(Released: June 14, 2018 - Expired: July 31, 2018)

Division of Sport Fish
Tom Brookover, Director
Anchorage Headquarters Office
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99518


Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Sam Cotten, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
www.adfg.alaska.gov


Contact: Jay Baumer, Area Management Biologist
(907) 267-2265

Resurrection Bay Salt Water Sockeye Salmon Bag Limits Increased

(Anchorage) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation liberalization by increasing the limits of sockeye salmon to twelve per day and twelve in possession in the northern saltwaters of Resurrection Bay effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 15 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2018. The increase is for marine waters of Resurrection Bay north of a line from Caines Head to the north point of Thumb Cove. Anglers are reminded that to look for the saltwater markers that separate the fresh and saltwater fishing zones in the Resurrection River. Please see page 77 of the 2018 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet for clarification.

As of June 12, 2018, more than 10,100 sockeye salmon have passed the Bear Creek weir, with large numbers of sockeye salmon still entering the river. Bear Lake sockeye salmon has a sustainable escapement goal (SEG) of 700-8,300 and is managed to escape 5,152-12,752 sockeye salmon, which meets both the SEG and hatchery broodstock requirements. The upper end of the SEG is expected to be exceeded and the inriver goal will be met or exceeded which warrants the bag and possession limit liberalization.

“As both the SEG and the hatchery brood needs are expected to be exceeded, this liberalization on the Resurrection Bay saltwater sockeye salmon fishery will allow sport anglers an opportunity to harvest the surplus sockeye salmon returning to Bear Lake,” stated Area Management Biologist Jay Baumer.

Anglers are reminded that commercial fishing will also be occurring in Resurrection Bay over the next few weeks. For additional information on commercial fishing periods, please visit the ADF&G Commercial Salmon Fisheries webpage.

For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Sport Fish Information Center at (907) 267-2218.

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