While king salmon bag limits have been reduced in most of Southeast Alaska due to low abundance of Canadian Chinook stocks, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has identified several areas where returns of hatchery and naturally produced kings are strong enough to allow a bigger bag limit. In these so-called "terminal harvest areas," anglers may retain up to four Chinook: two 28 inches or more in length and two under 28 inches. Bag and possession limits for king salmon harvested in other marine waters remain at a single fish, 28 inches or more in length.

"Unlike the Canadian stocks, returns of hatchery and naturally produced stocks of king salmon from northern and central Southeast Alaska appear to be quite strong, " said. Rocky Holmes, Southeast Regional Supervisor for the Sport Fish Division. "In order to take advantage of these strong returns a number of sport fishing terminal harvest areas have been opened to more liberal harvest."

On Saturday June 15, the Department lowered the bag and possession limits for king salmon as the projected sport catch approached what would be allowable under the anticipated Pacific Salmon Treaty quota for the Southeast Alaska fishery. The quota in 1996 will reflect the projected low abundance of king salmon in Southeast waters in 1996. The anticipated low abundance is due in large part because of the poor health of king stocks from the West Coast of Vancouver Island. These fish have been a significant part of the harvest in the western or “outside” waters of Southeast Alaska in recent years.

Terminal harvest areas are locations where king salmon returning to Alaska hatcheries and natural spawning grounds congregate prior to spawning. Since it is unlikely that kings from outside of Alaska will be captured in terminal areas, most of the fish captured in these areas are not counted toward the treaty quota.

Terminal harvest areas are found in:

Situk River/Yakutat. King salmon are expected to return in record numbers to the Situk River this summer. The bag limit in the Situk was increased to two fish per day with no seasonal bag limit. The use of bait is permitted downstream from the middle Situk Airstrip through August 15. For information call the Division of Sport Fish area office in Yakutat (907) 784-3222.

Juneau. There are two primary terminal areas in Juneau, a portion of Gastineau Channel and the Fish Creek Pond. Maps describing terminal areas are posted in local boat harbors. For additional information call the Division of Sport Fish regional office in Douglas, (907) 465-4320.

Sitka/Baranof Island. There are two terminal areas near Sitka, Silver Bay in Sitka Sound and Hidden Falls Hatchery in Chatham Strait. For information about Sitka area terminal harvest areas call the Division of Sport Fish office in Sitka (907) 747-5355.

Haines/Skagway. The annual harvest limit in Chilkat Inlet and the upper portion of Lynn Canal was increased to five fish. There are also terminal harvest areas in Taiya Inlet and Pullen Creek. For information about these terminal harvest areas call the Division of Sport Fish office in Haines (907) 766-2625.

Petersburg/Wrangell. There are two terminal areas in Petersburg (Wrangell Narrows) and Wrangell (Earl West Cove). For information about terminal areas in Petersburg and Wrangell call the Division of Sport Fish office in Petersburg (907) 772-3812.

Ketchikan. There are sport fishing terminal areas in Nichols Passage, Revillagigedo Channel, Tongass Narrows and Neets Bay. For specific information call the Division of Sport Fish in the Ketchikan office (907) 225-2859.

Two notes of caution: 1) Fish harvested in a terminal area count against the daily bag limit if you later fish outside the terminal area. In any given day, an angler who has harvested more than a single fish over 28” in length in the terminal area may not fish outside the terminal area. Anglers cannot fish in areas outside of a terminal harvest area if they have any king salmon less than 28” in possession. 2) Charter vessel operators and crew members working on charter vessels cannot retain king salmon while clients are on board. This restriction is in effect for both general saltwater areas and terminal harvest areas.

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