(Homer) – Consistent with the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River king salmon sport fishery management plan, the Anchor River and Deep Creek drainages will remain closed to all sport fishing through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Gear is also restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in the Anchor River, Stariski Creek, and Deep Creek from July 16 through July 31 due to increasingly later king salmon run timing.

The 2026 preseason king salmon forecast in the Anchor River is for a run of 2,743 fish which is below the lower end of the sustainable escapement goal range (SEG) of (3,200-6,400). King salmon escapement monitoring in the Anchor River will start in mid-May and if the run is sufficient to achieve the SEG, these sport fisheries may reopen later in the season.

Anchor River king salmon escapements in the last three years averaged approximately 3,200 fish and was below the SEG in 2 of the last 5 years. Deep Creek king salmon escapement has not been monitored since 2020 and will not be assessed in 2026, but the trends in annual run sizes are similar to the Anchor River. In addition to recent poor escapements, king salmon run timing has been later in all lower Kenai Peninsula streams. In the most recent five years, an average of 20% of the Anchor River run has arrived to the lower river after July 15.

“Even though the Anchor River king salmon stock has met its SEG the last two consecutive years, the preseason forecast is for a small run,” stated Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “Starting the season with these fisheries closed and restricting gear later in July is a precautionary approach that will help get as many king salmon as possible into the escapement.”

King salmon are experiencing a period of poor productivity and many escapement goals are not expected to be achieved within Cook Inlet during 2026. The Department is taking conservative actions in sport fisheries throughout the region. Please see separate advisory announcements for king salmon regulations for the Ninilchik River, Kenai River, Kasilof River, Northern Cook Inlet Streams and Cook Inlet salt waters.

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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