Anita Bay, Deep Inlet, and Boat Harbor. THA seine fisheries occur in Neets Bay, Kendrick Bay, Anita Bay, Deep Inlet, and Hidden Falls. Boat Harbor THA The inside area of the Boat Harbor Terminal Harvest Area (THA) will remain open until further notice to allow the harvest of the hatchery chums while minimizing the harvest of wild salmon stocks returning to the rivers along the western shoreline of lower Lynn Canal. This area is defined as the inside waters of the Boat Harbor THA west of the department markers at the entrance of Boat Harbor. The remaining area of the Boat Harbor THA will open for two days beginning June 25. There is no mesh restriction on the nets fished in the inside waters of the Boat Harbor THA. Nakat Inlet THA The forecasted return of Nakat Inlet summer chum salmon is 226,000 and for fall chum salmon is 96,800. Nakat Inlet opened to the harvest of salmon by drift gillnet and troll gear on Thursday, June 1, 2017. Current harvest information for the Nakat Inlet THA is confidential. For further information and updates on Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website. Neets Bay THA The Neets Bay forecasted return for summer chum salmon is 1,320,000, for fall chum salmon is 212,600, for Chinook salmon is 22,200, and for coho salmon is 254,800. Neets Bay opened to the harvest of salmon by Drift Gillnet and Purse Seine on Monday, May 1, and has a rotational fishery between Drift Gillnet and Purse Seine through June 26, 2017. Current harvest information for Neets Bay THA is confidential. For further information and updates on Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website. Kendrick Bay THA The forecasted return for Kendrick Bay summer chum salmon is 842,000. Kendrick Bay opened to the harvest of salmon by purse seine gear on Thursday, June 15, 2016. Current harvest information for Kendrick Bay THA is confidential. For further information and updates on Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website. Anita Bay THA The 2017 Anita Bay Terminal Harvest Area (THA) forecast includes 481,000 summer chum, 15,400 Chinook, and 20,100 coho salmon. Approximately 2,400 Chinook and 500 chum salmon have been harvested to date. A rotational fishery began on June 13 for the drift gillnet and purse seine gear groups with an initial time ratio of one to one and will then change to a time ratio of two to one in SW 31. This rotational fishing period will conclude on August 31 when the THA opens to both gear groups concurrently until it closes for the season on November 10 at 12:00 noon. For further information and updates on SSRAA contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website. Deep Inlet THA The Deep Inlet Terminal Harvest Area (THA) rotational fisheries began on May 28 and chum management began on June 18; with seine openings on Sunday, Thursday and Friday, and gillnet openings on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Forecast returns for Deep Inlet THA and Medvejie Hatchery includes 1,355,000 chum salmon, 22,700 Chinook salmon, and 52,000 coho salmon. This season, 90,000 chum salmon are needed for broodstock, and up to 386,000 chum salmon are needed for cost recovery, depending on price. Harvest from the seine and gillnet openings remains confidential. Harvest to date from the rotational fisheries combined is 800 Chinook and 3,300 chum salmon. Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) anticipates a closure of the THA, in early August, will be necessary to complete cost recovery needs. Hidden Falls THA Purse seine openings began June 18. Due to recent run failures and a weak forecast, it is anticipated that only 2-3 openings will likely occur prior to a closure for broodstock collection. Forecast returns for Hidden Falls Terminal Harvest Area (THA) includes 510,000 chum salmon and 197,000 coho salmon; no Chinook salmon are expected to return in 2017. Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) needs 190,000 chum salmon for broodstock leaving 320,000 chum salmon available for common property harvests. Harvest from the seine fishery is confidential. NSRAA is not planning any direct cost-recovery harvest in the Hidden Falls Special Harvest Area (SHA). Additionally, due to a low forecast of chum salmon returns, there will be no tax assessment in the HFH THA.

Southeast Alaska

Troll Fishery

A total of 40 spring troll and terminal harvest areas have opened in 2017. Through June 22 (SW 25), approximately 358 permit holders have made 1,196 landings, with a total of 13,100 Chinook salmon harvested. Since fisheries re-opened June 15, following a 17 day wild Chinook salmon conservation closure, a total of 287 permits have made 562 landings for a harvest of 8,095 Chinook salmon. The current spring troll average weight for Chinook of 11.6 pounds is below both the 2016 and 5-year averages of 11.8 and 12.6 pounds, respectively. The seasonal Chinook average price per pound of $9.40 is a $1.08 increase from 2016, and an increase of $3.06 from the 5-year average. A news release announcing the fishery opening schedule for the week of June 25 will be issued Friday, June 23.

Purse Seine Fishery

The 2017 Southeast Alaska common property purse seine fishery is now in its first week. During statistical week 25, fishing occurred on June 18-21. For the region, purse seine harvest to date includes 36,000 chum, 1,200 Chinook, 500 sockeye, 400 coho, and 200 pink salmon.

Seine effort during the June 18-21 fishing period included 26 boats in District 2, with a harvest of 30,000 chum salmon, 400 sockeye, and 350 coho salmon for the first two days of fishing. Harvests from Kendrick Bay Terminal Harvest Area (THA), Hidden Falls THA, and Point Augusta were confidential. The statistical week 26 purse seine opening on June 25 will include portions of Districts 2, 10, and 12.

The pink salmon harvest forecast for 2017 is 43 million fish with a range of 27-59 million. It is too early in the pink salmon run to assess run strength or escapement at this time.

Southeast Alaska Chinook salmon stocks are currently experiencing a cycle of very low abundance. Over the past five years (2012-2016), the eleven monitored Chinook salmon index systems did not meet escapement goals 45% of the time. In 2016, nine of the eleven monitored Chinook salmon index systems were below their escapement goal ranges. In 2017, three of the six systems for which forecasts are developed are projecting runs below their escapement goal ranges. In an effort to meet escapement in Southeast Alaska systems, restrictions will be implemented in gillnet, seine, troll, sport, personal use, and subsistence fisheries in Southeast Alaska.

The Pacific Salmon Treaty Chinook salmon allocation for purse seine gear in 2017 is 9,020 fish, down from 15,291 in 2016.

For Kendrick Bay THA and the District 2 purse seine fishery, no Chinook salmon may be retained, landed, or sold. This includes Chinook salmon less than 28 inches in length.

For all other fishing areas open outside of THAs, Chinook salmon 28 inches or greater in length may not be retained and sold. Chinook salmon greater than 21 inches and less than 28 inches may be retained but not sold. Chinook salmon 21 inches or less may be retained and sold. All Chinook salmon harvested in the Hidden Falls, Anita Bay, and Neets Bay THAs may be retained and sold. All Chinook salmon harvested in the Deep Inlet THA must be retained and may be sold.

For further harvest information by gear type see Southeast Inseason Harvest by Gear webpage.

Drift Gillnet Fishery

Traditional Southeast area drift gillnet fisheries occur in Districts 1, 6, 8, 11, and 15.

Tree Point/Section 1-B

The Tree Point drift gillnet fishery was open for four days starting at 12:01p.m., Sunday, June 18, 2017. Harvest of chum salmon was above average and harvests of all species of salmon were below the previous 10-year average. The effort level of 36 vessels was below the 10-year average of 44 vessels. The estimates weekly harvest was 350 Chinook salmon, 5,000 sockeye salmon, 200 coho salmon, 50 pink salmon, and 11,500 chum salmon. The Nass River has a pre-season forecast of 454,000 sockeye salmon. With below average effort, and above average harvest of chum salmon, Tree Point will open for four days in statistical week 26, beginning at 12:01 p.m., Sunday, June 25. For further details concerning this fishery, please see the 2017 Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan (PDF 533 kB).

Stikine and Prince of Wales/Districts 6 and 8

District 6 opened for drift gillnet fishing for an initial 48 hour period on Sunday, June 18. District 8 did not open for this initial opening due to the poor run of Stikine River Chinook salmon. On the grounds surveys indicated an abundance of sockeye below the level to warrant additional fishing time in District 6. Harvests of Chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon were below average, pink salmon was average, and chum salmon was well above average.

