Contact:
Doug Fleming
Petersburg-Wrangell Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 772-5231

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) announced today that sport fishing regulations for king salmon will once again be liberalized in marine waters of District 8 near Petersburg and Wrangell (see map) based on the most recent inseason escapement estimates to the Stikine River. The Stikine River stock is one of the few statewide experiencing escapements and available harvests that warrant liberalized fishing opportunities.

The following sport fishing regulations for the marine waters of District 8 will be in effect as of 12:01 A.M. Saturday, June 23, 2012 through 11:59 p.m. July 15, 2012:

• Sport fishing for king salmon may be conducted with the use of 2 lines (rods) per angler with no more than six lines fished from a vessel.
• Resident anglers will have a bag limit of three king salmon 28 inches or greater in length per day, and a possession limit of six king salmon.
• Nonresident anglers will have a bag limit of two king salmon 28 inches or greater in length per day and in possession, and an annual limit of six king salmon. Nonresident anglers must record all king salmon harvested, in ink, either on the back of their sport fishing license, or on a nontransferable harvest record immediately.
• Charter operators and crew members may not retain king salmon when clients are onboard.
• King salmon fishing will remain closed in fresh waters of the Stikine River and its tributaries, upstream of a line between Pt. Rothsay on the Stikine Flats, and Indian Pt. in LeConte Bay.

The Stikine River king salmon management plan includes provisions to liberalize sport fishing in years when there is an allowable harvest of Stikine River king salmon. These sport fishing regulations are intended to provide additional opportunity to harvest Stikine River king salmon that are surplus to escapement needs. Anglers fishing waters outside of District 8, hatchery terminal harvest areas, or after July 15th in District 8 are reminded that the provisions of Emergency Order 1-KS-R-02-12 issued on March 29, 2012 remain in effect. (see current news release on 2012 Southeast Alaska King Salmon sport fishing regulations, and check in-season news releases posted on the Fish and Game website and at local boat harbors).

For further information, contact Doug Fleming, Petersburg-Wrangell Area Biologist
at (907) 772-5231, the nearest ADF&G office or visit: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.eonr
 

LIBERALIZED REGULATIONS REINSTATED FOR KING SALMON IN MARINE WATERS NEAR PETERSBURG AND WRANGELL