Inseason Alaska Commercial Salmon Summary

This summary provides management, harvest, and escapement information for the Alaska commercial salmon fishing season. This summary will be updated each Friday between mid-May and September. Please note, inseason harvest data published in this summary are preliminary and subject to change. For more information on the Blue Sheet, inseason summaries, and harvest timing charts, please see our Blue Sheet, Inseason Summary, and Harvest Timing Charts Overview page.

Southeast Alaska & Yakutat

Troll Fishery

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

The first Chinook salmon opening of the general summer troll season began on July 1 to target approximately 38,000 fish. The fishery was open for Chinook salmon retention for 4 days. Landing reports indicate a reduced number of vessels compared with the previous 2 years.

Preliminary fish ticket data reported through July 10 indicates a total of 435 troll permits have landed 42,000 Chinook salmon. Additional fish tickets are not accounted for and the final harvest estimate is not expected for another week. Harvest reported on fish tickets for other species include 39,800 coho and 28,600 chum salmon. Average prices are $7.83/lb for Chinook, $1.81/lb for coho and $0.60 /lb for chum salmon. Current average weights are 10.8 lb for Chinook, 5.0 lb for coho, and 7.5 lb for chum salmon. Chinook salmon average weight is equal to the 2024 average but below the 5-year average by 0.1 lb, while coho salmon average weight is above the 2024 and 5-year averages by 0.1 lb and 0.3 lb. Chum salmon average weight is below the 2024 and 5-year averages by 1.6 lb and 0.6 lb.

The current regional power troll coho salmon catch rate for this week (SW 28) is 63 coho/boat/day, with the highest catch rate in the Central Outside area at 84/boat/day, followed by the Southern Outside area at 35/boat/day.

Directed chum landings reported on fish tickets for the summer troll fishery in West Behm Canal and Neets Bay indicate 37 vessels have taken 21,600 chum salmon from 75 landings at a rate of 288 fish per landing. A total of 7 vessels have reported 4,200 chum salmon from 18 landings in District 14 (Icy Strait) at a rate of 231 fish per landing.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Purse Seine Fishery

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

A detailed management plan for the 2025 season will be posted at:

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#management

Regulations allow purse seine fishing in Districts 1 (Sections 1-C, 1-D, 1-E, and 1-F only), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Sections 6-C, 6-D, and 6-E only), 7, 9, 10, 11 (Sections 11-A and 11-D only), 12, 13, and 14. Although the areas specified above are designated purse seine fishing areas, specific open areas and fishing times are established in season by emergency order (EO). Purse seine fishing is also allowed in hatchery terminal harvest areas (THA) at Carroll Inlet, Neets Bay, Kendrick Bay, Anita Bay, Thomas Bay, Southeast Cove, Hidden Falls, Deep Inlet, Crawfish Inlet, and Amalga Harbor. Purse seine openings in THAs are established by EO in consultation with hatchery operators.

The 2025 SEAK pink salmon harvest is predicted to be in the average range with a point estimate of 29 million fish (80% prediction interval: 16–53 million fish). Although uncertainties are inherent in salmon forecasts, the NOAA/ADF&G joint pink salmon harvest forecast has maintained a strong track record, despite the unique forecasting challenges for pink salmon.

Traditional pink salmon openings begin Thursday July 3 in Districts 1, 2, and 4. Traditional pink salmon openings continued with two openings this week on July 6 and July 10. Area expanded to include area in Districts 7 and 14 for yesterday’s opening on July 10. Pink salmon harvests have increased and are generally above average but are not at the levels seen during the 2023 parent year. The next opening is scheduled for July 13 and additional area is expected to open.

Common property purse seine openings began June 1 in select THAs and continues in the Kendrick, Anita, and Thomas Bays THAs. All other THAs have closed for cost recovery fishing and/or broodstock collection.

The ADF&G interactive map where districts, sections, closed waters as well as other features used in the management of commercial salmon fisheries can be viewed, has been updated with recent changes from the Alaska Board of Fisheries and descriptions of THAs have been added. This map is available on the ADF&G website at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#maps. Geographic information system data used to make the map is also available for download at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=cfnews.main.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Drift Gillnet Fishery

Last updated: Friday, June 20, 2025

A detailed management plan for the 2025 season will be posted at:

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#management

There are 5 traditional drift gillnet fishing areas in SEAK: Tree Point and Portland Canal (District 1); Prince of Wales (District 6); Stikine (District 8); Taku/Snettisham (District 11); and Lynn Canal (District 15). In addition, drift gillnet fisheries occur in several terminal harvest areas (THA) adjacent to hatchery facilities and at remote release sites throughout the region. The Pacific Salmon Treaty PST directly influences management of Districts 1, 6, 8, and 11 drift gillnet fisheries (5 AAC 33.361).

