Inseason Alaska Commercial Salmon Summary

Troll Fishery

A total of 11 spring troll areas targeting Alaska hatchery Chinook salmon and eight hatchery chum areas were open during in the 2020 spring troll fishery, which concluded on June 30.

At total of 257 troll permits have reported 13,058 Chinook salmon harvested from 1,483 landings through June 30 (Statistical Week 27). Fishery participation has decreased by 26 permits from 2019 and the number of permits fished is down 41% when compared to the 5-year average (435 permits), primarily due to the reduced number of open fishing areas. The 2020 cumulative spring Chinook salmon harvest through June 30 is up from 2019 by 934 fish and down from the 5-year average by 14,079 fish. The current spring troll seasonal average weight for Chinook salmon of 11.7 lb is below the 2019 and 5-year averages of 13.7 and 12.6 lb during the same weekly period. The seasonal Chinook salmon average price per pound of $7.09 is a decrease from the 2019 and 5-year averages by $0.31 and $1.13, respectively, but $0.02 higher than reported the previous week. Much of the decrease in price during the 2020 spring fishery can be attributed to reduced markets for fresh Chinook salmon resulting from health mandates enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Directed chum fishery effort remains low and the entire chum salmon catch for all spring troll fisheries combined is 128 fish.

The general summer troll fishery opened on July 1. The department issued an advisory announcement on June 25 announcing a summer troll Chinook salmon harvest target of 85,600 fish for the first Chinook salmon retention period. The fishery will be managed inseason with an estimated seven to eight days of fishing.

The 2020 Summer Troll Fishery Management Plan (PDF 3,743 MB) was published this week and is available in area offices and on the troll webpage.

• Southeast Summer Troll webpage
• Southeast Management Plans webpage
• Commercial Fishery Advisory Announcements

Purse Seine Fishery

Common property purse seine openings began in June and are primarily directed at harvesting returns of enhanced chum salmon in Terminal Harvested Areas (THAs). The Anita Bay and Carroll Inlet THAs will be open on June 1 followed by the Deep Inlet THA on June 2 and Neets Bay and Kendrick Bay THAs on June 15. Thomas Bay, SE Cove, the Hidden Falls THAs, the Point Augusta Index fishery and Tenakee Inlet opened June 21.

The 2020 Southeast Alaska pink salmon harvest forecast is predicted to be weak with a point estimate of 12 million fish. In southern Southeast, common property purse seine openings directed at harvesting pink salmon began July 5 in Districts 1, 2 and 7. In northern Southeast, only the Point Augusta Index fishery was opened. The harvests from the July 5 opening are still being tallied. Hawk Inlet, Point Gardner, and Kingsmill test fisheries began in statistical week 26 and have indicated weak run strength for all salmon to date.

Southeast Alaska Chinook salmon stocks are currently experiencing a cycle of very low abundance. In 2020, three of the five systems for which forecasts are developed are projecting runs below their escapement goal ranges. In an effort to meet escapement goals in Southeast Alaska systems, restrictions will be implemented in gillnet, seine, troll, sport, personal use, and subsistence fisheries.

For all purse seine fishing areas except Carroll Inlet, Neets Bay, Anita Bay, Hidden Falls, and Deep Inlet THAs, Chinook salmon 28 inches or greater in length may NOT be retained and Chinook salmon less than 28 inches may be retained but not sold. All Chinook salmon harvested in the Carroll Inlet, Neets Bay, Anita Bay, Hidden Falls, and Deep Inlet THAs may be retained and sold. All Chinook salmon harvested in the Deep Inlet THA must be retained and may be sold. These restrictions will be in place through at least July 25.

Drift Gillnet Fishery

For more information please see the 2020 Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan (PDF 765 kB)

Tree Point/Section 1-B

The Tree Point drift gillnet fishery was open for four days starting on Sunday, June 28. In comparison to the 10-year average, harvest of all salmon species was below average. The effort level of 25 vessels was also below the 10-year average of 48 vessels. The estimated weekly harvest was 500 Chinook salmon, 2,500 sockeye salmon, 600 coho salmon, 2,000 pink salmon, and 10,000 chum salmon. The Nass River has a pre-season forecast of 494,000 sockeye salmon, allowing for a treaty harvest of 41,000 sockeye salmon. This early in the season harvest rates can be low and run timings can greatly affect the early harvest rate. With effort below average and currently no treaty concerns, Tree Point will open for four days in statistical week 28, beginning at 12:01 p.m., Sunday, July 5.

For further details concerning this fishery, please see the 2020 Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan (PDF 765 kB) which is also available at area offices.

Stikine and Prince of Wales/Districts 6 and 8

District 6 opened for 48 hours beginning Sunday, June 21. District 8 did not open to conserve Stikine River Chinook salmon. A six-inch maximum mesh restriction was implemented for Chinook salmon conservation. On the grounds surveys indicated sockeye salmon abundance well below the level to warrant additional fishing time. The total salmon harvest for all species was below average. Both districts will open on June 28 for 48 hours. Area and mesh restrictions will continue to be in effect for Chinook salmon conservation. ADF&G personnel will be on the grounds assessing sockeye salmon run strength for possible adjustments to fishing periods.

