(Dillingham) – In an effort to harvest surplus sockeye salmon returning to the Wood River, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation liberalization by increasing limits of sockeye salmon to 10 fish per day and 10 fish in possession for all waters of the Wood River drainage. This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 4 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 31, 2018. However, the bag and possession limit for other salmon, except king and sockeye salmon, remains at 5 fish per day and 5 in possession. These limits are in combination with the more liberal limits for sockeye salmon. 

The escapement of sockeye salmon on the Wood River has exceeded the escapement goal of 700,000 to 1.8 million fish. As of July 2, 2018, over 2.4 million sockeye salmon have been counted at the Wood River tower.

“Over 1.1 million sockeye salmon entered the Wood River on Monday. That more than doubles the previous single day record, ” stated Area Management Biologist Jason Dye. “Therefore, it is warranted to increase the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon in the Wood River sport fishery.”

For additional information, please contact Dillingham Area Management Biologist Jason Dye at (907) 842-2427 or the Dillingham Sport Fish regulation recorder (907) 842-7347.

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