(Released: February 25, 2019 - Expired: July 15, 2019)

Division of Sport Fish
Dave Rutz, Director
Anchorage Headquarters Office
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99518


Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Doug Vincent-Lang, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
www.adfg.alaska.gov


Contact: Carol Kerkvliet, Area Management Biologist
(907) 235-8191

Start of Fishing Season Limited on the Anchor River

(Homer) - In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation closures in the Anchor River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 1 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2019. This closure prohibits sport fishing in the Anchor River on the first and fifth opening weekend and the five-Wednesday openings in May and June 2019. The closure dates are:

  • May 18-20
  • May 22
  • May 29
  • June 5
  • June 12
  • June 15-17
  • June 19

Anglers may still fish the Anchor River during the following days:

  • May 25-27
  • June 1-3
  • June 8-10

A combined annual limit has been established to two king salmon 20 inches or greater in length for fish harvested in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River, and all marine waters south of the latitude of the mouth of the Ninilchik River (60° 03.99' N. lat.) to the latitude of Bluff Point (59° 40.00' N. lat.) from April 1 through July 15, 2019.

“In response to the weak 2018 king salmon run and 2019 forecasts for poor king salmon performance throughout Cook Inlet, the Anchor River king salmon sport fishery is being managed conservatively to provide the greatest return of spawning king salmon,” stated Area Management Biologist Carol Kerkvliet. “However, we still want to provide anglers some fishing opportunities on the Anchor River.”

In conjunction with this closure, sport fishing Emergency Order Number 2-KS-7-12-19, restricted sport fishing gear in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River drainages to only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. In addition, sport fishing Emergency Order Number 2-KS-7-13-19, restricted the bag and possession limit in the Ninilchik River to one hatchery king salmon and implemented restrictions on the Ninilchik River Youth-Only Fishery. Lastly, sport fishing Emergency Order Number 2-KS-7-14-19, established a combined annual limit of two king salmon 20 inches or greater in length for fish harvested in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River, and all marine waters south of the latitude of the mouth of the Ninilchik River (60° 03.99' N. lat.) to the latitude of Bluff Point (59° 40.00' N. lat.).

Beginning in May, ADF&G staff will closely monitor king salmon escapements in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River by using sonar and underwater video. As the run progresses, run strength will be evaluated to determine future management actions.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Carol Kerkvliet at (907) 235-8191.

#19-2708