The 2020 preseason terminal run forecast for Stikine River large Chinook salmon is 13,400 fish. This forecast is well below the average of 19,400 fish and just under the escapement goal range of 14,000–28,000 fish. Available information indicates a run size near the lower end of the escapement goal range. Conservation measures for Chinook salmon will be in place for the first few weeks of the sockeye salmon fishery.

The 2020 preseason forecast for Stikine River sockeye salmon is 103,400 fish, which is below the average of 115,000 fish. This forecast includes: 64,500 Tahltan Lake fish and 38,900 mainstem sockeye salmon. The first inseason abundance estimate will be assessed during the first week of July.

Taku-Snettisham/Section 11-B

The second opening of the 2020 District 11 drift gillnet fishery garnered nearly identical effort as the previous week with approximately 30 boats participating, about 40% of the recent 10-year average for the week. Significant restrictions in time, area, and gear remained in place to minimize harvest of Chinook salmon. Unlike last week, the chum salmon harvest was enough to keep most of the boats out on the water for the entire opening and a couple boats even ran down from District 15. Although the weekly chum salmon harvest picked up, it was still only 15% of average with an estimate of 11,000 fish harvested. Chum salmon average size appeared to take a significant dip down from the week before causing some to switch to smaller-mesh nets.

Chinook salmon harvest remained near the weekly average with an estimate of 250 fish harvested. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was well above average with such light effort. The Taku River stock assessment drift net project had its highest daily catch of large Chinook salmon on Monday (June 29) with four days of solid catches before that, which is abnormal for this point in the season but is likely an artifact of a 10-day high water event that stacked fish up in the lower river. Perhaps abundance will remain steady for a bit longer at this late juncture in the season and help boost what looks to be a below-forecast, and well below escapement goal range, run size.

Weekly sockeye salmon harvest was a quarter of average with CPUE 80% of average. The overall average size will likely remain around five pounds for statistical week 27. Scale reads from the first opening (statistical week 26), with a very small sample size, indicated 72% were 2-ocean fish (1.2) which is unusual and certainly helps explain the small sizes being observed. The Canyon Island fish wheels have had five days of solid sockeye salmon catch, bumping the cumulative hourly CPUE curve up to average. The two-day inaugural season opener for the Canada in-river fishery this week resulted in below average sockeye salmon CPUE for the week. This in-river opening initiates the recapture component of the mark-recapture project which will hopefully result in the first terminal run size projection of Taku River sockeye salmon sometime next week (statistical week 28).

The District 11 drift gillnet fishery will have another 48-hour opening next week (statistical week 28) with the north line relaxed up to Jaw Point in Taku Inlet and the six-inch maximum mesh size restriction still in place, but night closures will no longer be in effect.

The 2020 SEAK Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan can be found on the Southeast Management Plans webpage

Lynn Canal/District 15

District 15 was open in parts of Sections 15-A and 15-C from 12:01 p.m., Sunday, June 28, through 12:00 noon, Tuesday, June 30. These areas were closed each night between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.

The inside waters of the Boat Harbor Terminal Harvest Area (THA) were open all week with no restrictions.

The Chilkoot weir had an additional 468 sockeye salmon pass in Statistical Week 27, which is well below the 10-year average of 3,271 fish for that week. On the Chilkat River side, the fish wheels caught 62 sockeye salmon in Statistical Week 27, below the 10-year average of 395 fish. The Chilkat River weir had 648 sockeye salmon in Statistical Week 27, which is below the 10-year average of 3,923 fish for the week. The runs appear to be late and weak.

District 15 is open to harvest returning wild sockeye salmon and enhanced chum salmon. The 2020 preseason total run forecast of Chilkat River Chinook salmon is 1,550 large fish, which with zero harvest, is below the escapement goal range of 1,750–3,500 fish. Due to a low forecasted total run of Chilkat River Chinook salmon, along with the adoption of an Action Plan by the Board of Fisheries to conserve Chilkat River Chinook salmon, time and area in Section 15-A and Section 15-C of Lynn Canal were reduced, and night closures along with a 6-inch maximum mesh size restriction were implemented to conserve Chilkat River Chinook salmon while providing opportunity on other species of salmon.

The weather in Lynn Canal was fairly calm on the southern end, with seas rising to 2-3 feet in the north. Although catch numbers were low, effort was slightly above the 10-year average, with 119 boats fishing in Statistical Week 27. In addition, despite a low forecast, Chinook catch in the Chilkat River fish wheels have been above average each week.

