Contact:
John Chythlook
Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-459-7361
March 23, 2015
The Division of Sport Fish is closing the entire Kuskokwim River drainage and Kuskokwim Bay tributaries to sport fishing for king salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, April 1 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2015. All king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. In addition, anglers may use only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in the entire Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area.
King salmon stocks throughout western Alaska are experiencing a period of low productivity and, since 2010 below average run strength. Most king salmon stocks assessed in the Kuskokwim River drainage have not achieved associated sustainable escapement goals (SEG) in recent years. In 2014, the Kuskokwim River experienced an estimated total run of approximately 130,000 and spawning escapement of approximately 118,000 fish. In 2014, the drainagewide escapement goal was achieved through prolonged restrictions to the subsistence king salmon fishery, no commercial fishing during the king salmon run, and closure of the king salmon sport fishery.
The 2015 preseason forecast for the Kuskokwim River king salmon run is similar in size to the 2014 run. In 2013 and 2014, king salmon escapements in the Kanektok and Goodnews rivers, the primary Kuskokwim Bay stocks, were below average and also failed to achieve established escapement goals. Restrictions to the commercial and subsistence fisheries of Kuskokwim Bay are planned in 2015. These actions will be implemented in conjunction with actions in the sport fishery; all are necessary to ensure king salmon escapement goals are met.
The projected poor king salmon runs and recent failures to meet escapement goals in the Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area warrant closing the entire Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area to sport fishing for king salmon and the prohibiting the use of bait and multiple hooks. If inseason stock assessment information indicates that a majority of the king salmon escapement goals in the Kuskokwim River tributaries will be met, restrictions may be relaxed.
For additional information contact John Chythlook, Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area Management Biologist, 907-459-7361.