The Districts 6 and 8 gillnet fishery is managed for sockeye salmon abundance through early August. The preseason forecast for Stikine River sockeye salmon is 185,000 fish, above the recent ten year average of 168,000 fish. The early portion of the run consists primarily of the Tahltan Lake origin sockeye, which is expected to contribute to the majority of the allowable catch. Both Districts 6 and 8 will open on June 25 for 48 hours. A maximum allowed mesh of six inches will be in effect for both districts and there will be area restrictions in place for District 8 for Chinook salmon conservation. ADF&G personnel will be on the grounds assessing sockeye salmon run strength for possible adjustments to fishing periods

A reliable inseason estimate of Stikine River king salmon abundance has not been produced to date; however, all indications point towards a run size lower than the preseason forecast of 18,300 fish and below the lower end of the escapement goal range.

Taku-Snettisham/Section 11-B

The inaugural 2017 Taku Inlet / Stephens Passage (District 11) drift gillnet fishery got off to a cautious start with an unprecedented area closure and six-inch maximum mesh size restriction in place to conserve Taku River large Chinook salmon. Although the vast majority (nearly 90%) of the Taku River Chinook salmon run has historically transited the District 11 fishery by mid-June, the preseason forecast of 13,300 large fish and inseason stock assessment suggesting the run will be worse than the forecast precluded an opening with "normal" restrictions. The escapement goal range for Taku River large Chinook salmon is 19,000 to 36,000 fish and it currently appears this year's run will fall well short of the bottom end of the range even with significant commercial and sport fishing restrictions. In going forward, there is not much more that can be done in the District 11 drift gillnet fishery as all but the tip of the tail end of the run is in the river.

Approximately 20 boats participated in this week's opening which is well below the recent 10-year average. Chinook salmon harvest was larger than expected with the restrictions in place and port sampling efforts show that around 80% of the Chinook salmon harvested were non-large fish which was corroborated by observations from the daily fishery survey. Sockeye salmon catch rates were near average for the opening, a good sign considering many of the prime sockeye salmon fishing areas were in closed waters this week. Chum salmon catch rates were above average and the average weight of these fish was over nine pounds.

The preseason Taku River sockeye salmon run forecast is 198,000 fish and it is too early to generate an inseason estimate. Daily inriver fish wheel sockeye salmon catch has been average to above average for the past several days and it appears the early component of the run might be about one week late. With inriver abundance trending in the positive direction and catch rates in District 11 off to a good start, there is room for optimism on the sockeye scene.

The District 11 drift gillnet fishery will open for two days in Taku Inlet with the northern portion above Jaw Point closed to help protect Chinook salmon milling around the flats. The portion of the district south of Circle Point will open for three days and the six-inch maximum mesh size restriction will remain in place throughout the district to further minimize harvest of large Chinook salmon.

Department staff will be surveying the fishery as usual throughout the season and extensions to any opening can be announced via VHF radio by 10 am on the day of the posted closure.

Lynn Canal/District 15

The 2017 Lynn Canal (District 15) drift gillnet fishery will open again for two days beginning Sunday, June 25 in Sections 15-A and 15-C. The entire district will have a 6" maximum mesh restriction to reduce Chinook salmon harvest. The Chilkat River Chinook salmon return is projected to be below the lower end of the escapement goal, and the gillnet fishery in Section 15-A will also continue to be limited in time and area to reduce the Chinook salmon harvest. Additionally, the escapement of sockeye salmon into the Chilkoot River is currently below goal, with a total 399 fish through the weir as of June 22, 2017, and the catch of sockeye in the Chilkat River fish wheels continues to be low. Section 15-C management will focus on harvesting hatchery chum salmon while providing escapement within goal ranges for wild northbound salmon stocks.

The harvest for the two day opening in statistical week 25 (June 18-20) was estimated to be 74,000 chum salmon, 1,200 sockeye salmon, 80 Chinook salmon, and a small number of pink and coho salmon. The harvest of sockeye salmon was about one third of the proceeding 10-year average, while the enhanced chum harvest was almost four times the proceeding 10-year average. An estimated 126 boats participated in the fishery, just below the average.

Yakutat Area Set Gillnet Fishery

In the Alsek River, 11 permits harvested approximately 650 sockeye and 35 Chinook salmon. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was below average and the fishing period remained at one day. In Yakutat Bay, 28 permits harvested 5,000 sockeye and 100 Chinook salmon. The Dangerous River was opened to commercial fishing but was not fished. The Situk-Ahrnklin Inelt fishery was opened for 2.5 days and 45 permits harvested 8,300 sockeye salmon. The Manby Shore fishery opened on Sunday, June 19 for 2.5 days with fewer than three permits, and harvest information is confidential. The remainder of the Yakutat District will open on June 25 for 2.5 days with the exception of the Akwe River. The Akwe River will remain closed until adequate levels of escapement can be observed. The East River and Italio River systems will open by emergency order when sustainable escapement counts have been observed. An aerial survey conducted on the East and Doame river systems on Monday, June 19 indicated an early, yet strong sockeye salmon return and it is anticipated that the Biological Escapement Goal (BEG) of 13,000 fish will be achieved soon.

Sockeye salmon returns to the Yakutat Area in 2017 are expected to be average to above average. The 2017 preseason forecast of a total return of 475 large Chinook salmon to the Situk River is indicative of a below average return, and subsistence, sport, and commercial fisheries remain closed for Situk River Chinook salmon. These fisheries will reopen when Situk River weir counts indicate that the biological escapement goal (BEG) will be attained. A strong, and early push of sockeye salmon returned to the Situk River this year and the lower end of the Situk River sockeye salmon BEG of 30,000 fish was achieved on June 18. The coho salmon return this year is also expected to be average to above average. The Klukshu River weir in Canada is still not assembled due to high water interferences.

Terminal Harvest Area (THA) Fisheries

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

Boat Harbor THA

The inside area of the Boat Harbor Terminal Harvest Area (THA) will remain open until further notice to allow the harvest of the hatchery chums while minimizing the harvest of wild salmon stocks returning to the rivers along the western shoreline of lower Lynn Canal. This area is defined as the inside waters of the Boat Harbor THA west of the department markers at the entrance of Boat Harbor. The remaining area of the Boat Harbor THA will open for two days beginning June 25. There is no mesh restriction on the nets fished in the inside waters of the Boat Harbor THA.

Nakat Inlet THA

The forecasted return of Nakat Inlet summer chum salmon is 226,000 and for fall chum salmon is 96,800. Nakat Inlet opened to the harvest of salmon by drift gillnet and troll gear on Thursday, June 1, 2017. Current harvest information for the Nakat Inlet THA is confidential. For further information and updates on Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website.

Neets Bay THA

The Neets Bay forecasted return for summer chum salmon is 1,320,000, for fall chum salmon is 212,600, for Chinook salmon is 22,200, and for coho salmon is 254,800. Neets Bay opened to the harvest of salmon by Drift Gillnet and Purse Seine on Monday, May 1, and has a rotational fishery between Drift Gillnet and Purse Seine through June 26, 2017. Current harvest information for Neets Bay THA is confidential. For further information and updates on Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website.

Kendrick Bay THA

The forecasted return for Kendrick Bay summer chum salmon is 842,000. Kendrick Bay opened to the harvest of salmon by purse seine gear on Thursday, June 15, 2016. Current harvest information for Kendrick Bay THA is confidential. For further information and updates on Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website.

Anita Bay THA

The 2017 Anita Bay Terminal Harvest Area (THA) forecast includes 481,000 summer chum, 15,400 Chinook, and 20,100 coho salmon. Approximately 2,400 Chinook and 500 chum salmon have been harvested to date. A rotational fishery began on June 13 for the drift gillnet and purse seine gear groups with an initial time ratio of one to one and will then change to a time ratio of two to one in SW 31. This rotational fishing period will conclude on August 31 when the THA opens to both gear groups concurrently until it closes for the season on November 10 at 12:00 noon.

For further information and updates on SSRAA contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website.