Yakutat Area Set Gillnet Fishery

The Alsek River set gillnet fishery opened on June 28, for 24-hours. A total of 10 permits harvested 11 Chinook salmon and 686 sockeye salmon. Fleet participation was average, and Chinook salmon and sockeye salmon harvest were below average for this statistical week. Yakutat Bay had a total of 10 permits harvest 12 Chinook, 683 sockeye, 1 pink, and 4 coho salmon. Fleet participation and harvest were well below average for this statistical week. For Manby Shore outside waters a total of 7 permits harvested 27 Chinook, 2,079 sockeye, 2 coho, 1 chum, and 1 pink salmon. Fleet participation and harvest were average. The Situk River had a total of 21 permits harvest 2,694 sockeye and 1 pink salmon. The Dangerous River and Manby-Inside Waters were not fished.

Escapement monitoring at the Situk River weir for sockeye and Chinook salmon started on June 11. To date, 18,750 sockeye salmon and 361 large Chinook salmon have been enumerated at the weir. The 10-year average cumulative count is approximately 27,548 sockeye salmon and 150 Chinook salmon by the end of this statistical week. An aerial survey was conducted on June 28. On the East Alsek River 2,490 sockeye salmon were observed. Partial surveys were conducted on the Doame, Italio and Akwe Rivers. 285 sockeye salmon were observed in the Doame River, the Itailo had 0 fish inriver and Akwe River had 2,100 fish in the lower river.

Fishing times may be adjusted based on escapement through the weir and Yakutat Bay harvest for statistical week 28. The East Alsek, Akwe, and the Italio River systems will open by emergency order when adequate levels of escapement can be documented.

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.

Nakat Inlet THA

The forecasted return for Nakat Inlet is 128,900 summer chum salmon and 57,600 fall chum salmon. Nakat Inlet opened continuously to the harvest of salmon by drift gillnet and troll gear on Monday, June 1. The current harvest is 4,000 chum salmon.

For further information please refer to the 2020 Southeast Alaska Drift Gillnet Fishery Management Plan (PDF 765 kB) and for updates on Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) contributions visit the SSRAA website .

Neets Bay THA

The Neets Bay forecasted return is 662,300 summer chum salmon, 52,900 fall chum salmon, 11,400 Chinook salmon, and 108,800 coho salmon. Neets Bay opened to the harvest of salmon by troll gear on Monday, June 15, and by rotational fishery between drift gillnet and purse seine on Wednesday, June 17. The current harvest is 2,400 Chinook and 1,400 chum salmon by drift gillnet gear and 3,000 Chinook and 6,000 chum salmon harvested by purse seine gear.

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

Kendrick Bay THA

The forecasted return for Kendrick Bay is 451,600 summer chum salmon. Kendrick Bay opened continuously to the harvest of salmon by purse seine gear on Monday, June 15. The current harvest is 5,000 chum salmon.

For further information please refer to the 2020 Southeast Alaska purse seine fishery management plan (PDF 790 kB) and for updates on SSRAA contributions visit the SSRAA website .

Caroll Inlet THA

The forecasted return for Carroll Inlet is 7,000 Chinook salmon. The Carroll Inlet THA opened to the harvest of salmon by all gear groups on Monday, June 1, and closed to purse seine and drift gillnet on Friday, June 12. The rotational fishery between purse seine and drift gillnet began on Monday, June 15. Current harvest is 900 Chinook salmon by drift gillnet and 1,400 fish by purse seine gear.

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

Anita Bay THA

The 2020 Anita Bay THA forecast includes: 366,300 summer chum, 11,000 Chinook, and 11,900 coho salmon. The harvest to date is 900 Chinook and 100 chum salmon. The initial opening of Anita Bay was delayed until June 1 to mitigate potential harvest of wild Chinook salmon. A rotational fishery began for drift gillnet and purse seine fleets on June 13. This rotational fishing period will be in place through August. Additionally, Anita Bay will be closed to commercial salmon fishing from 12:01 a.m., Monday, July 13, through 11:59 p.m., Sunday, August 9, to facilitate cost recovery efforts.

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

Deep Inlet THA

The Deep Inlet THA opened on June 2. Forecasted runs for Deep Inlet THA and Medvejie Hatchery includes 1,478,000 chum salmon, 10,700 king salmon, and 110,000 coho salmon. This season, 100,000 chum salmon are needed for broodstock. The Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) does not anticipate cost recovery operations this season in the Deep Inlet THA. Seine harvest through July 1 is 1,100 Chinook and 18,500 chum salmon; gillnet harvest through July 1 is 2,400 Chinook, and 14,000 chum salmon.

Hidden Falls THA

The first common property purse seine opening in the Hidden Falls THA occurred on June 21 and was followed by openings on June 25 and June 28. The Hidden Falls THA is now closed and subsequent openings will be dependent on inseason run strength. Forecasted runs for Hidden Falls THA includes 364,000 chum salmon, 27,000 coho salmon, and 850 king salmon expected to return in 2020. The Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) needs 200,000 chum salmon for broodstock, leaving 164,000 chum salmon available for common property harvests. Seine harvest through June 28 is 7,700 chum salmon.