The drift gillnet fishery primarily targets sockeye, pink, and chum salmon during the summer season and coho and chum salmon during the fall season. Directed commercial fisheries harvesting Stikine and Taku Rivers stocks of Chinook salmon began in 2005 after ceasing in the 1970s. District 8 was opened to directed fisheries on Stikine River Chinook salmon from 2005 through 2008, and limited fisheries occurred in 2012 and 2016. In District 11, directed fisheries on Taku River Chinook salmon occurred in 2005, 2006, and 2009, and two 12-hour openings occurred in 2012.

Traditional common property fisheries began on June 15. For details on various drift gillnet fisheries, see the following sections by gillnet area.

The ADF&G interactive map where districts, sections, closed waters as well as other features used in the management of commercial salmon fisheries can be viewed, has been updated with recent changes from the Alaska Board of Fisheries and descriptions of THAs have been added. This map is available on the ADF&G website at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#maps. Geographic information system data used to make the map is also available for download at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=cfnews.main.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Tree Point/Section 1-B

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

The Tree Point drift gillnet fishery opened at 12:01 p.m., on Sunday, July 6, for an initial 4-day fishing period. In comparison to the 10-year average, the harvest of all salmon species were below average. The effort level of 35 vessels was below the 10-year average of 40 vessels. The estimated weekly harvest for statistical week 28 was 40 Chinook salmon, 400 sockeye salmon, 100 coho salmon, 9,000 pink salmon and 30,000 chum salmon. The 2025 preseason forecast for the Nass River is 597,000 sockeye salmon, allowing the Section 1-B drift gillnet fishery to harvest approximately 54,700 sockeye salmon of Nass River origin. With effort below average and currently no treaty concerns, Tree Point will be open four days in statistical week 29, beginning at 12:01 p.m., Sunday, July 13, 2025.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Stikine and Prince of Wales/Districts 6 and 8

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

District 6 and two small areas in District 8 were opened for an initial 96 hours. Management emphasis was based on sockeye salmon abundance with Chinook salmon conservation measures in place for both districts. A large area closure was in place for District 8 and the maximum size mesh allowed in both districts was six inches. Results from on-the-grounds surveys indicated above average sockeye salmon abundance for the time of year with a below average number of participants. As such, a 48-hour extension occurred. The next opening will start on Sunday, July 13, for 48 hours in the same open areas as last week with mesh restrictions in effect for Chinook salmon conservation. Then, following the closure on Tuesday, District 8 will re-open for a 24-hour mid-week with expanded area starting at 6:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 15. As per the McDonald Action Plan, District 6 will be limited to 48 hour openings for the next three weeks. Management personnel will be on the grounds assessing sockeye salmon run strength and wild Chinook salmon harvests for possible adjustments to the mid-week opening.

Inseason model projections for Stikine River sockeye salmon are pointing towards a 90,000 fish run with a U.S. allowable catch near 40,000 fish, mostly of Tahltan Lake bound fish. The cumulative U.S. harvest is estimated to be approximately 10,700 Stikine River sockeye. Considering historical harvest timing, the Tahltan portion of the run typically peaks this time of year as mainstem sockeye salmon harvests typically peak a couple of weeks later.

The 2025 preseason terminal run forecast for Stikine River large Chinook salmon is 10,000 fish. This forecast is well below the 10-yr average of 14,500 fish and below the escapement goal range of 14,000–28,000 fish. This forecast does not allow for directed Chinook salmon fisheries in District 8. Recent trends of Stikine River Chinook salmon abundance and trends in Chinook salmon abundance throughout SEAK indicate very poor survival of Chinook salmon. As such, conservation measures will be in place for next week’s opening. It is estimated that 300 large Stikine River Chinook salmon have been harvested in commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries in District 8 at the time of publication.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Taku-Snettisham/Section 11-B

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

District 11 drift gillnet fishery drew the effort of an estimated 70 vessels making landings in this week’s opening which was 88% of the recent 10-year average. Harvest in the district this week was above average for all species except for pink salmon.

