Contact:
Jason Dye
Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 842-2427
June 26, 2012
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 12:01 a.m., Thursday, June 28, 2012.
Up to two king salmon recorded before Thursday, June 28, 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 28.
These restrictions are made in accordance with 5 AAC 06.361. Nushagak/Mulchatna King Salmon Management Plan as adopted by the Alaska Board of Fisheries. To ensure that the projected spawning escapement does not fall below 40,000 fish, the plan directs the Department to restrict the king salmon sport fishery in the Nushagak River when the department projects the total inriver run will be less than 55,000 fish. Through June 25, approximately 40 percent into the run, an estimated 22,000 king salmon have passed 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 date that the inriver run of king salmon will exceed 55,000 fish. Due to low returns of Nushagak king salmon in recent years and poor performance of king salmon stocks statewide in 2012, a conservative approach is warranted to slow down the Nushagak 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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