(Dillingham) - The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length in the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage are reduced from two per day, only one of which may be greater than 28 inches in length, to one per day, 20 inches or greater in length. In addition, the annual limit of king salmon 20 inches or greater in length from the Nushagak-Mulchatna drainage is reduced from four to two fish. The bag and possession limit for king salmon less than 20 inches remains at five fish, no annual limit. These restrictions are effective beginning 12:01 a.m., Friday, June 23, 2017.

Up to two king salmon recorded before Friday, June 23, on the harvest portion of an Alaska sport fishing license or harvest record card do not count against the two king salmon 20 inches or greater in length that may be harvested on or after June 23.

These restrictions are made in accordance with 5 AAC 06.361. Nushagak/Mulchatna King Salmon Management Plan as adopted by the Alaska Board of Fisheries. To ensure that the projected spawning escapement does not fall below 55,000 fish, the plan directs the Department to restrict the king salmon sport fishery in the Nushagak River when the Department projects the total inriver run will be less than 70,000 fish. Through June 20, approximately 22% into the run, an estimated 2,832 king salmon have passed the Portage Creek sonar. Therefore, the Department is unable to project at this date that the inriver run of king salmon will exceed 70,000 fish. Due to the low inriver projections, a conservative approach is warranted to reduce the Nushagak River drainage sport harvest.

The Department will continue to monitor the king salmon escapement and may liberalize this restriction or further restrict the sport fishery as specified in the management plan. For more information, contact the area office in Dillingham at (907) 842-2427, or the Dillingham Sport Fish regulation recorder (907) 842-REGS (842-7347).

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