Press Release ADF&G Logo
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Sam Cotten, Commissioner

DIVISION OF SPORT FISH
Tom Brookover, Director

Contact:
Kelly Piazza
Ketchikan Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-225-2859

April 30, 2015

2015 KING SALMON SPORT FISHING RESTRICTIONS FOR KETCHIKAN AREA MARINE WATERS

Anglers are advised that king salmon restrictions will be in effect in the Ketchikan area sport fishery in order to reduce the harvest of Unuk River king salmon and ensure the Unuk River king salmon escapement goal is achieved. New regulations and effective dates are as follows: 

North Behm Canal
Salmon fishing is closed from May 26 – July 15 in Behm Canal and the contiguous bays enclosed to the north by a line from Point Lees to Elsie Point and a line from Elsie Point to the longitude of the outlet of Long Lake (131°26.100’W. long.), and to the south by a line from the western entrance of Bailey Bay at 55°56.036’ N. lat., 131°37.943’ W. long. to the northern tip of Hassler Island at 55°54.276’ N. lat., 131°37.798’ W. long. and a line from Fin Point at 55°51.256’ N. lat., 131°35.415’ W. long. to Dress Point at 55°51.145’ N. lat., 131°33.748’ W. long. (see attached map).


West Behm Canal
From May 26 - June 30, the bag and possession limit is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length for residents and nonresidents; nonresident annual limit is six king salmon 28 inches or greater in length in the waters of west Behm Canal enclosed to the north by a line from the western entrance of Bailey Bay at 55°56.036’ N. lat., 131°37.943’ W. long. to the northern tip of Hassler Island at 55°54.276’ N. lat., 131°37.798’ W. long. and a line from Fin Point 55°51.256’ N. lat., 131°35.415’ W. long. to Dress Point 55°51.145’ N. lat., 131°33.748’ W. long., and to the east in Neets Bay by the longitude of the eastern most tip of Bug Island, and to the south by a line from Niblack Point at 55°32.998’ N. lat., 132°07.228’ W. long., to South Vallenar Point at 55°22.878’ N. lat., 131°52.747’ W. long. (see attached map).

Ketchikan Sport Terminal Harvest Area
o June 1 - June 30 resident bag and possession limit is three king salmon 28 inches or greater in length; nonresident bag and possession limit is two king salmon 28 inches or greater in length; nonresident annual limit of six king salmon 28 inches or greater in length;
o July 1 – July 31 the bag and possession limit is six fish any size; nonresident annual limit does not apply.

Anglers are reminded that regional bag, possession and size limits are different than those outlined in the areas listed above and anglers are prohibited from possessing fish that exceed the limits for the waters where they are fishing. Therefore, anglers fishing in multiple areas must be diligent to ensure they do not exceed the bag, possession, or size limit for the area they are currently fishing.

After attaining escapement for 35 consecutive years, the Unuk River king salmon stock failed to make escapement for the last three years, despite conservative regulations implemented in 2014. The 2015 forecast is expected to be near the lower bound of the escapement goal.  Given similar fishery harvest trends in recent years, the actions implemented in this emergency order are necessary to reduce the harvest of Unuk River king salmon in an effort to ensure the escapement goal is achieved. 

For further information regarding sport fisheries in Southeast Alaska, contact the nearest ADF&G office or visit: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.eonr
 

2015 KING SALMON SPORT FISHING RESTRICTIONS FOR KETCHIKAN AREA MARINE WATERS