(Palmer) - In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring sport fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing all drainages in the West Cook Inlet Area to sport fishing for king salmon effective 6:00 a.m. Monday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2023. King salmon fishing in West Cook Inlet area streams is closed in regulation from July 1 through the remainder of the year.

“King salmon runs in Cook Inlet are anticipated to be especially poor in 2023,” stated Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey. “Major king salmon fisheries in this area of Cook Inlet have been closed in regulation since 2011. Several small stocks that remain open to king salmon fishing in this area are likely in jeopardy of overexploitation if left open this season.”

In conjunction with this closure, Emergency Order 2-KS-7-15-23 closes Upper Cook Inlet salt waters to king salmon fishing, Emergency Order 2-KS-1-10-23 closes the Kenai River early-run king salmon fishery, Emergency Order 2-KS-7-13-23 closes the Anchor River and Deep Creek to sport fishing, and Emergency Order 2-KS-2-05-23 closes the Deshka River to king salmon fishing. Additionally, emergency orders prohibit the retention of wild (naturally-produced) king salmon in the Ninilchik and Kasilof rivers and restricts other king salmon fisheries in Susitna River, and Northern Cook Inlet. Please review these emergency orders and advisory announcements in their entirety for the specific regulatory changes.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologists Sam Ivey in Palmer at (907) 746-6300 and Mike Booz in Homer at (907) 235-8191.

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