Contact:
Brian Marston
Yakutat Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-784-3222

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 12, sport fishing for king salmon in the Situk River is closed. King salmon may not be targeted, retained or possessed; king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

The Situk River drainage is managed for a biological escapement goal (BEG) of 450 to 1,050 large king salmon. In years 2010 through 2012, and again in 2015, the Situk River king salmon stock failed to achieve the BEG. In 2013 and 2014 the goal was achieved after restrictive management measures were implemented in the sport, commercial, and subsistence fisheries. The 2016 preseason forecast estimated a total run of approximately 684 large king salmon. Given recent harvest trends, and small escapements, a run of that size in the Situk River is not expected to achieve the escapement goal without preseason king salmon fishery restrictions. Therefore it is warranted to close the Situk River to sport fishing for king salmon.

For further information, anglers should call the Division of Sport Fish, at (907) 784-3222.