Deep Inlet THA

The Deep Inlet Terminal Harvest Area (THA) rotational fisheries began on May 28 and chum management began on June 18; with seine openings on Sunday, Thursday and Friday, and gillnet openings on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Forecast returns for Deep Inlet THA and Medvejie Hatchery includes 1,355,000 chum salmon, 22,700 Chinook salmon, and 52,000 coho salmon. This season, 90,000 chum salmon are needed for broodstock, and up to 386,000 chum salmon are needed for cost recovery, depending on price. Harvest from the seine and gillnet openings remains confidential. Harvest to date from the rotational fisheries combined is 800 Chinook and 3,300 chum salmon. Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) anticipates a closure of the THA, in early August, will be necessary to complete cost recovery needs.

Hidden Falls THA

Purse seine openings began June 18. Due to recent run failures and a weak forecast, it is anticipated that only 2-3 openings will likely occur prior to a closure for broodstock collection. Forecast returns for Hidden Falls Terminal Harvest Area (THA) includes 510,000 chum salmon and 197,000 coho salmon; no Chinook salmon are expected to return in 2017. Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) needs 190,000 chum salmon for broodstock leaving 320,000 chum salmon available for common property harvests. Harvest from the seine fishery is confidential. NSRAA is not planning any direct cost-recovery harvest in the Hidden Falls Special Harvest Area (SHA). Additionally, due to a low forecast of chum salmon returns, there will be no tax assessment in the HFH THA.

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Prince William Sound (PWS)
Copper River and PWS Drift Gillnet The Copper River District was open to commercial fishing for a 12-hour fishing period on June 15 and June 19. These were the ninth and eighth tenth period of the 2017 season. The Coghill and Eshamy districts were open for a 24-hour fishing period on June 15 and June 19. The Unakwik District was open for a 24-hour period on June 19. Escapement monitoring at the Miles Lake Sonar Station for sockeye and Chinook salmon returns to the Copper started on May 11. To date, 466,389 salmon have been enumerated at the sonar site whereas the anticipated range for this date is 374,456-586,105. The Coghill River weir is fish tight and to-date salmon 1,339 have been enumerated. Waters inside of the barrier islands from Strawberry Entrance through Little Softuk were closed during the fishing period on June 15, but these waters were opened to commercial fishing on the following fishing period, Monday, June 19. Distribution of drift gillnet is currently 40% Copper River District and 60% Coghill/Eshamy districts. The preliminary harvest from the ninth Copper River District commercial fishing period was 294 Chinook and 30,939 sockeye salmon with 346 deliveries reported. The preliminary harvest from the tenth Copper River District commercial fishing period was 351 Chinook and 17,953 sockeye salmon with 254 deliveries reported. The anticipated sockeye salmon harvest for these fishing periods were 34,500 and 45,800 fish, respectively. Cumulative harvest to date in the Copper River District is 12,610 Chinook and 378,193 sockeye salmon. Cumulative harvest through the third week of fishing in the Coghill District was 72,093 chum and 5,633 sockeye salmon. Cumulative harvest through the third week of fishing in the Eshamy District was 106,733 sockeye and 18,579 chum salmon. Unakwik District harvest to-date is confidential. Copper River water levels are near average for this date but upriver runoff is steadying and water level is stabilizing. The ninth and tenth Copper River District fishing periods were short duration (12 hours) to reduce Chinook salmon harvest potential and to allow for sockeye salmon escapement. Prince William Sound Purse Seine There was a commercial fishing opener on Thursday, June 22 in portions of the Eastern and Southeastern districts. It is anticipated that early season fishing opportunities will be limited in frequency, with time and area being dependent upon escapement, harvest and effort. In the Southwestern District, the Armin F. Koernig Hatchery (AFK) Hatchery Terminal Harvest Area (THA) and Special Harvest Area (SHA) was open to commercial fishing on June 19 and June 22. Commercial fishing periods at the AFK THA and SHA will begin again on Saturday, June 24, and Thursday, June 22. A regular schedule of three fishing periods per week is anticipated to remain in effect until further notice. In the Montague District, the Port Chalmers Subdistrict was open to commercial fishing periods on June 12 and June 15. Commercial fishing periods at the Port Chalmers Subdistrict will begin again on Monday, June 19, and Thursday, June 22. A regular schedule of two fishing periods per week is anticipated to remain in effect until further notice. The first aerial surveys of portions of the Eastern District were conducted on Monday, June 19 and Friday, June 23. Stream escapement observations were minimal during these surveys, which is to be expected for this date. The next aerial survey for the Eastern and Northern district is scheduled for Thursday, June 29. The Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) reports having made four test sets near Entrance Point and Potato Point on Tuesday, June 20, with a total catch of 18 pink salmon. Test fishing is expected to continue Friday, June 23. The 2017 pink salmon total run forecast for Prince William Sound is 67.16 million fish, of which 58.92 million will be available for common property harvest. This pink salmon total run forecast includes 21.10 million wild stock fish, 18.75 million Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) fish, and 27.40 million Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) hatchery fish. Approximately 3.3 million (18%) of the projected 18.75 million pink salmon run to VFDA's Solomon Gulch Hatchery will be needed for cost recovery and broodstock leaving 14.0 million for common property harvest. Approximately 3.2 million (12%) of the projected 27.40 million pink salmon run to the PWSAC hatcheries will be needed for cost recovery and broodstock. The remaining 24.20 million PWSAC pink salmon will be available for common property harvest. Based on the department's wild stock pink salmon forecast of 21.10 million fish, there is a potential common property harvest of 19.65 million wild pink salmon. The department will manage for each district's escapement goal for a combined total of 1.45 million fish. It is estimated that 3,000 pink salmon and 10,500 chum salmon were harvested in eastern and southeastern PWS on Thursday, June 22, with 31 deliveries reported. The AFK harvest estimate from the fishing period that ended June 22 was 35,680 chum and 2,333 sockeye with 28 deliveries reported. Cumulative harvest at the AFK Hatchery through June 22 is 82,087 chum and 10,326 sockeye. Preliminary sockeye salmon contributions from the Port Chalmers Subdistrict from the 8-hour period that ended on Monday, June 19 were 97% Main Bay Hatchery (MBH) and 3% wild fish. The Port Chalmers harvest estimate from the fishing period that ended June 20 was 13,015 chum with 42 deliveries reported. Cumulative harvest in the Port Chalmers Subdistrict through June 22 is 229,679 chum salmon. Preliminary chum salmon contributions from the Port Chalmers Subdistrict from the 84-hour period that ended on Thursday, June 11 were 76% WNH, 8% AFK, 4% Port Chalmers, and 11% wild fish.

Prince William Sound (PWS)

Copper River and PWS Drift Gillnet

The Copper River District was open to commercial fishing for a 12-hour fishing period on June 15 and June 19. These were the ninth and eighth tenth period of the 2017 season. The Coghill and Eshamy districts were open for a 24-hour fishing period on June 15 and June 19. The Unakwik District was open for a 24-hour period on June 19.

Escapement monitoring at the Miles Lake Sonar Station for sockeye and Chinook salmon returns to the Copper started on May 11. To date, 466,389 salmon have been enumerated at the sonar site whereas the anticipated range for this date is 374,456-586,105. The Coghill River weir is fish tight and to-date salmon 1,339 have been enumerated.

Waters inside of the barrier islands from Strawberry Entrance through Little Softuk were closed during the fishing period on June 15, but these waters were opened to commercial fishing on the following fishing period, Monday, June 19. Distribution of drift gillnet is currently 40% Copper River District and 60% Coghill/Eshamy districts.

The preliminary harvest from the ninth Copper River District commercial fishing period was 294 Chinook and 30,939 sockeye salmon with 346 deliveries reported. The preliminary harvest from the tenth Copper River District commercial fishing period was 351 Chinook and 17,953 sockeye salmon with 254 deliveries reported. The anticipated sockeye salmon harvest for these fishing periods were 34,500 and 45,800 fish, respectively. Cumulative harvest to date in the Copper River District is 12,610 Chinook and 378,193 sockeye salmon. Cumulative harvest through the third week of fishing in the Coghill District was 72,093 chum and 5,633 sockeye salmon. Cumulative harvest through the third week of fishing in the Eshamy District was 106,733 sockeye and 18,579 chum salmon. Unakwik District harvest to-date is confidential.

