Contact:
John Chythlook
Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 459-7361
May 24, 2013
The Division of Sport Fish is closing the following waters to sport fishing for king salmon: the waters of Kuskokuak Slough between the upstream and downstream mouth of the slough including all waters of the old Kuskokuak slough; the Kisaralik, Kasigluk, and Kwethluk River drainages to their confluence with Kuskokuak Slough; the Tuluksak River drainage including its confluence with the Kuskokwim River and downstream approximately one mile to an ADF&G marker; and the Aniak River drainage. This closure is effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2013 and prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. Any king salmon caught unintentionally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
In 2012, the Kwethluk River weir was inoperable due to high water, but the Kwethluk River king salmon escapement has not met the escapement goal since 2008. The Tuluksak River has had chronically low numbers of king salmon escapement and did not achieve its escapement goal since 2007. The Kisaralik River king salmon escapement has made the aerial survey index in only two of the last three years. Kuskokuak Slough drains the Kwethluk and Kisaralik/Kasigluk rivers, therefore closure of the slough to fishing is a necessary conservation measure in addition to the closure of the rivers themselves. Aerial survey indices on Aniak River tributaries, Kipchuck and Salmon rivers were amongst the lowest on record in 2011 and 2012.
The Department will evaluate inseason run strength and take appropriate management actions to ensure that escapement goals are met. Similar restrictions may need to be taken in the Aniak and George River drainages based on recent escapements. Average run timing of king salmon in the mid-Kuskokwim tributaries may result in management action in these systems by mid-June. If inseason stock assessment information indicates that a majority of the king salmon escapement goals in these Kuskokwim River tributaries will be met, restrictions may be relaxed.
For additional information contact John Chythlook, Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area Management Biologist, 907-459-7361.