(Sitka) - Effective from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 26 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2023, the waters of Klag Bay north of the latitude of Rose Point at 57°37.60′ N. lat., and the waters of Klag Bay Lake drainage will be closed to the retention of sockeye salmon in the subsistence and sport fisheries.

The Klag Bay Lake weir, operated by the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, was installed and operational on June 27, 2023. As of July 23, 21 sockeye salmon have been counted through the weir. Harvest of sockeye salmon in the subsistence fishery is estimated to be 1,170 fish. Weir counts and observations of sockeye salmon in marine waters indicate low sockeye salmon abundance for the time of year. Based on historic run timing, 23% of the run should be in Klag Bay Lake through July 24. Due to the low sockeye salmon abundance, run timing, and current estimated subsistence harvest, the department is closing the subsistence and sport fisheries in Klag Bay and Klag Bay Lake to the harvest of sockeye salmon to help ensure adequate escapement of sockeye salmon into Klag Bay Lake.

The emergency orders corresponding with this announcement are: 1S4223 and 1-RS-D-23-23.

#23-3575