Sockeye salmon harvest was good this week with an estimated harvest of 8,500 fish, which is 127% of the recent 10-year average and catch per unit effort (CPUE) 91% of average. Reported sockeye size was a mixed bag on the grounds this week with fishermen seeing large blueback lake fish upwards of 6-pounds at times, along with shots of small, less than 5-pound fish hitting their nets. Otolith samples taken from sockeyes harvested in Taku Inlet indicated an increased component of Little Trapper and Tatsamenie Lakes fish in the harvest this week. Interestingly, no Snettisham hatchery sockeyes were found in the sample this week. Up Taku River, sockeye catches at the Canyon Island fish wheels increased over the previous week, and the Canadian inriver commercial gillnet fishery had strong harvests with low effort. The first inseaon Taku River sockeye salmon run estimate is likely to be produced next week.

Harvest of hatchery chum salmon was very good in the district this week with an estimated 195,000 fish harvest, which is 179% of the recent 10-year average and CPUE 156% of average. Douglas Island Pink and Chum (DIPAC) gave an average weight of 7.0-pounds and 65% male this week from a sample of Taku Inlet harvested chum salmon this week.

District 11 will open for three days next week with no area restrictions in Taku Inlet. In effort to conserve wild sockeye salmon returning to Port Snettisham streams, on day-three Stephens Passage, south of Circle Point, will utilize a 6-inch minimum mesh size restriction. Limestone Inlet will open to the inside markers on day-three to allow additional opportunity to harvest hatchery chum salmon returning to the inlet.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Lynn Canal/District 15

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

District 15 opened for two days this week with expanded fishing areas targeting wild sockeye and hatchery-produced chum salmon. In Section 15-A, the eastern shoreline was extended north to Ayiklutu Point, while in Section 15-C, fishing was permitted south of the latitude of the Boat Harbor Terminal Harvest Area (THA) southern line. The Boat Harbor THA itself was extended to 2 nautical miles offshore and opened initially for three days, followed by a 24-hour extension. Conservation measures for Chilkat River Chinook salmon remained in effect throughout the district. Inside waters of the Boat Harbor THA remain open until further notice, with no current restrictions.

Fishing effort increased slightly from the previous week, with approximately 140 vessels making landings—just below the 10-year average of 147 boats for this period. Most of the fleet focused on targeting hatchery chum salmon in Section 15-C, though there was some renewed participation in Section 15-A. Sockeye harvest in Section 15-A showed a notable improvement; however, catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) in Section 15-C remained low. The total sockeye harvest was approximately 4,000 fish—only 56% of the recent average and below expectations for this time.

Chum salmon harvest remained strong and stable, with an estimated 270,000 fish landed—118% of the average. DIPAC reported an average weight of 6.2 pounds per chum, a slight decline from last week, and a sex ratio of 60% male. Pink salmon began to appear in District 15, though harvest remains modest at around 5,000 fish, well below average. Notably, some unusually large pink salmon were reported, weighing up to 8 pounds. Coho salmon harvest declined this week and was below average.

Sockeye passage through the Chilkoot River weir continues to lag, mirroring last year’s delayed trend. High river levels and poor visibility offer some optimism that fish are merely delayed and may arrive in greater numbers soon—though hopefully not in the compressed pulses observed in past years. In contrast, escapement to Chilkat Lake is progressing well, with 8,300 sockeye counted to date. The Chilkat River adult Chinook drift gillnet project also continues to perform strongly, with 57 large Chinook captured to date, tracking above average.

Due to continued weak performance of Chilkoot sockeye salmon stocks, District 15 will open for two days next week with the same areas open as this week. However, Chinook salmon restrictions will be lifted in Section 15-C.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Yakutat Area Set Gillnet Fishery

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

The Alsek River set gillnet fishery opened on July 6, for 72-hours. A total of 7 permits harvested 2 Chinook and 2,030 sockeye salmon. There was a 24-hour extension on the Alsek River this week, due to this not all fish tickets are accounted for, and so harvest is preliminary. Fleet participation was near average, and the Chinook harvest was average, and sockeye harvest was above average for this statistical week.

The Yakutat Bay set gillnet fishery opened on July 6, for 84-hours. There was a 24-hours extension on give for Yakutat Bay this week. A total of 9 permits harvested 23 Chinook, 860 sockeye, 21 coho, 87 pink and 3 chum salmon. Fleet participation was above recent 5-year average and harvest of all species was above the 10-year average for this statistical week.

The Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet set gillnet fishery opened on July 6, for 60-hours. A total of 24 permits harvested 3,856 sockeye, 3 coho, 157 pink and 1 chum salmon. Fleet participation was average, and sockeye harvest was average for this statistical week.

The Manby Shore Outside set gillnet fishery opened on July 6, for 84 hours. There was a 24-hours extension on give for Manby Shore Outside Waters this week. A total of 5 permits harvested 4 Chinook, 2,374 sockeye, 4 coho, 3 pink and 1 chum salmon. Fleet participation was average, and harvest was near average for this statistical week.

The Dangerous River also fished this week, but due to less than 3 permits fished. Harvest information is confidential.

Escapement monitoring at the Situk River weir for sockeye and Chinook salmon started on June 1st. To date, 41,256 sockeye, 271 large Chinook, 146 medium Chinook and 255 small Chinook salmon have been enumerated at the weir. Model still has not been run to account for the 10 days that weir was not fish tight in the early part of June.

The East Alsek River and the Akwe River will be opened on statistical week 29.

The Italio River systems will open by emergency order when adequate levels of escapement can be documented.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Terminal Harvest Area (THA) Fisheries

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

The outside waters of the Boat Harbor THA opened initially for three days this week, followed by a 24-hour extension for a total fishing period of four days. Fishing was open within 2.0 nmi of the western shoreline of Lynn Canal south of the latitude of Lance Point at 58°43.95′ N lat and north of the latitude of a regulatory marker at 58°36.96′ N lat. Conservation measures for Chilkat River Chinook salmon remained in effect this week but will be removed next week (SW 29).Approximately 200,000 chum salmon were harvested in the THA this week. The inside waters of the Boat Harbor THA will remain open until further notice with no restrictions. DIPAC is projecting an above average total return of up to 2.8 million hatchery-produced chum salmon to the Boat Harbor and Amalga Harbor release sites in 2025, with a projected common property harvest of 1.3 million fish. Harvest opportunities throughout the season will remain contingent upon the inseason abundance of wild salmon returning to Chilkat and Chilkoot Rivers.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Nakat Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

The forecasted Nakat Inlet return is 516,000 summer chum, 6,000 fall chum, and 22,000 coho salmon. The Nakat Inlet THA will be open by regulation to the harvest of salmon by drift gillnet gear from Sunday, June 1, through Monday, November 10, 2025. The current estimated harvest is 100,000 chum salmon.

For updates on SSRAA contributions visit their website at http://www.ssraa.org/.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Neets Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

In 2025, SSRAA is forecasting total runs of 1,375,000 summer chum and 98,000 coho salmon with anticipated terminal runs of 894,000 summer chum and 39,200 coho salmon to the Neets Bay THA and will open to troll gear.

The Neets Bay THA will be expanded on July 1 to Chin Point at 131°42.10′ W long (Chin Point line) for troll gear only. Chinook salmon may NOT be retained in this expanded area, as Chinook salmon retention and possession in the Neets Bay THA is prohibited for vessels operating commercial troll gear within all waters of the THA.

The THA will remain open to troll gear 12:01 AM, Friday, June 27 through 11:59 PM, Thursday, July 31 as follows, unless closed by emergency order:

  • 12:01 AM, Friday, June 27, to 11:59 PM, Monday, June 30, east of the Bug Island line (131°39.14' W long);
  • 12:01 AM, Tuesday, July 1, to 11:59 PM, Thursday, July 31, east of the Chin Point line (131°42.10' W long);

The Neets Bay THA is not scheduled to open for rotational net fisheries in 2025. Details of the 2025 season fishing schedule and area for the Neets Bay THA were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 15. Common property fisheries, if warranted, will be announced by advisory announcement, and opened by EO in consultation with SSRAA.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Kendrick Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

For 2025, SSRAA is expecting a total run of 1,431,000 summer chum salmon with an anticipated terminal run of 358,000 summer chum salmon. Due to budgetary shortfalls and the need for additional cost recovery, the Kendrick Bay THA will NOT open by regulation on June 15. The Kendrick Bay THA will remain closed to common property harvest until approximately 1.5 million pounds of chum salmon are harvested for cost recovery. Details of the 2025 fishing schedule for the Kendrick Bay THA were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 16.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Caroll Inlet THA