Copper River water levels are near average for this date but upriver runoff is steadying and water level is stabilizing. The ninth and tenth Copper River District fishing periods were short duration (12 hours) to reduce Chinook salmon harvest potential and to allow for sockeye salmon escapement.

Prince William Sound Purse Seine

There was a commercial fishing opener on Thursday, June 22 in portions of the Eastern and Southeastern districts. It is anticipated that early season fishing opportunities will be limited in frequency, with time and area being dependent upon escapement, harvest and effort.

In the Southwestern District, the Armin F. Koernig Hatchery (AFK) Hatchery Terminal Harvest Area (THA) and Special Harvest Area (SHA) was open to commercial fishing on June 19 and June 22. Commercial fishing periods at the AFK THA and SHA will begin again on Saturday, June 24, and Thursday, June 22. A regular schedule of three fishing periods per week is anticipated to remain in effect until further notice.

In the Montague District, the Port Chalmers Subdistrict was open to commercial fishing periods on June 12 and June 15. Commercial fishing periods at the Port Chalmers Subdistrict will begin again on Monday, June 19, and Thursday, June 22. A regular schedule of two fishing periods per week is anticipated to remain in effect until further notice.

The first aerial surveys of portions of the Eastern District were conducted on Monday, June 19 and Friday, June 23. Stream escapement observations were minimal during these surveys, which is to be expected for this date. The next aerial survey for the Eastern and Northern district is scheduled for Thursday, June 29.

The Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) reports having made four test sets near Entrance Point and Potato Point on Tuesday, June 20, with a total catch of 18 pink salmon. Test fishing is expected to continue Friday, June 23.

The 2017 pink salmon total run forecast for Prince William Sound is 67.16 million fish, of which 58.92 million will be available for common property harvest. This pink salmon total run forecast includes 21.10 million wild stock fish, 18.75 million Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) fish, and 27.40 million Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) hatchery fish. Approximately 3.3 million (18%) of the projected 18.75 million pink salmon run to VFDA's Solomon Gulch Hatchery will be needed for cost recovery and broodstock leaving 14.0 million for common property harvest. Approximately 3.2 million (12%) of the projected 27.40 million pink salmon run to the PWSAC hatcheries will be needed for cost recovery and broodstock. The remaining 24.20 million PWSAC pink salmon will be available for common property harvest. Based on the department's wild stock pink salmon forecast of 21.10 million fish, there is a potential common property harvest of 19.65 million wild pink salmon. The department will manage for each district's escapement goal for a combined total of 1.45 million fish.

It is estimated that 3,000 pink salmon and 10,500 chum salmon were harvested in eastern and southeastern PWS on Thursday, June 22, with 31 deliveries reported.

The AFK harvest estimate from the fishing period that ended June 22 was 35,680 chum and 2,333 sockeye with 28 deliveries reported. Cumulative harvest at the AFK Hatchery through June 22 is 82,087 chum and 10,326 sockeye. Preliminary sockeye salmon contributions from the Port Chalmers Subdistrict from the 8-hour period that ended on Monday, June 19 were 97% Main Bay Hatchery (MBH) and 3% wild fish.

The Port Chalmers harvest estimate from the fishing period that ended June 20 was 13,015 chum with 42 deliveries reported. Cumulative harvest in the Port Chalmers Subdistrict through June 22 is 229,679 chum salmon. Preliminary chum salmon contributions from the Port Chalmers Subdistrict from the 84-hour period that ended on Thursday, June 11 were 76% WNH, 8% AFK, 4% Port Chalmers, and 11% wild fish.

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Bristol Bay
For News Releases detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the News Releases webpage. For the Bristol Bay harvest reports please see: Inseason Harvest Summary Inseason Daily Harvest Report Naknek-Kvichak District In the Naknek-Kvichak District the first delivery was on June 15 and cumulative catch through June 21 is 17,400 sockeye salmon. The Naknek Tower started counting on June 19 and cumulative escapement through June 21 is 6,408 fish. The District will close at 9:00 June 23. The next fishing period will be based on Naknek escapement and District Test Fishing. Kvichak Tower began counting June 22. Kvichak Test fish will begin fishing June 23. Egegik District In the Egegik District through June 21, cumulative escapement is 121,000 fish with cumulative harvest at 391,000 fish. Based on the recent 5 year average, through June 21, the run is approximately 5% complete. Based on 5% of the run, the projection is around 10 million fish; however this estimate should be considered very tenuous at this stage of the run. The preseason run forecast for the district is 10.7 million fish. Effort continues tobuild. The fishery is being actively managed based on tide by tide assessment of abundance. Commercial fishing is occurring on a daily basis. Ugashik District In the Ugashik District, ADF&G will deploy inseason assessment projects this weekend. Through June 21, cumulative harvest is 7,000 fish. Commercial fishing closed at the end of the early season schedule on June 16 but will be opened to an 8 hour set gillnet-only fishing period on June 22. Harvest will provide insight to fish movement into the Ugashik River. Further openings in the near future will partially depend on information received from this period. The pre-season projection for the district is for a run of 5.5 million fish. June 22 is still too early in the Ugashik run to develop a projection. Fishing effort is increasing in anticipation of fishing opportunity. Nushagak District In the Nushagak District fishing began in earnest on June 22. Fishing was delayed due to poor Chinook salmon escapement in the Nushagak River. Building sockeye salmon escapement ultimately necessitated fishing. Fishing should continue steadily for the rest of the season, but ADF&G will evaluate that after escapement is under control. Nushagak Chinook salmon escapement is well below expectations. Sockeye and chum escapement are above expectations in the Nushagak River and Wood River sockeye salmon escapement is ahead of expectations. There were 488 drift permits registered to fish in the Nushagak District. After one day of fishing catch is great, but it is only one day. Togiak District In the Togiak District, the regular weekly schedule in Togiak River Section closed early Wednesday morning for Chinook salmon conservation. Escapement enumeration begins in July. Effort in the district is low, however this is normal for this time of year.

Bristol Bay

For News Releases detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the News Releases webpage.

For the Bristol Bay harvest reports please see:

Naknek-Kvichak District

In the Naknek-Kvichak District the first delivery was on June 15 and cumulative catch through June 21 is 17,400 sockeye salmon. The Naknek Tower started counting on June 19 and cumulative escapement through June 21 is 6,408 fish. The District will close at 9:00 June 23. The next fishing period will be based on Naknek escapement and District Test Fishing. Kvichak Tower began counting June 22. Kvichak Test fish will begin fishing June 23.

Egegik District

In the Egegik District through June 21, cumulative escapement is 121,000 fish with cumulative harvest at 391,000 fish. Based on the recent 5 year average, through June 21, the run is approximately 5% complete. Based on 5% of the run, the projection is around 10 million fish; however this estimate should be considered very tenuous at this stage of the run. The preseason run forecast for the district is 10.7 million fish. Effort continues tobuild. The fishery is being actively managed based on tide by tide assessment of abundance. Commercial fishing is occurring on a daily basis.

Ugashik District

In the Ugashik District, ADF&G will deploy inseason assessment projects this weekend. Through June 21, cumulative harvest is 7,000 fish. Commercial fishing closed at the end of the early season schedule on June 16 but will be opened to an 8 hour set gillnet-only fishing period on June 22. Harvest will provide insight to fish movement into the Ugashik River. Further openings in the near future will partially depend on information received from this period. The pre-season projection for the district is for a run of 5.5 million fish. June 22 is still too early in the Ugashik run to develop a projection. Fishing effort is increasing in anticipation of fishing opportunity.

Nushagak District

In the Nushagak District fishing began in earnest on June 22. Fishing was delayed due to poor Chinook salmon escapement in the Nushagak River. Building sockeye salmon escapement ultimately necessitated fishing. Fishing should continue steadily for the rest of the season, but ADF&G will evaluate that after escapement is under control.

