(Released: September 26, 2019 - Expired: November 17, 2019)

Division of Sport Fish
Dave Rutz, Director
Anchorage Headquarters Office
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99518


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


Contact: Richard Chapell, Area Management Biologist
(907) 766-3638

Chilkat River Coho Salmon Sport Fishing Limits Increase September 28

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that sport fishing regulations for coho (silver) salmon in the Chilkat River drainage will be liberalized. Effective 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2019, the bag and possession limits for coho salmon 16 inches or greater in length is six per day and twelve in possession in the Chilkat River drainage. The bag and possession limit for salmon less than 16 inches in length is 10 fish.

The inriver run of coho salmon to the Chilkat River is projected to be above the upper end of the escapement goal (30,000 to 70,000) this year. As of September 23, a total of 2,415 coho salmon have been caught in the Chilkat River fish wheels. This is the 3rd highest catch for this date and almost double the 22-year average of 1,376 fish. The department is currently projecting that the inriver run will exceed 70,000 fish. Therefore, an increase in the bag and possession limit is warranted.

The liberalized regulations do not apply to the Chilkoot River drainage. The bag and possession limit in the Chilkoot River drainage is two coho salmon. Anglers are reminded that the number of fish you have in possession may not exceed the possession limit for the area you are fishing, regardless of where the fish in possession were caught. In the Chilkoot River, for example, you may have no more than two coho salmon in possession.

Sport fishing licenses can be obtained online at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/Store/

#19-2850