Contact:
Donn Tracy
Kodiak Sport Fish Mgmt. Biologist
Phone: 907-486-1880

Effective 12:01 a.m., Monday, September 16, the Olds River will remain closed to salmon fishing above the Chiniak Highway through the remainder of the year.

The current lower bound sustainable escapement goal for coho salmon in the Olds River drainage is 1,000 fish. Recent escapements of Olds River coho salmon have failed to achieve the escapement goal, and high water conditions in September 2013 have made it difficult to obtain reliable inseason assessment of the coho salmon escapement. Based on recent run performance and the uncertainty with the 2013 escapement, Olds River will remain closed to salmon fishing upstream from the Chiniak Highway through December 31. The American River is not affected by this emergency order and will open to coho fishing upstream of the highway September 16.

The Olds River drainage below Chiniak Highway will remain open to salmon fishing, with a daily bag and possession limit of two coho salmon. Anglers are also reminded that once two coho salmon are harvested from the Olds River drainage below the Chiniak Highway in a single day, additional coho salmon may not be harvested during the same day from other drainages within the Kodiak road system.

For more information, contact Donn Tracy, Kodiak Area Management Biologist, at (907) 486-1880.