Nushagak Chinook salmon escapement is well below expectations. Sockeye and chum escapement are above expectations in the Nushagak River and Wood River sockeye salmon escapement is ahead of expectations.

There were 488 drift permits registered to fish in the Nushagak District. After one day of fishing catch is great, but it is only one day.

Togiak District

In the Togiak District, the regular weekly schedule in Togiak River Section closed early Wednesday morning for Chinook salmon conservation. Escapement enumeration begins in July. Effort in the district is low, however this is normal for this time of year.

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Cook Inlet:
Upper Cook Inlet (UCI) Currently in Upper Cook Inlet there are several commercial fisheries underway Northern District Set Gillnet King Salmon fishery: Mondays - 12 hour periods; ends June 24 Big River Sockeye Salmon Set Gillnet fishery: Mon-Wed-Fri - 12 hour periods; ends June 24 Western Subdistrict Set Gillnet fisheries: Mondays and Thursdays - 12 hour periods Central District Drift Gillnet fishery: Mondays and Thursdays - 12 hour periods The Kasilof River sockeye salmon enumeration project began on June 15. Approximately 34,300 sockeye salmon were enumerated through June 20. The current sockeye passage into the Kasilof River of 34,300 sockeye salmon is above the previous 10 year average (26,118 fish) as of June 20. Participation in the three commercial fisheries that are open so far in Upper Cook Inlet is about normal. The Northern District directed Chinook salmon commercial fishery has concluded for the 2017 season; the estimated Chinook salmon harvest after the four open periods was approximately 1,927 fish. The estimated sockeye salmon harvest from these periods is 4,452 fish. In the Big River sockeye salmon commercial fishery approximately 289 king salmon and 13,727 sockeye salmon were harvested since June 2. There is one additional open period in this fishery on June 23. The drift gillnet fishery harvested approximately 1,964 sockeye salmon in the first open period on June 19. For more harvest information please see Upper Cook Inlet Salmon Harvest webpage. Lower Cook Inlet (LCI) Cost recovery of returning Trail Lakes Hatchery sockeye salmon from the Bear Lake release is ongoing. Commercial set gillnet harvest began in the Southern District of Lower Cook Inlet on June 1 with commercial purse seine harvest beginning on Monday, June 19. The Kamishak Bay District opened to commercial purse seine harvest on June 1. The weir at Bear Creek in Resurrection Bay has been in operation for several weeks. Through June 21, a total of 8,109 sockeye salmon have been counted at the Bear Creek weir. This is above the anticipated range of 3,093 - 6,783 fish for this date. The weir on the English Bay River has been in operation since May 22. Through June 20, a total of 6,902 sockeye salmon have been counted. This is above the anticipated range of 1,182 - 2,660 fish for this date. Similar to the aforementioned weirs, the video monitoring station at Mikfik Lake documented 3,662 sockeye salmon entering the lake from May 30-June 20. This is within the anticipated escapement range for June 20 of 1,998 - 6,463 fish. An aerial survey of the Mikfik River below the weir documented 1,140 additional sockeye as well as a dozen brown bears. The sustainable escapement goal for Mikfik Lake is 3,400 - 11,000 fish. Timing for all three of these runs appears to be similar to the recent 10-year average; however there may be some run compression occurring as has happened in some recent years. Participation levels for Lower Cook Inlet commercial set gillnet and purse seine fisheries are anticipated to remain similar to recent years. Sockeye salmon harvests in the Southern District set gillnet commercial fishery through Wednesday, June 21 (6,537 fish) is nearly double the 2016 harvest (3,333 fish) for this date, although this is below the previous five year average of 7,327 fish commercially harvested by this date. The average sockeye salmon size harvested in 2017 in this fishery is approximately six pounds. This is approximately one-half pound more than average sizes in recent years, and may be the result of returning Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association sockeye being derived from English Bay Lakes broodstock, rather than the smaller Hidden Lake stock of sockeye salmon. In 2016 otoliths were sampled from commercial set gillnet sockeye salmon harvests from the first two weeks of the fishing season. Of those samples, 41.9% sampled the first week, and 29.1% sampled from the second week were found to have hatchery thermal marks. Similar to the set gillnet harvest, purse seine harvest in the Southern District has been robust with 2,078 sockeye delivered from the first two fishing periods. This is an increase from the 1,019 fish harvested during the first two periods last year. Last year 96.8% of the otoliths sampled during the first week of the commercial purse seine season were thermally marked indicating that these fish were of hatchery origin. Elevated ocean temperatures and a moderate amount of snowpack will likely continue having an effect on Lower Cook Inlet commercial salmon fisheries with regards to run timing as well as freshwater migration patterns and success. For preliminary harvest information for Lower Cook Inlet commercial fisheries please visit the Lower Cook Inlet Daily Harvest webpage.

Cook Inlet:

Upper Cook Inlet (UCI)

Currently in Upper Cook Inlet there are several commercial fisheries underway

Northern District Set Gillnet King Salmon fishery: Mondays - 12 hour periods; ends June 24
Big River Sockeye Salmon Set Gillnet fishery: Mon-Wed-Fri - 12 hour periods; ends June 24
Western Subdistrict Set Gillnet fisheries: Mondays and Thursdays - 12 hour periods
Central District Drift Gillnet fishery: Mondays and Thursdays - 12 hour periods

The Kasilof River sockeye salmon enumeration project began on June 15. Approximately 34,300 sockeye salmon were enumerated through June 20. The current sockeye passage into the Kasilof River of 34,300 sockeye salmon is above the previous 10 year average (26,118 fish) as of June 20.

Participation in the three commercial fisheries that are open so far in Upper Cook Inlet is about normal.

The Northern District directed Chinook salmon commercial fishery has concluded for the 2017 season; the estimated Chinook salmon harvest after the four open periods was approximately 1,927 fish. The estimated sockeye salmon harvest from these periods is 4,452 fish.

In the Big River sockeye salmon commercial fishery approximately 289 king salmon and 13,727 sockeye salmon were harvested since June 2. There is one additional open period in this fishery on June 23.

The drift gillnet fishery harvested approximately 1,964 sockeye salmon in the first open period on June 19.

For more harvest information please see Upper Cook Inlet Salmon Harvest webpage.

Lower Cook Inlet (LCI)

Cost recovery of returning Trail Lakes Hatchery sockeye salmon from the Bear Lake release is ongoing. Commercial set gillnet harvest began in the Southern District of Lower Cook Inlet on June 1 with commercial purse seine harvest beginning on Monday, June 19. The Kamishak Bay District opened to commercial purse seine harvest on June 1.

The weir at Bear Creek in Resurrection Bay has been in operation for several weeks. Through June 21, a total of 8,109 sockeye salmon have been counted at the Bear Creek weir. This is above the anticipated range of 3,093 - 6,783 fish for this date. The weir on the English Bay River has been in operation since May 22. Through June 20, a total of 6,902 sockeye salmon have been counted. This is above the anticipated range of 1,182 - 2,660 fish for this date. Similar to the aforementioned weirs, the video monitoring station at Mikfik Lake documented 3,662 sockeye salmon entering the lake from May 30-June 20. This is within the anticipated escapement range for June 20 of 1,998 - 6,463 fish. An aerial survey of the Mikfik River below the weir documented 1,140 additional sockeye as well as a dozen brown bears. The sustainable escapement goal for Mikfik Lake is 3,400 - 11,000 fish. Timing for all three of these runs appears to be similar to the recent 10-year average; however there may be some run compression occurring as has happened in some recent years.

Participation levels for Lower Cook Inlet commercial set gillnet and purse seine fisheries are anticipated to remain similar to recent years.