Crawfish Inlet THA

A run of 1,579,000 chum salmon is forecasted to return to the Crawfish Inlet remote release site in 2020. No chum salmon are needed for broodstock. The Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Associate (NSRAA) is planning to conduct cost recovery this season in Crawfish Inlet.on

Purse seine openings at Crawfish Inlet will be conducted as needed to maintain fish quality and prevent large buildups of hatchery produced chum salmon. Seine openings may occur inside the boundaries of the Special Harvest Area (SHA) depending on abundance of fish and balancing the troll priority. Seine openings will not be scheduled as was done during the 2019 season. Purse seiners are advised that openings at Crawfish Inlet during the 2020 season may be announced with a minimum 24-hour notice if necessary, in order to maximize fish quality.

Copper River and PWS Drift Gillnet

The Copper River District fishery did not open to commercial fishing this week. The Coghill District gillnet fishery was open on Monday, June 29 and again on Thursday, July 2. The Eshamy district gillnet fishery was open on Thursday, July 2.

Escapement monitoring at the Miles Lake Sonar Station for sockeye and Chinook salmon returns to the Copper River started on May 19. The cumulative total passage through July 25 is 396,455 salmon versus a minimum inriver passage objective of 464,429 salmon. The Coghill River weir began operation on Saturday June 6 and cumulative passage through July 1 was 16,727 sockeye salmon.

Concerning the Coghill District, a total run of 2.55 million Wally Noerenberg Hatchery (WNH) chum salmon are projected to return to the hatchery. Historical harvest timing for these chum salmon is from June 1 – July 27. A total of 145,000 Coghill Lake sockeye salmon are projected to be available for common property harvest. The harvest timing for these sockeye salmon is from June 1 – August 1. Harvest from the 48-hour Coghill District period that began on Thursday, June 25 was 39,200 chum salmon and 17,300 sockeye salmon with 464 deliveries reported. Harvest from the 48-hour Coghill District period that began on Monday, June 29 was 9,800 chum salmon and 15,100 sockeye salmon with 449 deliveries reported.

For Eshamy District, a total of 989,000 Main Bay Hatchery (MBH) sockeye salmon are anticipated to be available for common property harvest. The historical harvest timing for these sockeye salmon is from June 1 – August 1. Harvest from the 24-hour Eshamy District period that began on Thursday, June 25 was 72,300 sockeye and 14,000 chum salmon with 565 deliveries reported.

Break-up of the Copper River was early and river water levels are normal for this date.

Prince William Sound Purse Seine

The Port Chalmers Subdistrict, north of 60° 12.56' N. lat. and east a line from 60° 12.56'N., 147° 20.25'W. to 60° 20.00'N., 147° 14.30'W., was open to purse seine fishing for 48-hours beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 36-hours beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 2 and for 36-hours beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. A regular schedule of three fishing periods per week is anticipated to remain in effect until further notice.

The Armin F. Koernig (AFK) Hatchery terminal harvest area (THA) and special harvest area (SHA) were open to purse seine fishing for 24-hours beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 24-hours beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, and for 24-hours beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. A regular schedule of two fishing periods per week is anticipated to remain in effect until further notice.

An aerial survey of the Eastern and Northern districts was conducted on June 29. Escapement indices were below average for the date. The next aerial survey of the Eastern and Northern districts is planned for Thursday, July 9.

Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) conducted three sets on July 5 at the Valdez Narrows harvesting 450 pink salmon. VFDA expects to start cost recovery efforts on July 6. This is the latest date that VFDA cost recovery has ever started, and current information indicates that the VFDA pink salmon run is late and likely to be well below forecast. The five-year even average (2010-2018) cumulative PWS pink salmon harvest (cost recovery and CPF) through July 6 is 4.9 million fish.

To date, 187,000 chum salmon have been harvested in the AFK Hatchery THA and SHA, which is below the 10-year average harvest of 246,000 chum salmon harvested by this date.

This season, 552,000 chum salmon have been harvested within the Port Chalmers Subdistrict, which is above the 10-year average of 370,000 fish harvested by this date.

Bristol Bay

The 2020 Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run is forecasted to be approximately 48.95 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, 36.91 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 tools to provide information on abundance in each district as each run develops and that information is used by the department to determine fishing opportunity.

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

• 2020 Bristol Bay Salmon Fisheries Outlook (PDF 538 kB)
• 2020 Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon Forecast (PDF 269 kB)

Inseason Harvest Information

• Bristol Bay Daily Run Summary
• Bristol Bay Inseason Harvest Summary
• Bristol Bay Salmon Escapement
• Bristol Bay Science and Research Institute (BBSRI) - Port Moller Test Fishery
• Bristol Bay Fisheries Collaborative (BBFC)

Togiak District

The extended weekly schedule started in the Togiak section this week. No actions were taken to add or subtract fishing time at this point in the season.

