Contact:
Tyler Polum
Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-486-1880

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, September 16, sport fishing for coho salmon, including catch and release fishing, in the Buskin River drainage is closed. In addition, anglers who are targeting species other than coho salmon may only use one, unbaited, single hook artificial fly or lure.

“The 2016 return of coho salmon to the Buskin River is roughly 50 percent complete,” Tyler Polum, the Sport Fish Area Management Biologist in Kodiak said. “The current weir count is below average and we are seeing a decline in the number of fresh coho pass through the weir each day. Allowing continued sport fishing for coho on the Buskin would only further impact the number of fish that make it to the spawning grounds.”

The escapement goal for coho salmon into the Buskin River drainage is 4,700 to 9,600 fish. As of September 12, the weir count was 1,329 coho salmon and the department is projecting to not meet the escapement goal.

Any coho salmon caught incidentally must remain in the water and must be released immediately.

Sport fish regulations for other Kodiak Road Zone drainages remain the same. Sport fishing opportunity may be restored by future Emergency Order if weir counts on the Buskin improve.

For more information contact the Division of Sport Fish office in Kodiak at (907) 486-1880.