Contact:
Jason E. Dye
Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 842-2427

The bag and possession limits for king salmon 20 inches in length or greater in the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage are reduced from two per day, only one of which may be greater than 28 inches in length, to one per day. In addition, the annual limit of king salmon 20 inches or greater in length from the Nushagak-Mulchatna drainage is reduced from four fish to two. The limit for king salmon less than 20 inches remains at five per day, five in possession, no annual limit. These restrictions are effective beginning at 12:01 a.m., Friday, June 24, 2011.

Up to two king salmon recorded prior to Friday, June 24, on the harvest portion of an Alaska sport fishing license or harvest record card do not count against the two king salmon 20 inches or greater in length that may be harvested on or after June 24.

These restrictions are made in accordance with 5 AAC 06.361, Nushagak-Mulchatna King Salmon Management Plan. The plan directs the department to restrict the king salmon sport fishery in the Nushagak River when the department projects the total in-river return will be fewer than 55,000 fish. As of June 20, approximately 20 percent into the return, an estimated 5,600 king salmon, have been counted past the Portage Creek sonar. Because of uncertainty associated with the king salmon assessment portion in the Portage Creek sonar program, the department is unable to project at this early date that the in-river return of king salmon will exceed 55,000 fish. Restrictions to the sport fishery are warranted to reduce the sport harvest.

The department will continue to monitor the king salmon escapement and may take further action to the sport fishery as specified in the management plan. For more information call the ADF&G area office in Dillingham at (907) 842-2427 or the Dillingham Sport Fish regulation recorder 907-842-REGS (842-7347).

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