Effort picked up a lot from last week (statistical week 26). Processor capacity is adequate for the level of fish being caught. Harvest also picked up this week with a harvest of close to 10,000 fish. Fishing is slow for this time of year; however it is still early in the Togiak season. Fishing in the remainder of Bristol Bay has been late so it is reasonable to believe that Togiak will be as well.

The counting tower became operational on July 4.

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

Nushagak District

There is daily fishing in the Nushagak District with both gear types with fishing ramping up July 5. Preliminary harvest estimates in the Nushagak District on July 5 exceeded 800,000 sockeye salmon bringing the cumulative to 2.3 million fish. Fishing for the remainder of the season will be steady with two openings a day from here on out.

All escapement estimates look good except for Nushagak king salmon which are significantly behind expectations. Wood River and Igushik River tower camps are operational.

386 boats are registered in the Nushagak District as of the morning of July 6 and the number seems to be stabilizing for now.

A strong Port Moller index indicates the peak is still at least one week away.

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

Naknek-Kvichak District

On July 5, the Naknek River escapement was 38,000 fish for a cumulative total of 681,000 fish; Alagnak River escapement was 86,000 fish for a cumulative total of 120,000 fish; and Kvichak River escapement was 8,000 fish for a cumulative total of 107,000 fish. The Kvichak inriver estimate is 400,000 fish. Harvest in the Naknek-Kvichak District on July 5 was 891,000 fish for a cumulative of 2.7 million fish harvested. There is a large push of fish moving up the Naknek River this morning (July 6) so escapements will likely pass the lower end of the escapement goal by tomorrow morning (July 7). The Kvichak River run is building but with escapements at the tower increasing this morning and expecting to sustain over the next couple of days. The boat count is 410 and increasing.

Egegik District

Through July 5, cumulative escapement through the Egegik River tower is 467,000 sockeye salmon. Total harvest through July 5 is approximately 3.0 million fish. Current vessel count is 387 and expected to grow in the coming days. Consistent fishing opportunity is on the horizon as abundance levels appear to be increasing. Run timing does appear to be late this season.

Ugashik District

EThrough July 5, cumulative escapement through the Ugashik River tower is 34,000 sockeye salmon. Total harvest through July 5 is approximately 144,000 fish. Abundance levels in the district have increased in the last 24 hours. It is still early in in the run, but indications are showing an on time or late run timing for the 2020 season.

Upper Cook Inlet (UCI)

There are currently four commercial fisheries underway in Upper Cook Inlet:

• Northern District Set Gillnet fishery: Mondays and Thursdays — 12-hour periods
• Western, Kustatan, and Kalgin Island Subdistrict Set Gillnet fisheries: Mondays and Thursdays — 12-hour periods
• Central District Drift Gillnet fishery: Mondays and Thursdays — 12-hour periods
• Upper Subdistrict Set Gillnet fishery (ESSN): Mondays and Thursdays — EO only
  • Only the Kasilof Section is open at this time (Kenai Section will open on July 10)

The Kasilof River sonar began operations on June 15. The sockeye salmon passage estimate in the Kasilof River through Saturday, July 5 was 6,690 fish for a season total of 116,009 fish. Total Kasilof River escapement falls above the previous 10-year average of 109,696 fish passage through July 5. The Kenai River sonar became operational on July 1. The sockeye salmon passage estimate in the Kenai River through Saturday, July 5 was 3,965 fish for a season total of 16,364 fish.

During the 2020 fishing season, salmon may be taken with set gillnets in the Upper Subdistrict only during fishing periods established by emergency order (EO), unless modified by subsequent EO.

On Monday, June 15, the Division of Sport Fish issued EO No. 2-KS-1-22-20 restricting the king salmon sport fishery in the Kenai River beginning July 1. According to 5 AAC 21.359(e)(3)(B) Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Management Plan, in order to achieve the sustainable escapement goal (SEG) and provide reasonable harvest opportunity for the king salmon sport fishery, if the sport fishery is restricted to no retention of fish over 34 inches, commercial fishing periods in the Upper Subdistrict set gillnet fishery, are open for no more than 36 hours per week, with a 36-hour continuous closure per week beginning between 7:00 p.m. Thursday and 7:00 a.m. Friday. With regularly scheduled fishing periods on Mondays and Thursdays no longer in effect in the Upper Subdistrict set gillnet fishery, all fishing time provided to this fishery may occur only via EO during the 2020 fishing season.

In addition to all fishing time coming via EO only in the Upper Subdistrict set gillnet fishery, the Alaska Board of Fisheries has also mandated gear restrictions during all Upper Subdistrict set gillnet fishing periods when the Kenai River king salmon sport fishery is restricted. These mandatory gear restrictions are to be implemented from the beginning of the season through July 31 in the entire Upper Subdistrict set gillnet fishery. The specific gear restriction option that ADF&G chooses to implement will be identified in each UCI Commercial Fishing Announcement.

The Northern District set gillnet fishery opened June 25. A total of 2,068 sockeye salmon have been harvested, with nearly half harvested in the directed king salmon fishery in early June.

