(Kodiak) - To protect returning king salmon and ensure fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing sport fishing for king salmon in the Ayakulik River drainage and the Karluk River drainage, including the lagoon and its outlet stream, starting Monday, April 3 at 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2023. This closure prohibits sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release. During the closure, king salmon may not be targeted, possessed, or retained; king salmon that are caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. In addition, as a measure to reduce incidental hooking of king salmon, the use of bait is prohibited, and only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used in the Ayakulik River drainage and the Karluk River drainage downstream of Karluk Lake, including the lagoon and its outlet stream.

“The Karluk and Ayakulik king salmon runs continue to see low returns in many recent years, with 2022 being the most recent year of poor escapement for both runs,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “The Ayakulik River has not achieved king salmon escapement goals in many years and the Karluk has not achieved king salmon escapement goals in most of the last ten years. With very low numbers of king salmon returning to these rivers, ADF&G is closing both king salmon sport fisheries until it is apparent escapement goals will be achieved­­.”

King salmon angling opportunities may be restored by subsequent emergency orders if inseason assessment indicates either king salmon run is stronger than anticipated. Beginning in late May, ADF&G staff will closely monitor both runs at the Karluk and Ayakulik salmon counting weirs.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum at (907) 486-1880.

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