Contact:
Donn Tracy
Sport Fish Area Manager
Phone: (907) 486-1880

Bag, possession, and annual limits for king salmon in the Ayakulik River will be reduced this season by emergency order. In response to recent poor king salmon runs and uncertainty over how quickly the run may recover, the 2013 season will start with a bag and possession limit of one king salmon 20 inches or greater in length, and an annual limit of two fish.

The biological escapement goal (BEG) for Ayakulik River king salmon is 4,000 to 7,000 fish. The BEG was not achieved from 2006-2009. Restrictions to the sport fishery have helped achieve the BEG since 2010, but expectations of poor king salmon returns and uncertainty over how quickly the run may fully recover justify starting the 2013 season conservatively. The 2013 king salmon run will be monitored daily at the ADF&G Ayakulik River salmon counting weir. Increased harvest opportunity may be allowed by subsequent emergency order if inseason assessment of Ayakulik River king salmon indicates the run is stronger than anticipated.
 

For more information, contact the Division of Sport Fish office in Kodiak at (907) 486-1880.