The Western Subdistrict set gillnet fishery was open June 25 and July 2. Total harvest for the season was 46 king salmon and 3,991 sockeye salmon.

The drift gillnet fishery was open for regular periods District Wide on June 29 and July 2 and in the narrow Kasilof Section on June 30 and July 4. The combined harvest of 24,146 sockeye salmon was much less than the previous 10-year harvest, however participation remains low.

The Kasilof section of the Upper Subdistrict opened on June 23, June 27, June 30, July 2, and July 4. Approximately 82,372 sockeye and 236 king salmon have been harvested in the Upper subdistrict through July 4. Fishing with set gillnets was opened on July 1 within 600 feet of the mean high tide mark in that portion of the Kenai Section north of the latitude of the Blanchard Line (60° 27.10' N. lat.) and south of the latitude of the ADF&G regulatory marker (60° 30.49' N. lat.) located south of the Kenai River mouth; i.e., the North Kalifornsky Beach (NKB) statistical area (244-32). The NKB statistical area was opened on July 1 and July 4. Total harvest for the NKB statistical area was 2,571 sockeye and 1 king salmon. The harvest for both king and sockeye salmon falls below the previous 10-year average through July 4.

Lower Cook Inlet (LCI)

Cost recovery of returning Trail Lakes Hatchery sockeye salmon from the Bear Lake and Resurrection Bay releases concluded on Friday, June 19. Commercial harvest of remaining salmon associated with these releases began the following Monday on June 22 and is ongoing on a schedule of Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. fishing periods except for July 3 when this fishery will be closed. Commercial set gillnet harvest began in the Southern District of Lower Cook Inlet on Monday, June 1. In addition, specific waters of the Southern District opened to commercial purse seine harvest on Monday, June 15 on a schedule of Monday, Wednesday, Friday fishing periods starting at 6:00 a.m. on those days.

The weirs at Bear Creek in Resurrection Bay have been in operation for several weeks. Through June 30, a total of 12,760 sockeye salmon have been counted at the Bear Creek weir. Passage at the English Bay weir through June 29 is 6,552 sockeye salmon. This is above the desired range for this date (2,732 – 6,147 fish) in order to achieve the sustainable escapement goal of 6,000 – 13,500 fish on July 31 when the weir will be removed.

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

Through June 19, when cost recovery harvest in Resurrection Bay ended, Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (CIAA) has harvested 59,000 sockeye salmon for cost recovery from Resurrection Bay, with an additional 2,600 fish taken at the Bear Creek weir. Over the last 10 years an average of 88% of the final cost recovery harvest had been landed in the saltwater harvest by this date.

Commercial purse seine harvest began in the Southern District of Lower Cook Inlet on Monday, June 15. Through July 1, a total of 9,600 sockeye salmon had been delivered by this gear. The previous 5-year average harvest for this fishery by this date is 9,700 sockeye salmon.

The first 48-hour commercial set gillnet fishing period in the Southern District began on Monday, June 1. Recent harvest from this fishery is shown below in addition to last year’s harvest and previous 5-year harvest averages.

Kodiak

There will be an 81-hour commercial salmon fishing period from noon Saturday, July 4 to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 7 in the Cape Alitak, Humpy-Deadman, Alitak Bay, Moser Bay, Olga Bay, and Dog Salmon Flats sections of the Alitak District targeting chum salmon and Upper Station sockeye salmon.

There will be an 81-hour commercial salmon fishing period from noon Saturday, July 4 to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 7 in the Outer Ayakulik Section of the Southwest Kodiak District targeting Ayakulik sockeye salmon.

There will be an 81-hour commercial salmon fishing period from noon Monday, July 6 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, July 9 in the Outer Karluk Section of the Southwest Kodiak District, targeting Karluk sockeye salmon.

There will be an 81-hour commercial salmon fishing period targeting pink and chum salmon from noon Monday, July 6 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, July 9 in the Outer Karluk Section of the Southwest Kodiak District, the Northwest Kodiak District (except the Kizhuyak Bay, Terror Bay, Inner Uganik Bay, and Zachar Bay sections will remain closed); the Afognak District (except the Southeast Afognak, Duck Bay, Izhut Bay, and Inner and Outer Kitoi Bay sections will remain closed); the Northeast Kodiak District; and the Eastside Kodiak District (except the Inner Ugak Bay Section will remain closed).

There will be a 57-hour commercial salmon fishing period from noon Monday, July 6 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 8 in the Mainland District targeting local pink and chum salmon.

The Spiridon Bay Special Harvest Area remains open until further notice targeting sockeye salmon returning to Telrod Cove.

The Foul Bay and Waterfall Bay Special Harvest areas will close to commercial salmon fishing at 9:00 p.m. Thursday, July 9.

It is anticipated that approximately 180 seiners and 165 set gillnetters will participate in the Kodiak area this year.

Approximately 154,000 sockeye salmon have been harvested through July 5 which is below average for this date. Approximately 107,000 chum salmon have been harvested which is below average for this date.

