Contact:
Patrick Fowler
Petersburg-Wrangell Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 772-5231

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) announced today that sport fishing regulations for king salmon will be liberalized in marine waters of District 8 near Petersburg and Wrangell (see map).

The following sport fishing regulations for the marine waters of District 8 will be in effect as of 12:01 A.M. Friday, May 1, 2015 through 11:59 P.M. Wednesday, July 15, 2015:

• Sport fishing for king salmon may be conducted with the use of 2 rods per angler with no more than six lines fished from a vessel.
• Resident anglers will have a bag limit of three king salmon 28 inches or greater in length, and a possession limit of six king salmon.
• Nonresident anglers will have a bag and possession limit of two king salmon 28 inches or greater in length, and an annual limit of six king salmon.
• Charter operators and crew members may not retain king salmon when clients are onboard.
• Sport fishing for king salmon will remain closed in fresh waters of the Stikine River and its tributaries, upstream of a line between Point Rothsay on the Stikine Flats, and Indian Point in LeConte Bay.

The Stikine River king salmon management plan includes provisions to liberalize sport fishing in years when there is an allowable catch of Stikine River king salmon. These sport fishing regulations are intended to provide additional opportunity to harvest Stikine River king salmon that are surplus to escapement needs. The 2015 preseason forecast of returning Stikine River king salmon is 30,156 fish allowing for a liberalized sport fishery in District 8. For king salmon regulations outside of District 8 please see current new releases posted at local boat harbors and launches or on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.

For further information concerning this announcement please contact Petersburg/Wrangell Area Management Biologist, Patrick Fowler at (907) 772-5231.