Contact:
Brian Marston
Yakutat Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 784-3222

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that the Situk River drainage sport fishery for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length, is closed beginning 12:01a.m., Friday, May 11. Any king salmon 20 inches or greater in length may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. The bag limit for king salmon less than 20 inches in length is 10 fish.

The Situk River drainage is managed for a biological escapement goal of 450 to 1,050 large king salmon. The 2012 preseason forecast of the large king salmon run to the Situk River is predicted at 500 fish. In order to help achieve the escapement goal sport fishery restrictions are required. The department monitors in-season Chinook salmon escapement in the Situk River with weir counts. If subsequent weir counts exceed the preseason forecast and the escapement goal is projected to be met, sport fishery restrictions may be lifted.

The Department may close a sport fishery in a drainage for certain species of fish experiencing low abundance, instead of prohibiting the retention of that species, when the terminal gear and angling techniques used for that species differs from those used for other fish. This enforceable solution helps achieve the conservation of species at low abundance, and allows fisheries in the same waters on other species that are at sustainable population levels. In the Situk River Drainage, since the gear and techniques used for king salmon angling are different from those used for other species present at adequate abundances, a closure to fishing for king salmon is warranted.

For further information, anglers should call the Division of Sport Fish, at (907) 784-3222.

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