The cumulative Karluk River early-run sockeye salmon escapement through July 5 is 148,393 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date. In the Southwest Kodiak District, the cumulative Ayakulik River early-run sockeye salmon escapement through July 5 is 186,214 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date.

In the Alitak District, the cumulative Upper Station early-run sockeye salmon escapement through July 5 is 50,166 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date. The cumulative Frazer sockeye salmon escapement through July 5 is 85,773 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date.

In the Afognak District, the cumulative Afognak Lake (Litnik) sockeye salmon escapement through July 5 is 19,154 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date. No commercial salmon fisheries are currently scheduled in the Southeast Afognak Section.

In the Northeast Kodiak District, the cumulative Buskin Lake sockeye salmon escapement through July 5 is 5,943 fish, which is within the desired escapement range for this date.

In the Eastside Kodiak District, the cumulative Pasagshak River sockeye salmon escapement through July 5 is 739 fish. The cumulative Saltry River sockeye salmon escapement is 924 fish. No commercial salmon fisheries are currently scheduled in the Inner Ugak Bay Section.

There is currently little or no early information on sockeye salmon 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.

North Peninsula

The weekly fishing period in Nelson Lagoon is 3.5 days per week starting on Monday. The Bear River, Three Hills, and Ilnik sections have been closed to date. The weekly fishing period in the Outer Port Heiden Section is 2.5 days per week, which started on Thursday.

In the Nelson Lagoon Section roughly 30 permit holders are participating in the fishery daily. In the Outer Port Heiden Section, roughly 110 permit holders are participating in the fishery daily.

The counting projects on the Nelson, Bear, Sandy, and Ilnik rivers are all operational at this time. Daily counts are low, and behind historical averages for this date. Bear River has 63,100 sockeye salmon through the weir as of July 2, while Sandy River has 16,100 fish, Ilnik River has 13,700 fish, and Nelson River has 17,200 fish. Daily escapements at all weirs have increased over the last week, but all weirs appear to be about 5-7 days behind inseason escapement objectives. Results of aerial surveys conducted on the Meshik, Ilnik, Bear, and Nelson rivers indicate fish are present in the lower parts of the rivers.

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

South Peninsula

The Shumagin Islands Immature salmon test fishery is ongoing, scheduled for July 2, 3, and 5. If 100 or more immature salmon, per set, on average are present, the commissioner shall close the seine fishery in an area determined by the department.

The fifth commercial salmon fishing period of the South Alaska Peninsula opened on June 25 at 6:00 a.m.

Commercial salmon fishing for set gillnet and seine gear in the Shumagin Islands Section of the Southeastern District opened on Thursday, June 25 at 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Friday, June 26 for a 40-hour fishing period.

Commercial salmon fishing for drift gillnet, set gillnet, and seine gear will be allowed from 6:00 a.m. Thursday, June 25 until 10:00 p.m. Sunday, June 28 in the following districts and sections:

• Unimak District
• Bechevin Bay Section of the Northwestern District
• Southwestern District
• West and East Pavlof Bay sections of the South Central District

Commercial salmon fishing in the "Dolgoi Island area" will be closed from Saturday, June 13 at 10:01 p.m. until further notice.

Participation in the fishery has been below average.

Consistent with 16.05.060. Emergency Orders (EO)., and under the guidance of 5 AAC 39.220 (a) Policy for the management of mixed stock salmon fisheries. (a)(b) and 5 AAC 39.222. Policy for the management of sustainable salmon fisheries, the department uses EO authority to reduce fishing time in the Shumagin Islands Section of the Southeastern District and to close the waters of the Volcano Bay Section of the Southwestern District south and east of a line from Arch Point at 55° 12.30' N. lat., 161° 54.30 ' W. long. to a point on Belkofski Peninsula at 55° 09.50' N. lat., 161° 57.80' W. long., and the portion of the West Pavlof Bay Section of the South Central District south of Black Point (55° 24.48' N. lat.).

Sockeye salmon harvest is well below the recent 10- and 5-year averages, with 322,345 sockeye salmon harvested as of July 3. The 10-year average sockeye salmon harvest is 1,226,000 fish and the 5-year average harvest is 1,196,000 fish.

Pink salmon harvest is between the 10-year and 5-year averages for this time of year with 1,682,707 fish harvested. The 10-year average harvest of pink salmon for July 3 is 1,600,000 fish and the 5-year average harvest for pink salmon is 2,840,000 fish.

Chum salmon harvest is above average at 468,560 fish. The 10-year average for July 3 is 404,000 fish and the 5-year average harvest for chum salmon on July 3 is 429,000 fish.

Chinook and coho salmon catches are currently low, which is typical for this time of year. Chinook salmon harvest is below average at 2,578 Chinook salmon. The 10-year average for July 3 is 8,000 fish and the 5-year average harvest is 12,500 fish. Coho salmon harvest is below average at 243 coho salmon. The 10-year average for July 3 is 2,800 and the 5-year average harvest is 5,100.

