Division of Sport Fish
Israel Payton, 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


Advisory Announcement
(Released: July 11, 2023 - Expired: July 31, 2023)

CONTACT: Lee Borden
Area Management Biologist
(907) 842-2427

Nushagak-Mulchatna Drainage King Salmon Catch-and-Release Only

(Dillingham) - 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 restrictions in all waters of the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage. The retention of king salmon of any size and the use of bait and multiple hooks is prohibited effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, July 13 through the remainder of the king salmon season, which closes at 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2023. King salmon may not be retained or possessed, this fishery is limited to catch-and-release only. King salmon caught while fishing may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. Only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure is allowed.

“This year’s run is behind on the projection curve, with 29,636 fish counted past the Portage Creek sonar through July 10,” stated Area Management Biologist Lee Borden. “We are taking a conservative approach with this restriction to prohibit inriver sport harvest”.

King salmon sport fishing opportunities may be restored or further restricted in the Nushagak-Mulchatna Drainage by a subsequent emergency order based on ADF&G sonar counts and other run strength indicators.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Lee Borden at
(907) 842-2427.

#23-3563