(Homer) - In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring sport fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the Anchor River and Deep Creek drainages to all sport fishing effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 11 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 15, 2022.

As of June 6, 2022, a total of 304 king salmon had been counted in the Anchor River using a combination of sonar and underwater video weirs. Based on the 2019–2021 Anchor River king salmon run timing, the 2022 escapement is projected to be less than 2,000 king salmon, which would be below the sustainable escapement goal (SEG) of 3,800-7,600 king salmon. Deep Creek king salmon escapement is not being monitored this year but in past years has shown similar trends to the king salmon run in the Anchor River. The Anchor River king salmon runs have achieved the SEG in three of the last five years and were below the goal in 2018 and 2020. Preseason and inseason management actions have occurred annually since 2018.

“Similar to other Cook Inlet king salmon stocks, this year’s Anchor River run looks to be weak and late,” stated Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “Closing the sport fishery through mid-July will ensure that the later returning king salmon are not incidentally caught in the lower river.”

In conjunction with this closure, Emergency Order 2-KS-7-25-22 restricts the use of bait in the Ninilchik River through Friday, July 15, 2022.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Mike Booz or Assistant Area Management Biologist Holly Dickson at (907) 235-8191.

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