(Anchorage) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon in the Coghill River drainage to 12 fish per day, 24 in possession effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 2 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022. The limit for other salmon, except king, coho, and sockeye salmon, remains at six per day, 12 in possession.

The sockeye salmon escapement goal for the Coghill River is 20,000 - 60,000 fish. As of June 29, 2022, an estimated 19,163 sockeye salmon have passed through the Coghill River weir with a significant number of fish still entering the river and staging downstream of the weir. It is currently estimated that approximately 20% of the run has passed the weir and projections indicate that the upper end of the goal will be met or exceeded. In addition to liberalizing the bag and possession limits, the closed area adjacent to the Coghill River weir operated by ADF&G has been reduced to 50 feet upstream and downstream of the weir, as indicated by ADF&G markers.

“The Coghill River is not easily accessible but with a surplus of fish it provides a good sockeye salmon fishing opportunity for those anglers wanting to put the effort in,” stated Assistant Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth. “The commercial fishery is also continuing to target the surplus sockeye salmon and will be very active in the vicinity of the river when the bag limit increase goes into effect. Anglers should expect to see ongoing commercial fishing activity throughout the remainder of the fishery and expect catch rates to be variable.”

For additional information please contact Area Management Biologist Jay Baumer in Anchorage at (907) 267-2265 or Assistant Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth at (907) 267-2186.

#22-3375