Sockeye salmon harvests in the Southern District set gillnet commercial fishery through Wednesday, June 21 (6,537 fish) is nearly double the 2016 harvest (3,333 fish) for this date, although this is below the previous five year average of 7,327 fish commercially harvested by this date. The average sockeye salmon size harvested in 2017 in this fishery is approximately six pounds. This is approximately one-half pound more than average sizes in recent years, and may be the result of returning Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association sockeye being derived from English Bay Lakes broodstock, rather than the smaller Hidden Lake stock of sockeye salmon. In 2016 otoliths were sampled from commercial set gillnet sockeye salmon harvests from the first two weeks of the fishing season. Of those samples, 41.9% sampled the first week, and 29.1% sampled from the second week were found to have hatchery thermal marks.

Similar to the set gillnet harvest, purse seine harvest in the Southern District has been robust with 2,078 sockeye delivered from the first two fishing periods. This is an increase from the 1,019 fish harvested during the first two periods last year. Last year 96.8% of the otoliths sampled during the first week of the commercial purse seine season were thermally marked indicating that these fish were of hatchery origin.

Elevated ocean temperatures and a moderate amount of snowpack will likely continue having an effect on Lower Cook Inlet commercial salmon fisheries with regards to run timing as well as freshwater migration patterns and success.

For preliminary harvest information for Lower Cook Inlet commercial fisheries please visit the Lower Cook Inlet Daily Harvest webpage.

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Kodiak
Kodiak The Inner and Outer Karluk sections of the Southwest Kodiak District and the majority of the Northwest Kodiak District and the Southwest Afognak Section of the Afognak District are currently open until further notice to target Karluk early-run sockeye. The second general 33-hour commercial salmon opening in the Northwest Afognak, Pauls and Perenosa Bay sections of the Afognak District, the Eastside Kodiak District, and the Outer Kukak and Big River sections of the Mainland District opened on June 21. The second 48-hour commercial salmon fishing period in the Cape Igvak Section of the Mainland District targeting Chignik-bound sockeye salmon opens at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 23. The Outer Ayakulik Section of the Southwest Kodiak District opened last week for 57-hours targeting Ayakulik early-run sockeye. The Alitak District opened last week for 57-hour targeting Alitak sockeye salmon. The Southeast Afognak Section of the Afognak District remains open until further notice targeting Afognak Lake sockeye salmon. The Duck Bay, Izhut Bay sections of the Afognak District also opened until further notice to target early-run hatchery chum salmon. The Foul Bay Special Harvest Area open until further notice to commercial salmon fishing to target early-run hatchery sockeye. The current commercial fishery in the Inner Ugak Section of the Eastside Kodiak District is extended through June 24 targeting Saltery sockeye salmon. The cumulative Karluk River early-run sockeye salmon escapement through June 21 is approximately 196,000 fish, which is well above the desired escapement range for this date. Karluk River Chinook salmon escapement is below the desired range. Non-retention of Chinook salmon has been imposed on the commercial seine fleet area-wide. The cumulative Ayakulik River early-run sockeye salmon escapement through June 21 is approximately 101,000 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date. Ayakulik River Chinook salmon escapement is within the desired range. In the Alitak District, the cumulative Upper Station early-run sockeye salmon escapement through June 21 is approximately 61,000 fish, which is above the desired escapement range for this date. Only approximately 22,000 sockeye have been counted through the Dog Salmon Weir but there is a large buildup behind both weirs. The Afognak River sockeye salmon escapement is approximately 14,000 fish which is within the desired escapement goal range for this date. The Saltery River sockeye salmon escapement is approximately 1,000 fish which is above the desired escapement goal range for this date. Escapement is below average at Pasagshak River weir, but here is a buildup of fish in the river. The Buskin River sockeye salmon run is tracking above the 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. Both seine and gillnet effort is average for this date when compared to recent years. Approximately 454,000 sockeye salmon have been harvested through June 21 which is above average for this date. For detailed daily harvest information please visit the Kodiak Inseason Harvest Estimates webpage. For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Kodiak Management Area webpage. For News Releases detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the News Releases webpage.

Kodiak

The Inner and Outer Karluk sections of the Southwest Kodiak District and the majority of the Northwest Kodiak District and the Southwest Afognak Section of the Afognak District are currently open until further notice to target Karluk early-run sockeye.

The second general 33-hour commercial salmon opening in the Northwest Afognak, Pauls and Perenosa Bay sections of the Afognak District, the Eastside Kodiak District, and the Outer Kukak and Big River sections of the Mainland District opened on June 21.

The second 48-hour commercial salmon fishing period in the Cape Igvak Section of the Mainland District targeting Chignik-bound sockeye salmon opens at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 23.

The Outer Ayakulik Section of the Southwest Kodiak District opened last week for 57-hours targeting Ayakulik early-run sockeye.

The Alitak District opened last week for 57-hour targeting Alitak sockeye salmon.

The Southeast Afognak Section of the Afognak District remains open until further notice targeting Afognak Lake sockeye salmon.

The Duck Bay, Izhut Bay sections of the Afognak District also opened until further notice to target early-run hatchery chum salmon.

The Foul Bay Special Harvest Area open until further notice to commercial salmon fishing to target early-run hatchery sockeye.

The current commercial fishery in the Inner Ugak Section of the Eastside Kodiak District is extended through June 24 targeting Saltery sockeye salmon.

The cumulative Karluk River early-run sockeye salmon escapement through June 21 is approximately 196,000 fish, which is well above the desired escapement range for this date. Karluk River Chinook salmon escapement is below the desired range. Non-retention of Chinook salmon has been imposed on the commercial seine fleet area-wide.

The cumulative Ayakulik River early-run sockeye salmon escapement through June 21 is approximately 101,000 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date. Ayakulik River Chinook salmon escapement is within the desired range.

In the Alitak District, the cumulative Upper Station early-run sockeye salmon escapement through June 21 is approximately 61,000 fish, which is above the desired escapement range for this date. Only approximately 22,000 sockeye have been counted through the Dog Salmon Weir but there is a large buildup behind both weirs.

The Afognak River sockeye salmon escapement is approximately 14,000 fish which is within the desired escapement goal range for this date.

The Saltery River sockeye salmon escapement is approximately 1,000 fish which is above the desired escapement goal range for this date.

Escapement is below average at Pasagshak River weir, but here is a buildup of fish in the river.

The Buskin River sockeye salmon run is tracking above the 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.

Both seine and gillnet effort is average for this date when compared to recent years.

Approximately 454,000 sockeye salmon have been harvested through June 21 which is above average for this date.

For detailed daily harvest information please visit the Kodiak Inseason Harvest Estimates webpage.

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

For News Releases detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the News Releases webpage.