There is one management plan in the South Alaska Peninsula Management Area that has allocative ties to another area. The Southeastern District Mainland Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 09.360) is based off the Chignik Management Area (Area L) harvest. No commercial salmon fishing has occurred in Chignik at this time.

No aerial surveys have been flown yet, which is normal for this time of year. There is one salmon enumeration weir operated in the South Alaska Peninsula Management Area, the Orzinski weir. 1,025 fish have passed the weir as of July 3, and the escapement objective for July 9 is for 3,750-5,000 sockeye salmon.

Chignik

There are no commercial salmon fishing periods scheduled to open in the Chignik Management Area (CMA) at this time.

As of 9:00 a.m. July 6, a total of 100,213 sockeye salmon have passed through the Chignik River weir. The cumulative early run total is 92,336 sockeye salmon and the late run total is 7,877 sockeye salmon. The interim escapement objectives for July 5 was 300,000-390,000 early run sockeye salmon and 12,000-30,000 late run sockeye salmon. The early run this year is extremely weak. It is too early to determine the timing and strength of the late run.

From June 1 until July 25 sockeye salmon harvested in the Southeastern District Mainland (SEDM) Section of the Alaska Peninsula (Area M) to the West of the CMA are considered bound for Chignik. From June 1 until July 5 sockeye salmon harvested in the Cape Igvak Section of Kodiak (Area K) to the East of the CMA are considered bound for Chignik. The allocation period for the Cape Igvak section has ended and no fishing periods were allowed in the Cape Igvak section during the 2020 season. There have not been fishing periods scheduled yet in the Southeastern District Mainland (SEDM) Section of Area M.

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

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

Yukon River

The summer chum salmon run is entering the river late this year and coming in below the preseason forecast. As of July 4, 435,440 summer chum salmon have been counted at the sonar project near Pilot Station. Historic median cumulative counts for this date are 1.3 million summer chum salmon.

The Lower Yukon River summer chum salmon directed commercial fishery began June 27 in District 1. Two openings of 24-hours and 42-hours with selective gear (dip nets and beach seines) have occurred and all Chinook salmon were released alive. One 6-hour period with 6-inch or smaller mesh gillnets occurred on July 4. The preliminary harvest of summer chum salmon from openings 1 and 2 with dip nets and beach seines was 4,380 summer chum, 4,060 pink salmon and 400 Chinook salmon released alive. During the gillnet opening, there was a preliminary harvest of 3,410 summer chum salmon and 210 pink salmon. A preliminary total of 80 Chinook salmon were retained for subsistence or released alive.

Fishing opened June 29 in District 2 for one 24-hour period with a preliminary harvest of 4,360 summer chum salmon and 390 chinook salmon released alive.

Kuskokwim River

The Kuskokwim Management Area has a single registered commercial fishery buyer for the 2020 season. On June 29, commercial fishing occurred in the W-4 and W-5 districts for the first time since 2015. A second period occurred in W-4 and W-5 on July 3. Commercial periods are scheduled for July 8 and 10. Commercial fishery data is confidential.

The 2020 Kuskokwim River Chinook salmon forecast is for a range of 193,000–261,000 fish. The drainage-wide Chinook salmon escapement goal is 65,000–120,000 fish. If the run comes back as projected, the drainage-wide escapement goal is expected to be achieved and a full subsistence harvest may be realized. Current assessment data indicate the run is coming in late and weak. Average to above average runs of sockeye, chum, and coho salmon are expected in 2020.

All ADF&G assessment projects in the Kuskokwim Management Area are operational (3-weirs, sonar, and Bethel Test Fishery). USFWS cancelled their one weir project for the season. There is also one weir on the Takotna River operated by the Kuskokwim River Intertribal Fish commission, however this project is not yet operational.

Subsistence fishing closures for Chinook salmon went into effect on June 1 in the lower Kuskokwim River and proceed upstream through the subsistence fishing sections until June 11. The Middle and Upper Kuskokwim River opened to subsistence fishing on June 12.

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

Norton Sound

Although forecasts called for strong chum salmon run, runs have been poor so far this season. There was one 24-hour fishing period last week (statistical week 26) in all six subdistricts. Overall, chum salmon catches were poor is all subdistricts except for the Nome Subdistrict. The effort in most subdistricts was approximately half of the normal effort. Escapement projects are only operational in northern Norton Sound, and chum salmon counts have been poor thus far. Southern Norton Sound escapement projects are not operational because of high water. The king salmon run was much better than expected based on the feedback from subsistence fishermen. Pink salmon numbers are building and directed fishing periods may be warranted if there is interest from a buyer. Sockeye salmon are starting to appear in the Nome area where there is a substantial subsistence fishery. The sockeye salmon run is looking approximately one week late and if numbers lag by the end of the week (statistical week 28) subsistence restrictions may occur on the Pilgrim River.

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

Kotzebue

Commercial fishing is expected to start July 10 and forecasts are good.

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