Contact:
Donn Tracy
Kodiak Sport Fish Mgmt. Biologist
Phone: 907-486-1880
July 18, 2013
King salmon fishing (including catch-and-release) is closed by emergency order in the Nelson River, also known as the Sapsuk River, beginning Saturday, July 20, 2013. King salmon may not be targeted; king salmon incidentally caught while fishing for other fish may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. The current regulation prohibiting the use of bait in the Nelson River drainage remains in effect.
The biological escapement goal for Nelson (Sapsuk) River king salmon is 2,400 to 4,400 fish. As of July 16, only 1,216 king salmon have passed the weir. By regulation, the inriver sport fishery is nonretention, one single-hook, artificial lure for king salmon, but closing the fishery is necessary to further reduce king salmon mortality to attempt meeting the escapement goal.
For more information, contact the Division of Sport Fish office in Kodiak at (907) 486-1880.