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Alaska Peninsula
North Peninsula The weekly fishing period in Nelson Lagoon closes at 11:59 PM on June 22. The Bear River and Three Hills sections remain closed to commercial salmon fishing. The Ilnik Section opened to commercial salmon fishing on June 20 until 6:00 p.m. Friday, June 23. The Outer Port Heiden Section opened to commercial salmon fishing at 6 AM on Thursday, June 22 and will remain open until 6 PM Saturday, June 24. Ilnik River sockeye salmon escapement at the weir is exceptionally strong for this date and has met the season ending escapement goal (40,000-60,000 fish) by the first interim inseason objective of June 20. Already 52,000 sockeye salmon have passed through the weir and the July 25 season ending escapement goal of 40,000-60,000 will be exceeded soon. The Ocean River, a tributary of the Ilnik River system, is emptying directly into Ilnik Lagoon this year. Bear River weir counts have been meeting interim objectives but with little direct harvest. The June 25 interim escapement objective of 30,000-55,000 sockeye salmon is met with 31,000 fish as of June 21. Weir counts at Sandy River are below average for this date, but just recently started increasing ever so slightly on a daily basis. Only 1,300 sockeye salmon have passed the weir and the June 25 interim escapement objective is 6,000-11,000 fish. The Nelson River weir counts have been slowly increasing, but escapement remains well below recent years and the 10 year average. The first interim escapement objective for Nelson River is June 30 of 30,000-60,000 sockeye salmon. It is likely that the Caribou and David rivers, which are typically early run systems, are making up the bulk of the harvest in Nelson Lagoon over the past few weeks but daily counts just started to increase as well as the commercial catch numbers indicating that, hopefully, the Nelson River run has begun. Aerials surveys are used to assess the Caribou and David rivers later in the summer when the fish make it to the clear water where they are visible. The Nelson Lagoon commercial sockeye salmon harvests were about 6,000 sockeye salmon per day total for the 22 permit holders. In the Ilnik Section, the sockeye salmon harvest on the first 24 hour opener was 89,000 sockeye salmon and the second day was 122,000 fish with about 100 drift gillnet permit holders participating. It is still too early to draw any comparisons at this time. On June 22, the major shore-based processor in Port Moller put the fleet on harvest limits. For inseason harvest information please see Alaska Peninsula Inseason Commercial Harvest Estimates. For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Alaska Peninsula Management Area webpage. For News Releases detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the News Releases webpage. South Peninsula The third commercial salmon fishing period for set gillnet gear in the South Alaska Peninsula opened at 6:00 AM Saturday, June 17 and closed at 10:00 PM Tuesday, June 20. The second commercial salmon fishing period for seine and drift gillnet gear in the South Alaska Peninsula opened at 6:00 AM Thursday, June 15 and closed at 10:00 PM Sunday, June 18. The third commercial salmon fishing period for seine and drift gillnet gear in the South Alaska Peninsula opened at 6:00 AM Tuesday, June 20 and closes at 10:00 PM Friday, June 23. The second commercial salmon fishing period for set gillnet gear in the Southeastern District Mainland Section of the Southeastern District opened at 6:00 AM Saturday, June 17 and was extended to close at 6:00 AM Wednesday, June 21. The McLees Lake weir began counting fish on June 10 and has passed a total of 257 sockeye salmon. The Orzinski River weir began counting fish on June 16 and has passed a total of 20 sockeye salmon Participation in the fishery thus far is consistent with participation in previous years. Sockeye salmon harvest is above average for this date and represents 64% of the total harvest. Chum and pink salmon harvest is average for this date and represent 15% and 21% of the total harvest respectively. For inseason harvest information please see Alaska Peninsula Inseason Commercial Harvest Estimates. For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Alaska Peninsula Management Area webpage. For News Releases detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the News Releases webpage.

Alaska Peninsula

North Peninsula

The weekly fishing period in Nelson Lagoon closes at 11:59 PM on June 22. The Bear River and Three Hills sections remain closed to commercial salmon fishing. The Ilnik Section opened to commercial salmon fishing on June 20 until 6:00 p.m. Friday, June 23. The Outer Port Heiden Section opened to commercial salmon fishing at 6 AM on Thursday, June 22 and will remain open until 6 PM Saturday, June 24.

Ilnik River sockeye salmon escapement at the weir is exceptionally strong for this date and has met the season ending escapement goal (40,000-60,000 fish) by the first interim inseason objective of June 20. Already 52,000 sockeye salmon have passed through the weir and the July 25 season ending escapement goal of 40,000-60,000 will be exceeded soon. The Ocean River, a tributary of the Ilnik River system, is emptying directly into Ilnik Lagoon this year. Bear River weir counts have been meeting interim objectives but with little direct harvest. The June 25 interim escapement objective of 30,000-55,000 sockeye salmon is met with 31,000 fish as of June 21. Weir counts at Sandy River are below average for this date, but just recently started increasing ever so slightly on a daily basis. Only 1,300 sockeye salmon have passed the weir and the June 25 interim escapement objective is 6,000-11,000 fish. The Nelson River weir counts have been slowly increasing, but escapement remains well below recent years and the 10 year average. The first interim escapement objective for Nelson River is June 30 of 30,000-60,000 sockeye salmon. It is likely that the Caribou and David rivers, which are typically early run systems, are making up the bulk of the harvest in Nelson Lagoon over the past few weeks but daily counts just started to increase as well as the commercial catch numbers indicating that, hopefully, the Nelson River run has begun. Aerials surveys are used to assess the Caribou and David rivers later in the summer when the fish make it to the clear water where they are visible.

The Nelson Lagoon commercial sockeye salmon harvests were about 6,000 sockeye salmon per day total for the 22 permit holders. In the Ilnik Section, the sockeye salmon harvest on the first 24 hour opener was 89,000 sockeye salmon and the second day was 122,000 fish with about 100 drift gillnet permit holders participating. It is still too early to draw any comparisons at this time.

On June 22, the major shore-based processor in Port Moller put the fleet on harvest limits.

For inseason harvest information please see Alaska Peninsula Inseason Commercial Harvest Estimates.

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

For News Releases detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the News Releases webpage.

South Peninsula

The third commercial salmon fishing period for set gillnet gear in the South Alaska Peninsula opened at 6:00 AM Saturday, June 17 and closed at 10:00 PM Tuesday, June 20. The second commercial salmon fishing period for seine and drift gillnet gear in the South Alaska Peninsula opened at 6:00 AM Thursday, June 15 and closed at 10:00 PM Sunday, June 18. The third commercial salmon fishing period for seine and drift gillnet gear in the South Alaska Peninsula opened at 6:00 AM Tuesday, June 20 and closes at 10:00 PM Friday, June 23. The second commercial salmon fishing period for set gillnet gear in the Southeastern District Mainland Section of the Southeastern District opened at 6:00 AM Saturday, June 17 and was extended to close at 6:00 AM Wednesday, June 21.

The McLees Lake weir began counting fish on June 10 and has passed a total of 257 sockeye salmon. The Orzinski River weir began counting fish on June 16 and has passed a total of 20 sockeye salmon

Participation in the fishery thus far is consistent with participation in previous years.

Sockeye salmon harvest is above average for this date and represents 64% of the total harvest. Chum and pink salmon harvest is average for this date and represent 15% and 21% of the total harvest respectively.

For inseason harvest information please see Alaska Peninsula Inseason Commercial Harvest Estimates.

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

For News Releases detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the News Releases webpage.

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Chignik
Chignik Commercial salmon closed at midnight on June 15 and reopened in the Chignik Bay, Central and Eastern districts, as well as the Inner Castle Cape Subsection of the Western District for 60 hours beginning noon June 19. The fishing period has been extended 24 hours and now closes at midnight June 22. As of 10:00 a.m., June 21, approximately 188,705 sockeye salmon had passed the weir. Sockeye salmon escapement is slightly above the most recent 10-year average. The June 22 interim escapement objective is 183,000-235,000 fish. The 2017 Chignik River early sockeye salmon run is forecasted to be 1.26 million fish with an estimated harvest of 866,000 sockeye salmon. The 2017 Chignik River late run is forecasted to be 938,000 fish with an estimated harvest of 600,000 fish. Genetic sampling will begin at the weir approximately June 25 to apportion the early and late run during the peak of the overlap period from late June through mid-July. Approximately 57 of the 94 registered permits in the Chignik Management Area (CMA) have actively participated in this season's fishery. From June 1 until July 25 sockeye salmon harvested in areas adjacent to the CMA are considered bound for Chignik. The Cape Igvak Section of Area K has had one 48-hour commercial salmon fishing period (12:01 a.m. June 14 until 11:59 p.m. June 15). They are currently scheduled to reopen for a 48 hour period beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 23. The Southeastern District Mainland (SEDM) of Area M was opened for a 48 hour commercial fishing period on June 17 and was extended an additional 48 hours. Approximately 80,614 sockeye salmon have been harvested in Igvak this season. For the week of June 16-21, approximately 33,798 sockeye have been harvested in SEDM. The cumulative sockeye salmon harvest during the allocation period for SEDM is 52,417 fish. The Cape Igvak and SEDM sockeye salmon harvest allocation percentages are currently at 16.7% and 13.1%, respectively. For the week of June 16 through June 20, approximately 128 Chinook, 65,659 sockeye, 21 coho, 8,010 pinks and 9,574 chum salmon have been harvested. The 2017 cumulative harvest for the Chignik Management Area is: 585 Chinook, 321,010 sockeye, 170 coho, 13,369 pink salmon and 26,420 chum salmon. The majority of the fishing effort has occurred in the Chignik Bay District followed by the Eastern and Central districts. Sockeye salmon harvest levels are slightly below average for this time of year. For more harvest information please see Chignik Inseason Commercial Harvest Estimates webpage. For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Chignik Management Area webpage. For News Releases detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the News Releases webpage.