Last updated: Thursday, July 03, 2025

The forecasted return for Carroll Inlet is 11,100 Chinook salmon. The Carroll Inlet THA will be open to troll gear from Sunday, June 1, through Monday, June 30, 2025. The Carroll Inlet THA will be open in the waters of Carroll Inlet north of the latitude of 55°34.83′ N lat, approximately 1.3 nautical miles north of Nigelius Point, to the harvest of salmon by net gear groups from Sunday, June 1, through Saturday June 7, 2025. The entire THA will open to drift gillnet and purse seine concurrently Sunday, June 8 through noon, Thursday, June 12, 2025. The Carroll Inlet THA will open to a rotational fishery between purse seine and drift gillnet on Sunday, June 15, 2025. The 500-yard stream closure (5 AAC 39.290) will not be in effect in the Carroll Inlet THA. The Carroll Inlet THA will close to all gear groups on Monday, June 30, 2025. . The current estimated harvest is 2,600 Chinook salmon by purse seine gear and 1,100 Chinook salmon by drift gillnet gear.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Anita Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

SSRAA is forecasting total runs of 8,900 Chinook, 395,000 summer chum, and 13,600 coho salmon from releases at Anita Bay. A total of 7,900 Chinook, 158,000 summer chum, and 6,100 coho salmon are expected to be available for harvest in the THA. The total reported gillnet harvest to date is 3,500 Chinook and 1,500 chum salmon. The seine harvest to date is 3,400 Chinook and 800 chum salmon. Trolling efforts have harvested an additional 200 Chinook salmon. The Anita Bay common property fishery is governed as described in the District 7: Anita Bay Terminal Harvest Area Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 33.383). A rotational fishery will be in place for drift gillnet and purse seine gear through August 31. Further details of the 2025 season fishing schedule and open area within the Anita Bay THA can be found in an ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 16.

For further information and updates on Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Deep Inlet THA

Last updated: Thursday, July 03, 2025

The Deep Inlet THA has been closed to all common property fisheries since June 29 to aid in cost-recovery harvest. The THA is scheduled to reopen on August 3, with purse seine fishing open on Sunday, Thursday, and Friday, and drift gillnet fishing open on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. A second closure will begin on August 10 and remain in effect until cost-recovery operations are complete. NSRAA will need approximately 132,500 chum salmon for broodstock this season. Harvest from drift gillnet openings to date is approximately 2,100 Chinook salmon and 23,000 chum salmon. Harvest from seine openings to date is approximately 2,050 Chinook salmon and 77,000 chum salmon.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Hidden Falls THA

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

The Hidden Falls THA has been closed to common property harvest since July 7 to aid in cost-recovery harvest. Depending on the progress of the cost recovery fishery, portions of the Hidden Falls THA may reopen to common property harvest later in the season. Harvest from the seine openings to date is 340 Chinook salmon and 316,000 chum salmon.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Crawfish Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

NSRAA expects a run of 454,000 chum salmon to the Crawfish Inlet remote release site. NSRAA plans on conducting a cost-recovery fishery this season in Crawfish Inlet. The number of chum salmon available for common property harvest will depend entirely on the progress of the cost-recovery fishery. No chum salmon are needed for broodstock in Crawfish Inlet.

The Crawfish Inlet THA opened on July 6, with additional openings scheduled to occur on Sundays and Thursdays through July 26. However, due to lack of fishing effort, there is currently no harvest to report. The Crawfish Inlet THA will close to all common property fishing, beginning on July 27 through the completion of cost recovery operations.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Thomas Bay THA

Last updated: Thursday, July 03, 2025

NSRAA is forecasting a total run of 379,000 chum salmon to the Thomas Bay THA. The reported harvest to date is confidential. A portion of the run will be harvested in common property fisheries in Chatham Strait and Frederick Sound. No cost recovery is planned in 2025. The Thomas Bay THA will be open to common property purse seine and troll fisheries from Sunday, June 15, through Saturday, August 9, 2025. Purse seine openings will occur on Sundays and Thursdays, and troll openings will occur on days closed to purse seining. Details of the 2025 Thomas Bay THA fishing schedule and area were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 16.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Southeast Cove THA

Last updated: Friday, July 11, 2025

NSRAA is forecasting a total run of 587,000 summer chum and 550 Chinook salmon to the Southeast Cove THA. The total reported harvest to date is confidential. The THA closed to all common property fisheries on July 6 for cost recovery operations and will remain closed until cost recovery has been completed. A portion of the run will be harvested in common property fisheries in Chatham Strait. Details of the 2025 Southeast Cove THA fishing schedule and area were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 29.

In 2025, cost recovery will occur in the Southeast Cove THA beginning Monday, July 7.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.