Contact:
Dan Bosch
Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 267-2153

Emergency orders have been issued to increase the bag and possession limit of sockeye salmon in the northern waters of Resurrection Bay beginning on Saturday, June 18, at 12:01 a.m. through Sunday, July 31, 2011. In the marine waters north of a line from Caines Head to the north point of Thumb Cove, the limits for sockeye salmon are 12 per day and 12 in possession. In the freshwaters of the Resurrection River drainage downstream of the Seward Highway and Nash Road, the limits for sockeye salmon are 6 per day and 6 in possession. Single-hook artificial lures remain the only legal gear in this freshwater area open to salmon fishing. 

Bear Lake sockeye salmon are managed for a Sustainable Escapement Goal (SEG) of 700-8,300 with an inriver goal of 5,600-13,200 sockeye salmon. As of June 15, more than 8,100 have escaped into Bear Lake, with strong numbers still entering the river. The upper end of the SEG is expected to be exceeded, and the inriver goal will be met or exceeded. Cook Inlet Aquaculture has already achieved its cost recovery goal (146,000 sockeye). Therefore, it is warranted to increase the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon.

Commercial fishermen are also continuing to fish on the surplus sockeye salmon. Anglers should expect to see ongoing commercial fishing activity throughout the remainder of the fishery, and expect catch rates to be variable.

For more information about this emergency order, contact Fisheries Biologist Dan Bosch in Anchorage at (907) 267-2153.

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