Chignik

Commercial salmon closed at midnight on June 15 and reopened in the Chignik Bay, Central and Eastern districts, as well as the Inner Castle Cape Subsection of the Western District for 60 hours beginning noon June 19. The fishing period has been extended 24 hours and now closes at midnight June 22.

As of 10:00 a.m., June 21, approximately 188,705 sockeye salmon had passed the weir. Sockeye salmon escapement is slightly above the most recent 10-year average. The June 22 interim escapement objective is 183,000-235,000 fish.

The 2017 Chignik River early sockeye salmon run is forecasted to be 1.26 million fish with an estimated harvest of 866,000 sockeye salmon. The 2017 Chignik River late run is forecasted to be 938,000 fish with an estimated harvest of 600,000 fish. Genetic sampling will begin at the weir approximately June 25 to apportion the early and late run during the peak of the overlap period from late June through mid-July.

Approximately 57 of the 94 registered permits in the Chignik Management Area (CMA) have actively participated in this season's fishery.

From June 1 until July 25 sockeye salmon harvested in areas adjacent to the CMA are considered bound for Chignik. The Cape Igvak Section of Area K has had one 48-hour commercial salmon fishing period (12:01 a.m. June 14 until 11:59 p.m. June 15). They are currently scheduled to reopen for a 48 hour period beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 23. The Southeastern District Mainland (SEDM) of Area M was opened for a 48 hour commercial fishing period on June 17 and was extended an additional 48 hours. Approximately 80,614 sockeye salmon have been harvested in Igvak this season. For the week of June 16-21, approximately 33,798 sockeye have been harvested in SEDM. The cumulative sockeye salmon harvest during the allocation period for SEDM is 52,417 fish. The Cape Igvak and SEDM sockeye salmon harvest allocation percentages are currently at 16.7% and 13.1%, respectively.

For the week of June 16 through June 20, approximately 128 Chinook, 65,659 sockeye, 21 coho, 8,010 pinks and 9,574 chum salmon have been harvested. The 2017 cumulative harvest for the Chignik Management Area is: 585 Chinook, 321,010 sockeye, 170 coho, 13,369 pink salmon and 26,420 chum salmon. The majority of the fishing effort has occurred in the Chignik Bay District followed by the Eastern and Central districts. Sockeye salmon harvest levels are slightly below average for this time of year.

For more harvest information please see Chignik Inseason Commercial Harvest Estimates webpage.

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

For News Releases detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the News Releases webpage.

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Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim
Yukon River The 2017 summer chum run is projected to be 2.4 million fish with an estimated harvestable surplus of 1.5 million fish. As of June 21, 1.2 million summer chum have been counted at the sonar project near Pilot Station. The Lower Yukon summer chum-directed commercial fishery began on June 10 in District 1 and June 21 in District 2. Fishermen in both districts were required to use selective gear types (beach seines and dip nets) and release all incidentally caught Chinook salmon back to the water alive. Chinook salmon caught and released must be recorded on a fish ticket. From June 16 to June 22, five 12-hour commercial periods occurred in District 1 with a preliminary harvest of 65,015 summer chum and 2,318 Chinook salmon released alive. The preliminary cumulative total for District 1 is 91,635 summer chum harvested commercially and 3,746 Chinook salmon released alive. The chum directed fishery in District 2 began on June 21 and as of June 22, one 6-hour period has occurred. The preliminary harvest in District 2 is 5,416 summer chum salmon with 133 Chinook salmon released alive. Kuskokwim River The 2017 Kuskokwim River Chinook salmon forecast is for a range of 132,000-222,000 fish. The drainage-wide Chinook salmon escapement goal is 65,000-120,000. The amount of Chinook salmon determined by the Board of Fish that is reasonably necessary for subsistence is a range of 67,200-109,800 fish. If the run comes back within the forecast range, the drainage-wide escapement goal is expected to be achieved and there may be enough Chinook to meet subsistence needs. For more information please see the 2017 Kuskokwim River Chinook Salmon Outlook (PDF 220 kB).. Norton Sound In Norton Sound, there is no commercial salmon fishing expected until the last week of June. Chinook salmon are expected to be poor with no commercial fishing and numerous subsistence closures. Other salmon runs should be average. There is only one registered buyer so far this year. For more information please see the 2017 Norton Sound Salmon Fisheries Outlook and Management Strategies (PDF 384 kB).. Kotzebue In Kotzebue, there is no commercial salmon fishing expected until the second week of July. The chum salmon run is expected to be average. For the first time since 2014 there will be two major buyers with a third buyer possibly coming in August. Two of the buyers plan to bring in floating processors in August thereby eliminating the bottleneck of insufficient plane capacity to fly the fish out. For more information please see the 2017 Kotzebue Sound Salmon Management Plan (PDF 161 kB).

Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim

Yukon River

The 2017 summer chum run is projected to be 2.4 million fish with an estimated harvestable surplus of 1.5 million fish. As of June 21, 1.2 million summer chum have been counted at the sonar project near Pilot Station.

The Lower Yukon summer chum-directed commercial fishery began on June 10 in District 1 and June 21 in District 2. Fishermen in both districts were required to use selective gear types (beach seines and dip nets) and release all incidentally caught Chinook salmon back to the water alive. Chinook salmon caught and released must be recorded on a fish ticket.

From June 16 to June 22, five 12-hour commercial periods occurred in District 1 with a preliminary harvest of 65,015 summer chum and 2,318 Chinook salmon released alive. The preliminary cumulative total for District 1 is 91,635 summer chum harvested commercially and 3,746 Chinook salmon released alive.

The chum directed fishery in District 2 began on June 21 and as of June 22, one 6-hour period has occurred. The preliminary harvest in District 2 is 5,416 summer chum salmon with 133 Chinook salmon released alive.

Kuskokwim River

The 2017 Kuskokwim River Chinook salmon forecast is for a range of 132,000-222,000 fish. The drainage-wide Chinook salmon escapement goal is 65,000-120,000. The amount of Chinook salmon determined by the Board of Fish that is reasonably necessary for subsistence is a range of 67,200-109,800 fish. If the run comes back within the forecast range, the drainage-wide escapement goal is expected to be achieved and there may be enough Chinook to meet subsistence needs.

For more information please see the 2017 Kuskokwim River Chinook Salmon Outlook (PDF 220 kB)..

Norton Sound

In Norton Sound, there is no commercial salmon fishing expected until the last week of June. Chinook salmon are expected to be poor with no commercial fishing and numerous subsistence closures. Other salmon runs should be average. There is only one registered buyer so far this year.

For more information please see the 2017 Norton Sound Salmon Fisheries Outlook and Management Strategies (PDF 384 kB)..

Kotzebue

In Kotzebue, there is no commercial salmon fishing expected until the second week of July. The chum salmon run is expected to be average. For the first time since 2014 there will be two major buyers with a third buyer possibly coming in August. Two of the buyers plan to bring in floating processors in August thereby eliminating the bottleneck of insufficient plane capacity to fly the fish out.

For more information please see the 2017 Kotzebue Sound Salmon Management Plan (PDF 161 kB).

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Alaska Department of Fish and Game

2017 Inseason Alaska Commercial Salmon Summary

Troll Fishery

Purse Seine Fishery

Drift Gillnet Fishery

Tree Point/Section 1-B

Stikine and Prince of Wales/Districts 6 and 8

Taku-Snettisham/Section 11-B

Lynn Canal/District 15

Yakutat Area Set Gillnet Fishery

Terminal Harvest Area (THA) Fisheries

Boat Harbor THA

Nakat Inlet THA

Neets Bay THA

Kendrick Bay THA

Anita Bay THA

Deep Inlet THA

Hidden Falls THA

Copper River and PWS Drift Gillnet

Prince William Sound Purse Seine

Naknek-Kvichak District

Egegik District

Ugashik District

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Togiak District

Upper Cook Inlet (UCI)

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Kodiak

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