(Anchorage) - To provide youth anglers 15 years of age and younger additional opportunity to harvest king salmon returning to the Seward Lagoon, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is extending the season of the Youth-Only fishery in Seward from 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 1 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2022. The Seward Lagoon and waters draining out of the Seward Lagoon (outfall stream) remain closed to anglers 16 years of age and older.

“The Seward Lagoon is stocked annually with king salmon to provide opportunity for anglers in salt and fresh waters. King salmon keep trickling into the lagoon and extending the season is warranted so young anglers can continue to have the opportunity to fish for them,” stated Area Management Biologist Jay Baumer. “This location is not used for hatchery broodstock although the quality of the fish will be diminishing the longer the fish are in fresh water.”

Adults can assist youth anglers, but the fish becomes part of the bag limit of the angler who hooks the fish. Each youth angler is allowed a bag limit of two fish per day. King salmon that are 20 inches or greater must be recorded on a harvest record card and count towards the Kenai Peninsula Area annual limit of five king salmon. Youth anglers can use bait or lures. Snagging is not allowed in fresh waters.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Jay Baumer at (907) 267-2265.

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