Effective August 3, 2020, the department is closing sport fishing for sockeye salmon in the Upper Copper River drainage for the remainder of the season to provide more sockeye salmon towards the escapement goal.

As of July 28, a total of 530,313 salmon have been counted past the Miles Lake sonar compared to an objective of 624,709 salmon for this date, a deficit of 94,396 salmon with 95% of the run past the sonar. Additionally, sonar passage is trending below the daily objective by 72% indicating the Copper River sockeye salmon run may be near its end. Due to overall low sockeye salmon passage and concerns the sockeye salmon escapement goal is at risk of not being met, it is justified to close the Upper Copper River drainage sockeye salmon sport fishery for the remainder of the season.

#20-3016